Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign (Worlds of the Crystal Moon, Book 1) (103 page)

“I don’t know,” Sam replied, “but let’s get Helga’s body out of here.”

Shalee looked at Helga’s pieces as she united her friend’s half of the pendant to her own. She placed the trinket close to her heart and then surveyed the bloody scene to determine how it was best to collect the parts. A moment later, Shalee dropped to her knees. The cave spun as she vomited.

AFTER GEORGE
collected the crystal from Scorpion Island, he appeared with Kepler in the Barbarian King’s throne room. The mage opened his pack to place the crystal inside. To his surprise, the object glowed as he let it go. He was unsure of what to think. He showed Kepler, but the demon didn’t know what to make of it either.

SAM
took his grieving wife out of the Scorpion King’s cave and ordered his men to collect what was left of Helga’s body. They traveled to the southern shore of the island where Michael commanded Branson to take his legion back to the city of Cottle to light the pyres to celebrate their passing.

The king informed the general that Shalee would be teleporting the three of them, along with Helga’s parts, back to Brandor. They would return to Cottle within 5 Peaks to pay their respects once the army arrived.

Shalee instructed Michael to close his eyes and touch her shoulder. When the group reopened them, they were all standing in Sam and Shalee’s bedroom chamber. Shalee asked Michael to have the morticians prepare Helga’s remains and have her friend brought back in a closed casket by Early Bailem. The queen wanted to allow BJ one more restful night’s sleep before she delivered the bad news. She didn’t want the advisor to see his lost love in this condition.

LASIDIOUS
has been sitting in his home far beneath the Peaks of Angels. He watched the events that unfolded on Scorpion Island in the flames of his cube-shaped fireplace. He was elated at George’s luck. He would have never guessed that the mage would end up with this first piece of the Crystal Moon. It certainly made things more interesting, but an adjustment to future plans would be necessary.

Lasidious knows the others are going to be furious when he informs them that George already has the second piece. The mage has had it since his arrival on Grayham, but even George doesn’t know it.

The Mischievous One remembers what Sam told Mosley. “George fell through the floor with the crystal,” but the wolf never questioned the Mischievous One to acquire its whereabouts. Lasidious never intended to take the crystal from George. Instead, he made sure it remained invisible to the mage until the moment was right to reveal its location to the Collective.

As the vision in the fireplace changed, he watched as George put the crystal inside his pack. He could see that the mage had questions about why it was glowing. But an explanation would have to wait. He needed to avoid making an appearance to the mage until he spoke with the gods the following Peak at Late Bailem.

Lasidious’ visit to the world of Luvelles was productive, and his conversation with the Head Master of that world was encouraging. His disguise as Amar provided the perfect deception. It was now only a matter of manipulating a few more details before the next part of his plan could be implemented.

CELESTRIA
is only 20 Peaks from having the baby. She can hardly wait to hold her son. She is looking forward to seeing Lasidious after the baby is left in the care of the witches.

ATHENA’S
morning sickness is rough. Mary has been rubbing her back while she talks Athena through it. Mary wishes that George was around, but she knows he won’t be around much until the baby is born. She has no idea that George has been teleporting home most nights. The couple has managed to keep their secret.

BJ
is on his way to Sam’s throne room. It is now the following morning, and one of the castle servants was sent to fetch him after breakfast. For the last 2 Peaks, the advisor has been preparing a home to share with Helga. He can’t wait to see his love.

During Helga’s absence, BJ went into the city to purchase an extraordinary ring. He is looking forward to becoming Helga’s husband.

Thank you for reading this edition of the Grayham Inquirer

CHAPTER 37

What a Tangled Web

George Weaves

The City of Brandor

BJ WAS AS JOYFUL as a man could be when he walked into the throne room. His head was held high as he searched for Helga, only to see Sam, Shalee, Michael, and the king’s guards. It took only a moment for his eyes to focus on the coffin. A chill ran down his spine. Without a word, the advisor knew Helga was inside. His happiness was stolen in less than a single breath, and there was nothing he could do to reclaim it.

He turned to look at Shalee. A thousand questions filled his expression. The queen’s legs crumbled as she collapsed under the pressure of his silent accusations.

Sam caught the queen, and then he ordered the servants to take her to their bedroom chamber. Once gone, the king turned to look at BJ’s hopeless face and watched as his friend walked across the room.

Not a single word was spoken as BJ knelt next to the coffin. He lowered his forehead against its cold surface. Despair filled his body, and the pain ripped at his soul as he fell into a fetal position.

Sam rushed to his advisor’s side. The king stopped as his advisor’s scarred hand opened. The ring that was meant to symbolize BJ’s greatest happiness, rolled from his palm and fell to the floor as nothing more than a useless trinket.

BJ wept.

Meanwhile, Athena and George’s Home

George popped in for a few short moments to give his wife a kiss and a cuddle. He was scheduled to meet with the Serpent King at Late Bailem.

The mage was sitting at the kitchen table when Athena walked in with her mother. George stood to greet them. “Hey, babe. I happened to be in the neighborhood,” he announced. “I wanted to tell you that our family should be together on a permanent basis not too long from now.” He redirected his eyes. “How are you, Mom?”

Athena ran across the room and threw herself into George’s arms.

Mary responded, “I’m better ... now that you’re here. This young lady has been throwing up. I can’t wait until this phase of her pregnancy passes. Your wife is unbearable at the moment.”

George tilted Athena’s head back from his chest and then looked her in the eye. “Are you still being a priss?”

Mary did not give her daughter the chance to answer. “You can say that again ... whatever a ‘priss’ is. You can keep her for a while. I’m leaving. I’ll see you tomorrow, young lady.”

Athena frowned as she watched Mary leave the room. She pulled her eyes away from the door. Seeing the love in George’s smile, she matched his mood. “Hi, honey. How long are you here?”

“I have a meeting up north tonight, but it won’t be anything that’ll take all night. I’ll come home as soon as it’s over. Other than that, I’m all yours for the rest of the Peak and all Peak tomorrow.”

Athena escaped George’s grasp and ran toward a pail that sat near the front door. She threw up.

The God World of Ancients Sovereign

The gods were in the Hall of Judgment sitting around the table where the Book of Immortality rested on its pedestal.