Part 31 (1/2)
George reached for a torch.
”Not yet, honey,” Athena whispered as she placed a single finger across his lips. She led him across the bridge to the gazebo and continued to whisper. ”Just watch. The torches are for later. We don't need them now. Shhh.”
As the pitch-black of night fell across the land, George could not see a thing. He reached over, found Athena's ear and leaned in. ”What are we waiting for?”
Athena covered his mouth. ”Shhh.”
Eventually, the flowers growing on the gazebo and the trees surrounding the pool began to illuminate. The surface of the pool mirrored the warm glow as the flowers produced a light that exuded their natural color.
Staring at the reflections in the water, George felt as if he was standing in the middle of a galaxy, floating amongst stars of many colors.
The petals of the flowers began to wave back and forth in a soothing, ma.s.saging manner. Small puffs of pollen were released. A plethora of fragrances filled the air as each radiating puff drifted, some of them against the breeze. One by one, the puffs worked their way to their destinations. It was as if the flowers were in the middle of some sort of mating ritual.
George watched as a blue puff found an opposing yellow flower. The flower opened, allowed the puff inside, then closed its petals. The color of the puff merged with the color of the flower, and soon the flower reopened and radiated a vibrant green.
With this new color reflecting off the pool, a melody filled the night like the flowers had voices of their own. As their song progressed, George opened his mouth. ”I can't believe this,” he blurted. As soon as he spoke, everything went black.
Athena punched George on the arm. ”I told you to shus.h.!.+ Now we have to use a torch. You ruined the mood.”
”Aahhhh, man, I'm sorry. That was freaking cool. We've got to do this again sometime.”
An awkward silence followed. Athena was not sure how to respond. She was confused by how George phrased his words.
Seeing her confusion, George changed the subject. ”I'll get us some light.” George fumbled in his pocket and pulled out his lighter. As soon as the flame appeared, Athena's eyes widened. George smiled, lit a torch and then placed it into one of the brackets that was molded into the side of the gazebo. He waited for the questions he knew were coming.
Their conversation would be without pause as he explained how the lighter worked. Athena was intrigued by the many, subtle differences in their speech. Their conversation bounced from one subject to another as they held each other while they cuddled at the center of the gazebo.
Before the second torch extinguished, Athena led George to a quaint cottage. Twice the size of George's old apartment on Earth, it was lit with many oil-filled sconces. He held their last torch high and examined the stone masonry. Meticulous work and great care had been put into every detail.
Athena walked to the door and opened it. ”Mother!” she shouted, ”I brought home that adorable man I was telling you about! Can he stay in the spare room?”
George was taken aback by Athena's forwardness, but after a moment of thinking it through, he stepped inside and shouted, ”Mom, we're home!”
After talking with Athena throughout the night, they decided to get some sleep. George leaned in and gave her a soft kiss. One kiss led to another and before the two of them knew it, they were tickling each other on Athena's bed.
For the first series of moments in George's pathetic life, other than the day of his daughter's birth, he felt truly happy. He knew his goose was cooked-this woman had stolen his heart. All he had to do was figure out a way to ensure she ended up in his life. He knew this would be a challenge, a challenge he looked forward to facing. He pulled her close and spooned her as they drifted off to sleep. He would make no further advances.
Lethwitch Arena The Next Morning When the sun rose, Shalee and Helga were still sitting next to Sam who remained unconscious in the healer's vestry beneath the arena.
Jaress returned, carrying breakfast-corgan milk and m.u.f.fins. ”Any movement while I was out?”
”I'm afraid not,” Helga replied.
The heavy, wooden door to the vestry opened. BJ walked in, followed by the arena headmaster, Lorund. Upon seeing them enter, Shalee stood from her seat, set her m.u.f.fin on the table next to Sam and braced herself for bad news. The grim looks on the faces of both men caused her to retrieve Precious from the corner of the room.
Lorund, a strong, gray haired man with brown eyes, was the first to speak. He was still dressed in his black, leather armor that bore the symbol of the Kingdom of Brandor. ”The Minotaur King has requested that Sam's life be surrendered in exchange for the death of his champion.”
Shalee gasped, ”Why? Sam beat him fair and square. I won't let them have him. He's practically dead already.”
”Child, it's not that simple,” Helga responded. ”There are laws the combatants must live by. Hear the man out.”
