Part 44 (1/2)

Boyafed lay back on the ground after putting several more drops under his tongue, and then he enjoyed the high that consumed his being as he began to hallucinate. He would not be able to stand until the following morning.

Mieonus jumped up and down and clapped her hands as she turned away from the waterfall. ”Oh, how delicious Boyafed's victory must taste! I'm going to enjoy Shalee's pain once she learns of Sam's demise.”

Without responding, the G.o.ds vanished, except for one. Alistar took the opportunity to express his feelings. ”Mieonus ... you often wonder why the others treat you with disdain. Allow me to enlighten you. You have no tact. You don't understand when to stop hating and show respect. You look as foolish as a jester does before a king.”

Mieonus crossed her arms. ”I set up this confrontation. The fight you enjoyed, I manipulated.”

”It wasn't the battle that made you look inferior. It was your comments afterward. The fight was honorable, one between two honorable men. Yet you found a way to take the honor out of Boyafed's victory. You tainted it by dishonoring the fallen. You allow your hate to cloud your judgment. You fail to show dignity.” Alistar vanished.

Mieonus stomped her lifted heel. ”I hate him!”

Mosley fell onto the porch of his cabin high atop Catalyst Mountain. He looked across the valleys below as tears filled his green eyes. He lifted his head and howled. He would not dishonor Sam's pa.s.sing by using his G.o.dly power to hide the pain.

CHAPTER 21.

A False Prophet George's Home AFTER SENDING PAYNE WITH KEPLER to test Brayson's revelation about how the dark army's Touch of Death worked, George went inside his home. The evening was pleasant, and the family, including Brayson and Mary, had gathered for a meal. When night came, the warlock removed his tunic, draped it across his chest of drawers and then took his position next to Athena in bed. It was not long before George was dreaming.

Lasidious interrupted pleasant visions of his family. ”George, we need to talk. There are plans that need to be discussed ... plans that are urgent and need to be implemented quickly.”

George's dream had been good until that moment. Abbie, Athena, and their new baby were having lunch on a hillside. George had made Abbie a kite, and he was watching her fly it while Athena prepared their plates. The baby was sleeping at the center of a large cloth that Athena had spread out for them to sit on. But as usual, Lasidious had ruined his enjoyment of the moment. It was either speak with Lasidious or stare at the Mischievous One's face since it had replaced his visions of happiness.

”You know, Lasidious ... the moment of your arrival sucks. Perhaps you could let me finish my dreams before you barge in from now on. It's the least you could do.”

Lasidious smiled as he stared into the green flames of his fireplace and watched George roll over in his sleep. The Mischievous One leaned down and spoke into the fire. ”George, this is important. We have plans to make. We cannot falter now.”

”Are you freaking kidding me?” George groaned. ”Now what? Can't you see that I'm trying to get some sleep? I've got everything under control. I've even got Brayson right where we need him. Kepler is on his way to find out if he still has the power to control his skeletons. If he can't, then I'll allow Brayson's phoenix to live. If he can use his power, then I'll know Brayson lies, and I'll just have to end him and be done with him. No one else around here can touch me now. Just like you wanted, we've got everything on this world under control. War is coming, and the G.o.ds are watching. What could possibly be so important that I can't get one good night's sleep?”

Lasidious shook his head and then leaned back from the fire. He pulled a chair close and took a seat. ”Don't you get it, George? You have been groomed for greater accomplishments than being the Head Master of Luvelles. It would be best to let the population of Luvelles believe that Brayson still has his power. Besides, you haven't accomplished all the goals that we set for you on this world.”

”What do you mean? Other than killing Shalee, everything else will be a walk in the park. I just need to put the finis.h.i.+ng touches on the war with Marcus, and-”

Lasidious stopped the warlock mid-sentence. ”About the war ... let it develop on its own. Don't worry about Marcus for now. Your moments need to be spent elsewhere. You need to go to Harvestom.”

