Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,310

the armies so the griffins will be ineffective. Set the trees on fire to light the battlefield.”

High above, Goss observed the barbarians’ movements. He turned his eagle head to look over his shoulder to inform the queen.

Shalee teleported. When she reappeared, she was standing next to Sam. “The barbarians are headed this way. They didn’t retreat like we thought they would. They’ll be here soon. You need to prepare.”

Sam shouted to his legion leaders. “Prepare the army! We attack now!”

“Yes, Sire!”

Shalee called the legion leaders to her. After touching their shoulders, she explained, “Have each of your men touch you. Once they do, their eyes will be able to see in the darkness. This should give you the advantage.”

“Yes, My Queen.”

As the legion leaders ran off, Sam placed his hand on Shalee’s shoulder. “That’s a nifty trick.”

Shalee smiled. “I know, I’m a bit of a freak, huh?” The queen vanished.

It was just before the height of midnight when the cry was given. “Charge!” the legion leaders shouted as they ordered the army into battle.

From the king’s hip, Kael screamed with glee, his sharp edges begging for action. When the king did not unsheathe the blade, Kael quieted once he realized that Sam would not be entering the fight.

The king turned and ascended a large mound of lava stone to keep watch.

Shalee had hitched a ride on Goss’ back, sending her fireballs into the advancing barbarians. More than 300 bodies were torn apart before Senchae’s army collided with Brandor’s.

Swords, maces, war hammers, shields, and bodies plowed into one another as blood saturated the earth. The griffins, along with the hippogriffs, once again descended upon the rear of the barbarian horde, smashing them like grapes. But soon the fight became too tight, and the winged warriors had to pull back.

Not long after, Goss landed next to Sam. “We can no longer assist. The rest is up to your army. My kind is too large to fight in close. This form of combat would hurt your men as much as the barbarians. We will take to the skies and keep watch. If an opportunity presents itself, we will seize it.”

“ Thank you, my friend,” Sam replied. “Brandor owes you a debt.” The king looked up. “Shalee, hop down and stay with me. I need your help.”

Shalee floated to the ground and then patted the feathers on Goss’ neck. “Be careful.”

Goss took to the sky.

Sam tossed his torch to the ground. “I need you to use your power on my eyes. I need to be able to see through the darkness.”

“Why?”

“Just do it, please!” Once Shalee’s magic took effect, Sam lifted his bow and began firing arrows into the night.

By the next morning, the bears and the Minotaur had torn apart Kepler’s undead army. Hundreds of skeletons had been tossed into three large piles. Each skull was furious, cursing and calling out orders for their arms and legs to work their way from their respective piles back to their torsos. The shifting of the piles caused a frightful clattering as the bones bumped against one another. Despite the noise, the Minotaur and bears enjoyed the spectacle as they picked the wriggling arms and legs off the ground and tossed them to the top of the pile. Every moment this happened, a much stronger curse filled the air from the head of the skeleton that owned the bones.

The Peak of Bailem had come and gone, and the moment had arrived for the General Absolute to create his legacy—or solidify his passing.

Michael lifted his sword horizontal to the ground and pointed it at the Barbarian King despite his exhaustion. “You and I can settle the outcome of this war!”

Michael’s plate armor was battered. His blue eyes were bloodshot, and it took every last ounce of his strength to stand in front of the Barbarian King and call him out.

Senchae dismounted, his hard, leather armor covered in blood, and moved to a position in front of Michael. The barbarian stood more than a pace taller than the General Absolute and outweighed Michael by 300 pounds. Though a large man, the general appeared diminutive next to the Barbarian King.

The horn of the Barbarian General sounded. Both armies stopped fighting and turned their attention toward the two men.

Senchae was the first to speak. “I admire your courage, swine. I’d like to know the name of the man I intend to end.”

It took everything within Michael to claim his bravery. “Knowing my name seems insignificant. When you’re dead, that memory