Part 55 (1/2)
Deep beneath the Peaks of Angels on Ancients Sovereign, Lasidious pounded his fist against the wall above the cube-shaped fireplace inside his home. His eyes burned red hot as he stared at the vision of Sam while the king watched the stallion run away. ”d.a.m.n it!” the Mischievous One cursed. ”All you had to do was ask, Sam. The answer was right in front of your face.”
The Mischievous One waved his hand across the flames and the voluptuous image of the pregnant Celestria appeared in the blaze. ”Please tell me you saw that, so I don't have to explain.”
The G.o.ddess nodded. ”Yes, my pet. I was in my room watching as you requested.”
Lasidious frowned. ”Can you believe Sam didn't ask the question?”
A confused look appeared on Celestria's face. ”Why would you want him to do that, my love? You know his mind is not yet ready, or have you forgotten?”
The Mischievous One would have reb.u.t.ted, but he realized Celestria was right. ”I just... I just want this to be over!”
The G.o.ddess of Beasts looked into the glowing orb that was sitting in the palm of her right hand. She presented her most seductive smile as she stared at the vision of Lasidious. ”Easy, my love. Your desires will be fulfilled in due season. I love you.”
Lasidious slammed his fist again on the wall above the fireplace. ”I know you're right! I just don't want to hear it!”
Meanwhile, Michael walked across the clearing and stopped at Sam's side. ”It seems the mares no longer have the ability to destroy, Sire.” With the king still looking in the direction Cain fled, the general added, ”That stallion seemed to have a moment with you.”
Sam shook his head. ”No, General, they just chose not to attack. Send two men to find the herd! Six of the mares will willingly return to Brandor with them.”
Shalee tugged at Sam's arm. ”How do you know that?”
From Sam's hip, Kael responded, his blade pulsating to match his disdain. ”Sam, must two horses speak on the same Peak?”
Sam pulled Kael from his sheath and put the blade in front of his face. ”I've heard enough! One more snide comment toward Shalee, and I swear to Mosley, I'll throw you into a forge! G.o.d-sword or not, I won't allow you to speak to my queen ... my wife, that way! Do you understand me?”
Kael did not respond. The glow around the blade diminished.
A moment later, Sam scoffed. ”Bah!” He sheathed Kael.
Shalee shook her head. ”What in tarnation is his problem?”
Sam waved the question off. ”Who cares? Let's just send a couple men to get a few of the mares, and let's get going.”
Shalee shrugged. ”Well, if you're going to send somebody after them, I want one, too.”
Sam took an extremely long, deep breath. ”Why do you think I said six? Take it easy.”
Seeing the king was vexed, Michael stepped forward and interjected. ”Sire, shall I ready the army to cross the lake.”
Sam shrugged. ”Just make it happen.”
Michael turned and shouted, ”Make ready the boats!”
Sam took Shalee by the hand and led the queen to one of the crafts. As they walked, Shalee put her hands to her mouth and shouted down the beach. ”Helga! Let's go!”
The king's boat was capable of holding 30 men, and it was not long before the rest of the legion was also rowing toward Scorpion Island. As they crossed, Shalee winked at Helga and gave her a thumbs up.
The elderly sorceress smiled and opened her pack to look at the mask that Shalee had acquired from Double D after the a.s.sa.s.sin had been slain in the theatre.
George, Kepler and the Tiger Approach the Island George waved his free hand over the group as they drew closer to the island. Each of them vanished as they prepared for their secret invasion of the Scorpion King's kingdom. They all had seen the bright column of light to the south, but since they could only guess as to what caused it, they blew it off without much discussion.
As the raft ran onto the sh.o.r.e, the ice crunched as it slid across the rocks. The noise captured the attention of three giant scorpions who turned to investigate. Everyone exited the raft and moved away, observing the creatures' movements from within George's veil of magic.
George was awed by the arthropods' size, but he did not feel the need to get a closer look. They were ma.s.sive, and from where he stood, what he could see was enough-tails at least one to two paces long, with stingers that ended in a fine point. Two scissor-like mandibles clacked against each other over their mouths and their big, beady eyes gave him chills. He was sure they would zoom in on him at any moment.
The top of the scorpions' backs were waist-high and the pincers at the end of their front appendages could tear a man in half. He had never seen a scorpion up close, and these three were more than he cared to see again. The mage motioned for the group to move on.
The rocky sh.o.r.es of the island turned to desert as they traveled inland. They tried not to attract attention, but the sand they flipped up left a cloud of dust with every footstep, leaving a clear trail of footprints to follow.
They needed a diversion. George decided to release the magic that was keeping the tiger hidden. Once the cat was visible, the beast became the scorpions' target. The big cat gave George a look as if he had been betrayed and then took off running. The scorpions gave chase.
Once they were far enough away, George spoke. ”I think the tiger is quick enough to outrun them for a while, don't you?”
”That was mean, George,” Kepler growled. ”But I love it. We should pick up the pace.”
”Yeah, let's go.” They began to run within his spell of invisibility.
After much searching, the sand finally gave way to a rocky stretch of land that formed a gigantic mound at the center of the island. Relieved, the duo no longer had to worry about leaving tracks, but the way ahead was littered with a mult.i.tude of monstrosities.
”Holy garesh,” George whispered after he placed his mouth next to Kepler's ear. ”These d.a.m.n scorpions are everywhere.”
The cat just nodded in agreement.
George began to look for a way through the ma.s.ses as he watched the scorpions skitter across the top of the mound. The arthropods were not going to be their only problem. They would also need to avoid the cacti and p.r.i.c.kly bushes that were growing out of the rock-not to mention the fairly large piles of scorpion garesh that were everywhere.
It took a while, but eventually, they reached the top of the mound, and on its back side was the entrance to the Scorpion King's underground dwelling. The cave was shrouded with vines and the way beyond was dark.
With the path ahead being no less intimidating, they slowly began their descent into the hole. George used his magic on his eyes so that he could see.
The South Side of Scorpion Island Sam's Army has Landed Sam jumped onto the bank of the island and ordered the general to form ranks. The king then grabbed the side of the boat and motioned for Helga to come close. After securing his hands around the older woman's waist, he lifted her out and set her on the ground. Turning to a.s.sist Shalee, Sam could only smile as the queen used her magic to float over the side of the craft and lower to the ground.
Irritated by how the ranks were forming, the general shouted, ”No, no, no, Branson ... I said ten, not nine!” Michael grabbed the collar of the legion leader's breastplate. ”You best get these men organized! I said I wanted 10 squads, each with 664 men. If I had wanted nine, I would have said that in the boat.”
”I'm sorry, General!”
”Don't apologize! Tell me, if your men are 20 abreast, how many soldiers should be in each line, Branson?”
The legion leader's response was without delay. ”At 20, each line should be around 80 deep!”
Michael shook his head and tapped the flat of his blade against the legion leader's breastplate. ”Wrong! The lines would be not be around anything! They would be exactly 83 deep, Branson! Why are they not formed properly? Tell me that!”
The legion leader stood at attention. ”It was just an oversight, sir!”
Michael placed the tip of his sword on top of Branson's shoulder. ”There is no such thing as just an oversight in war, Branson! You've been in command of this legion for over a season! Did Graywind make a mistake when he chose you?”
”No, sir! I will fix it!”
As Branson rushed off to get the men in order, Sam walked up and stopped next to the general. ”You were hard on him, don't you think?”
Michael shook his head. ”Not at all. I'm not in the mood to perish on this island, are you, My King?”