Just like many of the laws within the Book of Immortality, this new law had flaws. It stated: no member of the Collective could give a gift, or blessing, that would give any being on any world the ability to control or manipulate the free will of others, but it failed to state that a god could not bestow a gift that would glorify a being who already possessed the ability to manipulate the free will of others.
Fellow soul ... for those of you who are saying, “Well, didn’t Lasidious give George his abilities, and because of this, doesn’t George have the ability to control the free will of others?” My answer would be: Lasidious never gave George anything. There was no gift or blessing bestowed upon him. The Mischievous One simply told George where he could find power if he chose to go after it. Ultimately, it was up to George to seek out the power and take it for himself. Lasidious’ use of information did not break any laws.
But enough of George. Let us speak more of the Troll King. I shall translate into common tongue the language of the trolls to spare you the aggravation of trying to read the symbols of their language.
As Kesdelain looked down the steps that led away from his throne, the Troll King spoke. “I care not about speaking with gods on this Peak.” He sniffed the air and then scowled. “Your stench pollutes my cavern.”
Bailem brought forth a glow that appeared around his form as he spread his wings. The angel stepped forward. “We bring a gift. We want every race of troll to live in service to us. Their prayers will magnify our names in the heavens, and for doing so, we shall reward you and make you the envy of every world.”
Kesdelain laughed. “Everything I need, I have. There’s nothing to give that I cannot take. Spare my nostrils, and be gone with you!”
Bailem stood firm. “I said nothing of need. I said we shall make you the envy of every world. We wish to glorify you, and in return for your faithful service, we shall immortalize your name. You shall be as esteemed as gods.”
The troll leaned forward and placed his clawed-hands on his knees. “What kind of gift would offer exaltation?”
Before another word could be uttered, a blinding light filled the darkness of the cavern. Kesdelain had to cover his eyes until the light dissipated, leaving behind Lasidious with George at his side.
The Mischievous One wasted no moments, speaking before Bailem or Keylom could. “Kesdelain, why do you entertain fools? These creatures lack the power to offer such a gift. They’re not gods. They’re mere mystics ... liars. They deceive you.”
Bailem was outraged. The angel-god’s anger was amplified by the clacking of Keylom’s hooves as he confronted Lasidious. “You treat us as if we’re mortals. How dare you! Do you have no shame, Lasidious?”
Lasidious did not respond. Instead, the Mischievous One stood silent while George walked up the first few steps toward Kesdelain’s throne. The Troll King watched as the warlock knelt on the shaped stones.
George’s voice was filled with reverence. “Great King, I’ve heard powerful stories about you and your rule. Lasidious speaks of you as if you’re a god in your own right. The service of your kind pleases him. The stories of your beautiful queens, and your greatness amongst the races of troll are stories of legend.”
The muscles of Keylom’s flanks rippled as he moved up the steps to stand next to George. He looked over his shoulder at Lasidious. “Do you have a new pet? Does George travel with you as a mutt would? Why bring a mortal to do the duty of a god?”
Again, Lasidious did not answer as George continued. “As I was saying … Great King of—”
“Hold your tongue, mortal!” Bailem shouted. He looked at Lasidious. “Send your puppet home.”
Again, George continued and Lasidious allowed him to do so. “As I was saying—”
“I said hold your tongue!” Bailem commanded.
Lasidious smiled. “Careful, Bailem. You threaten to take his free will.”
George turned up the heat. The warlock walked down the stairs and stopped in front of Bailem. “Why would a king like Kesdelain wish to serve a fat man with wings? You’re weak. You’re a step away from pathetic. You have no power over me. I won’t hold my tongue.”
Bailem remained calm. He spread his wings again in an attempt to show his glory. “I find it humorous that you have the nerve to speak to me in this manner. I think the moment has come for you to—”
Lasidious lifted his voice to a level that made every mortal throughout the king’s cave cover their ears. “I have heard enough!” Once he had everyone’s attention, the Mischievous One addressed Bailem and Keylom. “If you have the ability to strike down my puppet, I’ll allow your gift to be given to the troll.”
