Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign (Worlds of the Crystal Moon, Book 1) (16 page)

Mosley had heard enough. He leaned in and breathed on Shalee’s face. She fell unconscious as her body slumped over onto the platform.

“She will be asleep for a while,” the wolf said. “I’m sure she’ll be far more pleasant after she’s had the moments to adjust. Are all the women from your Earth like her?”

Sam smiled. “Only the ones worth keeping. I have to admit, I find her attractive. I like her sassiness. She’ll grow on you, Mosley. She’s just stressed right now, that’s all. But I am glad you knocked her out.”

Sam took a deep breath. “I feel a bit off myself. Ever since I got here, so many things have reminded me of my dreams. It sounds like they have reminded Shalee of her dreams as well. I know I’ve never met her before, but I swear, it feels like I have. I wanted to tell her that, but that would’ve been too much for her to handle right now.” He looked down at Shalee. “Just trust me, Mosley, you’ll grow to like her. I’m sure of it.”

“I hope you’re right,” Mosley responded. “I find her annoying ... like a tick on my tail.”

Sam grinned and then changed the subject. “Earlier, you mentioned the God of the Sun. Do all the gods have titles?”

Mosley thought long and hard before answering. “They do amongst the Collective, but the gods do not allow their followers to know their true nature. Again, I know this only because of my service to Bassorine.”

“Why would the gods hide their nature?”

“I’m not allowed to answer your question, Sam. We should speak of another topic. Why don’t you tell me more about your Earth?”

Annoyed that Mosley was unable to answer his question, Sam shook his head and started talking about Earth. Soon, a massive, flying beast appeared from below the edge of the cliff and prepared to land.

Sam moved to the far side of the platform as the creature set down. The wind generated by the griffin’s wings made standing difficult. Sam had to grab hold of the railing to maintain his balance.

The griffin—part eagle, part lion—was huge, its wings sporting dark-brown feathers with white tips. The feathers covering his head were also white, and his beak possessed an amber hue that matched the setting sun. The rest of its body was covered by tan fur. The beast’s massive paws on its back legs touched down first while its razor-sharp, front talons grabbed hold of a round beam that rested just above the surface of the platform. The creature lifted its head, scanned the area with its piercing eyes and then shrieked.

Sam watched in awe as Mosley walked up to the creature without fear. Though dwarfed, the wolf shouted orders in a foreign language. To Sam’s surprise, he understood pieces of the language, but again, he failed to comprehend why. He made a mental note and kept the discovery to himself.

“I asked the beast to wait until we return from the temple. We should hurry. Griffins are not known for their patience.”

After Sam finished dressing, he changed Shalee and cautioned Mosley that, if asked, he was to tell Shalee a temple maid dressed her. He wanted her dignity to be left intact. But Sam did admit, however, that he enjoyed completing the task.

Sam’s thoughts ran wild as he secured Shalee’s headpiece.
You’re breathtaking. The outfit Bassorine left for you makes you look like a princess. How nice would it be if I was your prince?

Mosley showed Sam where a large pouch, full of food, had been prepared. The wolf explained the journey to Brandor would take 6 Peaks by air. Fortunately, the moments necessary would be provided to sleep, since the wolf really did need to sleep.

They made sure they had everything they needed before they left and watched as the temple doors were sealed. No one would be allowed to enter until the Crystal Moon was returned. The sign on the temple door read:

Temple Closed

For Inquisitive Minds,

We are Gods, and We Don’t Owe

You an Explanation

(Fellow soul ... I’m just kidding. The sign didn’t say that.)

Sam lifted Shalee onto the griffin’s back, and then he climbed up. After securing their weapons with leather straps that were attached to the saddle, he tied Shalee in. Sam gulped as the beast walked to the edge of the platform.

“Hold on!” Mosley shouted as best he could while biting down on another set of straps. “This is going to be exhilarating!” The wolf dug his claws into the leather of the saddle.

They dropped off the edge and fell more than 4,000 feet before the griffin opened his wings and swooped out over the picturesque landscape.

Soresym
[Sor-e-sym]

CHAPTER 5

Broken Back

LASIDIOUS WAS STILL SITTING at his table, watching through the transparent wall of his cave-like home as George continued to tumble. The Mischievous One was deciding how he wanted to make his introduction. After rolling up a map of Grayham, the god chose a field near the Enchanted Forest to stage his rescue.

Close by, was a town called Lethwitch. He would drop George just outside of town. This location would give the mortal the moments necessary to get the supplies he would need before heading north to the Pool of Sorrow.

The Town of Lethwitch

to the north, the Pool of Sorrow

East of the Pool is the Cave of Sorrow

Skeleton Pass Runs North and South of Gessler Village

George needed to be at the pool in 3 Peaks, which left no room for wasted moments. The Earthling would not be able to wander about sightseeing. He waved his hand, and George disappeared.

Lasidious pushed back from the table, put the picture of Abbie in his front pocket, grabbed the map of Grayham and a leather pack from his bedroom and then vanished.

