Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,121

do with his visions?”

A long conversation followed between the jaguar and the rat. Eventually, George interrupted them. “So what’s he saying?”

Kepler cleared his throat. “He can channel the visions to evoke many emotions, not just sadness. Apparently, his family was given the gift to help with some sort of test. He doesn’t remember the details, but the rat does remember that this is why they received the power. Apparently, a group of dwarves was to be kept out of the cave. His family was to use the gift for this purpose, but the dwarves never showed. After that, they decided to use the visions to keep other predators away ... especially the humans. The power is a comfort to Maldwin, but he’s never used it with malicious intent. He simply wants to live in peace in his own territory.”

George laughed. “Tell that to the poor saps at the bottom of the lake.”

While George continued to muse over his response, Kepler remembered the reason why the dwarves never showed. He had been friends with the Serpent King, Sotter long ago. He knew it was the snake who had murdered the dwarves, but he never knew why. The Serpent King had asked Kepler for permission to slither through the Enchanted Forest. The message that was delivered by Sotter’s runner said, the Serpent King had some dwarves to kill near the Pool of Sorrow. They had a map of his kingdom, and he was going to get it back. The message never said what the dwarves were doing at the pool or anything about the cave.

The demon realized George now had the map that Sotter was after, but the jaguar could only guess what George intended to do with it. Perhaps he wants to make the serpents serve him or use the map to seize their territory, he thought. The map must possess secrets. Kepler now wished he had cared more about what the Serpent King had been up to. Why would the map take George inside the cave, especially if it depicts the serpents’ kingdom?

The demon further thought, Why would the dwarves need to enter the cave? This must be the reason why George needs to go inside. I wonder what he’s after. Is it what Sotter wanted? Why would two different beings have the desire to prowl the same territory?

Kepler would have to wait to find out until the human exited the cave with the answer. He thought it best to stay quiet since he could not do anything about it anyway. George was too powerful, and the human would destroy him if he tried to force the answer out of him. Besides—his connection with George was growing, and he could see that the human’s mind looked for every opportunity to dominate every situation. Perhaps this was not a bad alliance after all.

Kepler moved to the mouth of the cave and used the rocks to scratch his back as he continued to talk with George. “Maldwin said if you provide his family a safe lair, he will travel with us and remain loyal. He asked that you give your word that you’ll provide this haven of safety once you’ve gained the power you’re after. He also asked that you seal the cave. His family can use other escapes to hunt for food. He also wants to say goodbye to his family. This is important to him, and it’s non-negotiable.”

George thought a moment as he took note of the anxiety in Maldwin’s eyes. “Kep, do you believe him? Do you think we can trust him?”

“I do. I think the rat will be useful. He doesn’t have a devious bone in his body, but he’ll do whatever it takes to protect his family. I think you should use this to our advantage and allow him to travel with us. I may even be able to teach him to speak with you as we quest.”

George smiled at the cat’s use of the word quest. “Tell Maldwin...” He stopped and realized he was about to do it again. He took a deep breath and continued. “Oh my freaking hell, don’t tell him anything. Inform Maldwin that I’m agreeable to his terms. But I would like him to stay out here with you until I retrieve what I’ve come for.

“When I exit, Kroger will seal the cave after the rat has said goodbye to his family. Oh ... and please ask Maldwin to give Kroger some happier visions. I’m sick of listening to his big ass