Krasous exhaled as the wraith disappeared, “I hate this job!” He reached down and rubbed his hand across the wet dirt and then lifted it to his nose. “Ugggh ... it does smell like fish.”
The Shore of Crystal Lake
The goswigs watched from columned ranks as Ultor finished his transformation after he emerged from the lake to stand before them. The king explained to Strongbear that there was a war coming and then delivered Gregory’s request for the goswigs to join Lord Dowd to march to the Battlegrounds of Olis.
“The decision is yours, Strongbear,” Ultor said while scanning the goswigs’ formations. “Whether or not you join the fight is a decision I’ll allow you to make.”
Strongbear thought long and hard before he responded. “We will join the white army. Our presence will be key to victory. We are with Lord Dowd, not against him.”
A sigh of disappointment instantly filled the air. Ultor smiled as he studied the goswigs’ faces and then looked at Strongbear. “It doesn’t appear your decision is favorable. Are you sure this is what is best for the well-being of your community? You may decline if it pleases the others.”
Strongbear pushed out his mighty chest. His voice was loud as he explained his reasoning. “If we don’t fight, the dark army could seize control over all Luvelles! If this happens, those of us who have masters who are still alive would be ripped away from Gogswayne forever! I cannot allow this to happen! As much as it appears that they despise my companionship, I love each and every one of them! If they will not make a stand for themselves, then I shall make it for them! We have an opportunity to defeat the dark army, and this will allow us the freedom we’ve all desired! This decision is for their best! They may not see it now, but they will as their seasons pass! We shall fight.”
Hearing Strongbear’s speech, every goswig shouted in unison in support of going to war.
Seeing the unity, Ultor nodded and then turned to make his way into the water. The Ultorian’s iridescent glow returned as the king’s water wings emerged from his back.
Strongbear turned to look at the population of Gogswayne. He shouted his favorite phrase. “So are you with me ... or are you against me?” The bear never got a real reply. The goswigs’ excitement vanished. Many of them rolled their eyes and headed home to prepare for war.
The Entrance to the Source’s Cave
Inside the Mountains of Oraness
The Next Morning
George appeared near the mouth of the Ancient One’s cave. He looked across the pool to where Shalee sat. She was sitting with her back to him, and she was leaning against Fisgig’s stone perch. He lifted his hands in front of his right eye and rolled them into the shape of a scope. He looked through the tunnel and smiled. “She looks like a target,” he whispered.
It was only moments ago that George had been asleep. Lasidious had brought news that had intrigued George. Shalee was alone, and she was waiting outside the Source’s cave for her chance to enter. Gregory had gone inside, and this was George’s opportunity to make his move. The Collective would not be able to see his handiwork, and because of his newfound power, George was now able to teleport directly into the Mountains of Oraness.
As George stared across the pool, he rubbed his hands together and thought, She has no clue I’m here. Let’s shake her up a bit. The warlock teleported.
Shalee was startled when George appeared beside her. She lifted her hand and sent her magic flying. The warlock smiled while thousands of tiny needles bounced off his person and landed harmlessly, scattered across the island and in the pool.
George crouched in front of Shalee. “Must you always do that?”
The sorceress could not believe her eyes. She felt helpless. After a long period of silence with George doing nothing but staring at her, she shouted, “Quit toying with me! I know what you’re here for, so get it over with!”
With a peaceful voice, George responded. “Chill, will ya? I’m not here to kill you. I’m here to explain all the crap I’ve done.”
Shalee crossed her arms. “Yeah, right! You can’t explain actions that resulted in the death of so many people. How could you possibly try to justify that? There’s nothing you could say that will make me feel better about you.”
George lowered to his backside and then pulled his knees to his chest. After he crossed his arms around them, he responded, “We’ve been lied to, Shalee. The things the gods have told us are untrue.”
The sorceress’ lips curled. “Goodness-gracious, George, you know that I can’t believe a word you say. I mean, how could I? You’ve made so many repulsive decisions? How could I possibly trust you?”
