Part 8 (1/2)
The king commanded Kael to bring forth his fire. Once this had been done, he spoke the words of power to extend the length of the blade as he pointed the tip in the jaguar's direction. The demon cried out as the sword skewered his undead heart. The men surrounding the oversized wagons backed away as the sword's heat intensified.
Keller was forced to move to the far side of his cage as he watched his brother reduce to a pile of ash in a matter of moments, and the steel bars of his cage warped.
The king commanded the blade to go cold before he redirected his attention toward his General Absolute. ”Michael, say nothing of the cat's end to our queen. If asked, the beast returned with his brother to their pa.s.s, and they have agreed to live in peace. See to it that the men keep their mouths shut as well. Remind them that I'll remember their faces.”
Michael smiled. ”As you wish, Sire.”
Sam found the eyes of every man present before directing his attention to Keller. ”I a.s.sume you're still ready to talk?”
”I am. Will you allow me to walk out of this city unharmed? Do I have your word that you won't send your army after me once I've gone? Agree to this, and I'll tell you all you want to know.”
”You have my word. My army will not come for you. Once you are past the city gates, you're on your own. Are we agreed?”
”Agreed.”
”Where is Kepler, and is George with him?”
”If I tell you, I'm free to go?”
”I will open your cage myself. I'll escort you to the city gates to ensure your safety. Beyond that, you're on your own. But my army will not set foot outside this city in pursuit.”
Keller studied Sam's face. After a moment of silence, the cat spoke. ”My brother left with George. They went to Luvelles. They traveled with the Merchant Angels, and I haven't seen them since.”
Sam looked deep into the demon's eyes. ”Come close to the bars. If you're telling the truth, the sword will confirm it, and then you'll be free to go.”
Keller hesitantly moved toward Sam. Once Kael was placed against the jaguar's shoulder, Sam spoke. ”Say everything you told me again, demon.”
”My brother and George left together. They are no longer on this world. They went to Luvelles.”
Kael's blade began to pulse with a soft light. ”He's telling the truth, Sam, but this creature's heart is dark, and he could become an issue if you let him live.”
Keller took a defensive posture and growled. ”You gave your word!”
Sam moved to the end of the cage. ”A promise is a promise.” He looked into the demon's glowing eyes. ”When I open this door, I expect you to be on your best behavior. Don't doubt my ability with this sword. You'll stay with me until we get to the city gates. If you make one false move, I'll separate your coat from the rest of your body and use your hide as my bedcover.”
The demon rolled his eyes as Sam motioned for the general to bring him his mist mare. ”You don't need to be so dramatic about it, King of Brandor. I'll do as you command. I have not dominated territories by being witless.”
As Sam and the giant cat walked through the streets of Brandor, the people darted inside the closest building. Children peered over the ledges of window sills to capture a glimpse while mothers pulled them away to close the shutters.
Keller smirked and thought, As if those flimsy barriers would stop me.
As they arrived at the north gate of the city, Sam dismounted. Seeing the demon's body would not fit through the smaller door at the base of the gate, the king ordered the men to open the larger barrier. It took 20 to push the heavy wood back while Sam turned to Keller and commanded Kael's flame. ”You should run, demon. I want you out of my sight.”
Without a word, the jaguar bolted, leaping overtop of the men who stood in his way. A moment later, Sam ordered Michael to bring him his bow. The general removed the weapon from the king's mount and tossed it through the air.
Sam held the bow to his side. ”General, if memory serves me right, I promised that the army would not set foot outside the gate.”
”Yes, Sire, you're correct.”
”I also said that once he gets past the gate, he's on his own.”
”Right again, My King.”
”But I did not say I wouldn't end him myself. I wonder if my arrows will pierce his coat?”
”Here's to good shooting, Sire.”
Sam raised his Bow of Accuracy. Five arrows with burning tips were made ready. The king waited until the jaguar was a fair distance down the road before he shot the arrows in succession, and then he waited. Moments later, the arrows. .h.i.t the ground, failing to hit their target.
The General Absolute slapped the top of his own forehead. ”You missed! How?”
