Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign (Worlds of the Crystal Moon, Book 1) (99 page)

Kepler growled and then lowered to the floor. He licked himself as if he did not care.

George rolled his eyes. “Damn it, Kep, what do you know?”

The demon yawned. “Well, my dude, it’s—”

George interrupted. “No, Kep. Just say, dude. ‘My dude’ sounds like something Koffler would say.”

Kepler frowned. “Hmmm! Dude, it’s a good thing I showed up when I did. I know something about the mist mares, man.”

George reached out and gently slapped Kepler on the forehead. “Knock it off. You’re starting to sound like me. You’re not cool enough.”

“Oh, I’m cool, George. I’m like ice.” Kepler stood and moved to scratch his back on one of the wooden pillars. “Ahhhhhhh.”

George rolled his eyes. “You said you know something about the mist mares. Perhaps you could tell me during one of your free moments?”

Kepler dropped to his haunches, licked the inside of his right front leg and rubbed it across the top of his right ear before he responded. “I know about the mist mares. I also know the island at the lake’s center is covered with scorpions. We would have no difficulty moving about the island if you keep us from being seen.

“It’s the mist mares that concern me. They prowl their territory efficiently. They can see everything unseen. I know this firsthand. I tried to take a drink from the lake one night while traveling to Carlosam. Somehow, they saw me. They charged, but I was able to abandon the shoreline to avoid meeting my end. I don’t know why they didn’t follow me, but if they could have left the lake’s surface, they would have. They must be bound to the water. I’ve never seen such anger in a beast.

“The shortest distance to the island is from the north side of the lake. This is where we should start. If we can find a way past the mares, it will only be a half-Peak swim to the shore of the island. I hope you’re strong enough.”

“Swim? Who needs to swim?” George mocked. “I’ve got an idea to get across. The only problem I have is with this riddle. I don’t know what it means. Apparently, it holds the key to getting past our little, demon pony problem.” George spread the scroll out on the floor so they could read it.

“This seems straightforward,” Kepler said.

After listening to everything the jaguar had to say, George looked at his map. “This is good. We’ll go to Athena’s home tonight, and in the morning, we can teleport to the city of Champions. From there, we’ll depart for Zandra’s northern shore.”

George reached up and ruffled the fur on Kepler’s huge neck. “You’re turning out to be quite the ally, Kep. What would I do without you?”

“I’m glad you’re pleased, George.” The demon took a step back. “But do you think you could stop touching me? It’s appalling to have a human be so caring. I’ve spent too many seasons eating your kind. My brothers have been jesting about our relationship. I want us to rule this world, but I have no desire for intimacy with you.”

“Intimacy? Hmmm. You don’t want to love me, Kep? You’re breaking my heart.” Grinning, George took the opportunity to poke fun. With the same voice he used to speak to a dog on Earth, he walked toward Kepler in a stalking manner. “Doesn’t my furry, little demon love his Georgy-worgy?”

The cat backed up as George drew closer.

“Kepler needs kisses. Oh yes he does. Come here and give Daddy kisses. Daddy-George loves his Kepler so, so much ... oh, yes he does.”

The Barbarian King laughed as he watched George chase the massive pussycat out of the room.

GEORGE
left the city of Bloodvain, teleporting with Kepler and one of the tigers to Lethwitch. His wife’s pregnancy is causing emotional distress. Rather than leave in the morning, George has decided to pamper Athena to reinforce his love for her. They will not teleport to the city of Champions until Early Bailem the following Peak.

SAM’S
hippogriff landed in Cottle. Soon after, Michael ordered the army to march.

When preparing for their journey, Shalee gave Helga the mask she took from Double D. Shalee has also given Helga the other half of a pendant necklace. The ladies are wearing them around their necks and have been giving each other frequent high-fives while traveling with the army.

LASIDIOUS
is on his way to the world of Luvelles. He is going there to speak with the Head Master, Brayson Id. He will appear to the Head Master in Amar’s image, Brayson’s good friend and old Mystic Learner. There are many details that need to be discussed, and planning the future is in order to create diversions to keep the gods’ attention.

