thought, Just give me your damn backpack so I can get the hell out of here. Spells, staffs, beasts, maps, turning crap to stone ... what a bunch of garbage. Just play the game a little longer and clean him out, Georgie boy. The manipulator smiled. “I’ll need a larger pack to carry food, and I’ll definitely buy that spell you mentioned once I get to town. What did you call that guy again?”
“A mage,” Jason responded.
“Yeah, that mage. I might also get a couple of those water pouches you have. Do you think I could borrow that one, too?”
“Sure,” Jason responded. “I’ll help you however I can. But you might want to consider buying a weapon. And have you thought about torches, a hunting knife, and other supplies?”
George reached under his pant leg and pulled out his pistol. “I almost forgot I had this. It’s the smallest .22 caliber made.” He reached inside his front pants pocket, fumbled around a bit and then produced a bullet. “This should do the trick, don’t you think? There’s another one in the chamber.”
“I’m not sure what that does, but if you’re saying it can only work twice, then I would suggest that you purchase another weapon. Perhaps a sword or a dagger would be a wiser choice. You should hurry along. Rumor has it that someone else is on their way to retrieve the map.”
George put his pistol in his right, front pocket and then used Jason’s suggestion to excuse himself. “I best get moving. When will your friends arrive so I can get out of here? I want to make sure you get on the wagon.” George laughed within, Best place for a drunk, anyway. Ha, ha ... ‘on the wagon.’ I kill myself.
“Don’t worry about me. They’ll be here soon enough. I’ll have them take me to Lethwitch to wait for your return. The pool is a Peak and a half from here, so you’d better hurry.”
With that, George turned to run through the field. His mind raced. How could that clown believe any of that crap is true? The jerk grinned. Poor Jason, that bastard actually thinks I’m going to go after his pipe dream. Screw him and his wagon. He looked up at the two colored worlds above opposing horizons. What’s up with that? Since when are there two moons in the sky?
Jason watched until George was out of sight. As soon as the coast was clear, he changed back into his normal appearance and removed the picture of George’s daughter from his pocket. “Well, well, Abbie, your daddy isn’t easily manipulated. Perhaps stronger persuasion is in order. What do you think? Should I scare him or hurt him?” The Mischievous One put the picture close to his ear. “You’re right, Abbie. I should do both. He deserves it for making me work.”
Laughing, Lasidious vanished.
CHAPTER 6
First Flight
IT HAD BEEN SIX hours according to the digital watch that Sam took from Shalee since the griffin dropped from the platform at the Temple of the Gods. During flight, Shalee had remained asleep while Sam struggled with a sick stomach.
Sam admired the countryside as the griffin followed the changes in the terrain. He was awed by the beauty—gentle sloping hillsides, farmers’ fields filled with crops, children fishing in scattered ponds of all sizes, sporadic forests with tree lines reaching for the sun, and he appreciated all of it despite fighting the urge to barf.
Taking a closer look at the griffin’s shadow as the beast soared near the ground, Sam studied the position of its front talons and back paws. They were tucked close to its body to reduce drag. The beast’s beautiful, feather-covered head was pushed out in front of the rest of its body to guide the way, and its gigantic wings extended far to either side.
Sam took note of the long, padded saddle they were sitting on. The leather surface had sufficient cushion to pad their backsides and many lengthy straps to tie them in. The ride had been safe, and unless the creature decided to roll or make a drastic movement, they would finish the flight without incident.
He looked at Shalee as she leaned against him. She had a peaceful look on her face. He admired her beauty. Every now and then, he pushed her hair clear of her face to get a look at how exceptionally breathtaking she was.
Mosley’s balance was impressive. Sam watched as the wolf bit down on the straps, one from each side of