Part 26 (1/2)
”How does Gorne live like this, he says? Better than me, he thinks he is, I say. What does the mean elf want from Gorne, I wonder? He wants something, he does. The fire isn't real, I say. A stupid elf stands before me, I think.”
Kiayasis ignored the comments and stepped into the room. His foot pa.s.sed through the rotted wood, and he had to catch his balance.
”Hee, hee, ha, ha! Heavy is the mean elf, I say. Lose weight he should, I think. Fat the Order has become, is the word I shall spread.”
Kiayasis gathered his thoughts, still ignoring the irritating mannerisms of the hermit. ”I have business we need to discuss. I need you to sell me the knife.”
”Eewww, hee, hee, ha, ha! The knife, he says. The Knife of Spirits he wants, I say. Why does the mean elf think Gorne has the knife, I want to know?”
” I'm in no mood for games. Sell me the knife so I can leave.”
”Why, I say? The purpose, I want to know.”
”Don't question my authority. I have the lawful right to take whatever I want. You can sell the blade to me or I'll take it from you, but either way, I'm leaving with it.”
”Don't have the knife, I say. Go away, you should, I think. Shut the door, I command. Leave Gorne alone, you should.”
Unsheathing his blessed sword of the Order, Kiayasis responded, ”Give me the knife, and do it now. I don't want to end you ... but I will.”
”Hee, hee, ha, ha, ho, ho, grrrrr! Kill Gorne, he threatens, I say. Hate the mean elf, I do. Give you the Knife of Spirits, I will. To kill something magical you need to do, I think. Strong this magic must be, I say.”
Gorne scampered across the room, and then he reached under a mattress that was riddled with holes. He tossed the sheathed blade and watched it land at Kiayasis' feet. ”Go away, I say. Leave Gorne alone, I ask. I have given you what you want, I have. Hate you Gorne does, I say. Leave your coin on the table, I beg.”
Kiayasis shook his head and then pulled the door shut after dropping a pouch filled with coin through a hole in the floor. He walked back across the boardwalk and smiled as he heard Gorne dive into the water to retrieve the currency. Mounting his horse, Kiayasis headed for the inn.
The dark paladin entered his room and took enough moments to make himself presentable before he knocked on Shalee's door. His long, black hair fell across his muscular shoulders which were now covered by a fresh, golden s.h.i.+rt. The blue of his eyes gleamed with antic.i.p.ation as the queen opened her door.
Shalee had used her magic to create an elegant, emerald gown. Her blonde hair had been pinned up to expose a thick, gold necklace that hung tightly around her neck. Earrings, also made of gold, held an a.s.sortment of gems and s.h.i.+mmered as they dangled.
Kiayasis was the first to speak. ”I've never seen anything so beautiful.” He looked down at Shalee's feet. ”Your shoes ... they hold your heels high off the floor.” He looked up. ”Your face has color on it. I can't take my eyes off you.”
Shalee grinned.
Kiayasis' face showed a spirited pleasure. ”It'll be a shame to take such a wonderful gown off such a beautiful woman.”
Shalee took a step back. ”What?” Her hands moved up and down the front of her body as if she was putting herself on display. ”You're not going to see this dress fall so easily. Perhaps ... if you're lucky ... I might allow you to kiss me goodnight ... only perhaps.”
”Then a kiss it will be. I have ordered a special night. It's being prepared as we speak.”
”Ahhh. So you're going to spoil me. But we'll just have to see about that kiss, mister. I'm not a floozy, you know?” Shalee took Kiayasis' arm and squeezed. Not a single thought of Sam entered her mind as they headed out.
Brayson's Island The Next Peak Just Before the Peak of Bailem George, Payne and Kepler arrived at the shrine that was located on the southern tip of the Head Master's island. The key to the Source's temple was sealed inside.
”What kind of place is this?” George remarked, scowling. ”Sticking this thing out here in the middle of nowhere is creepy. This is a crypt, not a shrine. Brayson definitely has a flare for the dramatic.”