George shook his head as he held Shalee’s gaze. “Hang on a moment. I’m not the only one who has made repulsive decisions. How could you expect me to trust someone who has cheated on her husband? How could I trust someone whose adulterous actions killed the man she loved?”
Shalee gasped. “How did you know?” The sorceress paused. “Wait a cotton-pickin’ moment. Sam isn’t dead. He’s fine. He’s in the swamp retrieving the...” Again, she hesitated, unsure if she should continue.
George grinned. “Yes, I know what Sam was doing. I know he was after the crystal, and he got it, by the way.”
“He did? How do you know?”
“I know more than you could imagine. I know Sam was ended by Boyafed after he retrieved the crystal. Apparently, the man you chose to have an affair with was the son of the man who commands the strongest army on Luvelles. Boyafed waited for Sam to exit the swamp. He kicked his ass to avenge Kiayasis’ death. The next person I would imagine Boyafed intends to end is you. After all, you’re the one responsible for Sam’s decision to terminate his son.”
Shalee remained silent. She had no idea how to respond.
“Shalee, do you remember the day when we all had dinner in Lethwitch? You know ... the Peak when I found out my daughter was dead. I was with you inside your room at the inn. Do you remember that?”
The queen managed a meager response as tears rolled down her cheeks. “I remember, but what does that have to do with Boyafed and Sam?”
George sighed. “It has nothing to do with them. Just hear me out. You said you remembered the Peak. Do you also remember asking if I had been contacted by Lasidious and that I had no clue what you were talking about?”
“I do, but I want to know about Sam and Boyafed. What’s going on? If Sam’s dead, I need to know where his body is?”
“Don’t worry about Sam right now. Just chill for a moment. Besides, he won’t be dead long.”
Confusion spread across Shalee’s face. “What in tarnation are you talking about, George?”
“Everything will make sense. Relax. I plan to take you to Grayham so you can watch the one true god restore Sam’s life. Lasidious has promised that he’ll return Sam’s soul.”
“That’s impossible, George,” Shalee snapped as she wiped the tears off her chin. “Lasidious is evil. There’s no way he can pull someone’s soul out of the Book of Immortality. I don’t believe a word you’re saying. That isn’t how things work here.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Will you just allow me to explain? If I’m right, the gods told you Lasidious was a mischievous being. They also told you they thought Lasidious was the one who brought me from Earth. How am I doing so far?”
Shalee’s eyes narrowed. “So far, everything you’ve said is what we were told.”
George straightened his legs and then leaned back, supporting himself with his arms. “Did they also tell you that Lasidious planned to use me to do his dirty work?”
“They did. Doggone it, George, what are you getting at?”
“Well ... what I’m trying to say is that it wasn’t Lasidious who brought me here. It was the goddess, Mieonus. She was the one who asked me to do all those hurtful things.”
Shalee rebutted. “Hold on a cotton-pickin’ moment. For argument’s sake, let’s say this is true ... just for argument’s sake, mind you. Why would you do such terrible t
hings in the first place? Why would you hurt so many, even if the goddess did ask you to do them? I know as well as you do, the gods can’t force us to do anything. No one put a gun to your head. You chose your own path.”
George leaned forward, pulled his right knee up and then crossed his arms around it. “Let me ask you this. When you lost your baby, how did you feel?”
“What does that matter?” Shalee barked.
“Just answer the damn question, and I’ll explain.”
“For heaven’s sake, I felt like I wanted him back, of course.”
George snapped his fingers. “Exactly! That’s the same way I felt when Mieonus told me she could get my daughter’s soul out of the Book. She told me if I helped her create a diversion on Grayham to keep the attention of the gods off of her while she worked on a plan to take control of the Book of Immortality, she would return Abbie to me.”
“For the love of God, George. The love of your daughter doesn’t give you the right to kill folks.”
“I agree. I agree with you 100 percent. I was really screwed up for a while. You knew I was hurting inside ... didn’t you?”
“I suppose. But still.”
