Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign (Worlds of the Crystal Moon, Book 1) (25 page)

With that, he grabbed her arms and pulled her close. He held her for a long series of moments that seemed short lived and enjoyed the fact she did not pull away. “Now that’s how you hug someone you find attractive,” Sam instructed, releasing her.

Shalee grinned and scanned Sam’s body from head to toe. “Well now … who said I find you attractive?” she responded in her thickest accent. She turned, grabbed her staff, and then left the room, smiling as she exited.

“Ow! That had to sting,” Mosley chided as he looked at Sam. “You might want to see if you have any fur left on your haunches. She took a bite out of them.”

As Sam stared at the door, Mosley continued. “I must admit, it was a nice effort. If I was human, I would’ve tried that myself. I saw a different side of Shalee while you slept. She cried a lot, understandably, considering what she has lost. She misses her family and a special girl cub named Chanice. She spoke of a den that she built on your world and how it suited her taste more than this establishment.

“She understands humor, something I’m thankful for, considering the fit she threw on the griffin’s platform. We laughed about many things. I think she finds the idea of marking my territory and our swine having three nostrils entertaining.”

Sam was still mulling over his rejection and failed to hear the wolf’s attempt at humor. “That backfired,” he muttered. “I could’ve sworn that would’ve worked. I must not be her type.”

“Don’t be so quick to judge, Sam.”

“Why?”

“Because my wife rejected me on nine occasions before she kept this old night terror wolf. She kept gnawing at my fur, telling me I was not clean enough. I never did understand why she liked to bathe so much. It’s not wolf-like.”

“Okay, okay. Hold on a moment. You have a wife? Since when do wolves get married? Do all animals get hitched on this world?”

“Not normally. Perhaps I should clarify. My wife died many seasons ago … 100, to be exact. When she did, I was lost. It took many seasons to stop feeling the pain her death caused my heart.

“ I met her on the bridge at Angels Crossing. She was traveling with a group while guiding them to the city of Champions. On that day, I happened to be heading in their direction with a cure for a disease spreading throughout the caves of the Bear Clan.

“Her name was Luvera, and she was, by my kind’s standards, a perfect creature. Her coat, eyes, fangs, body, and tail … oh, that tail was exceptional in any wolf’s eyes. I would give anything to have her back. I miss the warmth we created in our secret den.”

“She sounds amazing, Mosley. What else can you tell me about her?”

The wolf smiled. “Luvera lived in service to a god known as Keylom, and she was blessed because of it. We had many things in common. We spoke every language of both man and beast. On that first meeting, we talked for 4 Peaks before we had to go our separate ways. I was destined to be with her. I wanted her to have my cubs. Bassorine was the one who made our union possible.”

Mosley held his head high as he spoke. “Bassorine found ways for us to be with each other. We traveled together doing the work of the deities we served. After three seasons, we asked if we could adopt the tradition of marriage common to the humans of this world and make it our own. As I’ve said, I asked her on nine occasions before she said yes, but I had to agree to bathe on every third Peak before she would say her vows. It was awful, but a price worth paying to be near her. I was with Luvera for more than 300 seasons before she passed. I cherished her with all my being, and I can still remember our last hunt.”

Sam stood in amazement. “300 seasons! That’s a long time. I mean, that’s a lot of seasons. Where I’m from, men would’ve considered that Hell. Being attached to someone for so long must require a lot of patience. I imagine it would be wonderful to find someone you love so completely that you would be willing to spend an eternity together. I hope I can find such a love someday.”

Sam grabbed a chair from the table and took a seat. “So ... this Keylom is the god your wife served. How did she die?”

Mosley’s head drooped. His green eyes swelled as his ears fell. He wept for a considerable amount of moments before he was able to gather his thoughts. “I’ve never spoken of this to anyone other than Bassorine.” A tear fell to the floor. “I tell you now only because I feel comfortable with you, but I don’t wish to dwell on it once spoken. Luvera did serve Keylom, and she served with loyalty. He’s a giving god, worthy of her service, but it was her dedication to him that ended her life.”

“Really? How?”

