pushed him down on the bed and licked her lips.
Sam smiled.
Shalee used her magic to break the leather string that tied the front of his shirt and then ripped it open.
The City of Bloodvain
Later that Peak
George teleported to an area near the wooden bridge outside the king’s castle-lodge. Arriving with all his cats cloaked in a veil of invisibility, he wanted to know how he would be received if the people thought he had arrived alone. The people’s faces were cold, but to his surprise, they bowed as he passed.
He had left Maldwin visible, and on this sunny Peak, the rat was sitting inside George’s pack. The rodent’s head was sticking out, and he was shouting gleefully at everyone as they passed, “Everything is A-okay, man!”
As the mage entered the throne room, seven barbarian men and six large women were collecting the general’s body. One of the men had climbed up onto the beam where Fergus’ body was suspended and had a hammer in his hand. No one spoke as George passed and took a position next to the king’s throne.
Senchae entered the room. Stopping next to George, he lowered into his royal chair and then looked up. “The man on top of the beam is the champion of my arena. His name is Churnach Fergus. He’s the general’s son. I wouldn’t expect a warm reception. I had a long conversation with the family this morning. They understand the general challenged you, but still...”
George turned away and made sure Senchae was the only one who could see his smile. “This is an awkward series of moments. I’ve never faced a family of someone I’ve killed before.”
Senchae did not appreciate George’s lack of sensitivity, but he smiled anyway to appease the mage. “Walk with me for a moment. I think it’s best if we take our leave and allow the family the opportunity to retrieve the body and grieve.”
The king walked with George into the hallway leading south out of the throne room. The mage shook his head. Everywhere he looked, more of the king’s stupid trophies lined the hallway.
“I’ve been doing some thinking, George. It should take the Serpent King 20 Peaks to arrive once he leaves his city. Do you know how long he’s been traveling?”
“I do,” the mage responded.
Suddenly, screams echoed from the throne room behind them. George glanced at Senchae and then ran toward the doorway. As they entered, bodies were flying everywhere and falling lifeless to the floor.
The king watched one of the heavyset ladies hit the wall on the far side of the room. As she fell limp to the floor, all Senchae could hear was the angry roars of the invisible beasts. A few moments later, the only one left alive was the barbarian champion. He was swinging his hammer through the air, but it was not long before he was disemboweled.
George waited for the commotion to stop. He waved his hand through the air. Seven blood-soaked cats appeared, standing over the bodies, some with large mouthfuls of fresh barbarian. Between Kepler, his brothers’ 4,000 pound frames, the 13 deceased barbarians, and the four 2,500 pound tigers, the throne room felt like he had stepped into an episode of The Twilight Zone.
The mage glanced at the king and shrugged. He walked into the room, careful to avoid the pools of blood. “Kep, what the hell’s going on? Look at the mess you made.”
The demon’s eyes flashed. “The son of the general said they were going to end you. The men with him said they should do it now while you were close and not heavily guarded. The women agreed and said you were ripe for fertilizing the soil of their gardens. It wasn’t wise to wait. Me and the boys … well … we took care of it. That’s what the Master of the Hunt does.”
Senchae responded before George could reply. “I can see that. George, your friends are creating quite the body count. Perhaps we could save the slaughter for the people of the south from now on.”
Kepler walked over to the king, looked Senchae in the eyes and growled as he spoke to George. “The big one ... the one he called Churnach Fergus, stated his king wanted you executed, George. I heard him say there was a reward for spilling your life’s source.” The jaguar anxiously waited to see what Senchae’s reaction would be.
Bloodvain turned to look at George. “My friend, I’ve said nothing. I’ve sworn my allegiance, and I would