Part 38 (2/2)
”Anyway, it kind of freaks me out that you've spoken with my Abbie's soul. Can you release her as well?”
”I can do as I wish.”
”Will you return her to me?”
The Ancient One shook his head. ”I will not reward the sins of a father.” The dragon pulled back his head. ”Alas, our conversation must come to an end. The moment approaches for you to look into the Eye.”
Frustrated, George sat up. ”How do you suggest I retrieve Abbie's soul without killing the folks who stand in my way? If you won't give her back to me, then I have no other options.”
The Source's large figure began to dissolve. ”Only you can decide how to handle your issues of morality. There is good in you, George. You will struggle to find your way, but your well has the potential to overflow with righteousness. Embrace it.”
”Righteousness?” George retorted. ”That sounds a bit heavy for a guy like me.”
The dragon smirked. ”You have much to strive for. I do hope the Eye finds you worthy of its gift. Perhaps you should get some sleep before you enter the Eye's chamber. You'll want to have your wits about you.”
The last bit of the dragon's form vanished. ”Remember, George, if you allow your past to victimize your future, happiness will forever elude you. You must forgive to become the man I know you can be. You must find the desire to be better than you are.”
George called out, ”Wait! Don't go! Who am I supposed to forgive?”
After a long, agonizing silence, George sighed, ”Figures!” He moved past the ancient dragon's lair and eventually came to a heavy, metal door that sat at the end of a long corridor. This must be the place, he thought. I'll sleep here and then go inside. He lowered to the ground and put his hands behind his head.
Once the mage was asleep, Lasidious made his presence known inside his dream. ”George ... we need to talk.”
”Holy garesh, man! Where have you been? I have a million questions.”
”I'm sure you do, George. But I have a few things that I need to tell you first. You're going to have to react quickly.”
”Nothing new with that concept. What's up?”
”Brayson knows you killed Amar.”
”What? How in the h.e.l.l did he find out?”
”Celestria was spying on Brayson. Your mother-in-law told him. Apparently, Mary spoke with Morre before you left Lethwitch. She knew of Amar's pa.s.sing, and when Brayson mentioned that Amar had recently visited his office, Mary told him that his friend was deceased.”
”This isn't good. So ... how did Brayson figure out it was me who killed him? Has he said anything to Athena or Mary about it?”
”Brayson visited the Sprite Queen who has the ability to bend moments. He saw you kill Amar after the sprite took him to the past. I don't think Brayson will say anything to Mary until he understands your reasoning. You need a plan.”
”Ya think?” George snapped. ”This is a nice pile of garesh you've gotten me into. Thanks a lot, Lasidious.”
Brayson's Floating Office Brayson watched through one of the windows as Sam made his way into Floren. The wizard had posted one of his students outside the invisible school of magic, and he was to greet the King of Brandor and show him the way inside.
Like many others who had entered Brayson's tower, Sam marveled at how the spiral staircase shot up into the distance for what seemed to be forever. The fairies moved between the walls of bookcases, and as always, they were rearranging the books and scrolls from one shelf to another in an organized fas.h.i.+on.
Sam moved to stand beside the table where Kepler had injured his neck while fighting the silver sphere. The king moved his hands across the etched markings of magic, and it was not long before Sam found a symbol that he recognized. It was one of the symbols that had been etched into the ring that Brayson gave him after he arrived on Merchant Island. ”Fire,” he whispered.
The king strolled over to one of the bookcases and began to search for a reference in which to study more about the symbol's origin. Though his knowledge of the elven language was minimal, it was not long before his genius mind was lost in thought.
The Head Master appeared at Sam's side. ”It's good to see you again, King of Brandor. I trust your queen will be returning to Grayham with you?”
Sam's mood went from one of extreme interest to one of enormous irritation as soon as he heard the reference to Shalee. ”No. She will continue her journey to find the missing piece of the Crystal Moon.”
”You don't appear to be satisfied with your visit,” Brayson responded. ”When I teleported you south of her position, you were anxious to catch up to her. The window showed she was with someone. Who was her companion, and did your journey with your tracker provide you with the moments you needed to think?”
Sam found Brayson's eyes. ”The answers to your questions are not something I want to discuss. I'm ready to go home.”
Brayson nodded. ”Fair enough. I do hope your queen is right about the location of the crystal.” The Head Master redirected the conversation. ”I have recently uncovered some grave news ... news that has left me with many questions. Do you have the moments to indulge an old man?”
Sam grimaced. ”Where should we talk? Perhaps you could make it someplace comfortable. I'm tired.”
”Of course.” Brayson waved his hand. Before Sam knew it, they appeared inside his office. Brayson pulled back his new chair and motioned for Sam to sit. Once the king was comfortable, Brayson leaned against the edge of his desk and crossed his legs in front of him. ”I'd like to know how you came to Grayham.”
”Why do you ask?” Sam responded as he reached up to play with the gash on his lip.
”My Mystic Learner is traveling to meet with the Source. I think you may know him.”
Sam crossed his arms. ”Let me guess. George is the one you're talking about.”
”He is. So ... you do know him.”
”I know him alright. I'll tell you anything you want to know. But first, what is the Source, and why would George meet with it?”
Brayson explained the ancient dragon's function and what would happen if George looked into the Eye of Magic and survived.
Sam stood from the chair and strolled to the far side of the room. ”This isn't good. George is a manipulative b.a.s.t.a.r.d. He's a liar and a thief. Before he left for Luvelles, he managed to start the largest war Southern Grayham has ever seen. Many men perished, and almost as many will spend the rest of their Peaks as sad reminders of the men they used to be.”
Brayson had to find the courage to ask his next question. ”Do you hail from the same world as George?”
Sam's brow furrowed. ”How do you know of Earth? Who gave you this information?”
”It doesn't matter, Sam. I suppose whether you came from this Earth or not tells me nothing other than you are alien.”
Sam chuckled. ”I've never been called that before.”
”I meant no offense. What else can you tell me about George?”
Sam scowled. ”Why are you asking me so many questions about him? What has he done now? Has he screwed you over, too?”
A puzzled look appeared on Brayson's face. ”'Screwed over?'”
”I meant, did he do anything to hurt you?”
”No. George has done nothing to harm me, or anyone else I know since his arrival on Luvelles. My concern lies with the pa.s.sing of my friend ... a person George ended on Grayham. This man was my old Mystic Learner, and it is the way George ended him that worries me.”
Sam reclaimed Brayson's chair. ”You say that as if there is a way to end someone that wouldn't cause you concern.”
<script>