“The streets are paved with polished green slate that reflects the light of the noonday sun, making the whole city look as if it were an extension of the Creator's grace. In winter, when the sea churns and foams, the spires cast a green shadow, transforming the coast into an emerald field of waves and sand.
“Each afternoon, the city fills with music and laughter. We boast six schools where the finest musicians study, teach, and compose. Each afternoon, the students take to the streets so the world can listen to what they have learned. In the evening, the masters give concerts in the city square. As a girl I would wait for hours and hours for the song masters to arrive, and listen until my mother would find me and take me home.”
“At night, the glow of a million lights shine more brilliantly than the stars in the heavens. In the spring, the moss of the listorlia grows on rooftops in infinitely intricate swirling patterns. In the light of the full moon it glows softly, and releases its snow white spores into the air, covering the streets in a blanket of sweet smelling wonder.”
She paused and sighed sadly. “I do miss it.”
“How could anyone leave such a place?” asked Weila. “Why would your people have come here to begin with, when such magic exists?”
Aaliyah smiled. “I look at your desert home and see far more magic. For all our accomplishments, we have nothing like the Blood of the Desert, or the Waters of Shajir. And our life is not without peril. I tell you of the best we have to offer. These are the things I love, yet not all there is. Beyond our borders live a brutish race of foul creatures. We call them the Morzhash. Though only the Creator knows what they call themselves.”
“What are they?” asked Gewey.
“We do not know for certain,” she replied. “They are twice the size of any human, stronger than any elf, and covered in thick black hair. Their faces are twisted and flat, with a swine like nose and narrow red eyes.”
“Are they intelligent?” asked Weila.
“They are cunning to be sure,” said Aaliyah. “And deadly, though, I do not know that they possess anything more sophisticated then a club or spear. They do not work metal and live in make-shift huts, as they hunt and scavenge the forests and jungles. Occasionally, we will find what remains of a camp, but we have never found any permanent settlements. As far as we know, they live a nomadic life.”
“It wouldn't seem like they could trouble your people too much,” said Gewey.
“For thousands of years they have been little more than a nuisance,” she replied. “They raid a village, or attack a traveler. We have captured a few. But have never been able to decipher their crude language. In fact, until the time of my grandmother, we had no idea they even had a language.”
Gewey tried to picture the creatures in his mind. “You say they raid your villages? Why?”
Aaliyah shrugged. “There is no apparent reason. They take nothing. They simply kill and destroy.”
“Why not hunt them down?” asked Weila.
“We have tried,” she replied. “For all their size and girth they move through the forest with amazing speed. And they disappear long before we can track them.”
“Still, it seems like a minor problem,” said Gewey.
“Until the past few years it has been,” she said. “But lately, their raids have become more brazen. They have begun to invade deeper into our land than they ever had in the past.”
“You think it is because of what's happening here?” asked Gewey.
“It may be linked somehow,” Aaliyah replied. “The Morzhash would certainly make formidable allies should the Dark Knight find a way to control them.”
The thought of massive savage beasts fighting on the side of the Dark Knight sent chills down Gewey’s spine. The Vrykol were bad enough, but should these creatures reach their shores, it could cause fear and panic across the land. “Let us hope the two are not related.”
Weila laughed, shocking Gewey out of his morbid thoughts. “Beasts or no beasts, I intend to see your city, Aaliyah. And may the Creator help any pig-nosed oaf that tries to stop me.”
Aaliyah smiled. “I would not worry. My city is one of three, and by far the oldest. The lands around us would burn to cinders before we let it fall. Though we did not come in great number to these shores, should the Dark Knight think to extend his grasp to my home, he will find that only the humans of this land could raise a larger army.”
“Your words give me hope,” said Weila. “I must admit, the elves of the desert have been alone for too long. Your arrival, Darshan, has brought us the hope of kinship.” She folded her hands and bowed her head. “I think that perhaps your arrival has saved us. A people cannot live without moving forward. We have become too set in our ways.”
Gewey reached out and touched her shoulder. “Darshan is a name given to me by a God. And yes, I am his son. But my father was a human. He raised me, and taught me to be the man I am. He named me for his father…Gewey.”
Weila’s face twisted as she tried not to laugh. “Gewey is a silly name for a savior.”
“Gewey is a human name,” he countered. “It will be the human in me that fights the Dark Knight. And I will either defeat him, or be destroyed. And should I win. If I somehow find a way…nothing will change. Your people will still be in the desert.” His gaze shot to Aaliyah. His passion swelled. “Your people will still be across the sea. The world will still be the world. Humans, elves, and even the Morzhash. Nothing will change. Once there is victory…what then? What will you do with the world you are given?” The flow was raging through him as his voice roared. He calmed his spirit and closed his eyes. His frustration and anger grew. He reached out desperately. Aaliyah was there. His spirit had flown straight to her.
“Calm your storm,” Aaliyah whispered. “I am here.”
Gewey shot an accusing glance. “You-I-” His eyes fell. “I don’t know why I said that. I suddenly felt angry. I am sorry.”
A tear spilled down Aaliyah's cheek. “There is no need to apologize. I could feel your passion. Your true nature is beginning to assert itself.”
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“You are what your nature has made you,” she explained. “Your human side is only one part of you. The Gods are the most powerful beings ever created. And their feelings are equally powerful.”
“This is true,” agreed Weila. “Even in our stories, the anger, love, hate, and desire of the Gods are far beyond that of mortals.”
“Are you saying I am becoming more…God?” The idea frightened him.
“Perhaps,” Aaliyah replied. “I cannot say for certain. But I feel that you are changing.”
“What do you mean you feel it?” asked Gewey.
“When you saved me, it created a bond between us,” said Aaliyah, smiling sweetly. She touched his cheek. “I knew it at once. I am surprised you did not.”
“But…but,” Gewey stammered. “What of Nehrutu? And what of Kaylia?”
“What we share is different,” she explained. “When you touched the essence of my spirit, I became a part of you.” She could see Gewey’s discomfort. “Do not fret. As far as I can tell it has not interfered with your connection to Kaylia. And as far as Nehrutu is concerned, that time between us has passed.” The mention of Nehrutu brought sadness to her voice.
This did little to ease Gewey’s mind. “Please release your hold on my bond with her.”
“You could do this on your own, I suspect.” She sighed and nodded. “But very well. I will do as you ask.”
Suddenly, Gewey could feel the barrier being lifted. Instinctively, he reached out for Kaylia. She was there. Joy and rapture rushed through him, as they became one. The longing was over. He was with her.