George dropped his bag of supplies to the ground. He adjusted his purple tunic to a more comfortable position. It was split below his waist and a loose-fitting pair of pants covered his legs. His pistol was strapped under his right pant leg, and it was loaded with his last bullet. Lastly, a short sword hung from his left hip. George was ready for the trials that would begin as soon as the group entered the shrine to retrieve the key.
Payne flew above the shrine. He planted his small, red behind on top of it, and then he relaxed his wings before as he looked down and shouted, ”I'm hungry!”
”Shut up, Freak!” Kepler growled. ”Be quiet while we think.”
George shrugged. ”At least he didn't speak of himself in third person.”
Kepler growled again, and then he looked up at the fairy-demon. ”Kepler want to eat Payne, because Payne still a freak.”
”Ebbish nay, Kitty! Be nice to Payne.”
George rolled his eyes. ”Come on, you two. Can't we just all get along?” The mage poked Kepler with his elbow.
Ignoring George, the jaguar sniffed around the base of the shrine. After a few moments, the cat lifted his head. ”Well, what are you waiting for? You have the words to Brayson's spell. So use them already.”
The mage was about to respond, but a voice that was hidden amidst the trees of the forest spoke out. ”Well, well, well! It appears the Peak has finally come!” Marcus emerged from the shadows, cupped his hands together and then placed them on his chest. ”I'm so happy.”
Kepler was the first to react. The demon lowered into an attack posture and prepared to spring into action.
Meanwhile, George remained calm. He slowly turned around to find the source of the voice while Payne had simply remained on top of the shrine. The fairy-demon was unconcerned and his attention was elsewhere. Payne had pulled one of his fingers off his hand, and he was playing with a small likeness of himself that was standing on his knee.
”I have been waiting for you,” Marcus said, his brown eyes cold. ”We have business to discuss, George.”
Kepler growled. ”How does this elf know your name? Who is he?”
George grinned. ”His name is Marcus Id ... Brayson's putz of a brother. He's also known as the Dark Chancellor. I hear he's a p.e.n.i.s.”
Again, Marcus clapped his hands. ”Since it appears you know me, we should be able to dispense with useless introductions. They bore me anyway.”
Both Payne and his miniature likeness shouted, ”Hey! You got food? We's are hungry!”
Marcus ignored the fairy-demon and continued to hold George's glare. ”You have something I want. I think you know that.”
George leaned against the shrine and crossed his arms.
Kepler waited for the mage's response, but when one never came, he growled. ”Aren't you going to say something?”
”Sure, when I'm ready. I'm still sorting out how little I give a garesh about what this chump wants. He's been watching us for a while now. The b.a.s.t.a.r.d thinks he can just sneak up on us.”
Kepler's eyes flashed. ”When were you going to tell me that he was stalking us?”
George shrugged. ”I didn't know I needed to tell the Master of the Hunt that. I just a.s.sumed you would know.” The mage shrugged again. ”But if it helps, here you go. Hey Kep, this chump has been stalking us. Look at him. I don't think he's tough enough to rip the skin off my nuts.”
Marcus cleared his throat. ”George, it seems you don't fully understand what I'm capable of. Must I demonstrate the sincerity of my presence?”
Kepler's eyes continued to glow as he held them fixated on George.
The mage pushed himself clear of the shrine and matched Marcus' stare as he stepped within a pace of the Dark Chancellor. ”I know what you want. You should leave. You're not going to get what you came for.”
Marcus leaned forward, his voice filled with hate. ”We can do this the easy way or the hard way. The easy way ... you live. The hard way ... you perish. Which will it be? Either way, I care not.”
Kepler did not wait to hear another word. He lunged for Marcus with his ma.s.sive claws ready to strike.
George did not have a chance to stop the demon's attack. He could only watch as Kepler's paw cut through the air with his nails deployed and aimed at the chancellor's head. Instead of connecting with his target, Kepler's body lifted from the ground, and the demon was sent flying with a simple flip of Marcus' hand.