Apotheosis of the Immortal (45 page)

Chapter 91

Elijah had been
running his fastest for at least an hour, and the only sign of Khalid continued to be the brutish path he had ripped through the thick underbrush. He had crossed roads, mountains, and even rivers.
How fast is he, anyway?
Elijah was amazed, and impressed.

As he passed over a thick, trampled briar patch, Elijah noticed a bit of blood and a large tuft of black fur caught on one of the thorns. Had Khalid run into trouble? Had he been attacked by something? Knowing how strong and capable the man was, Elijah didn’t bother to worry. He felt sorry for the poor beast that had gotten in his way.

It was a couple hours later that Elijah crossed over a small creak and saw Khalid leaning against a large tree, buttoning his shirt.

“You are faster than I thought,” he smiled at Elijah.

“Obviously not fast enough. How long have you been here?” Elijah was curious as to just how fast Khalid was.

“Only a matter of minutes; you were right on my heels the entire time, it seems. Of course, I did clear the path,” Khalid beamed proudly.

“Are we close?” Elijah was worried. If they took too much longer they might not make it back in time to save Emira.

“Yes, it’s just over that mountain.” Khalid pointed as he spoke. “Don’t say anything; let me do the talking. Your presence here alone is going to upset him.” He seemed even more worried now.

“
HE
will be upset? I thought you said we would be meeting with a council.” Elijah was once again annoyed by the big man’s secrets and half-truths.

“I am hoping to avoid the council.” Khalid paused for a moment and took a deep breath. “The man who lives here is named Arhan. We don’t have a leader, but if we did, some might say it is Arhan. He is the guardian who keeps the other half of the ME. Technically we would have to call the council for any decision of this magnitude, but I’m hoping he will cooperate.” Though his words were somewhat optimistic, Khalid’s voice told an entirely different story. “Follow me,” he commanded and raced up the hill with Elijah close behind.

Chapter 92

Elijah was surprised
by the view from the top of the mountain. The valley below was completely cleared of underbrush. In the very center stood a large wooden cabin that seemed the exact opposite of Khalid’s small hideout. It was two stories high, and a large crescent window stretched across both stories.

There was a huge wraparound porch extending along three sides of the building, and the back door opened to a set of stairs that climbed down to meet a rocky path leading to a gazebo. The gazebo was intricately designed; it was round, with delicately carved rails stretching from the waist-high walls to the cone-shaped roof.

As they approached the cabin, Elijah could see it wasn’t made of treated lumber. Instead, the logs were bare, sanded and cut to fit together perfectly. Their texture was rough and dry. The wood still smelled like wood; the cabin’s look and smell reminded Elijah of something beautiful from ages past. He imagined the walls inside looked similar to the outside, with no drywall or insulation.

According to modern standards the house would be considered raw and unfinished, a work in progress, and perhaps even unlivable. Elijah could remember a time not long ago when it would have been considered magnificent. He had lived long enough to recognize the gem the structure truly was. The man who built this was an artisan, an expert at his craft.

The landscaping, which encircled the house, was also elaborate. The same logs that made up the house framed the flower garden; they were artfully designed and crafted to fit together end to end like puzzle pieces. The garden started in the front of the house with two small rectangular flowerbeds on each side of the walkway stretching from the front steps.

From there, it flowed artistically back around the house and along the rocky path to the gazebo, where it climbed up the gazebo walls and filled the gutter-like flower bed which flowed seamlessly around the inside. The beds themselves were filled with beautiful and exotic plants of all types and colors, some Elijah didn’t even recognize. The beds were kept in immaculate condition, clearly watched over meticulously; every plant had its place, and nothing was out of place.

Walking up the front steps, Elijah stopped just behind Khalid on the porch. He waited quietly, taking in the artistry around him, while Khalid knocked on the door. Seconds later, Elijah’s attention was pulled away from the parade of color around him by the slight creaking sound of the front door slowly opening.

Looking towards the door, he was surprised to see a short man. No, he was actually Elijah’s height and build; he just appeared short next to his enormous friend, but
everyone
looked short next to Khalid. Elijah didn’t know why, but he had assumed all of Khalid’s kind were men of beastly proportions. Arhan had Khalid’s same dark olive skin tone and black hair; they could have been brothers, except for the size difference.