George lowered his head and feigned his shame. “Look, I feel bad about the things I’ve done. But I’m not the only one who has done them. Let me ask you something else. How many people have you and Sam killed in order to fulfill that freaking prophecy about setting an example on the worlds? Take a hard look at everything that’s happened. Even if you didn’t have to fight in the war I caused, Sam still had to kill in the arenas of Grayham to gain the glory the gods asked you guys to obtain. You both had to kill to lead. How sick and disturbing is that concept? How can it be okay to kill in order to create an empire for the races to emulate? What makes you taking life acceptable and me taking life unforgivable?”
Shalee sat in silence for a long series of moments. “I hate to admit it, but I see your point. But you’re still killing folks, aren’t you? Why are you doing that if you feel so bad? Has Mieonus brought you to Luvelles to start another war on this world?”
George nodded. “Yes, that’s exactly what she brought me here to do.”
Shalee shouted, “I knew it! You are up to something!”
George held up his hands. “Whoa! Take it easy, cowgirl. Holster that Texas spirit so I can explain. It’s not what you’re thinking. I have no intention of doing what Mieonus wants me to do.”
“Really? And why is that? Why turn over a new leaf now?”
George picked up a pebble from Fisgig’s little island and then tossed it into the water. “Fair question. My reason is this... I found the truth. I found out that there is a heaven, one where the souls of Lasidious’ followers are sent. The other gods are jealous of Lasidious. They loathe him and have created many lies to get the beings of the worlds to turn their backs on his path of righteousness.”
“George, what in tarnation are you talking about? Sam has said nothing about Lasidious having this kind of power. In fact, Sam said everything to the contrary. He’s read everything in the royal library about the gods. He said Lasidious is dastardly.”
George shook his head. “Don’t you see, Shalee? Lasidious doesn’t have many followers on Grayham. Bassorine had most of the followers on that world. I’m sure Sam told you that. Bassorine had a statue of himself erected there, for hell’s sake. You do remember the damn statue, right?”
Shalee recounted. “I remember that Sam was irritated because Bassorine’s destruction left a lot of people without anyone to believe in. Sam said it seemed like a joke to have gods who were so limited in power ... so limited in their knowledge of so many things.”
Again, George snapped his fingers at Shalee. “That’s what I’m trying to tell you. The gods are limited in power, except for Lasidious. After I started the war on Grayham, Lasidious, the one true god the others fear, came to me. He was pissed, Shalee ... I mean, really pissed. He was mad because of my actions. But despite his anger, he took me to see his heaven. I saw so many glorious angels. I saw the most magnificent creations I could’ve never imagined. Shalee, I saw things that would have blown your mind.”
“Keep talkin’.”
“Lasidious told me I was to go back into the world and change my ways. He said he saw something good in me. Don’t ask me how, but he did. Anyway, he asked me to become his prophet of peace.”
Shalee rolled her eyes. “Was Lasidious drunk or something? Does he not realize the kind of person you truly are? Or does he have an affection for screw-ups?”
George smiled. “Look, I feel you. But who am I to tell a god that he’s wrong? Lasidious gave me a chance to become something better than I am. If you were me, wouldn’t you be thrilled if you were given the opportunity to do something worthwhile? I’m sick of being an asshole. Nobody likes an asshole.”
Shalee stood and walked to the edge of Fisgig’s island. She looked down and saw her reflection in the pool. After a fair amount of moments passed, she turned to respond. “I suppose I see your point, but I need to hear more.”
George stood and wiped the dirt from his backside. “Lasidious wants me to spread his words of peace and love. I am to do everything I can to bring harmony to the worlds. He said the other gods are constantly manipulating to bring war and heartache to the masses. The gods want war so the souls who perish can be replaced by the souls trapped inside the Book. Apparently, this is their sick way of allowing the souls waiting inside the Book to be reborn. It’s a vicious cycle of death. It’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”
Shalee stood in silence. It was not until after George cleared his throat that she responded. “If you’re lying, I’ll know it. I drank a potion that gave me the memories of the gods. It may take a while before I can recall them, but I’ll know it eventually. Yaloom, himself, gave me the potion.”