Tears blurred Mosley’s vision as he continued. “A demon-jaguar named Kepler ended her. He’s known as the lord of all the giant cats on Southern Grayham. Kepler uses fear to rule his feline subjects, no matter what god they serve. He preys on the weak, and he has the ability to control the spirits of dead men, making them serve his will. He can also move within the shadows, even the smallest of shadows, without detection. It is for these reasons, along with his size, that he dominates the world of cats and rules their territories.”

Sam swallowed. “He sounds like the perfect nightmare. Even sitting here I worry about crossing his path.”

The wolf scratched at his neck. “Kepler is an undead creature. He lives in a place called Skeleton Pass, which he has ruled for as long as I can remember. He has an army of skeleton warriors that patrol his territory, killing every being who trespasses.”

Sam held up his hand. “Okay, okay. Hold on a moment. You’re telling me that he’s undead?”

“Yes.”

“Yeah, right. Anyway ... how did Kepler kill your wife, and why?”

“I don’t believe Kepler had a reason to kill her. She was simply in the way and suffered because of it. My wife was delivering a message to the Unicorn Prince, Ultonen, who lived within the Dark Forest. I would’ve gone with her, but I was detained. Bassorine had a task that required my attention.

“Before I tell you how she passed, let me tell you this. The horn of a unicorn has marvelous properties, even if separated from the rest of the creature. The horn can be used to aid anyone who possesses it. Aside from the healing power to cure most any ailment, all poisonous plants or animals burst and die in the presence of the horn. When held near anything poisonous, the horn sweats, giving a warning of danger to the holder. The horn of the prince was especially powerful. This was Kepler’s objective.”

“Really?” Sam interrupted, again. “Sounds unreal, but for argument’s sake, why would Kepler want the horn? Can poison harm an undead creature?”

“I assure you this is real, and no, Kepler cannot be harmed by poison. He was hired by the Barbarian King in the city of Bloodvain to hunt the Unicorn Prince. Kepler was told if he retrieved the horn, the king would stop sending his legions through Skeleton Pass when invading the Kingdom of Brandor.”

The wolf began pacing, becoming more agitated as he continued his story. “Luvera was standing in front of the prince, delivering Keylom’s message, when the attack occurred. The Unicorn Prince was bowing in appreciation when Kepler made his move from the shadows. He rushed from the darkness and knocked my wife onto Ultonen’s horn, impaling her through the heart. I was told she passed instantly, and her eyes closed forever before she hit the ground. She was unable to manage even the smallest howl or yelp.”

“That’s terrible!” Sam exclaimed. “I’m sorry for your pain. Is there anything I can do?”

Mosley looked at Sam and forced a smile. “It has been 100 seasons, and as I have said, there’s nothing that can be done. Her soul is in a good place. I’m sure Keylom saw to that.”

Sam knew exactly where Luvera’s soul was, or at least where it was said to be. It was within the pages of the Book of Immortality, supposedly waiting for her chance to be reborn—but he said nothing to Mosley. It was clear the wolf did not know where souls were kept after they perished.

Sam’s mind began churning. “The Barbarian King must have had a reason to go after the horn ... something more than detecting poison. Any of his subjects could have tested his food.”

“The murder of the prince served three purposes,” Mosley replied. “He wanted the horn for its healing properties, and further, he wanted to show the unicorns they were vulnerable. They would learn that even with their magic, they could not stop him from killing their prince. The murder sent a clear message that the Barbarian King was to be feared. He intended for all unicorns to serve him … and to this day, the unicorns remain loyal to the king’s house.”

Mosley paused. He stared at his tail as he dealt with the pain the retelling of the story caused. After a moment, he curled up and gnawed at its tip, speaking between snips. “I can understand the king’s desire to rule. I was the leader of my own pack for many seasons and commanded three territories, so his desire to dominate is not foreign to me.”

“Okay, okay. I can also understand the king’s mind. Many men want absolute power.”

“Yes, but there is more to tell,” Mosley inserted. “I haven’t spoken of the effect the horn had on the king ... an unexpected effect. The barbarian desired the horn for its healing properties, as you know. But it wasn’t until much later that he realized he was receiving the benefit of an extended life.”

“That’s medically impossible,” Sam scoffed.

