The Godling Chronicles: The Sword Of Truth Part 41

"I wouldn't feel right keeping this. I had planned to give it to the temple, but as I won't be returning for some time..."

Lee shook his head. "Keep it. When you do return, use it to buy what you need to teach others what you have learned here."

Ezmerial bowed, then kissed him lightly on the cheek. "You're a good man, Lee Starfinder. May the G.o.ds keep you safe." Lee watched as she walked away, humming happily.

When Lee found the kitchen, he had the cook prepare a plate of roast beef and corn for Kaylia. The cook took one look at Lee and insisted that he take a plate for himself as well. Lee hadn't realized how hungry he was until that moment.

"One of these wouldn't be for that lovely elf woman, would it?" asked the cook.

Lee nodded.

"Then you eat this in the dining hall, while I cook up something special for your friend," she said, handing him a plate. "The moment I heard there was an elf here, I got out my old recipe book and found an authentic elf dish. I've been waiting for an excuse to use it. Please, the hall is just through that door. It won't take be but a few minutes."

"I'm sure she'd appreciate it," Lee said, and exited through the door.

The hall was almost empty. The afternoon meal had already been served, and several young men and women were busy cleaning.

He sat and drew in the smell of hot beef and corn, and his mouth began to water. One of the men cleaning asked him if he wanted any wine.

"That would be excellent," he said, forking a large bite of beef into his mouth.

He had only halfway finished his meal when he heard his name being shouted from outside the dining hall door. He jumped up and ran out to see who was calling. A young girl saw him as he exited, and ran up to him, out of breath.

"Lord Starfinder," said the girl. "It's the elf. Something's wrong. You need to come quickly."

Lee bolted down the hall and back to the healing chamber. Two women were holding Kaylia in their laps, while his mother had her eyes closed, and her hand on Kaylia's head "What happened?" he cried.

His mother opened her eyes and rose to her feet. "I don't know- at least, not for sure. I came to check on the boy before going to bed, and I found her lying on the floor unconscious."

"Can you help her?"

"I think she managed to reach Gewey," Selena said. "If that's so, then there is nothing we can do, but hope they both find their way back together."

Lee walked over to Kaylia and knelt down beside her. She was drenched in sweat, and her body twitched every few seconds. He brushed back her hair and kissed her forehead.

"She is with him," Lee said somberly. "She fights alongside his spirit, just as she said she would."

Selena immediately ordered a bed be brought in for Kaylia. The bed was set directly next to Gewey's, and they gently placed Kaylia's limp body on the mattress. Lee sat next to them, staring into nothingness, barely noticing when Dina pulled a chair next to his.

"Lee," Dina called gently. Lee looked up with a blank expression. He wrapped his arm around Dina, and she put her head on his shoulder. They sat for hours, saying nothing. Lee's mother checked in on them from time to time, despite her obvious fatigue. She had water brought for them to drink, but neither he nor Dina touched it. Night turned into dawn, and still neither Gewey nor Kaylia had moved. Selena came in and sat on the edge of the bed to examine their two fallen friends.

"Ertik told me you have brought the Book of Souls," she said as she checked Gewey's bandages. "Is that true?"

"We think so," answered Lee. "The box is unbreakable, so there's no way to know for sure."

"You must give it to me," she said. "If I can find a way to open it, there may be something within the pages that can help your friends."

Lee nodded and got to his feet. "I'll bring it here now," he said, and quickly left to retrieve the book from his room.

"Do you really think you can open it?" Dina asked.

"I don't know," Selena replied. "But it's either that, or simply wait and do nothing."

Lee returned with the box and handed it to his mother. She looked at the lid intently, then turned it over.

"This is the Book of Souls," she said finally, and sat it gently on the bed.

"Can you open it?" Lee asked, hopeful.

"I don't know. I will try, but it will take time. I need to contact Althetas; there's an elven sage named Theopolou that might be able to help. I'll need to send word to him. Of course, when he finds out we have the Book of Souls, he very well might try to kill us and take it for himself. The elves have been looking for it since the Great War. How did you come by it?"

"Dauvis Nal'Thain had it," Lee explained. "It was among his possessions when I claimed my inheritance."

"You took his name, then?" she asked.

"I did," Lee admitted. "He was good to me. When he died, he left me his t.i.tle and position."

