Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,30

is kind of exciting. It’s kind of scary, too. Heavens ... how will I know if I’ve used too much power?” She pulled her arm back and clapped her hands. “I can’t believe I get to do something so unreal.” Shalee’s mind continued as she placed her hand back on the staff, Maybe I can bring Chanice and my family here once I know what to do with this thing.

Mosley chuckled at Shalee’s reaction and then spoke with an enthusiasm of his own. “Your instincts will guide you. You’ll know when you’ve extended beyond your abilities.” The wolf snorted. “You’ll learn to avoid tragic outcomes by trusting your senses. This will take many moments to master, and your flanks will be punished.

“The staff’s power is only as strong as your inner strength, so practice often. As you grow, the power will become a natural part of you. It’s an impressive tool if you ask me.”

The wolf lifted his back leg to scratch the back of his neck. “I’ve seen similar staffs, though as Bassorine said, this one is special. You should be honored.”

Shalee looked at Bassorine and placed her other hand on the staff. “I may not understand it all yet, but lay it on me, big guy. Let’s get started.” She released her left hand and extended it. “Gimme a high-five.”

With a puzzled look, Bassorine responded, “Why would I give you a lifted number, lovely one? How does this ‘high-five’ relate to the staff? Numbers need not be involved.”

Shalee dropped her hand. “Really? Are you serious?”

“I am always serious,” Bassorine responded. “It will be up to you to name your staff.” He let go of the object.

Instantly, Shalee’s fingers tightened around its shaft. She lost control of her body and lifted from the floor. As she rose into the air, the light filling the great hall faded. Her arms flung to either side, and her back arched, pushing her chest forward.

Sam stood in awe. He watched as the clouds painted on the ceiling came to life. They emerged from the art and took form before lowering and stopping above Shalee’s head. As the clouds hovered, they rumbled and extended a number of wispy arms toward her body. Moments later, they detached and began to spin. As a cyclone formed around Shalee, it filled the hall with a mighty wind.

As the anger in the clouds magnified, Bassorine shouted. “The fury of the storm is building! Get behind me!”

Mosley did as instructed, but Sam did not move. A clap of thunder filled the hall as a storm of lighting shot forth from the clouds.

Bassorine grabbed Sam and pulled him away from the spectacle as lightning struck the pillars and scorched the floor where Sam’s feet had been. After ensuring Sam was safe, Bassorine continued to shout. “The staff is bonding with her! The ritual will weaken her! She will be tired and need to sleep!”

Instead of responding, Sam rose onto his toes and peered over Bassorine’s shoulder until the fury of the storm subsided. Eventually, the lightning stopped and the cyclone vanished. The clouds returned to the ceiling as the hall once again filled with light.

As Shalee drifted toward the floor, Sam could see the scorch marks the lightning had left behind on her pajamas. They were ruined, and one of the bunny ears that had been attached to the slipper on her right foot fell to the floor and crumbled to ash.

Watching Shalee fall limp to the floor, Sam reacted. He rushed to her side and knelt. Her breathing was shallow. The doctor lifted her into his arms, cradled her head and then checked her neck for a pulse. It was faint.

“What the heck did you do to her?” Sam demanded.

Bassorine walked over and stood above them. “Worry not. She’ll recover.” The god turned and motioned to Mosley. “Take Sam’s place. Give Shalee a pillow to lie on.”

Sam allowed Shalee’s weight to transfer onto the wolf’s body, then he moved aside.

Mosley nuzzled Shalee’s head with his nose until it rested upon a softer part of his belly. “There, that should do.”

Sam stood and looked at Bassorine. “I don’t want your gift if that’s what I have to go through.”

Smiling, Bassorine removed the bow from his back and presented it to Sam. “Your gifts require a different form of bonding. This is the Bow of Accuracy. There is none with its ability on any other world. With this weapon, you can strike down your enemies from great distances. The enemy must