"What is it?" Lee whispered.
"An elf approaches," Linis replied.
"Do you think the others caught up with us?" Gewey asked. He pulled out his own knife, holding it loosely as Linis had taught him.
"No," Linis replied warily. "I would have known if they were on our trail. Whoever this is, he wants us to know he"s here."
The tension grew as their eyes focused on the forest ahead. A cloaked figure appeared from behind a young pine less than fifty feet away. His face was hidden beneath his hood, but Gewey could feel his gaze bearing down on them. He was shorter than Linis, and leaner, and he wore a short knife that peeked out from beneath his cloak.
"Berathis," Linis said under his breath.
"Greetings, Linis," said the figure. His voice was deep and menacing.
"How long have you been following us?" Linis asked.
"Quite some time," Berathis answered.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"You know what I want. Give her to me, and I will spare the rest. I have no desire to see your blood flow."
"Then leave us in peace," said Linis.
Berathis pushed back his hood. His long white hair was pulled tight in a single braid that fell down his back. His face was smooth and ageless, but Gewey guessed he was much older than the other elves.
"You know I cannot," Berathis said. "You must yield."
Linis" face was twisted in a pained grimace. "You taught me well," he said sadly. "I cannot yield my honor, even if it means I must face you."
Berathis" face showed both sorrow and pride as he looked at Linis. "You were always my best pupil. It saddens me to have to do this to you, Linis. It"s not too late; you can still return to us."
"No," Linis answered with resolve. "It is too late for that. Things must change. I must follow the path my heart has shown me."
Berathis nodded and said, "I understand. I give you one hour. Then I shall return."
Linis and the other elves bowed, and then watched silently as Berathis disappeared into the forest.
"Who was that?" Gewey asked. "And what happens in an hour?"
"Berathis is the greatest of all the Seekers," Linis explained. "He comes for Kaylia."
"He"s only one elf," Gewey noted. "Surely we can stop him."
Linis shook his head slowly. "Berathis has spared us until now. He could kill us all at any time, and we could do nothing to stop him."
"What happens now?" asked Lee, sheathing his sword.
"He chooses to face us openly," Linis told them. "One of us must fight him."
"And what if he wins?" Millet asked.
Linis" face turned grave. "Then we must turn Kaylia over to him."
"No!" Gewey cried. "I don"t care what happens. He"s not taking Kaylia anywhere."
"I appreciate your loyalty," Kaylia said. "But if Berathis defeats our champion and I refuse to go with him, he will kill us all-one by one-until I comply."
"She speaks the truth," Linis agreed. "That he hasn"t moved against us is only because he knows I will honor my word. If we lose, Kaylia must go."
Lee stepped forward. "I"ll fight him," he volunteered.
Linis looked at Lee with admiration. "I cannot allow that. From what Kaylia has told me, you are an extremely skilled fighter. But Berathis is no human opponent; even among the elves, his skills are feared. I"m afraid it must be one of us."
Lee put his hand on Linis" shoulder. "If he"s as dangerous as you say, then I"m the only one here that has a chance. I can"t match you in the forest, but there"s no elf that lives that can defeat me in single combat. I"m what your people call a half-man, and I am the only hope we have to save Kaylia"s life."
Linis stared at Lee in wonder. "Truly the world is full of surprises," he remarked. "I never thought to meet a half-man. While I understand your reasons for keeping it secret, I wish I could have availed myself to your experiences along our way."
"I thought it best to keep it to myself," Lee explained. "I ask that you not spread this knowledge should I survive."
"You have my word," Linis promised.
When an hour had pa.s.sed, Berathis returned. "Who shall meet the challenge?" he asked, removing his cloak. His eyes filled with surprise when Lee stepped forward. "I ask that you reconsider. You are brave, human, but surely Linis has told you who you face."
"He has told me," Lee replied, his sword in hand. "I wish that there be no deception. I meet your challenge in full knowledge and understanding, so I give you the same: I am Lee Starfinder, son of Saraf. I am a half-man and well beyond your skills in combat. I ask that you remove yourself and leave us be."
"Half-man, eh?" Berathis said, intrigued. "Then today I rejoice. If death finds me, it will be at the hands of one who is great among men." He drew his long knife and smiled. "Let us dance, Lee Starfinder, and let the fates decide."