”Laws or no laws, I'm not going to let them have him. I'm not giving Sam to some bull-faced losers.” Shalee tapped the b.u.t.t end of Precious on the floor. ”I'll give 'em what for. You tell them to come down here, and I'll show them another way to die. I dare them to try to take Sam off this table.”
BJ laughed. ”I admire your spirit, Shalee, but you won't need to use magic on anyone. After a long debate, we have determined that Sam's actions were acceptable. The fight was to be without weapons. Terrogon was the first to use a weapon during the battle. When he tried to use the pillar to crush Sam, he broke the law by which he chose to fight. Sam's use of Terrogon's horn as an instrument of death was justified. Sam no longer had to abide by the rules set by the roll of the dice.”
”That's great!” Shalee exclaimed. ”Then Sam's free to go when he wakes up.”
Lorund shook his head in disagreement. ”I would not consider this a joyous outcome. The Minotaur do not agree with my ruling, and they will remember Terrogon's pa.s.sing. I know their race. If I was you, I would see to it that Sam never encounters another one. I would not be surprised if the Minotaur King puts a bounty on Sam's head.”
”What kind of c.r.a.p is that?” Shalee snapped. ”That's not sportsmanlike at all.” The younger sorceress crossed her arms. ”I hate sore losers. They wouldn't make good Texans. We would've been downright embarra.s.sed to know folks like that.”
Lorund looked at BJ, then at Helga and then at Jaress. ”What is she talking about? Is she foreign?” He turned to look at Shalee. ”Is Texas on one of the other worlds? I have read nothing of it in all my studies, and I've never heard anyone speak as you.”
Helga cut in, ”You know how young ones can be. I'll handle her. You go about your business. I'm sure your family is expecting you. Thank you for clearing matters up.”
Lorund nodded. ”There are other issues that I must attend to. I have been informed that there is a woman sitting in the stands who has pa.s.sed. Her weight is abnormal for her size. She will require a significant number of men to carry her to the wagon waiting outside. It's as if she is made of stone.”
It was not long after Lorund's departure that Sam stirred.
Jaress quickly moved to keep the fighter still.
Once Sam's eyes opened, the fighter realized where he was.
Jaress took the moments necessary to explain. After Sam acknowledged he understood, the healer uncorked the essence of the griffin and lifted Sam's head. ”I need you to drink. This is a powerful elixir. Your wounds will heal quickly.”
Sam took three, large swigs. His body tingled. Despite the blood loss, the paleness of his skin faded.
Sam managed a weak voice, ”That doesn't taste like any medicine I've ever had. It's sweet. What was it?”
”The essence of His Majesty, the Griffin Lord, Soresym,” Jaress responded with admiration. ”I have never met another man who has ever been given this honor.”
Sam chuckled, but the pain caused him to stop. Once he collected himself, he responded. ”I knew we bonded, but I had no idea that Soresym considered me worthy of his essence. Exactly what part of the griffin does his essence come from? Is it a special gland?”
BJ looked across the table at his brother and grinned. ”I would love nothing more than to explain. Please, allow me the privilege, Jaress. You owe me this one.”
Jaress shook his head and rolled his eyes. ”I thought Mother settled this dispute. Besides, I cannot. I've given my word. The Griffin Lord said this question would be asked. I've been given special instruction to deliver this answer.” Jaress looked at Sam. ”The essence is collected when a griffin allows a healer to harvest his urine.”
Sam grimaced, his face showing his disgust.
BJ and Helga laughed.
Shalee was the first to respond. ”That's downright nasty! Are you standing there telling us that Sam just drank a truckload of p.i.s.s? What on this world would ever make y'all decide to drink something so foul in the first place? I mean ... who was the first fruit loop to look at a stream of urine coming out of a big, old griffin and think, 'I wonder if that'll fix me?' For heaven's sake, y'all, you're drinking p.i.s.s. I never.”
It took a while, but Sam managed to put a clear thought together. ”If drinking Soresym's essence is what it took to save my life, then I'm grateful. If no man has ever been given this favor ... then why me?”
Jaress could only smile. ”Lord Soresym said you would ask that question as well. His response was ... you were given his essence to get even with you for calling him a 'thing.' He further said that he hoped you would hate the taste, and he laughed as he launched from the landing platform and flew into the night. I did not expect the delivery of this message to be so enjoyable, but I cannot help myself.”