Part 62 (1/2)

Meanwhile, Ancients Sovereign The Hall of Judgment Gabriel lowered his binding to the top of the large, marble table within his hall and waited for the G.o.ds to arrive. The moment had come to deliver some news of his own. The deities the Book had chosen to replace Yaloom and Mosley would be introduced, and Gabriel had sent a message filled with intrigue in order to persuade the Mischievous One to attend.

One by one, the G.o.ds made their appearance, and as always, Keylom's hooves clapped against the floor as they waited for the fas.h.i.+onably late Lasidious and Celestria to arrive.

Eventually, the Mischievous One appeared with the G.o.ddess of Beasts at his side. Celestria was wearing a bright-red gown that hung low across her bosom. Her hair was pinned up to expose her gem-covered neck and dangling earrings. She was radiant and greeted everyone with a genuine smile.

Once the Collective was settled, Gabriel rose from the table. ”As we all know, Yaloom failed to name his replacement. Because of this failure, our laws command me to choose for him.”

Gabriel floated to a position that was directly above the center of the table. ”There is also another matter that I wish to discuss.” Gabriel took a deep breath. ”Mosley has broken the Collective's laws. He has been stripped of his right to remain on Ancients Sovereign, and he must also be replaced.”

Lasidious was the first to react as he stood from his chair. ”What could the wolf have possibly done? He is too smart for that.”

Keylom responded, thumping a heavy hoof on the floor to get everyone's attention. ”Mosley attacked me. We had a confrontation, and he failed to control his anger. Gabriel had no choice but to strip the wolf of his immortality.”

The others began to shout questions as Lasidious lowered into his chair. The Mischievous One looked at Celestria. ”Too bad. Mosley was my favorite. I wonder what would've caused him to do something so drastic?”

Celestria responded. ”Perhaps his reasoning was not drastic at all. Perhaps it was for other reasons that we simply don't know, reasons we could discover if we were to find him. He wasn't stupid.”

Gabriel floated over to the couple. ”You're right. The wolf wasn't stupid. He broke the law intentionally. He used Keylom as a way to regain his mortality.

”You may not have realized it, but Mosley didn't enjoy the games the G.o.ds play. That was his reason for choosing a mortal life. His final request was that I place him on Trollcom, but the reason why remained his own.”

Alistar lifted from his seat. ”Forget the wolf, Gabriel. I want to know why you waited until now to choose Yaloom's replacement. You could've chosen this being much sooner.”

”That's a great point,” Mieonus added as she pushed her brunette hair clear of her face.

Bailem stood and adjusted his robe as he always did. ”Get on with the announcement, Gabriel. I don't have all Peak.”

The Book moved clear of the table and hovered at the far side of the hall. He motioned for the demon queen, Sharvesa, to enter.

Everyone in the room gasped.

Lasidious looked at Alistar and then at Celestria. The Book's decision to promote the demon queen to G.o.dhood would hurt their plans on many levels.

After Sharvesa addressed the Collective, she looked at Lasidious and spoke in the language of the demons. A rough translation was, ”With respect to your greatness, My Lord.” She hesitated. ”Perhaps I should address you in a less formal manner, now that I've ascended. It's good to see you.”

Sharvesa thought a moment. She reconsidered her position and then decided to stay with what she knew best. ”My Lord. The demon council has met. All demons will wors.h.i.+p me as soon as my daughter, Charansay, has succeeded me as queen. However, I would like you to know that I enjoyed serving you while I was on Dragonia. I'm sure you can understand my desire to be the object of their affection.”

Everyone in the room watched to see what Lasidious' reaction would be, but the Mischievous One refused to give Gabriel the satisfaction. Since he respected the demon queen for her tact, he stood from his chair and smiled. ”You shall make a fine G.o.ddess, Sharvesa. I will be sure to compliment Gabriel on his choice, and I welcome you to the Collective.” Lasidious turned and found the Book's eyes. ”She is worthy of replacing the wolf. Who's next?”

Gabriel's heavy brows narrowed as he studied the Mischievous One's countenance. He was unsure how to interpret Lasidious' reaction. After a moment, he shook off his confusion and motioned for the other being to enter.

As the Troll King of Trollcom, Kesdelain, entered, the room once again filled with gasps, but during this series of moments, Lasidious had to fight back his emotions to keep a straight face.

The troll had cleaned his black dreads for the occasion, and the dirt from his cavernous throne room had been washed off of his vibrant orange and black skin. Kesdelain appeared confident and ready to meet the Collective.

Alistar and Celestria also felt the threat of the Book's choice. They, too, had to work to keep their anger hidden while they waited for Lasidious to address the troll.

Now, fellow soul ... I must interject. Between the demon queen and the troll king, the loss of wors.h.i.+ppers serving Lasidious drastically effected the Mischievous One's plan to control the Book and significantly reduced his power. That meeting of the G.o.ds was not one of the finest series of moments for the Mischievous One. Lasidious felt he was so close to seizing control, and by the end of the meeting, he knew he was far away.