”What? How in the h.e.l.l do you expect me to explain that to Athena? I can't move us to another world. She would freak out. She would hit every stinking wall in the house. I don't want to live with a p.i.s.sed-off, pregnant woman, Lasidious. It's dangerous, even with all the power I've got. And what would I tell Mary? How would I explain it that she has to leave Brayson?

”Normally, I like your ideas, Lasidious, but this one sucks garesh. If I have to choose Athena, her family, and my unborn baby over getting Abbie's soul out of the Book, I'll do it. I won't lose Athena. She means everything to me ... and so does her family.”

The Mischievous One listened to George rant as he scooped the warlock's image out of the fire and set it on the table. After putting his feet up, he leaned back and put his hands behind his head. ”I'm not asking you to leave Luvelles, George. I have seen to it that you have the ability to call upon the power of the Ancient Mystics for a reason. I built your confidence so the Eye would grant you the power you need for this next task. You have the ability to teleport between the lower three worlds.”

”What do you mean, 'lower three worlds?'”

”I mean you can teleport to Harvestom, Luvelles, and Grayham. You can move freely between them. As you know, as long as you're familiar with where you're going, you can travel to your destinations within a matter of moments. You're the only mortal on the lower three worlds with this ability.”

”Yeah, yeah, yeah. Blah, blah, blah. Whatever. I don't have knowledge of Harvestom. How do you expect me to get there? And why can't I teleport to the other two worlds?”

Lasidious took a deep breath. ”To answer your question ... you cannot teleport to the other two worlds because you're not powerful enough to pa.s.s through the magic that fills their atmospheres. It's that simple.”

”Okay, but that doesn't help me get to Harvestom.”

Lasidious leaned forward in his chair. He reached into the flame with his finger and touched the image of George on the head. ”I'll give you a vision of a key location on Harvestom, but beyond that, you'll need to learn its lands on your own. The power necessary to give you more locations could alert the others of the Collective as to what we're doing. We cannot allow this. You don't have to fight with Athena to save Abbie. Your family can stay on Luvelles.

George rolled to a more comfortable position. ”So this leaves me with another question. Are you telling me that I'm still weak, magically speaking, compared to the other two worlds? That's pretty hard to imagine if I am.”

Lasidious smiled as he leaned back in his chair again. ”I understand the limitations of your mind. It wasn't so long ago when you felt magic and talking jaguars to be unimaginable. I'm sure you don't believe you're all-powerful. You're far from it, I a.s.sure you. There has never been a man, or an elf for that matter, since the creation of the new worlds, who has been able to summon even the most basic power of the Ancient Mystics before Brayson Id. He found a way to rise to this level throughout his seasons. But even he is considered powerless compared to the Ancient Mystics on Trollcom. Trollcom is heavily populated by them, and the trolls also wield a magic similar in strength. Don't be foolish, George. You're doing well, but you're not ready to stand against what you would face on the upper two worlds. You would be considered a meager irritation against their magic ... like a bug they would simply swat.”

George quickly responded, ”But once I find a way to match their magic, I'll be considered powerful, right?”

Lasidious laughed. ”No, George. Even the Ancient Mystics are considered powerless to those who dwell on Dragonia. The dragons have power that rivals the weakest of the G.o.ds'. Their power gives them the t.i.tle, Swayne Enserad. This is the final level you must master before becoming enlightened. Even the Swayne Enserad have trouble mastering their power. In the last 10,000 seasons, not one being has managed to become enlightened and ascend to G.o.dhood. I intend to see to it that you're the first.”

”Holy garesh, Lasidious! You're grooming me to become a G.o.d? Athena's going to want a much better house if I acquire that kind of magic.”

Lasidious smirked. ”There's no place more beautiful than the hidden G.o.d world. Once I control the Book of Immortality, you'll have your daughter's soul, and your family can move to Ancients Sovereign.”

Lasidious dropped his feet to the floor. ”You're the most powerful being on the lower three worlds, save one ... the Priestess of Harvestom. But we shall speak of her later. For now, your growth would be considered adequate since your arrival on Grayham, don't you think?”

