Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,267

you’re strong enough.”

“Swim? Who needs to swim?” George mocked. “I’ve got an idea to get across. The only problem I have is with this riddle. I don’t know what it means. Apparently, it holds the key to getting past our little, demon pony problem.” George spread the scroll out on the floor so they could read it.

“This seems straightforward,” Kepler said.

After listening to everything the jaguar had to say, George looked at his map. “This is good. We’ll go to Athena’s home tonight, and in the morning, we can teleport to the city of Champions. From there, we’ll depart for Zandra’s northern shore.”

George reached up and ruffled the fur on Kepler’s huge neck. “You’re turning out to be quite the ally, Kep. What would I do without you?”

“I’m glad you’re pleased, George.” The demon took a step back. “But do you think you could stop touching me? It’s appalling to have a human be so caring. I’ve spent too many seasons eating your kind. My brothers have been jesting about our relationship. I want us to rule this world, but I have no desire for intimacy with you.”

“Intimacy? Hmmm. You don’t want to love me, Kep? You’re breaking my heart.” Grinning, George took the opportunity to poke fun. With the same voice he used to speak to a dog on Earth, he walked toward Kepler in a stalking manner. “Doesn’t my furry, little demon love his Georgy-worgy?”

The cat backed up as George drew closer.

“Kepler needs kisses. Oh yes he does. Come here and give Daddy kisses. Daddy-George loves his Kepler so, so much ... oh, yes he does.”

The Barbarian King laughed as he watched George chase the massive pussycat out of the room.

GEORGE left the city of Bloodvain, teleporting with Kepler and one of the tigers to Lethwitch. His wife’s pregnancy is causing emotional distress. Rather than leave in the morning, George has decided to pamper Athena to reinforce his love for her. They will not teleport to the city of Champions until Early Bailem the following Peak.

SAM’S hippogriff landed in Cottle. Soon after, Michael ordered the army to march.

When preparing for their journey, Shalee gave Helga the mask she took from Double D. Shalee has also given Helga the other half of a pendant necklace. The ladies are wearing them around their necks and have been giving each other frequent high-fives while traveling with the army.

LASIDIOUS is on his way to the world of Luvelles. He is going there to speak with the Head Master, Brayson Id. He will appear to the Head Master in Amar’s image, Brayson’s good friend and old Mystic Learner. There are many details that need to be discussed, and planning the future is in order to create diversions to keep the gods’ attention.

BJ sat on Sam’s throne and was pretending to be the king. He had asked everyone to leave the room, and then he lowered into the chair to get an idea of how Sam must feel. As it turned out, he pushed his luck a bit too far. He asked for his meal to be brought to him in the throne room. When the large woman arrived, she scolded BJ and pulled him by his ear into the royal dining hall and sat him down. BJ tried to object, but the woman, almost 20 seasons his senior, instructed him to be silent and eat his dinner without further trouble. The advisor ate without objection.

BJ would fall asleep that night and have wonderful dreams of Helga. In his visions, they stood near a brook that peacefully cascaded down a small embankment into a shallow pool. Sam was standing in front of them with Shalee standing to Helga’s left as her matron of honor. To BJ’s right, Michael handed BJ the rings. The ceremony was short, but lovely, and the kiss between BJ and Helga to celebrate their union was full of promise. It was the best dream BJ ever had.

Thank you for reading this edition of the Grayham Inquirer

CHAPTER 36

May the Best Man Win

5 Peaks Have Passed

SAM, MICHAEL, SHALEE, AND HELGA stood on the shore of Lake Zandra. It was not long after the water had been disturbed that the mist mares appeared. They were majestic, and numbered around 140. They looked like wild spirits, and they ran across the top of the lake with a graceful deadliness.

As the sun dropped below the horizon, the true color of the glow surrounding the water mist mare’s bodies magnified. It was an angelic blueish-white, and