Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,45

will be camping there 3 Peaks from now.” She smiled. “It’s your decision, Kepler. I’m sure there are other beasts who would be willing to accept this honor. I’ll just let them know you weren’t up for the task, if you choose to decline.”

The demon-jaguar hissed. “The task is simple enough. Of all the cats roaming the plains, I’m the obvious choice. But a trek of this magnitude would take 30 Peaks. I cannot cross the mountains in only three without peril.”

Celestria pointed at what appeared to be the right leg of a barbarian Kepler had killed earlier in the day. “I’ll put a blessing on your dinner. This will give you the stamina you need to make it to the pool before the human arrives.”

“You’re saying this blessing will allow me to journey around the mountains in only 3 Peaks?”

Celestria nodded.

“Why are you doing this, Goddess? Why do you care about my existence?”

Celestria rubbed her hands through the fur on each side of Kepler’s snout. Though her size paled in comparison, she was firm and loved the way the demon-cat loathed every moment of her touch.

“Of all the great cats who serve me, you’re my favorite. But it must be your decision to fulfill your destiny. I won’t come to you again. This is your only chance to seize the territories you’ve long desired.” The goddess kissed the tip of Kepler’s gigantic nose and enjoyed the cat’s discomfort. “I sure hope the human doesn’t kill you.” She vanished.

The demon-jaguar let out a mighty roar that caused the birds clinging to the face of the walls of the pass to take flight. He shook to rid himself of the goddess’ unwanted advances. After a moment of staring at the blessed leg, he ripped the flesh from the bone.

Just North of Lethwitch

George was sick to his stomach. The blackness opened and spit him out like rotten food. He appeared high above the ground, and now he was focused on his end.

Just before impact, he closed his eyes, but to his surprise, he landed on something soft. A loud scream erupted beneath him as his descent came to a halt.

George waited before he opened his eyes. Whatever he landed on was hurt. He opened his right eye to peek. A moment later, he lifted himself off a massive, heavyset man.

Before the jerk inquired if the man was alright, George looked himself over. Everything seemed intact, except his clothes that were tattered. Damn, I can’t believe I didn’t break anything.

The man cried out once again.

George rolled his eyes, annoyed, and pulled his attention off his dangling shirt pocket. “Are you all right?”

“I think you broke my back!” the man wailed.

“Dang,” George replied. “That sucks. Can you feel your legs? Is there anything I can do to help?” George grabbed the man’s bag and rifled through it to see if there was anything he could use.

“Find the powder,” the man groaned. “It’s in a copper tin. Add it to the water in my hide.” He groaned again. “It’ll dull the pain.”

George did as instructed and administered the tonic. “How’s that feel ... better?”

“Much,” the man sighed as if the potion had an instantaneous effect.

“Now what should I do?” George queried.

“Could you help me up against a tree? I have friends who’ll be coming this way. They’ll be able to lay me on their wagon and take me to the healers’ vestry.”

George politely smiled and then thought, Yeah sure they will… if they can get your big ass onto the wagon first.

After another swig of tonic, George took the opportunity to move the man against the nearest tree. He grunted as he struggled to move the man’s heft. In a winded voice, he fell onto his backside and said, “Why did you catch me?”

“I didn’t catch you. You fell on me.” The man looked up. “I was walking, and the next thing I knew, you landed on me. It’s not like men fall from the sky every Peak. Did you fall from one of the hippogriffs?”

“Hippo what?” George replied. “You must be drunk. I’m not even sure what happened. One minute, I’m on a statue looking at a rock, and the next, I’m falling. If you hadn’t come along, I’d be eating dirt right now.

The man looked puzzled. “What is this ‘minute’ you referred to?”

George’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

Lasidious smiled inside as he continued to play the part of the fictitious traveler. He was going to enjoy playing with George’s mind. He redirected