Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign (Worlds of the Crystal Moon, Book 1) (73 page)

Sam smiled. He tossed the bag of coins over BJ’s shoulder and watched everyone jump as it thumped against the bar. “Don’t make such a fuss, old man.”

BJ shouted, “Don’t make a fuss? How could I not? You messed everything up! You’re a todlum!”

“What on Earth?” Shalee questioned. “What the heck is a todlum, BJ? You’re not making sense.”

Helga responded, “A todlum is someone who is thick in the head, Child.”

“Oh shoot ... in Texas we called todlums, numskulls.”

Sam rolled his eyes. “Well, I may be a todlum, but we did much better than just being invited to the king’s tournament. Look in the bag, you old grouch!”

Once BJ saw what was inside, he clenched the bag and whispered. “This is a substantial amount of coin. Where did you get it?”

“The prince, of course. I sold him a new secret about how to put his pants on. You should have seen his face. He was so impressed. His eyes got really wide, and his mouth started to water. He was so thankful. To show his appreciation, he pulled out a bunch of coins, threw them in a bag and then tossed it to me. He even invited us to his father’s tournament in Brandor, which I had to turn down because the secret wasn’t worth that much. Apparently, his father’s tournament is being held early this season since there is an upcoming war.”

BJ growled. “That’s absurd! Why would a member of the royal house give you this much coin? Why would the prince pay you to fight in his father’s tournament? And why would you turn him down?”

Sam looked at BJ and whispered, “Have you ever heard of keeping quiet so the whole world doesn’t know we’ve got this kind of coin on our person? Let’s go up to the room and talk.”

Once they were in the room, Sam explained how the coin was a reward for his generosity to Brandon’s widow. “We’re supposed to meet the prince in the morning to go to Brandor.”

BJ responded, “So we’re leaving, and we’ll be meeting the king? What should we wear? I don’t have my best clothes with me ... or my armor.”

Sam looked at Shalee. “Looks like someone’s star-struck.”

Shalee laughed. “Maybe they have room on this world to start a celebrity magazine. I betcha BJ would be tickled pink.”

“What are you two talking about, Child?”

“Oh, nothing worth explaining. Pay us no never mind.”

“I’m not going to visit the king looking like a beggar,” BJ announced. “I’m going to buy some new clothes. You should do the same.”

Shalee walked over to Sam and nestled into him, speaking in her cutest voice. “Baby, don’t you want to take your loving, sweet, wonderful, sexy, kind, generous, perfect, sublime, little magic-user shopping? Don’t you want to spoil me? I’ll make it worth your while.”

Sam rolled his eyes at BJ. “See what you’ve started, old man? Let me have the coin, and I’ll buy us all something.”

The Next Evening

Sam and Shalee’s Bedroom Chamber

The Castle of Brandor

“I’m sick of all this royal crap,” Sam grumbled. “Ever since we’ve arrived in Brandor, I’ve bowed far more than I care to.

“ I’m telling you right now, I’m not going to kiss his father’s butt tomorrow when we meet him. If the king can’t have a normal conversation, then screw him.”

He turned to face Shalee. “I had the world in the palm of my hand on Earth, and I didn’t need to kiss anyone’s ass to make it happen. I just know I’m going to have to suck it up tomorrow to get anything accomplished. This place pisses me off.”

Sam pulled Kael from his sheath and poked the tip of the blade into the wooden footboard at the end of the bed. “I know I should be more patient, but I’ve killed so many people since we’ve arrived, and for what? It was all to get here, and now that we are, I’m about to lose my mind. We don’t know if this guy will even listen to us.”

Sam stormed across the room and looked out the window. The torches above the arena were glowing in the distance. “How am I going to make a king believe I’m here to create an empire to set an example for the worlds to follow? He’ll see me as a threat or even a traitor. I need a vacation.”

Shalee could only smile at Sam’s outburst. “Would you relax? Maybe you don’t have to kiss his butt after all. Just be bold.”

The sorceress took Kael out of Sam’s hand. Seeing the damage the blade had caused to the bed, she commanded Precious to fix the marks that had been cut into the wood and then returned the blade to its sheath. “You know I’ve got your back, Sam.”

“So what would you have me do?”

“For heaven’s sake, show them your strength. Just shake the guy’s hand like you did Aaron’s and see how it goes. I know you don’t like politics. Use the fact we’re not from here to cut through the red tape. If that doesn’t work, just piss him off.” She tapped the butt end of Precious on the floor. “I’ll take care of everything else. I’ll do it all nice and tidy-like. When I’m done, we’ll have the king’s attention. His ears will open up. After all, we’ve been sent here by the gods. Let’s act like it. Let’s take charge.”

Sam looked back out the window. They had been given a room near the prince, and from this part of the castle, the city stretched as far as he could see. The architecture was different than that of West Utopia. Brandor reminded Sam of Camelot with a dash of Roman influence.

Although this city was built with attention to detail, he liked the architecture of West Utopia better. The Romanesque style of that city felt like it had more class.

Sam could not understand why the king would allow his realm to have so many different forms of architecture. If he was king, there would be consistency to the grand design. He thought,
This hodgepodge of styles is something that should bother Shalee, not me. She’s the architect.

After a moment, Sam turned from the window. “Exactly how would you have my back? I can only assume you’re referring to your magic. Give me an idea of what you’re talking about. I need some news that will make me feel better right now.”

