of their actions.
Gage decided to tell the truth. “Your Majesty, Strongbear was driving us mad. We were tired of listening to his orders, so we pooled our magic to bring in the new season to our village. We’re all against him and are no longer with him.”
The reaction Gage received was not what the goswigs expected. Ultor began to laugh. The badger had to reach down to hold his stomach as the gagging motion of the Ultorian’s laugh made him sick.
Eventually, the king settled down. “Who organized this use of power?”
Every goswig pointed at Gage.
Again, the king laughed. On each occasion Ultor lunged forward, Gage did too. The badger’s stomach was cramping as a result of the tension he felt because of the Ultorian’s strange laugh.
Eventually, Ultor’s enjoyment of the moment subsided. “You must wake Strongbear. The white army has requested that the goswigs fight beside them in the upcoming war. Strongbear’s magic will be needed on the Battlegrounds of Olis. I shall return tomorrow after dark.”
Ultor strolled back into the water. His skin once again changed to an iridescent blue as his large wings began to emerge from his back.
Gage tapped his staff against the ground as he turned to face the goswig ranks. “Great! Now we’ve got to wake him.” He mocked, “Are you with me ... or are you against me?”
All the goswigs grumbled as they headed home.
The Next Peak, Early Bailem
Shalee and Gregory are working their way through the Void Maze. Since George killed most of the creatures inside the dungeon’s corridors, they are left with just the task of finding their way through it.
Kepler and Payne are waiting for George to return from his visit with the Source. Kepler has decided to teach Payne to speak correctly. The pace at which Payne is learning is unexpected. Because of this, the demon-cat has decided to embrace the little freak and accept his company as permanent. Kepler hates to admit it, but Payne is growing on him.
Mary, Athena, Susanne and baby Garrin are inside Mary’s home having breakfast. The events of the night before last are fresh in Mary’s mind, despite the hangover she still has from the effects of the Mesolliff wine.
Boyafed has set up camp. The Dark Order leader is waiting for Sam to exit Grogger’s swamp.
Brayson is sitting outside the entrance to the Source’s cave. He is waiting for George to exit.
The Head Master has given Lord Dowd the message that Gregory will not be able to finish gathering the forces for the war.
Dowd will send Krasous, his Argont Commander, to meet with Wisslewine in the enchanted woods of Wraithwood Hollow. Krasous is to ask the Wraith Hound Prince to call forth his pack of canine warriors from out of the Under Eye and bring them to the Battlegrounds of Olis.
Krasous will also go to the Spirit Plains to find the king of a race of spirits called the Lost Ones. Krasous needs to capture Shesolaywen so that Dowd can use the spirit’s Call of Canair.
Mieonus is watching within an invisible veil as Sam guides those he saved from Grogger’s belly out of the swamp. The magic surrounding the swamp will not allow for teleportation. Once they make their exit, they can teleport home. Mieonus is looking forward to the confrontation between Sam and Boyafed.
Mosley and Alistar have returned to Ancients Sovereign. They have called for a meeting of the gods to be held inside the Hall of Judgment.
Mosley has managed to successfully leave an impression on the minds of the leaders of Harvestom. The King of Kless has called for war, a decision made because of the theft of his Seeds of Plenty. The king ordered the commander of his browncoated army to march against the King of Tagdrendlia’s Blackcoats. What is left of the food supply in Kless will be used to feed the army as they march into battle.
The gods estimate that many souls will be returned to the Book’s pages. Hosseff will stroll through the carnage and cherish the loss of life.
Gage and the other goswigs are waiting for Strongbear to exit his cave. They have used their magic to reverse the change of season and the bear has been slow to wake.
Marcus is waiting inside his dark tower-palace. He is hoping George will return soon. They need to implement the last part of their plan. It will not be long before Marcus stands before the Eye.
Lasidious and Celestria are inside their home beneath the Peaks of Angels. They plan