“Elves see themselves as separate from humanity in every way you can imagine,” Dina explained. “The idea of a half elf, half human child shatters that belief. Frankly, it would be just as bad for me if humans found out. Thankfully, they have no way of knowing unless they find out my age or I tell them directly, as I’ve told you.”
“What now, my lord?” Millet asked.
“I’ll tell you what now,” Maybell cut in. “Someone needs to talk some sense into that elf. I don’t care what you are, Celandine. You’re a part of what’s going on here, and a good person to boot. If she can’t see that, then to blazes with her.”
Dina smiled appreciatively. “Thank you,” she said. “But I don’t see what could help.”
“You said something,” Lee said to Gewey. “Something that made her stop. What was it?”
“I don’t know,” Gewey answered. “It just came out. I have no idea where it came from.”
“You should go look for her then,” Lee suggested. “Perhaps she’ll listen to you.”
Gewey nodded and got out of the wagon. He hoped finding her in the daytime would be easier than it was at night. As it turned out, he didn’t have to look hard at all. He found her a few hundred yards off the road, kneeling next to a tiny stream. Her eyes were closed and her knife was buried in the ground beside her.
“Kaylia,” Gewey said softly. “Are you alright?”
Kaylia didn’t move.
“Kaylia,” he repeated.
Still, she didn’t move.
Gewey sat on the grass behind her, not knowing what to do next. Twenty minutes passed before Kaylia spoke.
“Where did you learn those words?” she whispered.
“I don’t know,” he replied. “They just came out. What do they mean?”
“It’s a declaration. Literally translated, it means my spirit flies to yours.”
Gewey was taken aback. “I wasn’t trying to declare anything,” he said quickly. “I just wanted to stop you from killing Dina.”
“What you said to me is rare and sacred,” she said, continuing as though she didn’t hear him. “It’s something that few elves have spoken since the Great War.”
“What do you mean by a declaration? Please, tell me what’s going on.”
Kaylia turned to Gewey and opened her eyes. “Do you love me?” she asked.
“I…” Gewey didn’t know what to say.
“If not, then you should never have spoken those words.”
“I don’t understand,” said Gewey. “I really don’t.”
“Then understand this,” she said. “The language you spoke is only known to the elves. It is the language of our ancestors, and even among my people, only a few know it entirely. What you said can only be spoken to someone that you love and for only one reason.”
“What reason?” he asked nervously.
“It means that you wish to be joined with me.”
“Joined?” Gewey exclaimed. “You mean…”
“Yes,” she said. “That is exactly what I mean.”
“You can’t think I was asking you that, do you?”
“What then?” she snapped. “Why did you say it?”
“I don’t know,” he replied hastily. “I didn’t know what it meant. It just came out.”
“But it came from somewhere,” she insisted. “And it cannot be ignored.”
“I take it back, then. Just pretend I didn’t say it.”
Anger flashed across Kaylia’s face. “Because you are not an elf, I will pretend you did not make that offer. Once you say the words of joining, they cannot be unsaid.”
“What do we do now?” he asked.
“I either accept you as my mate, or refuse.”
Gewey laughed with relief. “That’s easy, then; just refuse.”
“If I do, then I must leave you, never to be in your sight again. I am not prepared to do that just yet.”
“You mean we either get married or you have to leave? That’s ridiculous.”
“I’m sorry you think so,” Kaylia lamented. “But to my people it is very serious. However, I have one year to consider it. If at the end of that time I decide you are not a worthy mate, then I shall refuse.”
“And in the meantime what happens?” he asked, afraid to hear the answer.
“In the meantime, nothing. But be warned; elves are protective of their suitors. Careful you don’t let your eyes stray too far.”
Gewey immediately thought of Dina. “What do you intend to do about Celandine?” he asked anxiously.
Kaylia thought for a long moment. “It appears I can do nothing,” she said finally. “Your words have bound me. If you wish her unharmed, I will accept it.”
“Thank you,” Gewey said, relieved.
Kaylia smiled. “Send her to me. She and I should talk. Don’t worry, I won’t harm her.”
Gewey nodded and returned to the wagon.
“What happened?” asked Lee. “Did you find her?”
“She wants to speak to Dina alone,” Gewey said.
Dina looked worried.
“She swears she won’t attack you again,” he assured her.
Reluctantly, Dina went to join Kaylia.
“What happened?” Lee asked. “What did she say to you?”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” Gewey replied. “Not yet, at least.”
An hour later, Kaylia and Dina came walking back to the wagon.
“Kaylia has agreed to teach me about my elven heritage,” Dina said as they climbed in.
Kaylia nodded in affirmation.
“And that’s it?” Millet pressed. “No more attempts to kill her?”
“That depends,” Kaylia said.
“On what?” Lee asked.
Kaylia did not respond; she simply smiled a knowing smile as the wagon continued down the road.
Chapter 17
Gewey spent the day trying to avoid conversation with the others. Kaylia was sitting next to Dina, whispering in her ear. When Lee asked what they were talking about, Kaylia told him to mind his own business. Gewey was not looking forward to the midday lesson. He knew Lee would press him about what had happened with Kaylia. The fact was, he wasn’t quite sure himself. When the time came, Gewey followed Lee to a quiet spot off the road.
“Sit,” Lee instructed.
Gewey sat down on the grass and crossed his legs.
“Close your eyes and listen to the sound of the earth,” Lee continued. “Not the way you hear the forest. Stretch out with your thoughts and feel its rhythm, its heartbeat. Let it flow into you and give you strength.”
Gewey did as he was told. At first, he felt nothing. Then, like a sound heard from a great distance, it was there, pulsing steadily. The more he listened, the nearer it came, until it beat in his mind like a great drum. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as the beat grew louder.
“You must let it in,” Lee urged him. “Let it pass into you.”
But Gewey couldn’t. The beat pounded against him until he thought it would tear him to ribbons. He let out a scream and collapsed.
When he came to, Lee was standing over him with a concerned look on his face. He put a water skin to Gewey’s mouth and poured. Gewey tried to drink, but he began to cough uncontrollably as the water stung his swollen throat.
“Easy, Gewey,” Lee soothed him. “You’ll be fine.”
“What happened?” asked Gewey, carefully trying to sit up. Lee put his hand on Gewey’s back and steadied him. “You’re much more powerful than I thought. I had you do too much too soon. From now on, we take it slow.”
“No,” Gewey insisted. “We try again. Taking it slow won’t defeat the Dark Knight.”
“Neither will getting yourself killed,” Lee countered. “The amount of power you unleashed could have destroyed you. Look around.”
Gewey surveyed the area and saw that large sections of the ground had been completely torn apart.
“You see,” Lee said. “You must learn to control this power-otherwise, there’s no telling how much damage you could do to yourself and those around you.”
Gewey nodded slowly. “I see what you mean.”
“That’s enough for today,” said Lee, lifting Gewey to his feet.
“Now, if you wouldn’t mind, what in blazes happened between you and that elf?”