“I can do more than that,” Shalee responded as she scanned the room. In one of the corners of their suite, she saw a potted plant containing loose gravel. She grabbed it, ripped it out, handed the pot to Sam and then moved to the far side of the room. “I want you to take a handful of that gravel and throw it at me as hard as you can.”

“I can’t do that. I’d hurt you.”

“Don’t be so sure. I wouldn’t tell you to do something unless I knew I was going to be okay. Throw it, you big sissy.”

“Are you sure?” Sam said with a look of uncertainty.

“Just throw it, and I’ll make it worth your while.” She licked her lips to emphasize her point.

Sam grinned as he grabbed a handful. He reached back and threw it.

The sorceress had already lifted Precious and was speaking her command. The pebbles stopped in front of her face and stayed suspended. She walked around them, methodically circling the floating stones while she plucked a few from the air. She turned to face her lover and then flicked one at him.

Sam dodged as he watched the pebble fly past his face.

Grinning, Shalee emptied the remaining pebbles in her hand into Sam’s palm and then passed her hand seductively across his chest as she headed toward the bed. “Be a darling, and put the rest of them back for me. I’ll be waiting.”

After passing through the door of the washroom, she poked her head around the corner while she changed. Her voice was seductive. “Hurry, Sammy-kins.”

Sam turned back to face the floating rocks. With haste, he gathered them up and threw them into the pot. He thought,
That woman’s a tiger.

The next morning, after Early Bailem, Prince Aaron guided Sam and the rest of the group into the king’s throne room. As they entered, everyone was told to bow. They did as instructed, kneeling on one knee as they waited for the king to enter.

It was a long wait, which angered Sam. He was tired of royal protocols wasting his moments. Bow here, bow there, bow, bow, bow, and bow again was the only thing they seemed to do in this city.

Aaron had sent one of his slaves to inform the king that they had arrived, but somehow this news did not seem to create urgency on his father’s part. After being on their knees for what felt like forever, the king finally entered. They lowered their heads and waited for the signal to lift them.

The king was a handsome man with long, dark hair that complemented his brown eyes. He also had the body of a fighter and looked nothing like his son. His wife had been a handmaiden whom he married after donning the crown of Brandor many seasons ago. His decision to marry a commoner was not well received, but over the seasons, she became loved by all. It was her fair complexion that colored their son’s. She died not long after giving birth, and the king never remarried because his heart would not mend.

“Stand, fighter,” the king commanded. “Let’s have a look at what the commotion is about.” The king waited patiently for his order to be carried out. “I must admit, you have a presence about you.” The king motioned for the rest of the group to stand, “I welcome you to Brandor.”

The group did as instructed without saying a word.

Sam, however, stopped the king’s party in full stride. He was not about to spend all Peak on meaningless formalities. “Look,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone. “I’m sure we can spend our moments greeting one another. I would even bet that under different circumstances it’s fun and has its place, but can we skip to the part where we get something accomplished? I have information you need to know. The quicker we get going, the sooner we can win a war.”

As Sam was speaking, BJ was squirming. He knew this was not the way things should be done, and he expected the king to explode.

Although she did not show it, Shalee was more than ready to back Sam up. As agreed the night before, they were not about to be brushed off. She was holding Precious, and she was ready to make an impression.

The fighter walked up the steps toward the king’s throne and stuck out his hand.

The affront caught Keldwin off guard. He was unsure how to respond and looked to his son for guidance as the guards took a readied stance.

“I told you his mannerisms were strange, Father. During our flight to home, he made the most interesting claims. He said he’s not from this world, and he’s been brought here by the gods to create an empire. He further claims that they’re expected to be an example to all the worlds.”

Aaron paused for only a moment, then continued. “Father ... I hesitate to say this, but they were involved in the disappearance of the Crystal Moon.”

The king moved behind his throne. He did not care for what he heard, especially the part about Sam and Shalee creating their own empire. “So you’re the ones responsible for taking the Crystal Moon!” the king shouted. “Do you know what this has done to the fate of our worlds? You have—”

Sam ruined Keldwin’s momentum and interrupted with a voice loud enough to cover the king’s. “Keep your royal pants on, Keldwin! Put your listening ears on, and pay attention! No one said we’re responsible! Aaron said we were involved! I knew this was going to be a waste of my moments. If this is all you managed to comprehend of your son’s words, I’m disgusted! I would never serve a king with your apparent weakness!”

BJ was about to die. He knew what was coming next. Sam would be hung before sunrise. For that matter, they would all be hung. Even the prince was fidgeting.

The king was astounded. Sam’s lack of respect was inexcusable. “Guards! Seize them! Take them to the dungeon!”

This was Shalee’s cue to take action. She jumped to her feet and yelled, “Precious,
illuvu sol
!” Almost everything in the room froze. The only beings who could move were the king, Sam, and herself.

Keldwin looked at his guards before turning his head toward Shalee. He unsheathed his sword and took a step toward her.

In turn, Sam retrieved Kael from his hip, pointed the blade at the king and yelled, “
Val arna, nuar
!” The blade burst into flames. “Not so fast! I don’t think you want to go there!”

Shalee watched the leader of Brandor take a few steps back to avoid the intense heat of the god-sword. As he did, the king lowered his weapon.

Seeing everything was under control, Shalee began to saunter through the frozen figures that were scattered about the room. She touched the guards on their shoulders as she passed. “My King,” she sighed, “You’re being hasty. It seems you’ve let your crown boggle that head of yours.” She turned to glare at the monarch. “You’re not listening. If you’ll pay attention … right now … I’m calling you, My King.”