Lee crouched, leaning on his back leg and holding his sword low at his hip. The elf circled slowly to the right, his knife practically dangling from his hand. In a flash, Lee attacked high, forcing Berathis to duck and move away. Gewey had never seen anything move so fast. It was like watching two bolts of lightning do battle.
Over and over again, Lee forced Berathis back, making it impossible for the elf to counter. Seconds seemed like minutes, minutes like hours, and Berathis was clearly losing the advantage.
"You toy with me," Berathis accused. "Why don"t you end this?"
"I only hoped you would see the futility of this fight," Lee pleaded. "You are by far the most skilled opponent I"ve ever faced. I have no desire to kill you."
"You honor me," the elf replied, "but you have no choice."
Faster than the eye could see, Berathis lunged with deadly intent, but Lee was prepared. He spun and brought his sword around, slashing across the back of the elf"s hand, causing him to drop his knife to the ground. Berathis gripped his wound in pain, staring down at his fallen blade. Lee stepped forward, holding his sword in both hands, poised for the final blow.
Berathis laughed to himself and looked up at Lee. "The fight is yours," he said. "This is a good death."
"There is no need for you to die," Lee insisted. "Yield and withdraw. Your honor is secure."
"I wish you understood us better," Berathis lamented. "My death is required." He looked to Linis. "You know this."
Linis nodded his head with sadness and regret.
"That may be your way," Lee stated flatly, "but it is not mine. You fought with skill and courage, and I will not strike you down."
Suddenly, Berathis charged toward Lee. Instinctively, Lee lowered his sword to fend off the attack, impaling the elf on the blade. Berathis" arms flung around Lee"s back, then he slowly slid to the ground. Lee stepped back, horrified.
Berathis gasped as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. Tears streamed down Linis" face, as he knelt down beside his former teacher and took his hand.
"This is a good death," Berathis said weakly as blood spilled from his wound. "I go to see the Father with my honor intact."
"You shall be remembered," Linis wept softly. "Your spirit lives on, and I shall join you soon. You will always be the greatest among us."
Berathis reached up and touched Linis" cheek. "No, it is you who is great. You can see the future, while the rest of us live on in darkness. You are on the right path, brother. Walk it with honor." Slowly his hand fell and his eyes closed.
Lee walked away and sat by himself against a young oak. Kaylia went over and sat beside him.
"It had to be this way," she a.s.sured him. "You honored him by allowing him to die by your hand."
Lee said nothing, but his eyes flamed with anger.
Kaylia touched his hand and got up. "You may not understand us, and perhaps his death was senseless to your eyes. But that does not mean you did wrong. He wanted it so. If you had left him injured and defeated, he would have ended his own life in dishonor."
"Lee," Linis called to him. "Will you join us as we lay our kin to rest?"
The elves were standing in a circle around Berathis" body. Lee got to his feet and joined them.
Gewey watched as the elves prepared a funeral pyre and torches. They placed Berathis" body atop the pyre and began the ritual. For hours they sang songs in the ancient language, swaying back and forth around their fallen kinsman. Lee stood beside them with his head bowed low. Gewey and the others stood back, watching quietly.
When the songs were over, Linis handed a torch to Lee and stepped away. Lee lit the pyre and said a silent prayer. The elves backed away and got to their knees, watching as the fire blazed, consuming the remains of Berathis.
When the fire died, and the body had turned to ashes, the elves solemnly rose to their feet and retrieved their packs.
"We must go," Linis declared. "I will not rest here."
The others followed without a word. They walked until dawn, and decided to rest through the day and night, until the following morning.
"My heart is too heavy to continue," said Linis. "Come, Lee. Let me tell you stories of Berathis, so that you may know him, and understand how happy he was that you provided the death he had always wished for."
Lee nodded and sat with the elf. He listened to stories of Berathis" deeds until it was close to dawn.
"Thank you," Lee said, once Linis had finished. "I still have much to learn of your kind. And though it still pains me to have ended the life of such a valiant person, I am grateful to have heard his tale."
"It is I who am grateful," Linis replied. "Because of you, I was spared the agony of fighting my teacher and mentor-though I doubt I would have prevailed."
"Why is it so important that Kaylia be killed?" Lee asked.
Linis sighed heavily. "There is a second split among the elves. I fear much blood will be spilled before it is over. Kaylia has a rich and n.o.ble heritage among our people; it would be a serious blow to the elders" cause if it were revealed that she has broken tradition and befriended humans. They cannot allow her to be heard and possibly sway the advantage away from them. As it stands, those who would see elf and human reconciled are greatly outnumbered, and we pose little threat to their power. But as our numbers grow, so does our influence. We"ve been able to avoid bloodshed so far, but the stronger our position gets, the more likely that is to change, and none of us want that."
