Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,253

king. It was bad enough he had been sleeping on the ground, something he would never have done on Earth, but now he was faced with the likelihood of spending the rest of his life in a wooden shack. He hoped the king’s castle was much nicer. If it was, he would find a room there until he could build something that was more suited to his tastes. He was not about to live like an animal, and he missed his Gucci clothes.

As it turned out, Senchae’s home was nothing more than a giant lodge. It was nicer than the rest of the city, but the mage felt it looked like the home of the Brawny paper towel man. It was not a place for George. He would have to figure out a way to renovate, but for now, this termite buffet would have to suffice.

Everywhere George looked, he saw trophies from the king’s hunts. Heads of animals that looked like deer, boar, mountain goat, Minotaur, mounted fish, and various birds hung all over the walls. Life-sized stuffed animals in various poses were scattered throughout the structure. He saw bears, gorillas, buffalo-like beasts, and after the third giant cat, he stopped Senchae.

Kepler and his posse were agitated. The idea of their feline family being used as trophies was not sitting well with them. “Ummm ... Senchae, perhaps you should get rid of the stuffed cats,” George suggested.

The king was quick to apologize. He had his servants take the trophies out of the castle-lodge. This seemed to pacify the cats, and Kepler was able to calm his subjects.

Once in the throne room, the king sent Sadridz to find his mother. A moment later, the general entered with three high-ranking officers of the Barbarian Army. From the door they entered, they did not see their king’s travel companions since their backs were to them.

Fergus expressed his concern, “Sire, rumors are spreading through the city. They say you travel with undesirables. Is it true that you’ve allowed a southerner through the gates?”

Senchae looked around his general and nodded his head in George’s direction.

The leader of the army spun around. Realizing he had spoken in front of the king’s company, he faced Senchae and bowed. “Sire, please forgive my intrusion.”

Bloodvain frowned. “Stand up, Fergus! If the moment of your intrusion had been less than perfect, I would’ve had you beaten.”

George smirked. “General, I wouldn’t call my group undesirable. I’d call us diversified.”

Senchae grinned and then slapped his hand against the arm of his throne. “Introduce yourself to George, Fergus. I met him south of the city. He shall be my consulate.”

“What?” Realizing his tone, the general added in a softer voice, “My King, your consulate? How could you possibly let this … this—”

“This what, General?” Senchae questioned as he held Fergus’ glare.

George interrupted. “Are you suggesting I’m not capable of performing the task, or are you bothered because I’m not barbarian?”

Fergus looked at Senchae as if he was asking permission to confront the man from the south.

Senchae smiled as he looked at George. “Are you prepared for barbarian hospitality?”

“That’s what I’m here for,” the mage replied. “I think I’ll fit right in.”

Senchae slapped his hand again on the arm of his throne. “Then go ahead and speak your mind, Fergus.”

George decided to say something to stir things up before the general could speak. “I can handle this, My King.”

The thought of George calling Senchae his king angered Fergus. His dark-brown complexion portrayed his hostility as he flung his braids clear of his eyes. “You’re one of those pathetic souls from the south! Who are you to come into my home and act as if my king is your own?”

The manipulator held the general’s chaotic gaze. “I’m the guy who’s going to be protecting your king from now on. It seems you have a shortage of qualified subjects around these parts. Where were you when the king’s mages failed him? Where were you when his son was taken from his bed in the middle of the night?”

“Bahhhh! I don’t answer to you! I’d rather bash your skull in. I despise your ignorance.”

“Ignorance? The last series of moments I checked, there was no ignorance in true statements. Let’s face it, Fergus, you were nowhere to be found. You didn’t know where your king was. I’ll bet no one knew his son was gone until this morning. Maybe you should have used the word insolence. This would better describe the way I’m speaking to you. I’m pretty