Part 9 (1/2)
George responded, but failed to answer the question. ”Why are you dressed like Robin Hood? You're not a little off, are you?”
Jason frowned. ”Do you not know your name, or are you ignoring me on purpose?”
George shrugged as he looked across the large, gently sloping meadow that was covered with brightly colored flowers, none of which George had ever seen. He then looked to the west and followed the dense tree line to the north. The world of Luvelles was hanging above the horizon. What the h.e.l.l? he thought. Turning to his right, he scanned the rest of his surroundings. The world of Harvestom was hanging above the opposing horizon. George shook his head, closed his eyes and then reopened them. Once he determined he was lost, he looked at Jason. ”Everything is sure colorful around here. Much nicer than where I'm from.” He did not want to ask where he was since he did not know this guy, and he could not have Jason thinking he was clueless.
”You're right, it is beautiful,” Jason responded. ”The G.o.ds bless us. But don't you think you should tell me your name, boy? You're being rude.”
George feigned his remorse. ”Oh, sure. Where are my manners? I'm George.”
”From where do you hail?” Jason responded, without hesitation.
”From Orlando. Why?”
”Well, George, from Orlando, well met. I can't say that I've ever heard of your kingdom.”
Kingdom? George thought. How do I respond to that? ”You'll have to cut me some slack here, man, I'm at a loss for words.”
”You speak in a strange manner,” Jason slurred. ”I cannot say the place you hail from is known to me, but I can extend my hand in friends.h.i.+p.”
”Yeah, yeah, yeah, sure thing. Friends it is.” George looked to the south again. ”Where are we? Do you always hang out in the middle of nowhere?”
”You're between the town of Lethwitch and the Enchanted Forest.”
”Okay. So ... why are you out here?”
”Well, recently, I learned ... ummm...” Jason's voice drifted off.
George looked at the hide holding the tonic.”That must be some pretty wicked stuff. What were you going to say?”
Jason took another swig. A ma.s.sive smile appeared on his face as the level of his intoxication increased. ”Don't tell anyone, but I know a secret.”
”Right on. I think we all do. So what does your drunk a.s.s know that I don't?”
Jason grinned. ”It wouldn't be a secret if I told you.”
George rolled his eyes. ”You're killing me. Why did you mention it?”
The traveler's eyes looked droopy as he responded. ”I should've held my tongue.”
Now George had to know. ”Whatever your secret is, I could always help you out. Why don't you let me? Think of it as a way of saying thank you for saving me.”
The RV salesman knew he had no intention of following through with the gesture, but he had to know Jason's secret. He knelt. ”Tell me ... what were you really doing out here?”
”Well...”
”Well what?” George urged.
A fair series of moments pa.s.sed before Jason replied. ”I suppose you look like a trustworthy fellow. I could use the help.” The traveler looked George over from head to toe. ”I see no reason why we couldn't share the rewards. They would be significant.”
”What rewards? What are you talking about?”
Jason continued to slur as his response drifted. ”We could always split the gains. There would be enough wealth and power ... ummm ... uhh, to go around after you've completed the task.”
”Task?” George queried. ”What task?” He liked what he had heard. The words ”wealth” and ”power” sounded good. ”Talk to me, man.”
Jason continued. ”Do you ever get tired of being pushed around? I do. I know of a map that was lost near the Pool of Sorrow. Rumor has it the map was lost many seasons ago, but...”
George watched as the traveler struggled to focus. Jason stared at his hands as if something commanded his attention. Once he determined nothing more would come of his pondering, he lifted his head and continued. ”The map is said to be under a boulder near a tree closest to the outlet that flows into the Cripple River. It reveals the location of a hidden treasure. I was going to retrieve it and sell it. The map is worth an amount of coin that I've never had or been able to imagine. The only thing worth more than the map is the treasure it leads to. I would go after it myself, but the beast inside the cave ends the lives of all those who enter.”
”Wait a second,” George interrupted. ”What kind of treasure?”
Lasidious knew he had George's full attention. He knew the mortal was greedy. The Mischievous One smiled within as he continued to play the role of the wounded adventurer. ”The map is said to lead to a Staff of Petrifaction. The staff can turn things to stone, but there's one qualification to that ability.”
George rolled his eyes. ”Stone, huh? Do you really expect me to believe that? You're drunk as h.e.l.l, aren't you?”
Jason looked up at George and squinted as if he was trying to focus. ”Why would you doubt what I'm saying? The medicine is strong, but it doesn't change the truth.”
George thought, Oh my freaking h.e.l.l, this guy is serious. He smirked. ”So what's this qualification?”
Jason's eyes narrowed. ”Are you sure you want to know?”
”You bet. Why not?”
A sinister look appeared on Jason's face. ”The staff can only be used by dwarves. I'm sure you know of the dwarves on Trollcom.”
”Of course, I do,” George responded. ”Doesn't everybody?” Freak!
Jason motioned for George to come closer. ”What the map doesn't divulge is a way to secure the power even if you're not a dwarf. The staff isn't solid. Its center holds a liquid. If a man was to drink it, he would receive the ability to turn things to stone.”
George backed away. ”Sounds like B.S.”
”I a.s.sure you this is real and not this 'B.S.' you speak of. If other men knew, they would kill for the opportunity to lay their hands on the staff.”
George rolled his eyes. ”If what you're saying is true, a guy could do well for himself with that ability.”
Jason motioned for George to stop speaking. ”You're not thinking large enough, but I do believe you see the value of the artifact. If you were to acquire the staff, together we could take control of Grayham. Can you imagine the wealth we would acquire while ruling kingdoms? This would be far better than simply doing well.” Jason smiled.
”You're right,” George replied. He turned his back to Jason and looked toward the town. Too bad you're full of c.r.a.p, he thought. But as his mind continued to race, he could not help but fantasize about the possibilities. He looked toward the tree line of the Enchanted Forest and blurted, ”If I could get my hands on that staff, I could mess with folks. Ha! I could even get rid of that ex-wife of mine. Abbie would be able to live with me again.” He looked back at Jason. ”Of course, I would need to take my new best friend with me once he was back on his feet.”
”But, of course.” Jason hiccupped and then burped. ”I can tell you're a man of your word. Who's this Abbie?”
”She's my daughter,” George responded.
”Ahhhhhhhh ... I'm sure you would do anything for your loved one. But I have one question. Do you have the courage to face the beast inside the cave?”
”h.e.l.l if I know.” George scratched the top of his head as he imagined what the beast might look like. ”Courage isn't my problem. I'm not the best fighter. What would I be getting myself into?”