Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,120

and then responded. “Well don’t you have many talents, Kep? Having you around is going to be just what I needed. I have a linguist and a politician all wrapped up in one big, furry companion. I should never have doubted you.”

George made sure Kepler saw him smile. The manipulator knew that simple reassurance often went a long way. The jaguar seemed nervous over the last few Peaks and being complimentary, however untrue his intentions, would help the cat relax. George’s manipulative mind was now working more efficiently.

Kepler did feel a sense of relief. The jaguar shouted something that only the rat could understand. “Uh uyat gote say!”

George watched as the rat twisted his head and responded, “Le fuat yoor tekle!”

Kepler walked out of the cave and back into the open. He moved close to George and sat down. “I told him to release his magic over the entrance. I’m going to translate for you, but I cannot say this pleases me. Speaking to a rat is degrading. I should be devouring him, not conversing with him.”

George grinned. “Degrading, but necessary. He’s too valuable to devour.”

Kepler’s head tilted. “How so?”

“I’ll show you. But first, I need you to tell him something. Will you please do that for me?”

The manipulator thought a moment. He had no idea how stupid he was about to sound. “Tell him it’s clear that neither you nor I are affected by his visions. Tell him I don’t intend to kill him. Tell him I’m offering him a chance to do something other than live in his cave. Tell him I would like to employ his ability to send others visions.”

Seeing there was not going to be an end to George’s rant anytime soon, Kepler plopped onto the ground.

“Tell him that killing everyone that enters his cave is pointless, and it solves nothing. Tell him there will be a reward for traveling with us. Tell him a life of luxury will follow. Oh, oh, oh, and tell him that we intend to rule this land, and that he would be wise to hang with us.”

George put his hand to his chin. “And we better not threaten the little guy, so tell him if he says no, I won’t harm him. Tell him I only want something from the inside of his cave, and after I retrieve it, he’s free to go. I think if you tell him all that, it would be good enough for now.” George paused and then blurted, “But make sure you tell him that we would prefer it if he was with us.”

Kepler smiled as a jaguar would. He looked at George and for the first series of moments since their introduction, he jested. “That’s it? Are you sure there isn’t anything else that you want me to tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him, and tell him? I would hate for you to miss an opportunity to tell him something. It’s not like you’ve given me enough to tell him already. Perhaps I should tell him now. George, do you think I should tell him now?”

George rolled his eyes. “Just tell him, damn it!”

The demon-cat laughed, and after a few moments of speaking with Maldwin, he translated. “George, he said to tell you—”

George cut Kepler off. “I get it already. I sounded like a moron. You’ve made your point. Now get on with it.”

Kepler chuckled. “He’ll travel with us. He hates the cave his family lives in. He lives here only because his family wants to avoid you humans. A number of his family was killed by your kind, and he uses his visions only as a way to defend those he loves. That’s why he didn’t send Kroger walking down the pass toward the pool.”

George’s brow furrowed. “Okay, that makes sense. Then he realizes that his visions cause people to drown themselves.”

Kepler turned to Maldwin and proposed the question. “He said he thought the people simply left and never returned.”

George studied the rat’s demeanor. He could see that Kepler’s revelation was causing the rodent stress. “Damn, I think he looks remorseful. Does he know his home is called the Cave of Sorrow?”

Again, Kepler queried the rodent. As Maldwin looked toward the entrance, the jaguar translated. “He said he had no idea, George. All he wanted to do was protect his family. He’s the only one who can use the visions to make the humans go away.”

“Well, that’s good to know,” George replied. “What else can he