"Lee Nal'Thain," she whispered to herself. She cleared her throat and wiped her eyes. "Well then, I need to get word to my contacts in Althetas right away. They will know how to find Theopolou. It will probably take him many days-if not weeks-to get here, so please make yourselves at home. Explore the temple if you wish. Dina, am I correct in remembering that you wish to become a historian in the order?"

"Yes, High Lady," Dina replied earnestly. "Very much so."

"Then you shall be. As of now, you are a cleric of Amon Dahl, but the formal ceremony will have to wait."

Dina's eyes shot wide. "I...I don't know what to say."

Selena smiled warmly. "Say that you will be truthful in all your accounts. You live in historic-though terrifying-times, and an honest account will be important. You travel with my son and he trusts you; that is enough for me to know your worth. I hereby welcome you, young cleric."

"Your son?" Dina exclaimed in shock.

Selena smiled. "I'm sure Lee will tell you all about it. For now, I think both of you should get some rest."

"We will, Mother," Lee said. "But I think I'd like to sit here for just a while longer."

"I'll stay with you," Dina offered.

"You can tell a person's value by their friends," Selena remarked. "You, my son, have great value from what I can see."

Lee smiled and Dina bowed low.

"I'll see you tomorrow, son," she said as she left.

"Your mother?" Dina said incredulously. "Why didn't you say so earlier?"

"I just found out," he replied.

Dina looked at him in wonder. "You are full of surprises," she said. "I must say, meeting you has been an experience of a lifetime."

Suddenly, Kaylia shook violently. Lee reached out to grab her, but she stopped shaking just as he touched her arm.

"I hope this Theopolou can help," Dina said as Lee wiped the sweat from Kaylia's brow.

"So do I," he replied gravely. "So do I."

End Book One.

Special Thanks.

Brian and Jonathan would like to thank: George Panagos, Gerald and Donna Anderson, Jacob Bunton, Jennie Bunton, The DiBattista family (especially Kyle who was one of the first to read it), The Ramos family, the Gnyp family, Sean and Jess, Bob Brandt, Hammza (Jon's best friend), Tara Ramirez, Vincentine Williams, Hunter and Sarah Anderson, Vicki McMa.n.u.s, Bryan Lee, Jen Couch, Clarisse Castro, Ariis Lopez, Czupacabra Czeslovski, Calib Rains, Leigh Riddle, Antonios Seif, Tyler Jensen, Adaria Welborn, Tracy Baggett, Kira Melamed, Greg Peac.o.c.k, Natasha and Rob Cousens, Veronica Dread, Mike Bailey, Shannon Bilbrey, Karen Cooper, Onna Layton, Mitchel Lee, John Cooper, Angie Barlow, Jeff Bradey, Missy Mca.n.a.lly, Chris Hergenroder, Raymond and Nadia Awika, Daniel Jones, Andrea Adams, Giulia Iuppa (the world traveler), Sharone Purer, Russell Lehmann, Raven Moore, Moe Yabdayoui (the ladies' man), Tracy Duarte, Shelbie Jones, Jared Larkin, Amanda s.h.i.+ver, Lee Conleen, Keith Parker, Jeff Knapp, Amamda Phillips, Rachel Heeter, Denise Cruz, Andrea Klumpp, Gilberto Quinonez, Stephanie Iturrino, John Bange, Caby Nedvarda, Anne Yeates, Doris Watson, Faith Nyou, Tyson Lee, Regina Beaty, Jeanie Nash, Ismael Robles, Robyn Underwood, Edsan Caliso, Athena Papadatos (world's greatest second grade teacher), Christina Tettonis (a true educational innovator), The New.

York Public School System, and the wonderful staff at GMTA Independent Publis.h.i.+ng especially Lisanne Cooper & Lilly Jean for their wonderful eye for detail in helping edit this novel.

Authors Brian D. Anderson and Jonathan Anderson.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS..

Brian D. Anderson was born in 1971, and grew up in the small town of Spanish Fort, AL. He attended Fairhope High, then later Springhill College where his love for fantasy grew into a lifelong obsession. His hobbies include chess, history, and spending time with his son.

Jonathan Anderson was born in March of 2003. His creative spirit became evident by the age of three when he told his first original story. In 2010 he came up with the concept for The G.o.dling Chronicles. It grew into an exciting collaboration between father and son. Jonathan enjoys sports, chess, music, games, and of course, telling stories.

end.