Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,268

this color and glow extended into their eyes.

The absence of the sun seemed to effect the intensity of the mares’ screams as they threatened the army.

Shalee grabbed Helga’s hand. “They don’t look like any kind of demons I learned about as a child. I think they’re gorgeous.”

“I agree, Child. But they make me nervous.”

Shalee nodded. “They’re a bit pissy. I can see why folks are afraid of them.”

Sam walked past Shalee with Michael at his side and pointed toward the water. “Their hooves never touch the surface, and they all have reflections. So much for this being easy.”

“I noticed, Sire. What would you have me do?”

“I’m not sure. Nothing for now, I suppose.” He paused. “We might as well set up camp and establish a post to monitor the mares through the night? I want to know everything we can. We may be here a while.”

“Yes, My King.”

After camp was established, Michael ordered six men to throw rocks into the lake. The disturbance angered the mares. They charged the banks and stopped just before the water touched the shore. They breathed an icy mist that took the shape of flames in the direction of the men.

Sam patted Michael on the back. “It’s a good thing you ordered them to stay back. They’d be frozen right now if they hadn’t.” The king pondered the situation. “Tell the men to stop throwing rocks, and have them observe for a while.”

Michael did as instructed. Eventually, the mares settled down. When calm, they sounded like any normal horse. But every now and then, a monstrous shriek penetrated the night from a mare who stood isolated about a hundred paces away from the others. During the next short period of moments, Sam and Michael noticed that one of the other mares left the herd. It moved across the water to take this isolated mare’s place. It was as if they had their own version of the changing of the guard, and further, Sam noticed that both these ghostly horses were stallions, not mares.

“It appears water mist mares is not an accurate description,” Sam pondered aloud.

Michael put his hand to his chin. “Agreed. But water mist stallions doesn’t have the same ring to it.”

Sam shrugged. “I suppose. But no matter what they’re called, we still have a problem.”

By the height of the next Peak, Sam believed he had a solution to the problem.

The Northern Shore of Lake Zandra

The Peak of Bailem that Same Peak

George, Kepler, and the accompanying tiger arrived on the shore opposite Sam’s army. Kepler disturbed the water and rushed away from the edge. They waited for the mist mares to appear, but nothing happened.

“This doesn’t make sense,” the jaguar announced. “They should’ve arrived by now. These creatures are swift, and their prowess dominates the lake.”

George walked down to the water and sent a rock skipping. “I don’t know where they are, but I know I can teleport us to shore if they come for us. Let’s get going and make a run for it.”

Kepler growled. “Exactly how do you intend to run across water?”

“Duh! Not literally. Just watch.”

Kepler grumbled as the mage touched the water. A raft made of ice formed. Once they were aboard, George lowered his hand into the water and conjured a powerful wind that erupted from his fingertips. The big sheet of ice glided through the water toward the island.

Back on the Southern Shore

Michael ordered the army to prepare the boats for crossing. All that remained was for Sam and Shalee to figure out the problem with the herd.

“Shalee!” Sam shouted, “Come here for a moment! Do you see the stallion that keeps itself isolated?”

“I do.”

“Good. Use your magic to hold it in place. I’ll use my bow to disturb the water beneath it. Let’s see what happens.”

Shalee tried to snare the beast with her power, but she failed. “Tarnation!”

“ What’s wrong?”

“I can’t reach it. It’s too far away. I need to get closer.”

Sam looked across the beach, lifted his hands to his mouth and then shouted. “General, have the men throw stones into the water down shore! I need them to keep the herd’s attention while the queen moves toward the waterline!”

“Yes, Sire!”

The herd took the bait, and Shalee was able to make it to the water’s edge. During this series of moments, the stallion was in range, and the sorceress’ magic was able to trap it.

The ghostly horse cried for the others. They charged.

The speed of the mares forced Shalee to teleport to avoid the herd’s deadly