Keylom responded, “You don’t have the authority to stop us. We have no desire to end this mortal. Stop wasting our moments.”
“You say mortal as if you’re not a mortal yourself. I say you don’t have the power, or you would’ve acted already.”
Bailem was unsure how to respond. He knew George was protected by the Book of Immortality’s laws. If they struck him down, they would suffer the Book’s wrath.
Lasidious used the gods’ silence to his advantage. “Just as I expected. You don’t have it in you.”
Keylom had enough. He decided to turn Lasidious’ game against him. “If your puppet is just a mortal, then you also have the power to end him. If you cannot, then there’s no reason for Kesdelain to serve you any longer. I believe Kesdelain’s loyalty has been misplaced.”
Lasidious walked up the steps and stopped beside the troll. “The centaur uses the word ‘loyalty’ as if he understands its meaning.” The Mischievous One pointed down the stairs. “Kesdelain, you’ve witnessed their failure to provide proof of godhood. Allow your eyes to behold the power of the deity you serve.” The Mischievous One lifted his hands and pointed them in George’s direction.
George took a step back. “Hold on a moment. This isn’t what we agreed on. You can’t do this, Lasidious. I’m not a damn sacrifice!”
Lasidious’ face was stern. “Your service is no longer necessary. I shall reward you in the afterlife.”
George lifted his hands in front of his face and screamed, “No!”
Lightning erupted from Lasidious’ hands.
Bailem and Keylom watched in disbelief as George combusted. A moment later, the warlock’s ashes fell to the floor. They waited for the Book to appear and pass judgment, but Gabriel never came.
Lasidious smiled at his handiwork, and as he walked down the steps away from Kesdelain’s throne and stopped in front of Bailem. “My power has been demonstrated.”
The Mischievous One looked back up the steps. “I trust the prayers of those who live in service to your crown shall remain steadfast for seasons to come.”
Kesdelain crossed his arms. “Hmpf!”
Lasidious grinned. “Kesdelain, I don’t need to remind you who gave you your position as king. It would be just as easy to take it from you and give it to another.”
The troll unfolded his arms. “Your threats are unnecessary. Their prayers will continue to fall upon your ears, just as they always have.”
The Mischievous One nodded. “And I’m sure your own prayers will also reflect your gratitude. I am to remain exalted on this world ... even by you.” Lasidious vanished.
CHAPTER 23
A Very Happy Kitty
Kepler’s Lair Beneath the Rocks
“DAMN!” GEORGE SHOUTED AFTER HE APPEARED in Kepler’s lair. The warlock commanded the darkness to dissipate. His tunic was still smoldering. “Garesh! I barely made it out!”
“What are you complaining about?” Kepler questioned as he stood to stretch.
George frowned. “Oh, it’s nothing. It’s just a little coordination issue that can be fixed with practice.”
“Are you here to stay, or are you going to run off and leave me behind again?” the jaguar grumbled.
George finished brushing himself off. “You sound like you’ve missed me, Kep? Do I need to give you a hug?”
George whirled around. He could not believe what he saw. Payne was an additional three hands taller than the last moment he had laid his eyes on him. “Holy garesh, Payne. You’ve grown a ton in a matter of Peaks. Your voice is deeper, too.”
Kepler cut in. “But he’s still a freak. All he talks about is the hair on his privates. I think he’s maturing.”
George smirked. “How does anyone hit puberty at only three seasons? Perhaps you are a freak, Payne.”
The fairy-demon picked up a fish he had caught earlier on in the Peak and chucked it across the lair. It hit Kepler upside his head. “Now look at what you’ve done. Even Master is calling me a freak. I should teleport you to a frightful height and drop you.”
George shook his head. “Payne, do you realize you’re speaking like you’re educated?”
