The Godling Chronicles The Shadow of God - By Brian D. Anderson Page 0,3

Speak as you will, but be warned. There are those among us that have a deep hatred for your kin, and you in particular.”

“Why?” asked Kaylia. “Where does this hatred come from?”

Freistal looked at her sideways. “We know who your kin have allied themselves with. They would make us allies of the very people that destroyed us in the first place. And you...” he paused. “You bond yourself to a human, seeking to doom us all. Your crimes are beyond forgiveness.” He rose to his feet and glared down at her. “I, for one, will not stand idly by while you and your people annihilate what is left of our kind.”

“How can you accuse me or my kin of betrayal?” shot Kaylia angrily. “You have been deceived by the evil that dwells in Angrääl.”

“Then you deny that elves and humans are allowed to befriend each other?” he said, furiously. “You deny that your elders do nothing to stop it? You deny that you have bonded yourself to a human?”

She glared at him defiantly. “Who I choose to love is my own affair, not yours. And if you are so foolish as to think it shall be the end of our people, then your stupidity knows no bounds.”

He met her gaze. “Because of you and others like you, our people will disappear and become nothing more than a distant memory. A mere shadow of what we once were.”

“So this is why you have done this?” said Kaylia, loud enough for all to hear. “Because of half-truths and fear?”

“You deny it then?” Freistal asked. “You deny that your kin intend to join with the humans?”

“I do not deny that I have bonded myself to a human,” she replied boldly. “And I do not deny that many of my kin have formed friendships with humans. But we are not destroying our people. We are saving them.” She stood to address the entire group, but Freistal caught her arm.

“Do not do this,” he warned. “You will not sway us. You will only anger them, and put yourself in further danger.”

“It seems to me that I can be in no more danger than I already am,” said Kaylia, jerking her arm free. “And if you intend to bring me back to your people on the Steppes, then you will not harm me until then.” She stood straight and proud. And though disheveled from being captured, her fierce gaze gave her a regal appearance.

“Let her speak,” came a voice from the crowd. “Her lies will do nothing but strengthen our resolve.”

“Very well,” sighed Freistal.

Kaylia squared her shoulders and took a step forward. “I know you think me a traitor. I know you believe that your actions are justified.” Her tone was imposing. “But ask yourself this...who is it that you serve? Is this the will of the elders? Or is this the will of the King in Angrääl? You are pawns in his game of conquest. Surely, at least some of you sense this.” A few elves stirred.

“If this is not so, then why are you traveling with a Vrykol? Do you really believe that creature will allow you to take me to your elders? It will never let that happen. I am to be used as leverage against the one being that can challenge the power of Angrääl.” Tears began to well in her eyes, but her voice remained steady. “You have killed your own kin based on a lie. You have led your brothers and sisters to their death in the process. How many of you have died in your attack? Twenty? Thirty?”

Angry murmurs and tearful stares told her that it was far more.

“Fifty-seven,” whispered Freistal. “And your deceptions will not make us believe they died for nothing. You accuse us of being weak. We are the pawns of no one. Not the Reborn King...and not you. While you and your kin have made alliances with the humans and the Gods, we have remained true to our traditions and ways. We have not diluted our blood with that of lesser beings, and we will never do so. The armies you gather against us will fall.”

“Armies?” Kaylia cried. “We have raised no armies. It is Angrääl who raises armies. It is this ‘Reborn King’ that threatens to march. Not us.”

“You lie!” shouted Freistal. “I have seen them. Your ships have been spotted many times by my own eyes. And your war council we attacked will no doubt hasten your plans, now that they know that