Mosley lifted his hind leg and scratched at his neck again. “Sam, your dull eyes are still focusing on the truths of your old homeworld. The packs here know a different truth. You must remember to open your mind. Many beasts living on the worlds governed by the Crystal Moon are magical. That said, the Barbarian King’s life was extended because of a magical benefit ... not a medical one.”

Sam struggled to wrap his mind around the thought. “How can this be true?”

“I speak fact, Sam. Do you doubt my sincerity?”

“No,” Sam rebutted. “It’s not that I doubt you.” He put his hands on top of his head and pulled his hair. “Okay, okay. Let’s just say, for argument’s sake, that everything you’ve said is true. If the Barbarian King had known about this benefit, he would’ve gone after the horn for that reason alone. How long will he live?”

Mosley paused long enough to sneeze. “The barbarians are an aggressive race. They fight amongst themselves for amusement and sport. When the king fought and was injured, he would use the horn. Once the barbarian understood the healings were making him stronger and younger, he intentionally hurt himself. He often retired to his chambers to secretly invoke the power of the horn. It’s not widely known how often he used it. In fact, only the gods and the king’s closest advisors knew the truth.”

“No way! Okay, okay. How on Earth...?” Sam paused. “I mean ... how on
Grayham
could a secret this big be kept from the world? The man is outliving his subjects. Don’t any of his advisors desire this benefit for themselves?”

“Of course they did, but the Barbarian King was influential, and he ruled through fear. He was careful not to allow the world to know. To ease his subjects’ minds, the king told them he had found a spring, and its water granted long life. He also told them the spring dried up when he revisited to collect more for his grandcubs. I would not know this if it was not for Bassorine. Bassorine watched from Heaven as the king used the horn again and again. I was told the gods were displeased, but they don’t take away the free will of man or beast.”

Sam felt pity for Mosley, thinking,
He doesn’t know there’s not a Heaven.
He sighed. “This free will crap can cause problems. What’s this Barbarian King’s name anyway?”

Mosley growled “Sam, have you not been listening? I have been speaking about the past. You must pay attention. The king’s name
was
Bude Bloodvain. He recently passed. It seems the benefit of the horn does not stop the aging process completely. His great-great-great-grandcub, Senchae Bloodvain, has taken the throne.

“Bude passed the secret of the horn’s benefit to Senchae before he perished. The only thing worse than the new king’s use of the horn, is that Senchae has been the Barbarian Champion for the last 15 seasons. He’s the strongest and best warrior the Barbarian Kingdom has ever seen. The barbarians fight to the death when entering their arenas. The fact that Senchae Bloodvain is still alive should give you an idea of what kind of warrior he is to survive in such a hostile den.”

Sam walked across the room and looked out the window. A group of small children were taking turns at tossing a small wooden hoop, attached to a string, in an arching motion. It was their goal to throw the hoop onto a metal spike that protruded from a wooden post. It was a simple game, and the joy on their faces warmed his heart.

Sam turned away from the window to find Mosley sniffing the hearth of the fireplace. “This Senchae guy sounds intense. He’s someone I can relate to. I love to fight. I just won my first fight before I—”

Mosley did not let Sam finish. “I wouldn’t get excited about challenging this man’s ability. Allow me to explain how the barbarians fight in their arenas. They are a vain race, vain to the point of stupidity. All barbarian kings throughout history have kept an open invitation with the humans of Grayham to fight their champion in the king’s arena in hand-to-hand combat. Any human who can beat the barbarian champion, without weapons, wearing only a cloth to cover his loins, will be rewarded with a chance to fight the king for his crown. If he defeats the king, all barbarians will bow and live in service to that human. Many have attempted, for the power they would wield would be immense, but they have all failed and perished. The current barbarian champion, since Senchae Bloodvain’s ascension to the throne, is Churnach Fergus. In order to fight the kingdom’s best, who is undoubtedly Senchae, you would first need to kill Fergus.

“Bloodvain is a nightmare. His sheer size intimidates any being. He would tower over you, and his physique is far more defined than yours, Sam. He’s well-known within the kingdom for his ability to fight for long periods without tiring. The king trains with angered bulls to keep in shape. He strikes the bull, causing the beast to charge, then meets the creature head on as it slams into him, and then he wrestles it to the ground. He does this over and over while striking the bull with his fists. Eventually, the beast hits the ground exhausted and unable to continue.