Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,163

in the healer’s vestry beneath the arena.

Jaress returned, carrying breakfast—corgan milk and muffins. “Any movement while I was out?”

“I’m afraid not,” Helga replied.

The heavy, wooden door to the vestry opened. BJ walked in, followed by the arena headmaster, Lorund. Upon seeing them enter, Shalee stood from her seat, set her muffin on the table next to Sam and braced herself for bad news. The grim looks on the faces of both men caused her to retrieve Precious from the corner of the room.

Lorund, a strong, gray haired man with brown eyes, was the first to speak. He was still dressed in his black, leather armor that bore the symbol of the Kingdom of Brandor. “The Minotaur King has requested that Sam’s life be surrendered in exchange for the death of his champion.”

Shalee gasped, “Why? Sam beat him fair and square. I won’t let them have him. He’s practically dead already.”

“Child, it’s not that simple,” Helga responded. “There are laws the combatants must live by. Hear the man out.”

“Laws or no laws, I’m not going to let them have him. I’m not giving Sam to some bull-faced losers.” Shalee tapped the butt end of Precious on the floor. “I’ll give ‘em what for. You tell them to come down here, and I’ll show them another way to die. I dare them to try to take Sam off this table.”

BJ laughed. “I admire your spirit, Shalee, but you won’t need to use magic on anyone. After a long debate, we have determined that Sam’s actions were acceptable. The fight was to be without weapons. Terrogon was the first to use a weapon during the battle. When he tried to use the pillar to crush Sam, he broke the law by which he chose to fight. Sam’s use of Terrogon’s horn as an instrument of death was justified. Sam no longer had to abide by the rules set by the roll of the dice.”

“That’s great!” Shalee exclaimed. “Then Sam’s free to go when he wakes up.”

Lorund shook his head in disagreement. “I would not consider this a joyous outcome. The Minotaur do not agree with my ruling, and they will remember Terrogon’s passing. I know their race. If I was you, I would see to it that Sam never encounters another one. I would not be surprised if the Minotaur King puts a bounty on Sam’s head.”

“What kind of crap is that?” Shalee snapped. “That’s not sportsmanlike at all.” The younger sorceress crossed her arms. “I hate sore losers. They wouldn’t make good Texans. We would’ve been downright embarrassed to know folks like that.”

Lorund looked at BJ, then at Helga and then at Jaress. “What is she talking about? Is she foreign?” He turned to look at Shalee. “Is Texas on one of the other worlds? I have read nothing of it in all my studies, and I’ve never heard anyone speak as you.”

Helga cut in, “You know how young ones can be. I’ll handle her. You go about your business. I’m sure your family is expecting you. Thank you for clearing matters up.”

Lorund nodded. “There are other issues that I must attend to. I have been informed that there is a woman sitting in the stands who has passed. Her weight is abnormal for her size. She will require a significant number of men to carry her to the wagon waiting outside. It’s as if she is made of stone.”

It was not long after Lorund’s departure that Sam stirred.

Jaress quickly moved to keep the fighter still.

Once Sam’s eyes opened, the fighter realized where he was.

Jaress took the moments necessary to explain. After Sam acknowledged he understood, the healer uncorked the essence of the griffin and lifted Sam’s head. “I need you to drink. This is a powerful elixir. Your wounds will heal quickly.”

Sam took three, large swigs. His body tingled. Despite the blood loss, the paleness of his skin faded.

Sam managed a weak voice, “That doesn’t taste like any medicine I’ve ever had. It’s sweet. What was it?”

“The essence of His Majesty, the Griffin Lord, Soresym,” Jaress responded with admiration. “I have never met another man who has ever been given this honor.”

Sam chuckled, but the pain caused him to stop. Once he collected himself, he responded. “I knew we bonded, but I had no idea that Soresym considered me worthy of his essence. Exactly what part of the griffin does his essence come from? Is it a special gland?”

BJ looked across the table at his brother and grinned. “I would love