Part 58 (1/2)
Balecut frowned. ”I do have feelings, you know?”
The dark warrior lifted his mug. ”You're right. I should be more sensitive. The backside of a corgan would have been less harsh.”
The wizard smirked. ”The same old Boyafed. You and I are nearly the same age, and yet I look as if I'm ready to pa.s.s. Since the Peak my goswig abandoned me, I've slowly lost most of my power. The tricksters only flee from the man I once was.”
Boyafed put his elbows on the table. ”The consequences that come with a goswig abandoning its master is the reason why I don't allow my men to bond with one. Even Lord Dowd sees logic in that.”
The wizard placed his mug on the table. ”Perhaps I should've joined the army as you requested.”
The dark paladin shook his head. ”You don't have the patience to lead men.” After taking another swig of his ale, he continued. ”I suppose you could consider yourself fortunate. Gallrum could've abandoned you before you established your prominence in the forest. If he had, you would've been at the mercy of the tricksters.”
”If he had, I would not have moved to this forest,” Balecut argued.
The dark paladin chuckled and then changed the direction of the conversation. ”I came seeking your help, but it appears my visit is pointless now, considering your current state.”
Balecut stroked his beard. ”But the moment of your arrival is intriguing. The Head Master plans to visit me tonight. He said something about a new G.o.d he serves and that the moments were right for a visit. I was going to turn him away, but now that you're here, I'm beginning to think Brayson was right. I believe an opportunity is about to present itself.”
Boyafed looked puzzled. ”What do you mean, and why would Brayson want anything to do with you?” Before Balecut had the chance to respond, the Order leader answered his own question. ”Brayson must know I intended to solicit your help.”
”I suspect you're right.” Balecut tapped his cane against the edge of the table. ”I haven't seen Brayson in many seasons. He has no idea my health has diminished. Perhaps we can use this to our advantage.”
Boyafed's brow furrowed. ”Advantage?”
”If I were to have help ... perhaps from someone such as yourself ... our power combined could possibly overwhelm Brayson. I believe it's worth the risk to steal his power.”
”Are you insane? The Head Master has the power to destroy us both. If we bully him, he would swat us like flies. We would perish from our efforts.”
The room fell silent for a few moments before Boyafed added. ”Besides, in your current condition, I doubt you could finish eating his heart without throwing it back up.”
Balecut stood, hobbled over to a shelf and reached for a vial filled with a black liquid. ”With this, I can handle the taste. Don't you worry about that. I also would not worry about our ability to defeat him. I have something I can slip in his drink. We can bind him once he sleeps.”
”You've gone mad. The loss of your goswig has taken more than your power.”
”Perhaps. I expect Brayson to arrive shortly. If I can regain my youth by eating his heart, I'll help you win your war.”
Boyafed looked out the window toward the menacing eyes scattered throughout the darkness. He shook his head. ”If we do this, we must make it look like the tricksters got him. Agreed?”
Balecut smiled. ”Agreed.”
George and Athena's Home George stood next to the kitchen table with Joshua nestled in his arms. The proud father was listening to Brayson's account about leaving Gregory on Harvestom while he played with the baby's hair.
George looked up and whispered. ”So you just showed up to drop Gregory off and the centaur began shouting Lasidious' name. That's strange, don't you think? Tell me more about this gem the centaur tossed to Gregory.”
Brayson leaned in and adjusted the blanket around Joshua's face. Once he believed the infant was cozy, he responded with a whisper of his own. ”The gem was left behind by our lord. Lasolias told Gregory he was to use it to teleport to the location where the centaurs' armies were preparing to battle. Lasidious must be a gracious G.o.d, because Lasolias was anxious to wors.h.i.+p him. My brother said more than once that the centaur began shouting our lord's name before he even had the chance to introduce himself.”
George smiled and then looked down at Joshua. The warlock's heart was full of joy as he continued to play with the soft, blond hair on the baby's head. ”I told you Lasidious wants the best for us.”
