Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,270

blade’s response, the sorceress sneered. “I don’t like you, Kael. Why do you always have to be so rude?”

Kael’s pulse reflected his response. “Because you and this expendable army are a waste of my moments.” The blade pulled itself out of Sam’s hand and returned to its sheath. “I long for the old ways. Find yourself, Sam,” was the last comment the weapon made before the light of his pulse faded.

Shalee frowned. After a moment or two passed, she snapped, “I wish you could get rid of that sword, Sam. Why would Bassorine give you a blade that’s such an asshole? His reasons are beyond me.”

Kael responded from within his sheath. “And why Bassorine would ever waste Sam’s moments with a useless wench is equally beyond me! Just focus your minds on the problem and stop bothering me with your senseless babbling!”

Shalee glared at Sam’s hip. She raised her hand and thought about striking the blade with her magic, but after a moment, she turned toward the lake. The stallion began to float toward them. The archers adjusted their aim to keep the water beneath the beast disturbed. Everyone cleared a large circle for Shalee to set the stallion down. The men were careful to stay far enough back to avoid the stallion’s mist.

As Shalee lowered the stallion to the ground, the creature cried out, filling the air with a horrid shriek. The scream was so loud, the men were forced to grab their ears. Shalee lost her concentration, and the beast fell to the ground.

As soon as the first hoof touched the shore, a brilliant column of light shot into the sky. Even though it was the Peak of Bailem, the beam could be seen in all directions equivalent to a three Peak ride on horseback.

The army was thrown to their backsides as a shock wave smashed into them. The rest of the herd reappeared and rushed off the lake’s surface. Their hooves tore into the dirt as they raced through the ranks of the army toward the rolling countryside. Once they were out of sight, Sam called out to the general, “Michael ... it looks like Southern Grayham has its first herd of wild, ghost horses!”

Sam redirected his attention to his men and made sure no one was hurt. Once satisfied that all was well, he turned to face the stallion that was still bound by Shalee’s magic. “Go ahead and let it go, Shalee. Let him join the others.”

“Are you sure?” Shalee queried.

“Yeah, you might as well. He’s not pissed off anymore.”

As soon as Shalee released the beast, the stallion gracefully trotted over to Sam and stopped in front of the king.

Sam’s eyes widened. He had already commanded Kael to protect him from ice, but he gripped the handle of the sword just in case.

The stallion’s eyes glowed as both king and beast lost themselves in each other’s gaze. The horse silently communicated with Sam, and the king could hear the stallion’s voice in his mind. “Thank you. Too many seasons have passed since our entrapment.”

Sam did not need to speak to respond. For whatever reason, he instinctively knew that he was able to project his thoughts to this creature, “My name is Sam Goodrich. I’m the king of these lands. Should I be worried about your herd roaming my kingdom?”

The stallion whinnied, “These lands were here long before you, young king. But you needn’t worry. We shall run free and harm no one unless we’re provoked. Now that we aren’t confined, destruction is not necessary.”

Sam nodded. “That’s a relief.” The king paused in thought. “I would be honored to have a beast as majestic as you as my mount. Could we come to an arrangement?”

The stallion was not surprised by Sam’s request. “I serve no one, young king. But we both know you’re not just any man. An arrangement can be made. Send two of your men after the herd, and I shall send two colts and two fillies as payment for our release. For you and your queen, my mare and I shall carry you from this day forth.”

Sam desperately wanted to question the stallion, but he kept his thoughts to himself. Why did he say he knows I’m not just any man? And how did I know that I could project my thoughts to the stallion? Even Kael has been making remarks that I need to figure out who I am. None of this makes sense.

Since the king felt like asking questions would affect