The Reborn King (Book Six) by Brian D. Anderson Page A

in the grand courtyard, allowing the visual splendor to inspire them to unimaginable heights of creativity and subtlety. So masterful were they, the sheer magnificence of their works would cause the night blooms to issue forth.”
    “What are night blooms ?” asked Gewey.
    Felsafell opened his eyes. “ Night blooms were the pinnacle of my people’s creative ingenuity. At least, that has always been my opinion. Our horticulturists spent centuries cultivating and combining various species of flowers. Ultimately, the night bloom was born. It looked much like a rose, though with longer and more complex petals. And the colors…” He sighed. “They were enough to shame even the splendor of heaven. When the musicians played, the blooms glowed with a faint, pure light that would change with the mood of the music. Each flower was different, but rather than a chaotic swirl, it melded and took form – increasingly growing in beauty as the songs progressed.”
    “I’ve never heard of them before,” Gewey said, now even more disgusted by the scorched and disfigured scene before him. “I wish I could see some.”
    “They are long extinct,” Felsafell explained sadly. “Without gardeners to tend them, they soon faded away.”
    “A great pity,” said Nehrutu. “Your words remind me of the flowers and gardens of home.”
    Felsafell smiled. “I hope you will show them to Basanti and I one day.” He turned his attention back to the fortress. “But first we must complete the task at hand.”
    Beyond the wall and broken gates, the interior was pitch black. Even with his god’s eyes, Gewey struggled to make out anything other than shadowy shapes devoid of detail. Felsafell reached into his pocket and pulled out a small crystal sphere, which he rubbed his hand against. Like the elf globes, light emanated from its core.
    “A remnant from the distant past,” Felsafell told them, before anyone could ask.
    Unfortunately, the light only revealed stark walls and bare floors. It seemed that Vrykol had no interest in décor, nor even furniture. Gewey glanced to his right where a staircase led to the upper floors and was tempted to explore.
    “There is nothing there of value,” remarked Felsafell, as if hearing his thoughts. “What we seek is below.”
    He led them deeper inside through the labyrinth of passageways. There were no doors on any of the rooms, and upon inspection it became clear why. There was nothing there – only bare stone walls.
    “Why have a fortress at all?” Gewey pondered. Even in a low whisper his voice echoed loudly, sending a sudden wave of anxiety through him.
    “Why indeed?” agreed Nehrutu.
    “I can only guess it was meant to be some sort of staging point,” said Felsafell. “But for what, I cannot say. The location they chose would shield them from most eyes. Including yours. There are certain places in this world in which the god’s vision is obscured. This is one of them.”
    Gewey considered this. He and Kaylia had been quite close by when he first detected it. And that was before he'd learned how to truly stretch out with his spirit. An ability later taught to him by Melek.
    “Then maybe it wasn’t the stones that brought them here,” he suggested.
    “Perhaps,” said Felsafell. “But it begs the question – if they were hiding, was it really from you?” He cast a worried look at Gewey. “You had no ability to see them when this place was first built. And there was no way they could have anticipated Melek's arrival. So who were they hiding from?”
    Gewey was at a loss. Now that Melek was in Shagharath, there were no more gods on earth other than himself. “The elves?” he suggested.
    “Unlikely,” said Nehrutu. “We are not as powerful as you, and cannot see as far or as clearly. They would not need to go to so much trouble to conceal themselves from us. Especially being that, other than myself, only Mohanisi and Aaliyah have significant talent with the flow .”
    “And they