Part 9 (1/2)

Mary has stopped on many occasions to stand in front of the mirror Brayson gave her. She cannot stop looking at herself. She has felt desired ever since the Head Master's advance. This is the 10th dress she has tried on of the 15 that were given to her. She wants to look perfect before she activates the mirror to summon Brayson.

Sam is about to dismount his mist mare outside the castle of Brandor. Shalee's condition is serious, and the servants are motioning for him to hurry.

Mosley plans to go to Luvelles. He wants to see for himself what George and Kepler are up to.

Gregory is inside his gla.s.s palace. The confrontation with Marcus has left him on edge. He appreciates the amulet Brayson has given him for protection, but he is still increasing the security within his tower. He hopes the Kedgle King will accept Brayson's offer of Froslip in exchange for their help.

Marcus is still sleeping inside his tower-palace.

Gage has teleported to the far west side of Crystal Lake, located in the Kingdom of Lavan. The badger is hoping to find a temporary place of refuge. To do this, he must seek permission from a race of beings called Ultorians.

Thank you for reading the Luvelles Gazette

CHAPTER 4.

Sam Junior The Family Homes THE HOMES BRAYSON PROVIDED the family were a luxurious combination of natural colors, throw rugs, and magical lamps that had been placed throughout each structure. The furniture was elegant, and to George's surprise, Lasidious had done a thorough job of describing his tastes. The wood looked as if it had been stained, something he had not seen since his arrival, but was just another fascinating use of magic. Compared to Grayham, the cla.s.s and style of living on Luvelles was a ma.s.sive step up, and just like Kebble's Kettle, all the family's homes were alive.

”... He left the rat on Grayham!” Athena shouted as she bounded down the stairs toward Susanne's food closet in hopes of finding something to settle Garrin. When she opened the door, she was blasted by a burst of cold air. Many frozen items had been stacked on hardwood shelves.

Athena shut the door. ”Brrrr.” She shouted up the stairs, ”I have not asked George about Maldwin lately! I don't even know if we'll ever see the rat again! Is there another food closet in this house?”

”Not that I know of!” Susanne's voice echoed. ”Mother said her food closet changes! She was excited about it, but changed the subject when she went upstairs to put on another dress!”

”What do you mean, it changes?”

”I don't know! I didn't get into it with her! Garrin started to cry and needed to be changed! I swear, this child must be full to the top of his head! It's like he never stops gares.h.i.+ng!”

”You don't have to be so foul,” Athena responded as Susanne walked into the room. ”You're starting to sound like George. I swear that man rubs off on everybody.” Athena grabbed the handle of the closet door and opened it. The frozen food was gone, and the temperature had changed. Now she saw grains, rice, and other nonperishable items. She shut the door.

”This isn't normal,” she muttered to herself. ”I don't think I'll ever get used to magic. I wonder what else is in here?”

Again, Athena opened the door and peeked in. Through the crack, she could feel the temperature had dropped, but it was not cold enough to freeze anything. Now there were bergan eggs, vestle chick eggs, corgan milk, greggled hash, hogswayne (fatback), and many forms of fruit and vegetables. ”Susanne, you've got to see this. Your food closet is the most amazing thing I've ever seen.”

”Go check out the washroom. Say the word 'illuminate.' The whole thing fills with light, just like it did at Kebble's inn. I never get tired of that. There's also a platform near the front door that teleports you upstairs. And mother says the beds make themselves.”

”The beds make themselves? How?”

”How am I supposed to know? Magic, I guess.”

”I hope our clothes will do the same.”

”Wouldn't that be nice?”

The sun warmed the front porch of George's new home. The smell of the rain lingered as George shook his finger. ”d.a.m.n it, Payne, you need to listen! If you're going to be my goswig, you've got to pay attention. That's all I need you to do.”

”George pick on Payne.”

Kepler rolled his eyes. ”No one's picking on you, Freak. Shut up, and do what you're told. You're supposed to call him, Master.” Kepler glared at George. His eyes flashed. ”We've become jesters, not territorial forces. We've digressed since the freak's arrival.”

Before George could say anything, Payne disappeared.

”Where did he go?” Kepler questioned, scanning.

”h.e.l.l if I know,” the mage shrugged.

Suddenly, the giant jaguar cried out. Payne had reappeared, grabbed the tip of the undead cat's tail and bit. The look on Kepler's face was cla.s.sic. George laughed, despite the fairy-demon's disregard for his former instructions.

”Get this d.a.m.n thing off me, George!”

Payne released his bite and flew away, but Kepler was not finished. His ma.s.sive paw swiped through the air, aiming at Payne's head.

”You missed! Kitty too slow! Too fat!”

Kepler roared.

Athena heard it from inside Susanne's house.

The jaguar began to chase Payne around the clearing at the center of the community of homes. Payne was enjoying the excitement, but Kepler was dead set on killing him. ”Come here, you little freak!”

”Try to catch Payne, Kitty!”

”Be still so I can bash your head in!”

Kepler was adjusting to the quick changes in Payne's direction. His muscles rippled under his dark coat as he moved as fast as he could, but it was not fast enough.

”We've got to go, guys!” George called out, but as hard as he was laughing, the words took a moment to form. ”Hey! Hey! Hey! Dang it! We've got to get going!”

Athena walked up behind George. ”I think the whole family heard Kepler roar. The baby is crying again. What's with those two?”

”Payne bit his tail. Kepler's p.i.s.sed.”

”I thought you were going to have a talk with them.”

”I did, but I don't think it sunk in. Kepler called Payne a freak and it was on. I swear to you, Kepler is going to kill him.”

Athena shook her head. ”I'm glad I'm not in your boots. I don't think I'd have the patience to put up with them. You can't let Kepler hurt Payne. He's just a baby. How do you think you acted at three seasons?”

”I know ... I know. I find this humorous, to tell you the truth, but I need to put a leash on Payne. I don't understand what a goswig does, but I'm sure it'll require better behavior than this. I'm going to need your help with him.”

Nothing else could be said before Payne flew over and stopped next to the side of George's new home. He taunted the jaguar as he waited in front of the stone-covered wall.

”Come, Kitty! Come get Payne! Fat Kitty! Slow Kitty!”

”Bad idea, Kep...!” George shouted, unable to finish his sentence before the jaguar launched. He watched as the giant cat stretched out, zeroing in on the fairy-demon's position-ignoring the stone-covered wall beyond his target. Just before impact, Payne vanished. George scowled as Kepler smashed into the wall face first.

”Oh, my! Go see if he's okay, George!” Athena ordered, ”Payne, you come over here ... right now! You will take a seat on the porch steps! Don't you dare move a muscle! Do as I say! Right now!”