men while Dowd’s forces strike them down. Dowd himself explained to the kedgle commander what your army would be wearing. They plan to attack only those who wear Order regalia. You’ll need a strategy to combat the kedgles’ magic.”
Boyafed moved from behind the throne and lowered to the steps leading down to where Marcus stood. After a bit, the dark paladin looked up. “I know of these creatures. Getting past the kedgle’s magic will be simple enough. We may be forced to attack your brother’s city after all.”
Marcus smiled within, and then he feigned his concern by putting his hand to his chin in thought. “Hmmmm! Perhaps you’re going about this the wrong way. Perhaps a smaller strike without a large confrontation would be appropriate?”
Boyafed stood, removed his dagger from its sheath and tapped the flat of the blade against the palm of his hand. “Agreed. A few men would be able to dispose of the kedgles simple enough. Once they’re disposed of, their king won’t be so willing to send reinforcements. Then I’ll return with the army and launch a full assault.
“ With the size of the kedgles, I would imagine they’re housed in a large room someplace inside or near the chancellor’s tower. It would be best to dispose of them all at the same moment. I’ll send two additional men to gather the intelligence we need to formulate a proper plan.”
Marcus lifted his pipe and took a drag. “How will you deal with the spies in your ranks?”
Boyafed turned and headed for the door. He responded without looking back. “Don’t worry about it. I’ve got it under control.”
Once the paladin leader was gone, Marcus scurried across the room and claimed his throne. He looked at the door and grinned. “That went better than expected.”
Brayson’s Desk
Inside the Book of Bonding
A few Peaks had passed since George and Payne’s confrontation with the damsel who feigned her distress. They decided to take their chances and partake of the feast that was left sitting on the table after they killed the old woman and her beast protectors. The food had proven to be a blessing in disguise, and it was safe to eat after George summoned water to wash off the residue that had been left behind by the poisonous gas.
There seemed to be no specific reason for the table or the food to have been there. Despite the puzzle, their need to eat outweighed their need to understand. George made sure they grabbed the leftovers and stuffed them into a tablecloth. The mage threw it over his shoulder, and they headed out.
The duo followed a winding corridor that led back to the surface beyond the outskirts of the forest where the Book of Bonding had originally placed them. They walked in the direction of a distant mountain range. The landscape was changing drastically as they followed a creek that was fed by the melting snow from atop the mountains.
As they ascended the terrain, the vegetation was becoming scarce, and scorch marks darkened the earth around them. Eventually, they crested a large mound. Two pedestals sat at the center of a 20 pace clearing. Both were ceramic. The first was riddled with cracks and stood empty while the second pedestal was without flaw, and a small statue stood upon it.
The sculpture was Payne’s height and looked exactly like the fairy-demon, right down to his wings and budding horns. Even the new scratch across the side of Payne’s face has been etched into it.
Payne flew over to his hardened, clay counterpart and hovered next to it. “It Payne. Neat! Let’s eat.” Yet again, the fairy-demon’s attention span failed to focus on something bigger than his stomach.
George played with the growth of his beard as he studied their surroundings, but his body odor was making it hard to concentrate. He fanned his tunic beneath his armpits as he spoke. “Something’s telling me that this isn’t good, Payne. This place stinks, and I know it’s not just me.”
“Why? Payne like Payne. Him’s me ... like Payne.”
“I’m sure you like him, buddy, but something’s not right around here. I think we’re in trouble again.”
“Why, Master?”
“I don’t know, but my spidey sense is going crazy.”
Payne had a confused look on his face when a voice from behind George responded. “Our gut has always served us right, George. You’re screwed.”
George whirled around to face this new presence. He frowned. “Now I know this is gonna suck. Two of me can’t be a good thing. There’s only enough