from the north to have pride. A true barbarian would never cower from a challenge.” Kepler paused for effect. “Perhaps the king’s son is secretly a female of his species.”
George laughed. “Not much of a territorial force, is she?” Out of the corner of his eye, the mage could see the king was about to blow. “I don’t think Senchae knows his son should be wearing a dress.”
George and all the cats were now laughing. Even Maldwin laughed, though the rat did not know why. It just felt like the proper thing to do.
This was all it took for Senchae’s pride to seize control of his emotions. “My son is not a girl! If he were old enough, I would allow them to battle. I would get no greater satisfaction than watching your seed perish in my arena.”
George turned the heat up another notch. He shouted his next statement and took a stab at a confession. “Are you telling me that your son isn’t even old enough to beat a girl of only five seasons? You’re lying, Senchae! You’re scared to put him in the arena!”
Bloodvain cursed. “A boy of three seasons cannot be expected to fight! Let it be! You and I can settle this dispute!”
George took a step back and smiled. “You said too much. Your child is mine now, Senchae.”
The king sighed. He had given George exactly what he was after. Senchae pleaded, “Please. There must be a way to settle this dispute between us. I can give you anything you desire. What is your wish?”
Once again, George laughed and then he spoke in a tone that even sent a chill up the gods’ spines. “I want to end your son!”
The king cried out as George issued the demon-jaguars his orders. “Kepler, take one of your brothers into the city. Find the boy, and bring him to me. Leave one of your brothers behind so that I can communicate with the tigers.”
George leaned over and whispered in Kepler’s ear, “I would prefer the smarter of the two, if you don’t mind.”
“I will take Koffler with me. But what of the noise the child will make when we carry him out of the city?”
George took a piece of cloth from his pack. He tore a long, thin strip from it, and then tied it around Kepler’s neck. He waved his hand across it twice and the strip disappeared. “That will keep him silent. As long as you have the boy in your mouth, he won’t be heard.”
Kepler enjoyed the cries of the Barbarian King for a moment, and then the demons ran toward the city in the fading light.
After a moment, George found the anticipating eyes of the tigers. He asked Keller to give the order for the cats to drag Senchae’s mages into the trees. “Tell the tigers to have at them.”
Keller nodded. “They’ll be happy about that, but I don’t think they’re fond of you.”
“I don’t need them to like me. I just need them to obey. Besides, they’re getting a free meal. They should just shut up and eat.”
“As you wish,” Keller responded. The jaguar moved into the trees to join his feline companions in severing limbs.
George listened to the deep growls of the feeding cats for a moment, awed at the veracity of their snarls. He turned back to the king. “That could’ve been you, Senchae.”
He lifted his hand into the air and used his magic to carry Senchae’s big frame deep into the brush. Taking another piece of cloth from his bag, he used it as a gag. He needed to keep the road clear until Kepler returned with the king’s son.
NIGHT has fallen across Southern Grayham. George built a fire that he could put out quickly if need be while Maldwin ate his cheese and fell asleep.
The mage has commanded two tigers to stand guard over the Barbarian King and directed the others to watch for unwanted visitors from the edge of the tree line.
MOSLEY, Yaloom, Mieonus, and Lasidious are sitting by the fire, invisible to the mortals. Yaloom and Mieonus are in the wagering penalty box. They are wearing each others’ clothes since they were wrong about George killing Senchae.
CELESTRIA is 32 Peaks from having her baby. The elven witch family is now pleasant to be around as a result of their last conversation. The goddess has cooked everyone dinner, and despite her obvious lack of talent for the culinary arts, the family appeased her as they eagerly ate the dried-out