Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,244

never gonna, George,” Koffler said with a stupid laugh as he choked on his food.

Kepler and Keller growled at their brother as if they were using the same mind. “Shut up, idiot!”

George continued. “Anyway, I want you to ask Maldwin, not tell him, to give the barbarian people a vision of how great we are when I give him the signal. I want to walk around Bloodvain and not worry about our safety. I also want him to send his visions to the king’s mages if we find ourselves in trouble. Just have him keep an eye out.”

Kepler did as George requested. “He says he understands, George.”

Once the four tigers arrived, George outlined the plan and then they were off to Bloodvain.

The four gods—Lasidious, Mosley, Mieonus, and Yaloom—still in their invisible state, watched as George divulged his plan to the cats.

“It will be interesting to see how this turns out,” Mosley said. “George is smart and a decent tactician, but he may still be underestimating the barbarians. They are a formidable people.”

Lasidious smiled. “Isn’t it great? Seven giant cats and a rat can also be formidable. When I told George about the staff, I never expected that he’d turn Maldwin into an ally. It’s unlikely, but he just might pull this off. I wish I could tell him how to do it. I’d like more of a guarantee that this is going to work.” The Mischievous One paused. “But where’s the fun in that?”

Mosley nodded. “I know what you mean. I wanted to tell Sam about Double D, but I was bound by the same law you are.”

The deceiver chuckled. “I wasn’t really talking about the law, but whatever. Sometimes the gods make the damnedest rules.”

“Agreed,” Mieonus interjected. “But the rules have their purpose, or they wouldn’t have been made.”

“I think it makes the game more interesting,” Yaloom added as he turned his attention away from George’s group. “Shall we follow them to see what happens?”

Lasidious responded, “Yes, let’s do that because talking to you is anything but interesting.”

Yaloom rolled his eyes. “You just can’t stop yourself, can you?”

The Mischievous One shrugged. “You make it too easy.”

Mosley sighed as they walked. “Being a god, and having the ability to summon what you want, kills any amusement that could be found in wagering on whether or not George will succeed. I so enjoyed wagering when I was mortal.”

Lasidious nodded. “Perhaps there is a way to find enjoyment through wagering. Instead of a reward for winning, we could punish the loser through embarrassing acts.”

“I like that idea,” Yaloom confirmed as he pulled a ring from one hand to put it on the other. “Wagering could provide a few laughs. Let’s swear on the Book of Immortality that we must perform the acts of punishment ... providing they don’t embarrass us in front of our followers.”

Lasidious smiled. “I’ll agree to that. How about you, Mosley?”

The wolf grinned. “This is the most cub-like thing I’ve agreed to in many seasons, but it’ll be fun. I never thought gods would do something so foolish.”

Outside of Bloodvain

Later that Evening

The gods found a large rock and took a seat on it to watch the meeting between George and Senchae. Yaloom was unable to sit. He had lost the first wager. He had to stand with his robes draped over his right arm, and as his punishment, he had a large, red bow placed over his privates until the next wager was settled.

Senchae and his mages were now within eyesight of George. They dismounted their large horses, a breed common to the north. The stallions were predominantly black with white socks, and they had matching splotches across their flanks. They were capable of carrying the weight of the barbarian people.

The mages tied the horses’ reins to a nearby tree. They then walked with their king toward George. Both sides were cautious as they drew closer, but George was relaxed as he stood with Maldwin in his arms and only Kepler at his side.

Yaloom looked down at his bow. “This isn’t what I had in mind. I hate red.”

“Shut up, and pay attention!” Mieonus snapped.

Mosley grinned as Lasidious held up his hand. “Shhhh. I want to watch without you two babbling.”

George took a deep breath as the barbarians stopped in front of them. The king was massive, a true freak of nature, the likes of which George had never seen. Senchae’s dark skin only added to this perception. Damn! That’s the biggest black guy I’ve ever seen, George thought.

George