Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,43

sporting dark-brown feathers with white tips. The feathers covering his head were also white, and his beak possessed an amber hue that matched the setting sun. The rest of its body was covered by tan fur. The beast’s massive paws on its back legs touched down first while its razor-sharp, front talons grabbed hold of a round beam that rested just above the surface of the platform. The creature lifted its head, scanned the area with its piercing eyes and then shrieked.

Sam watched in awe as Mosley walked up to the creature without fear. Though dwarfed, the wolf shouted orders in a foreign language. To Sam’s surprise, he understood pieces of the language, but again, he failed to comprehend why. He made a mental note and kept the discovery to himself.

“I asked the beast to wait until we return from the temple. We should hurry. Griffins are not known for their patience.”

After Sam finished dressing, he changed Shalee and cautioned Mosley that, if asked, he was to tell Shalee a temple maid dressed her. He wanted her dignity to be left intact. But Sam did admit, however, that he enjoyed completing the task.

Sam’s thoughts ran wild as he secured Shalee’s headpiece. You’re breathtaking. The outfit Bassorine left for you makes you look like a princess. How nice would it be if I was your prince?

Mosley showed Sam where a large pouch, full of food, had been prepared. The wolf explained the journey to Brandor would take 6 Peaks by air. Fortunately, the moments necessary would be provided to sleep, since the wolf really did need to sleep.

They made sure they had everything they needed before they left and watched as the temple doors were sealed. No one would be allowed to enter until the Crystal Moon was returned. The sign on the temple door read:

Temple Closed

For Inquisitive Minds,

We are Gods, and We Don’t Owe

You an Explanation

(Fellow soul ... I’m just kidding. The sign didn’t say that.)

Sam lifted Shalee onto the griffin’s back, and then he climbed up. After securing their weapons with leather straps that were attached to the saddle, he tied Shalee in. Sam gulped as the beast walked to the edge of the platform.

“Hold on!” Mosley shouted as best he could while biting down on another set of straps. “This is going to be exhilarating!” The wolf dug his claws into the leather of the saddle.

They dropped off the edge and fell more than 4,000 feet before the griffin opened his wings and swooped out over the picturesque landscape.

Soresym [Sor-e-sym]

CHAPTER 5

Broken Back

LASIDIOUS WAS STILL SITTING at his table, watching through the transparent wall of his cave-like home as George continued to tumble. The Mischievous One was deciding how he wanted to make his introduction. After rolling up a map of Grayham, the god chose a field near the Enchanted Forest to stage his rescue.

Close by, was a town called Lethwitch. He would drop George just outside of town. This location would give the mortal the moments necessary to get the supplies he would need before heading north to the Pool of Sorrow.

The Town of Lethwitch

to the north, the Pool of Sorrow

East of the Pool is the Cave of Sorrow

Skeleton Pass Runs North and South of Gessler Village

George needed to be at the pool in 3 Peaks, which left no room for wasted moments. The Earthling would not be able to wander about sightseeing. He waved his hand, and George disappeared.

Lasidious pushed back from the table, put the picture of Abbie in his front pocket, grabbed the map of Grayham and a leather pack from his bedroom and then vanished.

The Mountains of Latasef

Skeleton Pass

The goddess approached the demon-jaguar, Kepler. The giant cat, over 25 feet long from tip to tail, had a smooth, shiny, black coat that conformed to his powerful, muscular stature. His claws were sharp as knives, terrifying to most, but not Celestria, Goddess of Beasts.

Kepler yawned as she approached. His large mouth had been the instrument of death for many men. The cat’s teeth were white, except for the yellowish stains at their base from the blood of man-flesh. As he closed his mouth, he stood and stretched his legs, neck, and back.

“You dare come into my lair as if you belong,” he snarled. “Can you not see the dead that lie with their bones scattered throughout my pass? Are you not afraid of my skeleton army? I should summon them to gut you where you stand. This is my territory!”

“I go where I wish,” Celestria