BJ
sat on Sam’s throne and was pretending to be the king. He had asked everyone to leave the room, and then he lowered into the chair to get an idea of how Sam must feel. As it turned out, he pushed his luck a bit too far. He asked for his meal to be brought to him in the throne room. When the large woman arrived, she scolded BJ and pulled him by his ear into the royal dining hall and sat him down. BJ tried to object, but the woman, almost 20 seasons his senior, instructed him to be silent and eat his dinner without further trouble. The advisor ate without objection.

BJ would fall asleep that night and have wonderful dreams of Helga. In his visions, they stood near a brook that peacefully cascaded down a small embankment into a shallow pool. Sam was standing in front of them with Shalee standing to Helga’s left as her matron of honor. To BJ’s right, Michael handed BJ the rings. The ceremony was short, but lovely, and the kiss between BJ and Helga to celebrate their union was full of promise. It was the best dream BJ ever had.

Thank you for reading this edition of the Grayham Inquirer

CHAPTER 36

May the Best Man Win

5 Peaks Have Passed

SAM, MICHAEL, SHALEE, AND HELGA stood on the shore of Lake Zandra. It was not long after the water had been disturbed that the mist mares appeared. They were majestic, and numbered around 140. They looked like wild spirits, and they ran across the top of the lake with a graceful deadliness.

As the sun dropped below the horizon, the true color of the glow surrounding the water mist mare’s bodies magnified. It was an angelic blueish-white, and this color and glow extended into their eyes.

The absence of the sun seemed to effect the intensity of the mares’ screams as they threatened the army.

Shalee grabbed Helga’s hand. “They don’t look like any kind of demons I learned about as a child. I think they’re gorgeous.”

“I agree, Child. But they make me nervous.”

Shalee nodded. “They’re a bit pissy. I can see why folks are afraid of them.”

Sam walked past Shalee with Michael at his side and pointed toward the water. “Their hooves never touch the surface, and they all have reflections. So much for this being easy.”

“I noticed, Sire. What would you have me do?”

“I’m not sure. Nothing for now, I suppose.” He paused. “We might as well set up camp and establish a post to monitor the mares through the night? I want to know everything we can. We may be here a while.”

“Yes, My King.”

After camp was established, Michael ordered six men to throw rocks into the lake. The disturbance angered the mares. They charged the banks and stopped just before the water touched the shore. They breathed an icy mist that took the shape of flames in the direction of the men.

Sam patted Michael on the back. “It’s a good thing you ordered them to stay back. They’d be frozen right now if they hadn’t.” The king pondered the situation. “Tell the men to stop throwing rocks, and have them observe for a while.”

Michael did as instructed. Eventually, the mares settled down. When calm, they sounded like any normal horse. But every now and then, a monstrous shriek penetrated the night from a mare who stood isolated about a hundred paces away from the others. During the next short period of moments, Sam and Michael noticed that one of the other mares left the herd. It moved across the water to take this isolated mare’s place. It was as if they had their own version of the changing of the guard, and further, Sam noticed that both these ghostly horses were stallions, not mares.

“It appears water mist mares is not an accurate description,” Sam pondered aloud.

Michael put his hand to his chin. “Agreed. But water mist stallions doesn’t have the same ring to it.”

Sam shrugged. “I suppose. But no matter what they’re called, we still have a problem.”

By the height of the next Peak, Sam believed he had a solution to the problem.

The Northern Shore of Lake Zandra

The Peak of Bailem that Same Peak

George, Kepler, and the accompanying tiger arrived on the shore opposite Sam’s army. Kepler disturbed the water and rushed away from the edge. They waited for the mist mares to appear, but nothing happened.

“This doesn’t make sense,” the jaguar announced. “They should’ve arrived by now. These creatures are swift, and their prowess dominates the lake.”

George walked down to the water and sent a rock skipping. “I don’t know where they are, but I know I can teleport us to shore if they come for us. Let’s get going and make a run for it.”

Kepler growled. “Exactly how do you intend to run across water?”