Kepler growled. “Don’t give him that much credit. I figured out what’s going on. Once I began showing him how to talk, he figured out he could look into your mind. He knows everything you know. I’ve had to explain more things than I should have had to, and on more than one occasion, I had to stop him from saying something to Mary and Athena. I convinced him to wait until you got back before he does something stupid.”
George turned to Payne. “What do you plan on doing?”
Payne stood. Though he spoke well, he still had the mind of a young boy. Despite having access to George’s mind, he had no real idea of what to do with the knowledge that was available to him. “I don’t like how your mind makes me feel, Master. I don’t want to lie to Athena. I want her to know everything.”
George lifted his hand. It only took a moment for Payne to realize he could no longer move. “I’m sorry, Payne, but I can’t have you telling Athena anything. Look into my mind. What will I do to you if you say anything?”
Payne’s face showed his surprise as he listened to George’s thoughts. “You’d end me? Why?”
Again, Payne read his master’s mind for the answer. “You think if I say anything, it’ll stop you from getting Abbie’s soul out of the Book. You’re willing to sacrifice me to save her.”
George knelt beside the fairy-demon. He cradled Payne in his arms and then lowered the demon onto his back. “What am I thinking now, Payne?”
Fear spread across Payne’s red face as he answered. “You’re going to give me a choice. I can surrender my power and the memories I’ve acquired about your deceptions, or you’ll cut my chest open so Kepler can devour my heart. You’re willing to send my soul to the Book of Immortality because you trust Kepler more than me.”
George leaned over the fairy-demon, exposed his palm, and a knife appeared. His eyes turned cold. “What will it be, Payne? Live or perish? It’s your choice. I don’t want to end you, but I will.”
After an awkward series of moments, tears rolled down Payne’s face as the fairy-demon began to speak in the language of the Ancient Mystics.
George knew what was happening, so he allowed Payne to continue to chant. Eventually, the warlock watched as a ball of energy emerged from Payne’s chest. The sphere moved across the lair and passed through Kepler’s fur, penetrating the jaguar’s body and then merged with his heart.
The color of Kepler’s heart and the blood coursing through the jaguar’s veins changed from black to red. The transformation was more than the demon-cat could withstand. Kepler collapsed to the ground and fell into a deep sleep.
George watched in amazement as the fairy-demon’s body began to shrink. It was not more than a few moments before Payne was once again his normal size and smiling like a child.
The fairy-demon looked up and said, “Master got food for Payne? Why Kitty sleep? Payne go to Athena? Athena feed Payne gooder.”
George smiled and rubbed the top of the fairy-demon’s bald head. “I’m glad you’re back. You don’t have to call me Master anymore, little guy. Call me George or even Dad if you want. You can call Athena whatever works best for her. Why don’t you go into the house, and let her know you’re hungry.”
“Payne go now.” The fairy-demon closed his eyes to teleport, but nothing happened. He tried again, and still nothing happened.
George picked Payne up off the floor. “Why don’t you fly, buddy?”
“Okay, George.” Payne fluttered out.
The warlock took a seat next to Kepler and rubbed the cat’s head. “Sleep it off, Kep.” He lowered his forehead against the bridge of the cat’s snout. “There’s no way I could’ve ended Payne. He’s like family to us, for hell’s sake. What’s the matter with me, Kep? Payne didn’t do anything wrong. This garesh is getting way too deep for me. I’ve got to get us out of this mess.”
George stood, moved to the side of Kepler, and then rubbed the cat’s back. “Let’s just stick to the plan. We’ll find a way out sooner or later. We’ll just take care of the family, and stay the course until an opportunity presents itself. We need to know more before we can make a change. We need the upper hand.”
The Spirit Plains, Western Luvelles
Krasous took a deep breath. He adjusted his breastplate and then tied his spirit-bull to a tree. As soon as he finished petting his mount, the bull dematerialized and became a ghostly figure.
“I’ll be back, Hellzgat,” Krasous said as he turned to look across the rolling plains filled with vibrant colors. “I’m not sure how long this is going to take, but I’ll be back.”