Sam stood in silence, thinking, If I missed, the bow must consider my actions unjust. What to say? What to say? How do I explain this?
The king put a smile on and then turned to look at Michael. ”General, the cat has received another word of warning. You didn't truly expect me to break my word, did you? What kind of a king would I be if I had no honor. Besides, my queen would've been angry.” Sam patted Michael on the shoulder. ”Get rid of the other demon's ashes.”
Michael signaled for three of his men to follow him. ”Everyone will hold their tongue, Sire. The queen will not know of the demon's demise.”
The attention of both men was redirected as one of the castle handmaidens rushed up on horseback, shouting as she approached. ”My King! My King! The queen is screaming and the baby-”
Before the servant could finish, Sam ordered the general to hand him the reins of his mist mare. He threw his weight on top of the beast and shouted, ”Cain, take me to the castle! Make haste!”
Meanwhile, the Hidden G.o.d World Ancients Sovereign Beneath the Peaks of Angels After entering their den, Lasidious walked up behind his lover and kissed the nape of her neck. ”Brayson allowed George to keep Payne as his goswig.” He then kissed the side of her cheek and enjoyed the softness of her skin against his lips. ”You look beautiful, as always.”
Celestria took a seat at the table. The G.o.ddess had recently redecorated with bright yellow accents that contrasted against the dark walls. Every vase was filled with an array of color and the flowers permeated the room with an inviting fragrance.
Celestria leaned her head back and allowed Lasidious to kiss her lips. It was his charm that had won her heart more than 13,000 seasons ago. She stood and moved into his arms. Her every curve and gesture were flawless. Her voice-angelic-was sweet and soft to the ear. She was worthy of the t.i.tle, G.o.ddess.
”How did our baby look, my pet? Did you see him?” Celestria leaned in and nibbled on Lasidious' ear.
Lasidious struggled to focus as the wetness of her tongue left its mark, but somehow he managed to answer the question. ”I did. Garrin is loved. He cried when Kepler roared, but he's well. He was just startled.”
Celestria caressed his chin as she responded. ”We must be careful. Garrin must grow before he can command the power we need to seize control of the Book. We cannot afford a mistake.”
”Which is why I've been working to create tension between the brothers. Marcus' anger grows stronger by the Peak. His dreams are turning to nightmares, and all he thinks about is how much he hates his siblings.”
Celestria cupped the G.o.d's face. ”Your mind amazes me, my sweet. How you ever thought to plant the seeds of resentment all those seasons ago is beyond imagination. I can imagine the expression on Marcus' face when he heard his mother's rejection. It had to have hurt him deeply. If you push Marcus, how far do you think he'll go?”
Lasidious lifted Celestria into his arms, spun with her and then lowered her to her feet. ”I don't need to push him. Marcus has already decided to go after his brothers. He just needs to figure out how.”
The G.o.ddess changed the subject. ”When does George meet with Brayson again?”
”I haven't been watching, but I'm sure it'll happen soon. George will go through the bonding ritual with Payne, and if he survives, the fairy-demon should be able to help George when the moment arrives.”
”What of the others? They are talking. They want to know when you will reveal the location of the next piece of the Crystal Moon.”
Lasidious smiled, took Celestria by the hand, and then he guided her toward their bedroom. ”I shall call a meeting of the G.o.ds tomorrow. But first, I need to meet with the Book of Immortality. For now, a little fun is in order.” The deity shut the door as he pulled Celestria close.
Western Luvelles Marcus Id's Dark Tower-palace Gage kept his distance as Marcus threw most everything he could get his hands on around his bedroom chamber inside his dark tower-palace. Books, scrolls, quills, chairs, and even pillows had been strewn across the cold floor.
The badger was feeling a whirlwind of emotions as the chancellor's mind screamed with disorganized thoughts. It was clear Marcus was hurting. He sucked on the tip of his pipe as if he wished to pull the tobacco through it. His heart was not only full of hate, but also a tremendous, agonizing sorrow. All Gage could piece together were small bits of Marcus' past. After many moments, the chancellor settled down. His exhaustion consumed him and sleep followed not long after.