The Godling Chronicles 02 - Of Gods And Elves by Brian D. Anderson Page A

make our way to the southern coast.”
    By the time the sun began to set, Lee no longer thought
they were being followed. He and Dina found a small clearing and made
camp.
    “ It seems we are not worthy of further attention.”
Lee laid out his bedroll. “Which means Gewey and the elves are
the likely targets.” His eyes scanned the nearby brush. “Still,
I should scout the area. Wait here.”
    Lee disappeared into the fading light, while Dina
munched on a piece of bread and some dried fruit. About an hour
later, he reappeared.
    “ Whoever or whatever it was is gone,” said
Lee. “For now we aren't the objects of their interest.”
    “ I hope they feel the same way about Gewey and
Kaylia,” said Dina.
    Lee nodded slowly, laid down on his bedroll and stared
at the night sky.

Chapter Eight

    Gewey, Kaylia, Selena, and Linis joined Theopolou and
his companions in the receiving chamber shortly after Lee and Dina's
departure. Their gear lay next to Selena's chair at the far end of
the hall.
    “ Follow me,” said Selena. She walked to the
far left corner of the room where a tapestry depicting the symbols of
the nine Gods hung. She reached behind it and a loud clack echoed
throughout the chamber. A hidden door on the floor in front of her
fell open, revealing a ladder leading down into a dark hallway.
    “ Follow the passage for about one-thousand feet.
There you'll find a small iron door.” She handed Gewey a key.
“This will unlock it. The passage will let you out along the
western wall of the temple. From there, follow the trail west until
you reach the Sintil Sans Road.”
    Gewey nodded and put the key in his pocket. “Thank
you, High Lady.”
    They gathered their gear and readied themselves to climb
down the narrow ladder. Selena had packed the Book of Souls in
Gewey’s satchel.
    Theopolou and the other elves thanked Selena for her
hospitality. Linis bowed low, and held out a small silver dagger,
sheathed in an ivory scabbard. The handle was wrapped in soft leather
and it was crowned with a large blood ruby. “Take this as a
reminder of our friendship,” he said.
    Selena smiled and took the dagger. “Thank you,
seeker. You and your kin are always welcome here.”
    Kaylia took Selena's hand in hers. “I can never
repay you for your kindness, High
    Lady.”
    “ Nonsense,” she replied. “Your bravery
has saved us all. Without you, the only hope we have for survival
would still be laying helpless in the healing chamber.”
    Kaylia lowered her eyes and smiled.
    “ As for you,” she said to Gewey. “I
charge you with keeping yourself alive and well.”
    “ I'll do my best,” Gewey replied with a
smile, then made his way to the ladder.
    Gewey went first, followed closely by Kaylia, Linis, and
the others. The narrow hallway was pitch black, and it took a few
moments for Gewey's eyes to adjust. The air was stale, and the rough
stone walls echoed the troop’s footsteps. Just as Selena had
said, the hall sloped gently up for about one-thousand feet. There he
could make out the outline of small door. After retrieving the key he
had been given, Gewey felt around until he found the keyhole. The
lock was old and rusted, and for a moment he feared the key would
break, but to his relief he heard the sound of grating metal as the
lock gave way. Gewey pushed hard with his shoulder and the door
screeched open.
    Gewey breathed deeply, allowing fresh air to fill his
lungs. The sun was still high in the sky, and for a moment he was
blinded.
    “ I should take the lead for now,” said
Linis.
    Theopolou nodded his approval.
    They followed the trail west for a few miles, then Linis
ordered a halt. “I assume you have no intention of traveling
the main roads.”
    “ Correct,” said Theopolou. “Once this
path ends I will lead us.”
    They continued for several hours. The terrain became
less and less rocky, replaced by thinly spaced oaks and pines. The
long grass bent and shifted as a constant breeze blew in from