After his visit with the Wraith Hound Prince, the Argont Commander dreaded the idea of meeting another spirit. The problem was, he was not sure where he should go since the Spirit Plains spanned a vast area.
To his knowledge, or anyone else’s knowledge in the white army, Shesolaywen, the Spirit King of a race of souls called The Lost Ones, wandered aimlessly across the plains. Shesolaywen had no castle or any kind of a home to speak of. The spirit simply wandered, and the bad part about it was, the Spirit King would not show himself unless Krasous was alone, naked and vulnerable.
The ghostly spirit-bull snorted as he watched Krasous undress. “Hey! Keep your eyes to yourself. This is bad enough without you eyeballing me,” Krasous grumbled as he gave Hellzgat’s shadowy form a slight grin.
Somehow, the Argont Commander had to find Shesolaywen and manage to keep the spirit from possessing him long enough to read from the Scroll of Canair. The scroll would capture the Spirit King’s essence inside its parchment. Krasous would then need to take the scroll to Lord Dowd. And Dowd would need to read from the scroll once the moment arrived for the armies to fight on the Battlegrounds of Olis.
The Entrance to the Source’s Cave
The Following Morning
The morning was crisp and frigid. Since his arrival on Grayham, George had not seen a significant change in the weather, but this Peak was different. The air felt as if a new season was approaching, and all the warlock could do was assume that it was the third piece of the Crystal Moon that had been added to the others that was causing the change in climate.
To his surprise, frost had buried its chilly claws into the steep cliffs surrounding the pool where Fisgig’s perch rested on its island of dirt. He was going to need a heavier tunic. I suppose I’ll have to create something to handle the cold, he thought, but it’s going to need to make a statement to complement the power I have now.
George could only laugh as he lifted his right hand and allowed a flame to burn within his palm to provide warmth. After a few moments of allowing his mind to wander, he pulled his head out of the clouds and refocused on the task at hand. He needed to finish what he came for and then hurry home before anyone realized he was missing.
Scanning the walls surrounding the pool, he chose a spot above the entrance to the Source’s cave. He lifted his hands and concentrated. His magic reached inside his mind to retrieve the effect he was after. A portion of the cliff pulled away from the rest and remained suspended above the entrance. The rest of his thought command
ed the magic to release the stone as soon as Gregory Id exited the cave.
With a wry smile, George vanished. When he reappeared, he looked down at the giant jaguar who was still sleeping in his lair. George thought, I wonder how long you’ll be out. Taking on Payne’s power must have been quite the jolt to your system. “Sleep it off, big guy,” he whispered.
George climbed out of the lair and made his way inside his house. As it turned out, Athena had fallen asleep. He took off his clothes, crawled in bed beside her and snuggled his way into a comfortable position. After kissing the nape of her neck for many long moments, he rolled her onto her back and then positioned his head on her shoulder just above her bosom. He allowed the beat of her heart to be his lullaby as he drifted off to sleep.
Later that afternoon, Athena, Mary, Brayson and George worked together to finish packing for an evening George would ordinarily call Hell.
George rolled his eyes. I hate camping, he thought.
“What’s bothering you, George?” Athena said as she put a few corgan sandwiches inside a sealed, wooden container that Brayson had created for the outing. As she opened the lid a slight chill could be felt on her hand. She enjoyed the magical cooler as she looked up to listen to her husband’s response.
George was trying to put on a happy face, but he knew Athena could see through his façade. “Nothing that I can’t handle, babe. Are you sure we should be doing this? You’re getting close to having the baby. Sleeping on the ground might not be so wise.”
Brayson gave George a look and watched as Athena put a finger on George’s chest to push him against the kitchen table. She maneuvered as best she could to accommodate for the roundness of her belly and then leaned in to give George a kiss. “I know you don’t like doing this kind of thing. You can always stay home if you’d like. I won’t be angry if you do. But I’m going to enjoy it.”
The Eye of Luvelles Page 50