Even though the centaurs on Harvestom, the beings on Southern Grayham, and the elves and the halflings on Luvelles were all questioning their faith, Gabriel's choices to replace Yaloom and Mosley kept the Mischievous One from attaining absolute power. Celestria, Alistar, and Lasidious would leave that meeting believing that they needed to work harder to find replacement followers to accomplish their goals.

Lasidious put on a smile as he spoke to the troll king. ”So ... Gabriel has made you the new G.o.d of Greed, Kesdelain. I doubt you possess the fort.i.tude to handle a duty of this magnitude.” The Mischievous One looked at the Book. ”I would've expected a wiser decision from you, Gabriel.”

The troll responded in his own language before the Book could rebut. ”I have despised you for too many seasons, Lasidious. And to think I was foolish enough to believe your charade in my throne room. I shall lay claim to the prayers of every troll and enjoy watching you lose the power they provided. It feels good to crawl out from under the burden you held over me. It's my turn to reign.”

Lasidious moved close and stood face-to-face with Kesdelain. ”I wouldn't be so quick to glorify yourself. You aren't nearly as clever as those I've manipulated into throwing away their immortality. I've made much smarter minds than yours crack.”

Alistar stood and added, ”Kesdelain, Lasidious speaks the truth. He will tear at your mind until you make a mistake. I would tread with caution if I was you.”

Mieonus shouted across the table at Alistar. ”You act as if you're on Lasidious' side! Why do you care if he tortures the troll?”

With a calm demeanor, Alistar responded. ”Because we need Kesdelain. Without him, Lasidious will convince the trolls to continue wors.h.i.+pping him. Must I explain a concept as simple as this to you, Mieonus? Does every detail need to be drawn out for you as it would be for a child? Perhaps you should spare us your babbling. Sit down and salvage what is left of our misplaced perception of your intelligence.”

Celestria laughed as she watched Mieonus sit in a huff. She stood from her chair and sauntered toward Kesdelain. ”Do you really know what you've gotten yourself into? You won't last a season before Lasidious convinces you to destroy yourself. Be careful whom you disrespect from now on. I pity you.”

Gabriel decided he had enough. ”There shall be no more discussion within my hall. Everyone leave.”

Lasidious decided to take a new approach. He moved to stand before Gabriel. ”What will you do if we don't, Book? Will you sacrifice yourself to shut me up? Will you allow the laws within your pages to destroy you if I continue to torture the troll's mind?”

The Mischievous One leaned in until his breath could be felt on Gabriel's binding. ”I dare you to destroy me. Allow your hatred to employ you to do something so foolish. Do you really think I haven't prepared a way to survive if you strike me down? Do you truly think your decisions will stop me from controlling you?” Lasidious raised his voice. ”Go ahead! Strike me down! Or are you afraid, Book?”

The hall went silent as they waited to see what Gabriel would do.

Many long moments went by before Lasidious made a scoffing sound. ”As it is with all the G.o.ds, even you speak with words filled with empty threats.”

Lasidious moved to stand before the troll. ”Make no mistake, Kesdelain. I will find a way to destroy you. Your Peaks are numbered. Ask anyone in this room. Celestria was right. You won't last a season.”

Lasidious turned his attention to the demon queen. ”Sharvesa ... as always, it was nice seeing you again. It is a pleasure to have someone so brilliant living on Ancients Sovereign. When you are ready to choose a home, find me. There are places beyond the horizon to the south that I'm sure you'd enjoy.”

Lasidious turned to face the Collective. He spoke with a calm voice. ”I'm sure this has been entertaining for you to watch. I bid you good night.” He looked over his shoulder and found Gabriel's eyes. ”I shall speak with you later ... Book!” After grabbing Celestria's hand, Lasidious teleported.

Gabriel floated toward the table and lowered his binding onto it. ”Have I made poor choices?” he said for all to hear. ”Perhaps I've awakened a sleeping giant.”

Alistar looked at Gabriel. ”I'm not sure what to think.” He looked at Kesdelain. ”If I were you, I'd look for a way to find favor with Lasidious. I pity you.” Alistar vanished.

Hosseff stood from his chair and also vanished, leaving a wispy laugh echoing throughout the hall.

Mieonus moved to stand before the two new G.o.ds. ”I wouldn't worry about Lasidious. You can always seek my counsel if you need anything.”

Sharvesa laughed and then the demon queen disappeared.

Mieonus hid her irritation with Sharvesa as she faced Kesdelain. ”And what do you have to say on the matter?”

Kesdelain sighed. ”To befriend you would serve no purpose.” The troll teleported from the hall.

Mieonus stomped her high heels on the marble. ”d.a.m.n them!” When she turned around, the only one left in the room was the Book. ”I think you made fine choices, Gabriel. This will set Lasidious back in his planning. He never saw it coming. You quite possibly saved us all.”