Brian Anderson - Of Gods And Elves

Gewey felt cold, smooth stone pressed against his face,and a terrible wind roared in his ears. He opened his eyes. Nothingbut pitch-blackness surrounded him. He remembered his fight withHarlondo. He felt his body searching for wounds the half-man hadinflicted. No injuries!

We have healed you, said a voice from thedarkness. It was soft and musical but neither male nor female.

Gewey tried to tell where the voice originated from, butit was as if it came from everywhere.

Where am I? He got to his feet as hisvoice echoed. Who are you?

You are home, said the voice. Youare with us. We have been waiting so very long.

You havent answered my question.

There is plenty of time for questions. For nowyou must take your ease.

A light appeared, piercing the darkness several yardsaway. He stood on a raised stone walkway, surrounded by purenothingness that went on forever. The only other thing he could seewas a silver door at the end of the path. Gewey crept forward,careful not to step to close to the edge.

When he was only a few feet away the door opened, andthe light dimmed.

Whats in there? he asked butreceived no reply.

He stepped inside the door and found himself in his ownhouse. A fire burned cheerfully, and a hot plate of roast lamb andhoney-split bread were on the table. Harman Stedding, his father, satat the far end of the table smiling at him.

Finally, said Harman. Did you havea good day?

Gewey turned pale and tried to back out of the door, butit was no longer there.

What's wrong, son? Harman asked.

His father was just as he remembered him, tall, and leanwith salt and pepper hair. Gewey had always thought he looked morelike a teacher than a farmer. He wore the green linen shirt andtrousers that he always had worn in the evenings after the dayswork.

Who are you? Gewey demanded. He reachedfor his sword, but it was no longer at his side.

Harman looked concerned and tried to walk over to him,but Gewey ran to the other end of the table looking for something touse as a weapon.

Harman sighed, shaking his head. He told me thismight happen. Gewey let me explain.

Explain what? Youre not my father. Myfather is dead.

Harman backed away. Son, please. Youvebeen through a terrible ordeal. Let me help you.

Liar! Get away from me. He found a knifeon the table and snatched it up.

Fear struck Harmans face. If youlljust let me speak to you for one second.

Gewey tried to calm himself and focus. Speak,he growled. But if you come near me, I swear

Ill kill you.

Harman slowly pulled up a chair and motioned for Geweyto sit as well, but Gewey backed away and put himself near the frontdoor.

Youve been ill, said Harman. Veryill. Lord Starfinder took you to Gath for treatment.

Youve been back for three days now.

Gath, eh, said Gewey. I wasin Gath with Lee, and so far that's the only true thing youvesaid.

Im not lying, son. This is the third timeyouve lost your memory since youve been back. Itsthe medicine they gave you. Lee told me that the healer said thismight happen.

You expect me to believe that? Geweysnorted. Youve been dead for two years. I buried youmyself.

Your fever is causing you to hallucinate,said Harman. Last time you lost your memory you thought youwere a God. You even told me I wasnt really your father.

Gewey glared. This wont work. Tell me thetruth, or I'll gut you right now.

Harman bowed his head. Youre not going tomake this easy are you? We really hoped being here, and seeing yourfather alive and happy would be enough for you just to accept this.

Gewey raised his knife and readied himself to attack.What are you?

Im here to care for you, heanswered. You are with us now. Your body has been leftbehind.

My body? What have you done to my body?

Your body was destroyed. Only your spiritremains. However, you shouldnt fear, we love you, and we willcare for you. Anything you want is yours.

You still havent told me who you are?

We are the first, he replied. Weare the lovers of the Gods. We have been waiting for you. We loveyou.

Return me to my body now, Gewey demanded.You cant keep me here. You dont have the right.

I cannot return you, said Harman. Pleasedont worry. Soon you will forget about the troubles of thatother world. Here you can be anything you wish. All we ask is thatyou love us as your kin had once done.

My kin? You mean the Gods? What do you know aboutthem?

We were favored by them, above all others. Whenthe Dark One trapped them, we were left all alone. We had you onceand should not have let you go. But we were betrayed.

Youre not making sense, said Gewey.Who betrayed you?

Felsafell, he said bitterly. Heconvinced us to let you go. Then he left us too.

Youre spirits. Thats what you are.What do you want from me? I have nothing to give you.

We only desire your love, he said. Itis everything to us. We need it. We are so lonely.

I cannot stay with you, said Gewey as hemoved to the door. I dont belong here.

You cannot leave, cried Harman. Thereis nowhere to run. Soon you will forget. Soon you will love us as welove you.

Gewey couldnt help but feel pity for thecreature, but he knew he had to get away. He opened the door and ranfrom the house. The figure of his father appeared in front of him.

Get away from me, screamed Gewey. Letme go. He pushed his way past the spirit and ran in thedirection of town.

You are with us. The voice of the spiritcarried on the wind, following him as he ran.

Gewey ran until his legs burned. When he reached thevillage all the familiar faces he knew as a child were there to greethim, but Gewey ignored them and made his way toward Leeshouse.

The trees and brush whizzed by as he ran at full speeddown one of the many roads Lee had built. Gewey stumbled to a halt.He couldnt remember why he was running or where he was going.

Wait up. His father ran up from behind.Im too old to keep up with you anymore.

Gewey stood there scratching his head. Whathappened? he asked. Why was I running?

Were going fishing, Harman replied.Dont you remember?

It was then Gewey realized he was holding a fishing polein his right hand. Harman carried one as well, along with a bucket ofbait in the other.

Yes, said Gewey after a long pause. Ofcourse, I do. Im sorry, I was just confused.

Harman smiled warmly and threw his arm around Geweysshoulder. Thats alright, son. He laughed. Ithappens to everybody.

Gewey and his father walked for about three miles, to aspot along the Goodbranch River where they had fished since he was asmall boy. The sun shone brightly, and the birds chirped merrily, asfather and son sat on the bank near a large oak and fished throughoutthe day.

Gewey landed three nice-sized trout and Harman fourothers. His father always had better luck at fishing. As the sunbegan to sink closer to the horizon, Gewey lay back on the grass andtook a deep breath of the fresh spring air.

Are you happy, son? his father asked.

Gewey looked at Harman mildly surprised. Ofcourse, I am. Why wouldnt I be?

Im glad. He stretched his arms witha satisfied moan. I think its time we go home and eatsome fish.

It was nearly dark when they arrived back at the farm.Gewey cleaned the fish on a wooden table next to the house, while hisfather prepared the stove and wash water inside. After they had bothcleaned up and cooked dinner they sat down to eat. The fish tastedbetter than any Gewey could remember.

I have a surprise, said Harman, as he gotup and brought a pitcher down from the cabinet. Gewey could smellorange juice as his father placed it on the table.

Where did you get that? asked Gewey.

Harman just smiled and poured Gewey a cup. Mylittle secret. He winked and returned to the chair.