“Khalid, what a wonderful surprise. What are you doing here?” The man spoke with Khalid’s same strange accent while he smiled and pulled Khalid into a strong embrace. Khalid stepped back a pace and shook hands. Arhan noticed Elijah and frowned. “Who is this man you’ve brought to my door?” The words burst from his throat like an accusation.

Elijah could tell he was a distrustful man, and he certainly had good cause.

“This is my good friend, Elijah; he and I have grown very close,” Khalid reassured the man who still blocked the doorway. “We have come because Emira is in danger and I need your help.”

A look of uncertainty crossed Arhan’s face, and his brow furrowed. Elijah got the feeling this kind of request was out of the ordinary.

“All right, come on, let’s talk inside.” Arhan certainly wasn’t happy about the intrusion, but seemed to be doing his best to be polite. He motioned the two men into the house and shut the door behind them. “Have a seat and I’ll make some tea.” Arhan walked the pair into the dining room and pulled out two chairs. Elijah looked over at Khalid anxiously as they sat down.

“There is no time for tea and cookies, for god’s sake,” Elijah hissed.

Khalid seemed to get the message. “Actually, Arhan, we are in quite a hurry.” Khalid was speaking politely, but he was obviously nervous, at least to Elijah.

“Okay, old friend, tell me what you need,” Arhan said. He seemed more interested now as he pulled a chair up to the other side of the table. Khalid’s demeanor was usually like stone, and his obvious distress now might have been what made Arhan uncomfortable.

“Do you trust me?” Khalid asked.

Elijah was losing his patience; he wanted Khalid to get to the point.

“What kind of a question is that? Of course I trust you, Brother. What is this about?” Arhan’s volume was growing with his curiosity and irritation.

“What I am about to ask you—” Khalid was interrupted as he spoke.

“We need the other half of the parchment,” Elijah blurted. They were running out of time, and his frustration and impatience had gotten the better of him.

Arhan shot to his feet in protest, his face scored with anger and disbelief.

“What have you told him, Khalid?” the man demanded as he slammed his fist on the table. “We keep our secrets for a reason. Our council has but a handful of members left, thus you
know
secrecy is our primary defense against our enemy’s vast and growing numbers.”

“He knows everything; he is also an immortal, but a friend.” Khalid knew this would send Arhan over the edge, but hoped he could reason with him.

“You brought a blood-letter to my home! You told him I am the keeper! What has come over you, Khalid? This is an outrage!” Arhan shouted, his anger boiling over.

“No. He is an immortal, yes, but made by Mikal.” Khalid hoped this would console the man a bit.

“Impossible!” Arhan’s eyes were wide as he tugged vigorously at the tuft of hair on his chin.

“It’s true, Arhan. I saw it myself, heard and saw Mikal while he spoke to this man, and he is a trusted friend.” Khalid spoke softly, in earnest. “I’m sorry to ask this of you, but, as I said, Emira is in trouble and I need that parchment to save her life. Will you help me, Brother?” Khalid begged; his voice cracked with emotion.

Arhan’s face suddenly flooded with sorrow, as if he knew Emira was like a daughter to Khalid.

“You know I can’t just give you my half of the rite, Khalid, the two parts have been kept separate for thousands of years. We can’t take the chance of letting them both fall into the wrong hands.” His expression was sympathetic, but he spoke resolutely. “Besides, any decisions made about the ME have to involve the entire council; you know that,” Arhan finished piously.

It was obvious he wanted to help his old friend, but Elijah sensed that for him it would mean betraying everything he had lived for and fought for, everything good friends had died for over the ages.

“Please Arhan, we have to save her; are you really willing to sit back and let an innocent girl die?” Elijah leapt to his feet, his voice condemning.

“Elijah, quiet!” Khalid glared at him threateningly.

“No, we are running out of time; we need the parchment now.” Elijah snapped back; he was yelling.

“I’m sorry, I can’t give it to you. One life is not worth risking the ME.” Arhan’s tone was uncompromising.

Pacing the floor as the man spoke, Elijah decided Arhan was being completely unreasonable, and he became more and more furious. Arhan’s words sent chills all through him. It was time for him to act. They were clearly wasting their time with talk; this man could never understand. He stopped pacing and looked directly down at Arhan, who was still seated.

