Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,161

brother’s gaze. “Jaress, how did you acquire the griffin’s essence? I know of no healer on Grayham with access to this treasure.”

Shalee and Helga arrived to stand beside BJ as Jaress responded. “You can thank Soresym for saving your friend’s life. His Majesty sent word for me to come to the landing platform the night of your arrival. The Griffin Lord gave me his essence and instructed me to use it if ever your friend was to fall in battle. I know of no other man fortunate enough to have this bond.”

Shalee was a mess, and her eyes were filled with tears. Helga was holding her hand as the younger sorceress spoke. “Is he gonna die?”

Jaress found Shalee’s eyes. “A griffin’s essence is powerful. I’ll watch your friend throughout the night. We should know by morning.”

“His name is Sam,” Shalee said in a soft tone. “He’s got a name. Please use it.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Shalee knelt and lifted Sam’s head onto her lap. “When can he be moved? We can’t leave him lying here all night.”

Before an answer could be given, the loud voice of the arena headmaster filled the air. “Barthom Jonas, leave your fighter with your brother! There are matters that need to be discussed!”

“Now what?” Helga questioned. “You’re needed here. What could they possibly say that’s so important?” She turned to look at Shalee, “I’m sure everything will be alright, Child.” She redirected her gaze and focused on Sam’s trainer as she spoke about him. “BJ knows the politics of the arenas. Sam is in capable hands.”

BJ nodded and used Helga’s words as a source of strength to remove his concern from his face. He stood and put his hand on Helga’s shoulder. “I suspect this has something to do with the Minotaur King’s protests.” The expression on BJ’s face turned angry as he continued to speak. “Sam’s victory should not be tarnished, but he may have broken the law, and this may not be news we care to hear. I’ll return when I know more.” BJ rushed off.

Seeing the griffin’s essence was beginning to work, the healers accompanying Jaress rolled Sam onto the stretcher and carried the fighter off. Extending his hands, Jaress led the women into the healer’s vestry below the arena.

Athena’s Work

Later that Evening in Lethwitch

It was just after Late Bailem when Athena started her shift at her mother’s inn. She placed the flowers from George on the end of the bar and smiled. It was just a matter of moments before she would see George again and get the kiss she so badly wanted.

Athena moved about the inn, singing as she did odd jobs. She was dusting the bar when George finally arrived.

Sashaying across the room, she jumped into George’s arms. “Hello, honey,” she glowed. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’d love to finish the conversation we started.”

George pulled Athena close and gave her a warm kiss. “I’ve missed that smile of yours. I’m going to be in town for a while. I was hoping we could get to know one another. Maybe one of these evenings we could have dinner.”

Athena kissed the end of his nose, winked and then excused herself. She ran into the back room and rummaged through the kitchen. After a while, she returned with a basketful of food. “I’m free for the evening. My mother will do fine without me. We have extra help during the fights. There are torches out back. We’ll need to take a few with us.”

Leaving the inn, George admired the purple hues of Luvelles and the orange hues of Harvestom as both worlds approached opposite horizons. He liked the collection of moments called evening. Although smaller than when he first saw them, he could almost feel the vibrant colors of the setting worlds as the sun closed in on the end of the Peak.

He had learned while traveling with Kepler that both worlds would continue to move farther away from Grayham’s orbit. Eventually, they would become too distant to see. The demon cat said the red world of Dragonia would be the next sphere to become visible, followed by the dark world of Trollcom.

George felt romantic as he held Athena’s hand and walked south out of town. Soon, they came to a natural spring that bubbled to the surface. It was tucked behind a wall of foliage, and the area it covered was some 60 paces across. The spring was encircled by this wall, and there was a narrow path that led through the