The Mountains of Latasef

Skeleton Pass

The goddess approached the demon-jaguar, Kepler. The giant cat, over 25 feet long from tip to tail, had a smooth, shiny, black coat that conformed to his powerful, muscular stature. His claws were sharp as knives, terrifying to most, but not Celestria, Goddess of Beasts.

Kepler yawned as she approached. His large mouth had been the instrument of death for many men. The cat’s teeth were white, except for the yellowish stains at their base from the blood of man-flesh. As he closed his mouth, he stood and stretched his legs, neck, and back.

“You dare come into my lair as if you belong,” he snarled. “Can you not see the dead that lie with their bones scattered throughout my pass? Are you not afraid of my skeleton army? I should summon them to gut you where you stand. This is my territory!”

“I go where I wish,” Celestria reprimanded, her face stern and her voice forceful. “How dare
you
talk to your goddess that way? I should throw you to the dragons on Dragonia!” Her voice echoed off the walls of Skeleton Pass. “You will show me respect, demon!”

Realizing whom he had insulted, Kepler stepped forward and lowered his head in reverence. “My apologies, Goddess. If I had known it was you, I would not have spoken so harshly.” The giant cat pushed a half-eaten barbarian torso behind him with his back paw as if he was embarrassed about the untidiness of his lair.

“Never mind your insolence, Kepler,” Celestria replied as she watched him squirm. “I’m here to inform you of great things that are about to happen. The moments have come for those who want power to rise up and seize it. This uprising will forever change the hierarchy of Grayham’s kingdoms.”

“Sounds intriguing,” Kepler responded. “But why tell me? I have all I need. I’ve ruled my pass for hundreds of seasons.” He extended the nails on his right, front paw one by one. “All men fear these claws.”

The goddess brushed her hand along his fur as she passed and took a seat where he had been lying. “My dearest Kepler, you have been bored for many seasons. I know the secret of how you rule your pass. I watch you from the heavens and see how you lie about and wish for a challenge. I only tell you because I know of a man who is strong and possesses the wit to rule. I have foreseen this man to be the master of Grayham. He will send this world into darkness, and his companionship would make you a happy, little demon, my pet.”

Kepler hated how the goddess had called him a “little demon,” and her “pet,” yet he dared not say anything to correct her. “Interesting,” he parried with a hint of disdain. “I’ll have my own private den of misery. I can’t complain about something so grand. These eyes function best when I prey upon the weak in the darkness.”

The goddess knew Kepler was intrigued, despite the fact that he had shown no interest in the human. “This man will be at the Pool of Sorrow 3 Peaks from now. He will be camped near the outlet where the pool releases into the Cripple River.” Celestria knew her next statement would irritate the demon. “For all I know, this human may not find you worthy of his company. He may find you unnecessary.”

“Unnecessary?” the demon snarled and then let out a ferocious roar. “I’m
more
than worthy to be in his presence! If he is to rule kingdoms, who better to have at his side than one who already rules territories on Grayham? I, alone, am capable of handling the burden of this authority. I am The Master of the Hunt for a reason.”

Celestria was pleased with his response, but she did not show it. She knew of Kepler’s immense pride and had hoped it was large enough to take the bait. She moved to stand beside the demon and stroked his shoulders.

“A beast with your abilities would be quite useful, my pet,” she said as she reached up to touch the point of one of his teeth. Again, she leaned in and felt Kepler cringe. She smiled inside. “Perhaps you should meet with this human to see if he accepts your companionship. I warn you, Kepler, this is a strong-willed, hot-tempered being. I would not make him angry if I were you. I would hate to see you end up on a skewer, cooked for supper.”

The beast let out another angry roar. “I’m no one’s supper! I shall stare into his eyes, and he’ll beg for my services. I’ll only allow him to rule if I’m at his side. If the fool refuses to accept my offer, I shall pick his bones from my teeth before I return to my pass.”

“Careful, Kepler,” the goddess cautioned, moving to stand in front of his massive mouth. She tugged each of his whiskers while she continued to speak in a soft tone. “I know you’re confident, but I must warn you ... I would not toy with this human. He’s powerful. I would hate to witness your end only to watch one of your brothers rise to rule your pass.”

The goddess scratched the underside of Kepler’s jaw. “If you choose to accept this challenge, you’ll need to make your way to the Pool of Sorrow. The human will be camping there 3 Peaks from now.” She smiled. “It’s your decision, Kepler. I’m sure there are other beasts who would be willing to accept this honor. I’ll just let them know you weren’t up for the task, if you choose to decline.”

The demon-jaguar hissed. “The task is simple enough. Of all the cats roaming the plains, I’m the obvious choice. But a trek of this magnitude would take 30 Peaks. I cannot cross the mountains in only three without peril.”

Celestria pointed at what appeared to be the right leg of a barbarian Kepler had killed earlier in the day. “I’ll put a blessing on your dinner. This will give you the stamina you need to make it to the pool before the human arrives.”