Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,249

task at hand and faced the big barbarian. “Your child cries to live, Senchae. Why would I let him breathe another Peak? I know you came out of your city to end me. I also know it was without the knowledge of your army. You wanted to kill me before I had the chance to challenge you. Why would I change my mind? Why wouldn’t I kill the boy?”

All 550 pounds of Senchae sobbed like a baby as he answered. “I’ll give you my crown. Just let the boy live. I give you my word that I’ll do whatever you ask. Just take the boy back to his mother, and I’ll go with you in peace.”

George stood and grabbed the baby. He held him upside-down again in front of his father’s face. The screaming child reached for Senchae, but George pulled him back. “Do you take me for a fool? I’m not stupid. You don’t really believe I’d go into your city without a plan.”

The mage re-hung the child by his diaper on the jaguar’s tooth and moved within a hand of the king’s tear-filled eyes. He hissed as he noticed the puffiness of the dark skin surrounding them. “You’ll go with me, barbarian, and I’ll leave your baby behind with the cat. If you make so much as one wrong move, he’ll come out the back end of the cat as garesh.”

George stood and took a few steps away. He took a deep breath and exhaled over an extended series of moments. “Don’t worry, Senchae. I intend to release your son once I have your crown. As to your fate, you’ll pass in your arena as payment for sparing your boy’s life. You’ll be given your burial at sea, and I’ll personally harvest your organs. If you try anything stupid, I’ll turn you and your son to stone.”

George bent over and plucked a small worm off the ground that was crawling near a rock. He dangled it in front of the big man’s face and then smiled as the worm stopped wiggling, and its flesh turned gray. George crumbled it up in his fist and then dropped the dust to the ground.

The barbarian wept at the hopelessness of the situation. “I’ll do as you command. Please! Just give your word you won’t harm the boy once you possess my crown.”

“ What’s the boy’s name, Senchae?” George queried.

The man sobbed, “Sadridz.”

“You have my word that I’ll spare the child.” The mage took a seat next to Senchae. “But if you so much as think one wrong thought, Sadridz will become my favorite yard gnome.”

Senchae’s brow furrowed. He had no clue what George meant by yard gnome, but he did not want to argue. “I understand. We should go. My general will be wondering where I am.”

George agreed and then gave his orders. “Kepler, stay with the boy and keep an eye on him. When he gets hungry, feed him the bread from my pack. If I’m not back by tomorrow night, or if anyone tries to rescue the child, devour it and then get out of here.”

George made sure the king was paying close attention to everything he said. “Tell Maldwin the moment has come to implement our plan with the king’s people. Inform the tigers that I’ll be taking them into the city with me. Make sure they know they’ll be unseen like before. Ask them not to attack unless they’re given the signal.”

Kepler did as he was asked.

George looked at the king as he walked over to Kepler. “Are you sure you’re ready, Senchae? I’m only going to give you one chance to get this right.” He backed away and pointed at Kepler’s teeth as the cat yawned. “I’d hate to see your son torn apart.”

“You don’t need to remind me. Please! Allow me to say goodbye before we go.”

George waved his hand and the barbarian could feel his magical bonds release. “Don’t overestimate my generosity.”

Senchae shook his head. The barbarian moved to take up his son and quieted his cries.

George allowed the barbarian to hold his child for quite a while before he ordered Senchae to put him down.

The king nodded. He took his heavy, sleeveless shirt off to make a spot for the boy to sit.

As George watched Senchae rub his hands through his son’s hair, he was thinking, There might be a better use for you, Senchae. Killing you may not be necessary. I’ll investigate this on our way into your city. George paused as