Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,266

he could make it there within 6 Peaks. “If I leave now, I can do some reconnaissance.”

George motioned for the guards to clear the room. Once they were gone, George commanded, “Senchae, I want you to gather the army and prepare for war. The Serpent King isn’t due to arrive for another 7 Peaks. I’ll leave now and teleport to the city of Champions. From there, I’ll head to the lake to see if I can gather information. If we’re lucky, I’ll learn more about these demon mares.”

George paused. “I should make it back before the moment comes to meet with the serpent. After I meet him, I can teleport the slimy bastard back to his home, or at least as close to his home as I can get. He can mobilize his army and wait for further orders. If part of Brandor’s army is going to be at the lake, we should destroy them while we can.”

The mage paused again. Kepler was watching from the shadows. The demon had crept in to listen in on their conversation.

George smiled. He had put a spell on the demon and his siblings to alert him when they were around. The mage did not like the idea that the demons could hide in the smallest of shadows without him knowing. The way Kepler’s brothers had appeared outside the Cave of Sorrow the day Kroger was turned to stone was eerie, and though Kepler was his ally, he also knew the cat was a master manipulator like he was. Manipulators always had to be alert for other manipulators.

“Kepler, dude, if you wanted to listen to what I was saying, you only had to walk in and make yourself at home. I keep no secrets from you. We’re partners, remember?”

The cat emerged from the shadows. “How did you know I was there? And what does ‘dude’ mean?”

“It means buddy, friend, or pal.” The mage unrolled the scroll and showed it to the cat. “Some hot chick appeared and gave this to me. I assume she was one of the gods, but I didn’t confirm it. Her name was Mieonus. Does that ring a bell?”

“Yes. She’s a goddess, but what she stands for, I don’t know.” Kepler sniffed the parchment in George’s hand. “What’s the message?”

George held it up. “It’s about the mist mares on Lake Zandra, but Senchae doesn’t know what it means. I was about to leave to gather information. Apparently, the first piece of the Crystal Moon is located on an island at the center of the lake.”

Kepler growled and then lowered to the floor. He licked himself as if he did not care.

George rolled his eyes. “Damn it, Kep, what do you know?”

The demon yawned. “Well, my dude, it’s—”

George interrupted. “No, Kep. Just say, dude. ‘My dude’ sounds like something Koffler would say.”

Kepler frowned. “Hmmm! Dude, it’s a good thing I showed up when I did. I know something about the mist mares, man.”

George reached out and gently slapped Kepler on the forehead. “Knock it off. You’re starting to sound like me. You’re not cool enough.”

“Oh, I’m cool, George. I’m like ice.” Kepler stood and moved to scratch his back on one of the wooden pillars. “Ahhhhhhh.”

George rolled his eyes. “You said you know something about the mist mares. Perhaps you could tell me during one of your free moments?”

Kepler dropped to his haunches, licked the inside of his right front leg and rubbed it across the top of his right ear before he responded. “I know about the mist mares. I also know the island at the lake’s center is covered with scorpions. We would have no difficulty moving about the island if you keep us from being seen.

“It’s the mist mares that concern me. They prowl their territory efficiently. They can see everything unseen. I know this firsthand. I tried to take a drink from the lake one night while traveling to Carlosam. Somehow, they saw me. They charged, but I was able to abandon the shoreline to avoid meeting my end. I don’t know why they didn’t follow me, but if they could have left the lake’s surface, they would have. They must be bound to the water. I’ve never seen such anger in a beast.

“The shortest distance to the island is from the north side of the lake. This is where we should start. If we can find a way past the mares, it will only be a half-Peak swim to the shore of the island. I hope