“You are wrong; she is worth everything.” His voice was now calm and his eyes were fierce with resolve. He was going to take the rite by force.

“Let’s go outside.” Khalid jerked Elijah’s arm as he spoke, as if he were trying to deflect a disaster before it started. Elijah resisted for a moment and then grudgingly followed the big man. He was fuming as they stepped out onto the porch.

“You’ve got to calm down, Elijah.” Khalid said quietly.

“How can I calm down? How can you be calm? Emira is going to die if we can’t get what we need from this stubborn fool.” Elijah suddenly realized he was practically screaming and took a deep breath in an attempt to calm himself.

“Losing your cool is not going to help us, or Emira. I promise you I will do whatever I have to do; you just remain calm and stay out of the way.” Khalid was still quiet, but convincing.

As the two walked back in through the open door and into the foyer, Arhan was still sitting at the table with his arms folded in defiance.

“Please, Arhan, just hear me out, and if I can’t convince you over a cup of that tea you mentioned, we will go.” Khalid asked politely, as if he was sure the man was reasonable and would at least listen to their plea.

Arhan looked curiously at Khalid for a moment and then sat up straight in his chair. “Okay, I’ll hear you out; let me put on some tea.” His manner took a friendlier turn as he walked out of the room.

“What are you doing?” Elijah whispered. He was looking at Khalid expectantly, trying his best to be patient.

“Just wait a moment.” Khalid was staring intently at the passageway through which Arhan had disappeared.

As soon as Elijah heard cabinets opening, Khalid jumped up and headed to the door as if he was leaving. Elijah was frustrated and confused until he saw Khalid take a detour into another room, moving with speed and stealth. Elijah quietly rose from his chair and followed him, but by the time he made it to the passage where Khalid had detoured, the big man was already walking back out.

His eyes looked nervous as he used them to signal Elijah back to his seat.

Elijah sat, but wondered whether Khalid had a plan or was just going to rely on this stubborn immortal to help them save Emira. The two were back in their seats just in time to hear the teapot whistle. Seconds later, Arhan came back through the passageway carrying a tray with a pot and three steaming cups of tea.

Elijah saw only one solution. Driven by urgency he practically ground his teeth; his mind was racing. His fears for Emira’s life were increasing with every second they wasted in this place. He decided to give Khalid a bit more time and then he would do things his way.

“Here we are.” Arhan spoke pleasantly as he laid the tray in the center of the table. The putrid stench of some unknown herb in the tea was filling the room around them. Elijah was finished; he stood up quickly, intent on ending this madness.

“Actually, Arhan, we need to get back. I realize now we are not going to be able to convince you, and we are just wasting our time here. Our efforts would be better spent elsewhere. We need to come up with a new plan.” Khalid spoke politely, disappointment in his voice.

“No Khalid, we have no other plan; there is no other way!” Elijah shouted.

“Let’s go.” Khalid spoke sternly and pointed to the door. He was making it hard for Elijah to trust his judgment, but once again he forced himself to the door and back out onto the porch. But if Khalid didn’t have a plan, he would take matters into his own hands immediately.

Khalid stepped out behind him and shut the door.

“What are you doing? We need that parchment!” Elijah exclaimed in frustration as Khalid quickly stepped closer to him until they were standing chest to chest. The look on Khalid’s face was one of shame.

“Don’t say another word. Just take this and go.” Khalid spoke quickly as he thrust a piece of paper into Elijah’s pocket.

“Is that the other piece? How did you—”

“Yes, I stole it,” Khalid interrupted, “now, get out of here before he figures it out.” Khalid’s nervousness was uncomfortably clear.

“What about you?”

“I will be there as soon as I can,” Khalid promised. “But I have to deal with this first. I have to face Arhan and tell him the truth about what’s going on. Now go. You have everything your father is looking for. If he gets it… well, let’s not think about that. I will try to meet you at my house, just before dusk. If your father gets there before I return, try your best to stall him; but if you must choose between Emira and the rite, just give it to him. To hell with everything else. I’m tired of sacrificing time and friends for a god who doesn’t seem to care anymore.” Khalid threw his hands in the air.

Elijah turned to run; within seconds he was back over the mountain and out of sight.