Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,261

knew the other members of the Collective and the Book of Immortality had been waiting. They were all sitting around the large, stone table where the Book’s golden stand rested.

“Thank you for coming,” Lasidious announced. “The moment has come to give the location of the first piece of the Crystal Moon. As I’m sure you can imagine, it has been hidden on Grayham.”

Mosley interrupted. “I was under the impression you were going to divulge the location of the first two pieces.”

“And I shall do that, but not on this Peak. Shall I continue, or does anyone else have a question?” Lasidious looked around the table. “As I was about to say, the first piece has been hidden on Scorpion Island at the center of Lake Zandra. I’ll—”

Alistar interrupted. After adjusting his robe and running his hands through his short, brown hair, he looked at Lasidious through a pair of brown eyes that complemented his thin face. “That lake is haunted by the mares you created when we crafted these worlds. You know they’re deadly. The people of Southern Grayham make it a point to steer clear of the lake. The mares could destroy the armies of every kingdom if you had not bound them to the water.”

Hosseff, the shade-god, cut in, “How do you expect the mortals to get to the island? The mares patrol the lake’s surface. If they aren’t there when the armies try to cross, they’ll be there before they get to the other side. We all know what will happen then. Their demise will be quick, and if they do manage to get to the island, the Scorpion King’s kind will rip them apart. I don’t see any way for either side to get this piece of crystal.”

Lasidious chuckled. “Do you really think that I’d put the crystal where it stood no chance of recovery? There’s no fun in failure. I told you I don’t want the worlds destroyed. This is just a game. The mist mares do have a weakness.”

Everyone in the room nodded, but Calla was the one to speak. Her voice was soft and silky. “I would like to be reminded of this weakness. Too many seasons have passed.” She brushed her short, auburn hair aside and then made sure the sapphires on her headpiece were centered on her forehead before she reached down to ensure her dress was tucked around her knees.

Lasidious shook his head. “I’m not going to tell you the answer. It would ruin the game.”

Mosley could not believe the ignorance of his team. They had known the God of Mischief for too many seasons, yet they still insisted on asking questions that they knew would never be answered.

Walking around the table, the wolf decided to take control the conversation. “Lasidious, correct me if I’m wrong, but there must be a twist. I believe you should provide a clue to the people. This way, they might stand a chance against the mares.”

Lasidious admired the wolf as he watched Mosley sniff the base of Yaloom’s chair. “You know, Mosley, I’m proud to have you as one of us. There are moments when I get sick of how witless the others have become.”

As the room exploded, Mosley and Lasidious held each other’s gaze, a mutual respect passing between them as the voices of the Collective echoed off the marble walls. The fact they were pursuing different goals did not matter.

Lasidious ignored the fuss for a bit longer before he turned his attention back to the table. “Shut up! I don’t care if you dislike how I feel. If it was up to me, the only one in this room I’d keep around would be Mosley. If I had the power to do so, I’d destroy all of you.”

The god glanced around the table at the angry faces. When he came to Mieonus and Calla, he offered peace of mind. “Now that I think about it, I would also keep the two of you. You too, Jervaise … your beauty is without equal when you’ve materialized. Your ghostly form is far too beautiful to destroy.” The Mischievous One’s attention turned to the lizardian. “But you, Lictina … you’re about the most unsightly thing I’ve ever seen. Put your tongue back in your mouth, and sit down.”

Those complimented smiled as Lictina lowered to her chair and continued to express her hostility.

The Book of Immortality floated across the table toward Lasidious and then commanded everyone’s attention. “It doesn’t matter how Lasidious feels. As long as