The warlock thought a moment. ”I suppose you're right. So I'll need to become an Ancient Mystic and then a Swayne Enserad before becoming a G.o.d. Am I understanding you right?”

Lasidious smiled. ”Yes.”

”Does this mean you're going to need my help getting Abbie's soul out of the Book? Because that wasn't part of the plan.”

Lasidious pulled back his hood. ”Getting Abbie released is something we can accomplish before you become enlightened, providing you live long enough.”

” What do you mean by that?' What the h.e.l.l?”

”It means you have to avoid being ended while on the other worlds, just like you have avoided this outcome on Grayham and Luvelles. I wouldn't worry though. Aside from a small task we need to accomplish on Trollcom, a task you won't need stronger magic for, you won't see the upper two worlds again for nearly a season. You have work to do on the lower three. A prophet's work is never done.” Lasidious winked.

George rolled onto the flat of his back. ”Oh, h.e.l.l no! You've got to be kidding me! You want me to become your prophet? Are you out of your d.a.m.n mind?”

George waited for a response, but when one never came, he continued his rant. ”I can see it now. You want me to run around praising your supposed good name. What a joke that is. I'm going to laugh my a.s.s off for Peaks.”

Lasidious had to grin. ”It's all part of the plan to get your daughter back, George. You don't have to believe to preach. You learned that on Earth. All you have to do is share the good word, and allow the people to decide what they believe for themselves. Do you want your daughter back? It's your choice.”

The warlock thought long and hard before he responded. ”Make no mistake, Lasidious, I don't like this idea one bit. In fact, it makes me sick to my stomach. But if that is what it takes to get my Abbie back, then I'm on board with your pile of garesh. And by the way, I think you mean you want me to be your false prophet.” A grin appeared on George's sleeping face. ”It appears a false prophet's work is never done.”

Lasidious smirked. ”George, you wound my pride with such cutting words. I thought we were better friends than that. Do you really dislike this idea as much as you claim?”

”No doubt! I don't just dislike it, I hate it. I hate it a lot, in fact. But like I already said, if this is what it takes to get my Abbie back, then so be it. We both know you're just as full of garesh as I am, so stop playing wounded. You couldn't care less if I liked the plan or not, so let's just be honest for a moment. You and I get along simply because we have something in common. I have something you need, and you have something I want. This relations.h.i.+p is based on our desire to accomplish selfish goals that happen to benefit the other. And as I've stated twice already, as long as this gets my Abbie back, I'll do whatever it takes ... even be your false prophet ... providing ... and I do mean providing ... it doesn't affect my ability to keep Athena and her family safe. I won't sacrifice my love for Athena to retrieve my daughter's soul from the Book. I would let the idea of seeing my daughter again go before I fail Athena in our marriage. It's bad enough that I've had to lie to her already. I can't allow deceiving her to continue. You and I need to be careful with how we treat my relations.h.i.+p with her and the rest of her family. I hope you're on the same page as me on this one, because if you're not, I'm done.”

Lasidious grabbed hold of his chin in thought. ”It seems we each appreciate the other's position. I agree.”

”Good!” George's tone changed to something a bit happier. ”I'm sure Brayson will be thrilled to keep his position as Head Master. I'll have to do a little creative thinking, but I'm sure I can pull this off. So what's my role on Harvestom to be, and when can I get a little more of this Ancient Mystic magic? I feel like I'm always on a gentle high because of it.”

”Whoa! Slow down, George. First things first. I have things to tell you. We have plans to make. I also have something to say about Brayson's phoenix and the hidden G.o.d world. First...” The conversation continued.

The Underground Village of Gogswayne Gage was standing beside the entrance to Strongbear's cave using the tip of his cane to draw pictures in the dirt while he waited. The brown bear had gone into such a deep hibernation that he was struggling to come out of it. The use of magic had been substantial to bring back the change of season, and now, it was only a matter of moments before the big bear would emerge.