Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign (Worlds of the Crystal Moon, Book 1) (54 page)

ATHENA
is singing as she washes the dishes at her mother’s home. She is excited about the flowers that were delivered to her from work. She cannot wait to see George again. She has read the note over and over, anxious for her shift to start tomorrow night when George promised to return.

SENCHAE BLOODVAIN
is holding his unicorn horn close to his groin. The healing power of the horn is soothing the pain, but he cannot believe how black and blue his inner thighs are. Since the bull’s departure, the king has been contemplating the Lasidious’ words. Senchae is also struggling with his immense pride.

Never before has Senchae been in a near-fatal position. Although his men do not regard him any differently—their respect still intact—the memory of the encounter gnaws at Senchae. He would have preferred an honorable death to the bull’s mere departure. But ending his own life would be cowardly, so his only option is to swallow this bitter pill.

Thank you for reading this edition of the Grayham Inquirer

CHAPTER 21

A Soul Rescued

GEORGE WAITED FOR HIS dinner companions to arrive as he finished his second mug of ale. While he waited, a gray-haired man approached from the bar. The man was wearing a light green, hooded robe, and he was holding a staff that had a cubed shaped gem set at its top.

Amar tapped the butt end of his staff against the floor and took a seat across from George. “We should speak.”

George looked across the table and scanned Amar’s appearance.
You’ve got to be kidding me. This schmuck looks like Merlin.
“Look pal, I have people coming. You need to take a hike.”

“I’ll speak quickly, George.” The mage watched the surprise appear on George’s face. “Yes, I know your name. I’ve been sent to assist you on your journey. I know you need my help with your … well ... let’s just call it your gift since we are in mixed company. Under my tutelage, you could learn to master it.”

George leaned across the table. “Don’t tell me what I need. Whoever sent you should mind his own business. I don’t need your help.”

The mage leaned forward. “Lasidious sent me. My name is Amar.”

George feigned his interest. “Oh, so you’re Amar! Why didn’t you just say so?” The jerk changed his expression. “I don’t give a crap who you are. Tell Lasidious to mind his own business. It’s best you go before I make you wish that you had.”

Amar’s expression was filled with concern. “You speak of our lord as if you don’t respect him. He’s to be feared.”

George stood, pushed his seat back and then looked down at Amar. “Get lost, and take your lord with you, or I’ll might decide to use my gift on you.”

The mage stood from the table. “As you wish, but I’ll be outside the arena at the closing of the games. If you want my help, meet me there.” With that, Amar closed his eyes and vanished.

George reached across the table and passed his hand through the air where Amar had stood.
What the hell?
he thought.
The sum-bitch just vanished.

From within his invisible veil, Lasidious watched from the far side of the bar as George looked around the room to see if anyone else was bothered by the mage’s disappearance. When no one seemed to care, the Mischievous One smirked as George reached out again to examine the space where Amar had been.

Now, more than ever, George was confused.
How did he know my name? How did he know about me turning crap to stone?
He leaned back in his chair and shook his head.
There’s never a dull moment around this joint. I’ve got to write a book about this for Abbie.
He lifted his drink from the table, slammed down the rest of his ale and then reclaimed his seat until his guests arrived.

When Sam and Shalee entered, George could not stop staring at the fighter’s body. “Holy cow, man! Look at you. You’re a horse. Put an axe in your hand, throw a red-checkered shirt on you, and call you Paul Bunyan. I thought you had muscles before, but this is sick ... hella sick.”

Sam smiled. “The conversation about my size and how I got it is best left for places a little more private, wouldn’t you agree? I have a lot to tell you about this world. There are many things that we’ve learned. I’m hoping to compare notes and see if you know something we don’t.”

George nodded. “Sure, let’s talk about something else until we’re done eating.” After the meal, the group left the tavern and headed for the inn where Sam and Shalee were staying.

Lasidious remained invisible and followed.

George was glad to learn that the inn where Sam and Shalee were staying was not the inn where Athena worked. He did not want to mix business with pleasure. This meeting was about gathering information. It had nothing to do with friendship. He could not care less if Sam and Shalee existed. He just wanted the scoop.

Everyone filed into Sam and Shalee’s room. Sam was the first to speak. “It’s good to see you, George. I thought you had become a tragedy, but after speaking with Bassorine, I figured you might have survived since Lasidious has plans for you.”

Lasidious smirked. The Mischievous One moved to sit in a chair across the room and maintained his invisible cover.
This should prove entertaining,
he thought.
George is already confused.

“What the hell are you talking about?” George responded. “You’re the second person to mention that name. Who is Lasidious?”

Sam shrugged. “Apparently, he’s a god.”

George rolled his eyes. “Yeah, right! Can you believe how stupid this place is? These people are stinkin’ primitive. They throw around the term gods as if gods actually exist.” The jerk leaned against the wall of the cold fireplace and put his elbow on top of the mantle. “Heck. These people don’t even understand the concept of time.”

Sam lowered to the edge of the bed next to Shalee as he responded. “They understand the concept, they just haven’t assigned words for specific measurements of time.”

George shrugged. “You know what I meant, so stop correcting me.”

An awkward series of moments passed before Sam continued. “I agree that it’s odd talking to these people. It does feel foreign to speak like they do.” Sam stood, walked across the room and then looked out the window. Across the street to the south was The Old Mercantile, and across from the mercantile was Margorie’s Market. “Regardless of how these people speak, it appears Lasidious has plans for your moments.”