Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,69

have my cubs. Bassorine was the one who made our union possible.”

Mosley held his head high as he spoke. “Bassorine found ways for us to be with each other. We traveled together doing the work of the deities we served. After three seasons, we asked if we could adopt the tradition of marriage common to the humans of this world and make it our own. As I’ve said, I asked her on nine occasions before she said yes, but I had to agree to bathe on every third Peak before she would say her vows. It was awful, but a price worth paying to be near her. I was with Luvera for more than 300 seasons before she passed. I cherished her with all my being, and I can still remember our last hunt.”

Sam stood in amazement. “300 seasons! That’s a long time. I mean, that’s a lot of seasons. Where I’m from, men would’ve considered that Hell. Being attached to someone for so long must require a lot of patience. I imagine it would be wonderful to find someone you love so completely that you would be willing to spend an eternity together. I hope I can find such a love someday.”

Sam grabbed a chair from the table and took a seat. “So ... this Keylom is the god your wife served. How did she die?”

Mosley’s head drooped. His green eyes swelled as his ears fell. He wept for a considerable amount of moments before he was able to gather his thoughts. “I’ve never spoken of this to anyone other than Bassorine.” A tear fell to the floor. “I tell you now only because I feel comfortable with you, but I don’t wish to dwell on it once spoken. Luvera did serve Keylom, and she served with loyalty. He’s a giving god, worthy of her service, but it was her dedication to him that ended her life.”

“Really? How?”

Tears blurred Mosley’s vision as he continued. “A demon-jaguar named Kepler ended her. He’s known as the lord of all the giant cats on Southern Grayham. Kepler uses fear to rule his feline subjects, no matter what god they serve. He preys on the weak, and he has the ability to control the spirits of dead men, making them serve his will. He can also move within the shadows, even the smallest of shadows, without detection. It is for these reasons, along with his size, that he dominates the world of cats and rules their territories.”

Sam swallowed. “He sounds like the perfect nightmare. Even sitting here I worry about crossing his path.”

The wolf scratched at his neck. “Kepler is an undead creature. He lives in a place called Skeleton Pass, which he has ruled for as long as I can remember. He has an army of skeleton warriors that patrol his territory, killing every being who trespasses.”

Sam held up his hand. “Okay, okay. Hold on a moment. You’re telling me that he’s undead?”

“Yes.”

“Yeah, right. Anyway ... how did Kepler kill your wife, and why?”

“I don’t believe Kepler had a reason to kill her. She was simply in the way and suffered because of it. My wife was delivering a message to the Unicorn Prince, Ultonen, who lived within the Dark Forest. I would’ve gone with her, but I was detained. Bassorine had a task that required my attention.

“Before I tell you how she passed, let me tell you this. The horn of a unicorn has marvelous properties, even if separated from the rest of the creature. The horn can be used to aid anyone who possesses it. Aside from the healing power to cure most any ailment, all poisonous plants or animals burst and die in the presence of the horn. When held near anything poisonous, the horn sweats, giving a warning of danger to the holder. The horn of the prince was especially powerful. This was Kepler’s objective.”

“Really?” Sam interrupted, again. “Sounds unreal, but for argument’s sake, why would Kepler want the horn? Can poison harm an undead creature?”

“I assure you this is real, and no, Kepler cannot be harmed by poison. He was hired by the Barbarian King in the city of Bloodvain to hunt the Unicorn Prince. Kepler was told if he retrieved the horn, the king would stop sending his legions through Skeleton Pass when invading the Kingdom of Brandor.”

The wolf began pacing, becoming more agitated as he continued his story. “Luvera was standing in front of the prince, delivering Keylom’s message, when the attack occurred. The Unicorn