The warlock kissed Joshua on the forehead. ”Perhaps you should prepare for your outing tonight. I want you to be ready for anything. You have a monumental task in front of you. Convincing Boyafed and Balecut to stop pursuing the war won't be an easy job.”
Brayson took a seat at the table. ”I doubt either of them will listen to what I have to say.”
”You'll do fine. Lasidious didn't choose you to be one of his disciples without a good reason. The right words will come to you, I'm sure of it.”
George s.h.i.+fted the baby to a more comfortable position on his arm, and then he looked back at Brayson. ”Do me a favor, and lean forward. I need to touch your head so I can familiarize myself with your memories of a place I need to go. I'm going to head over there once I retrieve your brother from Harvestom.”
Brayson could only marvel. ”You have the ability to see inside the willing mind? And I thought your ability to speak telepa-”
George cut Brayson off. ”Hey, hey, hey! That's a secret.” The warlock continued by speaking telepathically. You and I need to keep that between us. We don't ever talk about communicating that way out loud.
With an odd look, Brayson leaned forward. Okay, but I cannot imagine why it's a secret. It doesn't seem any worse to talk about that than it does your ability to retrieve a memory from my mind.
Brayson lowered his head. Go ahead. Find your memory. I only wish I could see the memories inside your mind.
George chuckled and continued the conversation by speaking aloud. ”Believe me when I say this, you wouldn't want to see the nasty things I've done. I'd rather forget them. As I've told you before, I was an-”
”An a.s.s,” Kepler interrupted, finis.h.i.+ng George's sentence as he walked into the kitchen. With the presence of the demon-cat, the room suddenly felt cramped.
Seeing the baby was asleep, Kepler was careful to keep his voice low.
George pointed at the jaguar and whispered, ”Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner. I was an a.s.s, for sure.”
The warlock shook his head in amazement as the giant cat lowered to a comfortable position on the floor. ”d.a.m.n, Kep, you nearly take up the whole room. Good thing I pushed the table to the side or you wouldn't fit in here.” George continued to speak telepathically. You're one majestic creature, buddy.
George turned his attention back to Brayson. ”Let me touch that noggin of yours. It'll only take a moment.”
Brayson leaned forward again. ”I'm a.s.suming you mean my head.”
”Ding, ding, ding. We've got another winner.” George placed his hand on the Head Master's head and then closed his eyes. A moment later, he reopened them. ”You better get ready. You need to leave soon.”
After Brayson vanished, George turned to Kepler. He broadcasted his thoughts into the cat's mind. Let me touch your head, too. This is the information I told you I would get for you. It won't be long before Brayson heads over there, so you'd better be careful tonight. I don't want to lose you.
Kepler responded with a thought of his own. I'm going to enjoy this hunt. It's been far too many moments since these claws tore a being apart.
George nodded. Just be careful. You're my favorite kitty.
Kepler sent a growl into George's mind.
The warlock smiled. He reached down to adjust Joshua's blanket and presented the baby so that Kepler could get a better look. ”Isn't he cute?”
Kepler leaned in and sniffed. He pulled back and snorted, ”He's cute if you like the way he smells. He needs to be changed.” Kepler vanished.
George caressed Joshua's cheek. ”Are you Mr. p.o.o.py-pants? I bet my magic will allow me to change your diaper without touching it, oh yes I do.”
The Petrified Forest Balecut's Home The Head Master appeared outside Balecut's tree. He knocked on the door and then waited as he took note of the tub of dirty water that was still sitting on the forest floor.
It was not long before Boyafed answered. The Order leader acted surprised to see Brayson. ”Head Master, we were not expecting you.”
Brayson looked down at the dark warrior's underpants. ”Interesting attire, Boyafed. I had no idea you and Balecut were so close.”
The Order leader frowned. ”You're hilarious. It's a long story. Come inside.”