Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,47

flows into the Cripple River. It reveals the location of a hidden treasure. I was going to retrieve it and sell it. The map is worth an amount of coin that I’ve never had or been able to imagine. The only thing worth more than the map is the treasure it leads to. I would go after it myself, but the beast inside the cave ends the lives of all those who enter.”

“Wait a second,” George interrupted. “What kind of treasure?”

Lasidious knew he had George’s full attention. He knew the mortal was greedy. The Mischievous One smiled within as he continued to play the role of the wounded adventurer. “The map is said to lead to a Staff of Petrifaction. The staff can turn things to stone, but there’s one qualification to that ability.”

George rolled his eyes. “Stone, huh? Do you really expect me to believe that? You’re drunk as hell, aren’t you?”

Jason looked up at George and squinted as if he was trying to focus. “Why would you doubt what I’m saying? The medicine is strong, but it doesn’t change the truth.”

George thought, Oh my freaking hell, this guy is serious. He smirked. “So what’s this qualification?”

Jason’s eyes narrowed. “Are you sure you want to know?”

“You bet. Why not?”

A sinister look appeared on Jason’s face. “The staff can only be used by dwarves. I’m sure you know of the dwarves on Trollcom.”

“Of course, I do,” George responded. “Doesn’t everybody?” Freak!

Jason motioned for George to come closer. “What the map doesn’t divulge is a way to secure the power even if you’re not a dwarf. The staff isn’t solid. Its center holds a liquid. If a man was to drink it, he would receive the ability to turn things to stone.”

George backed away. “Sounds like B.S.”

“I assure you this is real and not this ‘B.S.’ you speak of. If other men knew, they would kill for the opportunity to lay their hands on the staff.”

George rolled his eyes. “If what you’re saying is true, a guy could do well for himself with that ability.”

Jason motioned for George to stop speaking. “You’re not thinking large enough, but I do believe you see the value of the artifact. If you were to acquire the staff, together we could take control of Grayham. Can you imagine the wealth we would acquire while ruling kingdoms? This would be far better than simply doing well.” Jason smiled.

“You’re right,” George replied. He turned his back to Jason and looked toward the town. Too bad you’re full of crap, he thought. But as his mind continued to race, he could not help but fantasize about the possibilities. He looked toward the tree line of the Enchanted Forest and blurted, “If I could get my hands on that staff, I could mess with folks. Ha! I could even get rid of that ex-wife of mine. Abbie would be able to live with me again.” He looked back at Jason. “Of course, I would need to take my new best friend with me once he was back on his feet.”

“But, of course.” Jason hiccupped and then burped. “I can tell you’re a man of your word. Who’s this Abbie?”

“She’s my daughter,” George responded.

“Ahhhhhhhh ... I’m sure you would do anything for your loved one. But I have one question. Do you have the courage to face the beast inside the cave?”

“Hell if I know.” George scratched the top of his head as he imagined what the beast might look like. “Courage isn’t my problem. I’m not the best fighter. What would I be getting myself into?”

“I’ll tell you everything I’ve heard. The cave is home to Maldwin. Some say he’s a hideous monster who uses visions of sadness to drive those who enter his cave insane. Others say his visions encourage his victims to commit suicide. Those affected walk down the Pass of Tears and throw themselves into the Pool of Sorrow. A soldier from Brandor once told me that he could hear the beast’s victims weeping as they descended the pass. When they reached the pool, they swam into its depths, and when the moment arrived that their sanity returned, they didn’t have the air to surface.”

Jason pretended to need another drink. After three large swigs, he wiped the dribble from his chin. “I was told that any man who enters the cave accepts the risk of losing himself. The only way out, if you manage not to lose your mind, is to exit through a passage called