George had to think fast. He had no idea what Shalee was talking about, and to falter now was not acceptable.
After a moment, an idea popped into the warlock’s head. “Shalee ... the fact you drank a potion that will give you the memories of the gods causes me to have concern for you. I think you need to consider the source of where the potion came from. You may eventually know many, many things, but with the way the gods have concocted so many lies, how are you going to know what’s really true? I don’t envy you at all. I can only imagine how confused you’ll be. Is this really how things should work? Shouldn’t there be a better way? I mean ... think about it. Your head’s going to be full of garesh.”
Shalee pushed her hands through her long, blonde hair. Her blue eyes revealed her stress. “This is terrible. If what you’ve told me is true, then Mosley is keeping terrible company. I can’t fathom the idea that Mosley could be as misled as we have been. That poor wolf.”
As Shalee turned her back to George to look into the pool, a sinister grin appeared on the warlock’s face. “I hate to break it to you, Shalee, but Mosley is part of the gods’ deceptions. He never really ascended. He was a god when you met him. He only pretended to be Bassorine’s pet. You should ask Mosley what his job as the God of War entails.”
Shalee turned to face George. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, I have been told that Mosley’s job is to make sure the beings of the worlds choose war over peace. He does this willingly to ensure the souls inside the Book of Immortality are rotating through its pages. Mosley knows he’s on the wrong side. He also knows he has deceived you the same way the others have. Once you’ve spoken with Mosley, you’ll know the truth about his character. But be careful how you ask. Mosley is every bit as evil as Mieonus. If you piss off the wolf, he’ll bring war to your kingdom. I would hate to see that happen again.”
Shalee shook her head in disbelief. “Let me get this straight. You’re saying that Lasidious isn’t a mischievous god. You’re saying everything we’ve been told is a big lie. This is screwing with my mind. I can’t wrap my mind around all this.”
George moved to Shalee and put his ha
nds on her shoulders. “Lasidious is quite the opposite of everything you’ve been told. Lasidious is a loving god. He saved me from a life of hate and deceit.”
George lifted his hands toward the sky. “I’m a prophet of peace and love now.” He lowered his hands and looked into Shalee’s eyes. “I have come to share this love with you. I’m here to allow you to say goodbye to Sam before you look into the Eye of Magic. Lasidious intends to return his soul in front of the people of Brandor before they have the chance to light the fire of his passing.”
Shalee insisted. “Take me to Sam. I want to see his body.”
“I’ll take you and then bring you back. If you wish to put off looking into the Eye until you’ve had the chance to witness his resurrection, I’ll allow you to stay with my family until the moment arrives to take you to Brandor.
“You’ll like my wife. Athena will treat you well. Besides, there’s nothing for you to do on Grayham anyway. Sam’s passing celebration has already been scheduled.”
Shalee’s brow furrowed. “How dare Michael schedule the lighting of Sam’s fire without me. I’m his queen, for heaven’s sake.”
“Hey ... that’s something you’ll have to take up with your General Absolute. Close your eyes, and I’ll take you to see Sam’s body.”
Meanwhile, Lasidious was standing next to Sam’s coffin on Merchant Island. The king’s casket had been placed inside a heavy, iron crate that had been scheduled for the Merchant Angels to transport to Grayham.
The Mischievous One opened the lid and reached inside. He laid his right hand on Kael. The handle of the blade had been placed at the base of Sam’s chin and the rest of the weapon extended toward his feet.
The Mischievous One addressed the blade. “How have you been, Kael? It won’t be long before your master realizes who he truly is. I’m sure you look forward to that Peak.”
Kael’s blade began to pulsate. “I so long for that, Lasidious. Too many moments have passed since our last conversation. Soon, everything will be as it should be. The reuniting of the fallen will be a blessed event, and my master will return to his former glory. I long to speak with him, and I grow tired of waiting.”
The Eye of Luvelles Page 48