"How do you hope to change the Elders" minds?" Lee asked. "I know elves are different from humans in many ways, but there is no doubt they share the same stubbornness."
"True," Linis agreed. "Our progress with humans has been slow, but it is progress. If we can only show our kin the possibilities and benefits of such a world, that might sway enough of my people to our cause, and force the elders to relent."
"I fear that you will find resistance on all sides, my friend," Lee said with regret. "Humans don"t tend to welcome change, and they hold tightly to their fears. But I wish you luck."
Linis laughed softly and put his hand on Lee"s shoulder. "Two bullheaded races on a collision course with destiny. It is definitely luck that we will need."
At this, Lee and Linis went their separate ways to rest for the next leg of the journey.
As they prepared to set off the next morning, Prustos ran ahead and disappeared into the forest.
"We arrive in Gristol in three days," Linis told the a.s.sembled group. "Prustos is scouting ahead to inform our friends of your arrival."
"I can"t wait to meet these friends of yours," said Millet. "Are they elves or humans?"
"Both," he answered. "They are dependable and trustworthy. From there, they will see you the rest of the way. But for now, let us enjoy the time we have left together."
The rest of their journey was filled with merriment and song. It was almost enough to make Gewey forget the duel between Lee and Berathis, and the funeral that followed.
Each evening, Linis continued Gewey"s instruction in the arts of stealth and survival. He showed him ways to avoid leaving even the slightest trail, and how to read the forest in the dark when tracking prey.
Lee allowed Gewey to push his limits a little further each day, as he continued to practice drawing energy and strength from the earth.
By the final day of their journey, Gewey was able to let the power flow fully into him. When he opened his eyes, it was as if he could see every detail of the world around him. His arms and legs felt stronger than they had ever felt before, and he could sense everything.
"Very good," Lee remarked. "Now you must learn to do this without meditation. Once you can do that, your physical strength will be unmatched."
Gewey could still feel the power coursing through his veins as he walked back to where the others waited.
"By the Creator!" Linis gasped as he saw Gewey approach. "You look as if all the power of heaven is inside you. What manner of creature are you?"
Linis" words caused Gewey to panic, instantly causing him to release the energy he had stored inside him. The ground beneath the elf suddenly exploded, sending him flying through the air. He landed hard, and for a moment he lay still. Lee rushed to the elf"s side, but to his relief, Linis was uninjured. Linis began to laugh loudly as he struggled to his feet, while the others stepped away from Gewey, frightened.
"I"m sorry," Gewey stammered. "I didn"t mean to..."
"I see now why your training is so important," Linis laughed, brushing the dirt off his cloak. "You are a mystery, young one. I hope one day to know just what kind."
Lee looked nervous. "I cannot answer questions regarding the boy," he said apprehensively. "I"m sorry, but you"re better off not knowing."
"I"m just glad to know he"s on our side," Linis replied. "But don"t worry. I will keep my questions for another time. I do hope to one day have them answered."
Gewey was shaking at the thought of what he had done. What if he had accidentally killed Linis-or any of the others, for that matter? Gewey swore to himself that he would learn to control his power. He would not cause the death of a friend through ignorance.
Linis could see how upset Gewey was. "Calm yourself," he soothed. "I am not hurt. But if you would allow me, I think I might be able to help."
Gewey looked at the elf in confusion. "Help? How?"
"Come with me," Linis instructed, leading Gewey away from the others. "There are those among my people who can feel the energy of the earth and forest. In ancient times, it is said some could even use that energy to change the earth according to their will. Seekers use a similar technique, though we can only harness very small amounts of it compared to what I saw in you. We can channel it to give us great stamina and strength."
"I can feel it," Gewey confided. "Even now. But I can"t control it."
Linis smiled. "Do not try," he stated simply. "When you feel the flow enter you, do not try to channel it or direct it. Instead, picture it as a stream filling your soul. Once filled, let the rest pour over you and flow around you. Do not try to hold it in. Instead, simply replace it with more. Your body should become part of the energy flow, not a receptacle built to contain it. What happened earlier was caused by you holding on, when all you had to do was allow the power of the earth to continuously flow through you."
"How do I do that?" Gewey asked.