Part 52 (1/2)
Helga gasped. ”Since when, Child?
”Oh, you know, here and there. When you're not around. I didn't want to worry you.”
”This is a blessing. This is incredible. Can you control your power without words at all?”
”For the most part,” Shalee replied.
”Goodness-gracious!” Helga giggled, stealing Shalee's phrase. ”You're rubbing off on me, Child. To command your power without words is unheard of on Grayham. I don't know of anyone who has this ability. Perhaps Amar can command simple magic without words, but I highly doubt that he can command the power of teleportation without his staff.”
The queen smiled. ”Well, I'm able to control most everything without Precious. I don't know how, but it feels natural.”
”The G.o.ds have blessed you, Child.” Helga sighed. ”I think we both know this is your decision.”
”Shall we give it a trial run then? I'll stand near the statue over there.” Shalee looked at the stone figure as she moved to it. ”You know what?” the sorceress said in a matter-of-fact tone.
”What, Child?”
”Some things never change from one world to another. Look at him. Back on Earth, we had statues of men that didn't have their privates covered. They called it art, but I thought it was silly. I like the leaf the sculptor put over his privates.”
Helga thought a moment. ”I would prefer to see him without the leaf.” Her smile widened. ”His anatomy is always rock solid, Child.” She jumped up and smacked the statue's behind.
Shalee rolled her eyes. ”Lordy, I've tainted you. You're becoming incorrigible.”
The ladies gave each other a high-five. Helga kissed her hand and blew it in the direction of the leaf for good luck.
Helga then reached out and grabbed Shalee's shoulder. ”Oh Child, I forgot to tell you. I did what you said and had BJ touch me on that one spot you told me about and-”
”Stop!” Shalee cried as she covered her ears. ”T.M.I.” Again, the ladies laughed.
A fair series of moments pa.s.sed before the ladies could collect themselves. Helga continued. ”If you aren't going to use words, you should try concentrating, Child. Close your eyes and focus on where you want to be. That's what I would do.”
Without answering, Shalee closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then thought of the gra.s.sy area next to the blossoming bushes. She pictured herself standing there.
Helga screamed. ”Ohhhh, Child, Child, Child!”
Shalee did not want to open her eyes. She could not tell if her friend's tone was good or bad.
”You did it! I'm so proud of you!”
Shalee opened her eyes and looked around. A big grin appeared on her face. She pulled Helga into her arms and both ladies began to bounce around the garden to celebrate.
Sam walked up. ”Is there something you two need to tell me? What's going on?”
Shalee let go of Helga and then pulled Sam into her arms. After a quick wink in Helga's direction, Shalee told Sam to close his eyes.
The next thing the king knew, he was standing in their bedroom. He would have said something, but Shalee held her hands over his lips.
”Shhh. Don't say anything. We have something to celebrate.” She pushed him down on the bed and licked her lips.
Sam smiled.
Shalee used her magic to break the leather string that tied the front of his s.h.i.+rt and then ripped it open.
The City of Bloodvain Later that Peak George teleported to an area near the wooden bridge outside the king's castle-lodge. Arriving with all his cats cloaked in a veil of invisibility, he wanted to know how he would be received if the people thought he had arrived alone. The people's faces were cold, but to his surprise, they bowed as he pa.s.sed.
He had left Maldwin visible, and on this sunny Peak, the rat was sitting inside George's pack. The rodent's head was sticking out, and he was shouting gleefully at everyone as they pa.s.sed, ”Everything is A-okay, man!”
As the mage entered the throne room, seven barbarian men and six large women were collecting the general's body. One of the men had climbed up onto the beam where Fergus' body was suspended and had a hammer in his hand. No one spoke as George pa.s.sed and took a position next to the king's throne.
Senchae entered the room. Stopping next to George, he lowered into his royal chair and then looked up. ”The man on top of the beam is the champion of my arena. His name is Churnach Fergus. He's the general's son. I wouldn't expect a warm reception. I had a long conversation with the family this morning. They understand the general challenged you, but still...”
George turned away and made sure Senchae was the only one who could see his smile. ”This is an awkward series of moments. I've never faced a family of someone I've killed before.”
Senchae did not appreciate George's lack of sensitivity, but he smiled anyway to appease the mage. ”Walk with me for a moment. I think it's best if we take our leave and allow the family the opportunity to retrieve the body and grieve.”
The king walked with George into the hallway leading south out of the throne room. The mage shook his head. Everywhere he looked, more of the king's stupid trophies lined the hallway.
”I've been doing some thinking, George. It should take the Serpent King 20 Peaks to arrive once he leaves his city. Do you know how long he's been traveling?”
”I do,” the mage responded.
Suddenly, screams echoed from the throne room behind them. George glanced at Senchae and then ran toward the doorway. As they entered, bodies were flying everywhere and falling lifeless to the floor.
The king watched one of the heavyset ladies. .h.i.t the wall on the far side of the room. As she fell limp to the floor, all Senchae could hear was the angry roars of the invisible beasts. A few moments later, the only one left alive was the barbarian champion. He was swinging his hammer through the air, but it was not long before he was disemboweled.
George waited for the commotion to stop. He waved his hand through the air. Seven blood-soaked cats appeared, standing over the bodies, some with large mouthfuls of fresh barbarian. Between Kepler, his brothers' 4,000 pound frames, the 13 deceased barbarians, and the four 2,500 pound tigers, the throne room felt like he had stepped into an episode of The Twilight Zone.
The mage glanced at the king and shrugged. He walked into the room, careful to avoid the pools of blood. ”Kep, what the h.e.l.l's going on? Look at the mess you made.”
The demon's eyes flashed. ”The son of the general said they were going to end you. The men with him said they should do it now while you were close and not heavily guarded. The women agreed and said you were ripe for fertilizing the soil of their gardens. It wasn't wise to wait. Me and the boys ... well ... we took care of it. That's what the Master of the Hunt does.”
Senchae responded before George could reply. ”I can see that. George, your friends are creating quite the body count. Perhaps we could save the slaughter for the people of the south from now on.”
Kepler walked over to the king, looked Senchae in the eyes and growled as he spoke to George. ”The big one ... the one he called Churnach Fergus, stated his king wanted you executed, George. I heard him say there was a reward for spilling your life's source.” The jaguar anxiously waited to see what Senchae's reaction would be.
Bloodvain turned to look at George. ”My friend, I've said nothing. I've sworn my allegiance, and I would not break this oath. I say this on my son's honor.”
The demon stared at the king as he made his judgment. He knew George would be angry and would believe the king was untrustworthy. The demon spoke before George could use his magic. ”George, speak with me for a moment.” Kepler's tone was strong enough to capture the mage's attention. ”This is important! You can end him later just as easily as you can end him now. Speak with me in private.”
The king found that he was unable to move. Since he had been bound like this before, he knew it was pointless to struggle against George's magic.
The mage followed the demon to the other side of the throne room, weaving their way through the shredded bodies and the snarling cats. The beasts were feasting as if they had gone Peaks without eating.
”What is it, Kep?” George snapped. ”I should've gutted him already.”
”No, George. I lied. The barbarian's family said nothing about attacking you.”