its smooth surface, and soon the large ball of energy was floating in front of him.
There was a long silence as he stood watching. He was about to speak, but the air filled with a song. The sound was beautiful, heavenly in fact. Though the lyrics were in another language, somehow, George could understand their meaning. Through song, the creature called itself a wisp. Further, it requested to be called by the name Cadromel.
“I know why you have come, George. Have you brought the envelope?”
George removed the envelope from his pocket and held it in front of him.
This seemed to satisfy Cadromel. “Are you prepared to surrender it in exchange for information?”
George nodded, “I’m ready to listen.”
Once again, the lyrics filled the night air. The harmonics of the wisp’s heavenly sound reverberated against the water of the pond. George watched as tiny waves beneath the sphere rolled away as if a pebble had been dropped beneath it. As the wisp’s song came to an end, the gentle roll of the waves dissipated.
George looked at the center of the wisp’s mass. “I understand. I already know the question I would like to ask. I would like to know how I can use my ability to rule this world?”
The energy moving inside the wisp looked like a controlled storm as it released short bursts of baritone notes. It felt like the creature was laughing.
“What’s so damn funny?” George queried. “Don’t you know the answer?”
The wisp went silent. The orb’s light dimmed, and the energy within its spherical body stopped moving. George was about to say something else when, suddenly, the creature released a blinding light that was combined with a thunderous, bass-toned eruption. Within this much darker melody, a powerful message was delivered.
George heard it loud and clear, despite having to cover his ears.
“Who are you, mortal, to speak to the wisdom of the ages in a manner most unbecoming of the god whom you represent? Kneel before me on the banks of this pond, or the information you seek shall forever remain locked within my eternal mind. Bow now, or leave my home none the wiser!”
Frightened, George did as he was told. He rushed to take a knee and lowered his head. He kept his eyes shut to protect them from the blinding light that penetrated the night. His mind ran wild with thought. He had no idea the wisp thought he was here to represent a god. He now believed it was Lasidious who was responsible for sending him on his quest ... not this supposed mage named Morre. “I’m sorry, Cadromel. Please forgive my rudeness.”
The wisp’s light faded, and its song went silent. An extremely long series of moments passed before the sphere decided what he wanted to do. As Cadromel hovered with his light diminished, he thought, This mortal possesses the knowledge I desire on his person. If I send him away without revealing the answer he seeks, I’ll never know Lasidious’ mind. Ohhhh, how I miss the Peaks of slaughter. If only I could devour this mortal and take the envelope from him. Curse the Collective and their laws of governance over the temple. Why do they protect the weak?
George was too nervous to move. He might as well have been a statue. Never in his life did he feel more insignificant than he did at this moment. It felt like sweat was pouring from every gland, and his mind was screaming, Stay still, George! Stay still. Just be still. Don’t piss this thing off anymore than you already have. Who knows what this freaking thing will do? Holy hell ... I miss home.
The glow within Cadromel’s sphere returned. I shall give this insolent human what he’s after. I want him out of my sight.
The wisp’s melody was soft and carried a sense of peace as it delivered the information necessary to rid itself of George’s presence.
Soon, George knew all about the Barbarian Kingdom. The barbarians would not know of his ability, and he would be able to enter Bloodvain’s arena without suspicion.
Once again, the light of the sphere became blinding. When George removed his hands from his face, the wisp was gone and so was the envelope. He had to wait for his eyes to adjust before he headed back to camp.
Though shaken from the experience, George now knew how to put his power to its best use. But had he created an enemy while gaining this knowledge? His face was a series of chaotic expressions