MOSLEY woke up inside his new home that Ba.s.sorine left behind. It's perfect, and the wolf is admiring his new view. He's standing on the porch of his new cabin, and he's looking across the valleys as he takes a number of deep breaths of the brisk air high atop Catalyst Mountain.

LASIDIOUS is thinking through his plans for the near future. He misses Celestria. He knows the moment is approaching to step down as his team's leader. This change is just one more piece of his master plan.

Thank you for reading this edition of the Grayham Inquirer Ba.s.sorine's Old Cabin Home High Atop Catalyst Mountain on Ancients Sovereign

CHAPTER 17.

Daddy, Help Me!

The Cave of Sorrow GEORGE TOOK A DEEP breath. "Let's go over the plan again before you go inside, Kep. Kroger and I will stay out here and give you the moments to find a spot to hide. Then, I'll climb to the top of the entrance and hang out while Kroger bangs his club against the ground. Hopefully, the beast will want to see what the commotion is about. If he does, that should lead him past you, Kep. All you'll need to do is chase him outside. Remember, you need to stop short of the entrance. We don't know what will happen if you get too close to it. The map said the beast uses magic to stop folks from leaving once they're inside. Once the beast is out here, I'll shoot him. If I miss, Kroger can bash him over the d.a.m.n head."

George looked at his companions. "Do you understand that it may take a while before he comes looking? It's one h.e.l.l of a big cave, so I'm counting on the walls inside to echo the sound of Kroger's club."

Kepler nodded that he understood, but the ogre had an expressionless look on his face. George shook his head. "Do you understand, Kroger?"

Kroger shrugged. "Me thinks so, George. Kroger bang when George say bang. He bash head of beast when George say bash."

George smiled. "Sounds like you've got it, buddy. Get going, Kep."

The demon headed inside as George set the timer on his Rolex. After an hour, he climbed to the top of the cave entrance. "Bang away, Kroger!"

The Hidden G.o.d World Ancients Sovereign Mosley awoke and stepped outside onto the porch of Ba.s.sorine's old home high atop Catalyst Mountain. The view was breathtaking, and the air smelled of pine. The cabin overlooked two valleys, one to the east and one to the west, and both were filled with grazing animals.

Ba.s.sorine had been the one to give the mountain its name. This had been the late G.o.d of War's way to remember the many battles he had been the influence behind, or better yet, the catalyst of.

The home itself was not unique, but none of the others in the Collective lived in anything like it. Ba.s.sorine was rugged, and the dwelling he left behind was nothing more than what those of us from old Earth would have called a log cabin. Now, with Ba.s.sorine's destruction, the house fit Mosley's tastes as well.

Mosley jumped off the porch and started sniffing his new territory. Today was a special day for the night terror wolf. He would have his chance to meet the others of the Collective. The Book of Immortality said his introduction would be short and to expect a rush of interest after Ba.s.sorine's Pa.s.sing Ceremony.

Mosley had spent a good portion of the previous night howling his delight at the many different abilities he now possessed. All of them were useful, but he especially liked the fact he could conjure a rare, corgan steak and it would just appear before him. He had ignored the fact that he no longer needed to eat and enjoyed four steaks before he went to sleep.

The wolf felt it was important to look good for the ceremony. He knew the others were sn.o.bs-the Book had left behind a parchment inside the cabin to warn him of that much. No matter how much he hated the thought, a bath was in order. He smiled. If his wife was alive to see this Peak, she would have been proud to see the tub of hot water appear before him. It only took a simple nod of his snout to make it happen.

Mosley grumbled as he put the first of his paws into the water and spoke to his lost love as if she was there. "This is not wolf-like, Luvera. This is unnecessary torture and unbecoming of a beast of my stature."

Now, fellow soul ... for Mosley being such a smart wolf, he sure didn't use his head on this Peak. Sure, he thought far enough to create his own bath and make it appear in front of him, but I find it funny that he failed to think beyond the idea of a simple bath. A smarter use of his G.o.dly power was all it took to clean himself without water being involved at all. I'm sure Mosley was upset once he realized that he had bathed unnecessarily. Poor wolf.

Southern Grayham The Cave of Sorrow According to his Rolex, four hours pa.s.sed while George sat above the entrance to the cave. The sound of Kroger's club banging into the ground was becoming taxing to George's nerves.

A hole had formed at the center of the clearing as a result of the devastation-a good five feet across and equally as deep, with the trees resting atop the pa.s.s shaking with every hit.

Finally, Kroger stopped banging as something scurried out, but it was not even close to what George expected. It was just an over-sized rat with dark-brown fur. George rolled his eyes as the rodent rose up in front of Kroger. d.a.m.n, he thought. What a waste of time. Will the d.a.m.n beast ever come out?

A moment later, George's opinion was changed. The rat rose up in front of the ogre and looked Kroger in the eyes as it held its ground. What the h.e.l.l? It can't be.

A moment later, Kroger grabbed his head, set his club on the ground, and then placed his thumb in his mouth. The ogre started crying.

George shook his head in disbelief. No freaking way.

As the ogre's tears rolled down his face, George surmised, It's got to be Maldwin. Kroger wouldn't act that way if it wasn't. But why does everyone make him sound like he's so much more? This little guy is not a real beast. He's not even scary. I'll just toss him a piece of cheese and then shoot his a.s.s.

As George continued to minimalize the rat in his mind, Kroger's actions reminded him about the seriousness of the rodent's visions. Come on George, think. He may be a d.a.m.n rat, but he's made a lot of folks kill themselves. He looked at Kroger. It's clear his visions have an instantaneous effect. I better be careful.

George needed to protect himself before anything else happened. He reached in his backpack and pulled out another scroll he had purchased from Morre. As he read from it to shield his mind, the giant's booming cry covered his voice. Just like the scroll he had used when he snared the saber tooth lord, the paper vanished into thin air as soon as the final word was uttered.

The longer George watched the ogre cry, the more he realized a new plan was in order. His original plan was not going to work. Kroger was no longer useful, and he knew his pistol would work since the beast was small enough, but why shoot the rodent? There had to be a better way, and a new idea was forming. If Maldwin's ability was able to be harnessed, killing him would be a waste of resources.

George climbed down from the top of the cave as the ogre continued to cry. For the moment, Maldwin had his back to him. It was worth a shot, especially with the scroll protecting his mind. What harm could it do to try to get the rat on his side? He smirked. Holy h.e.l.l. I can't believe I'm trying to befriend a d.a.m.n rat. I must be insane. He reached up and covered his mouth to suppress his desire to laugh at his next thought. Everybody will call me the rat whisperer if I pull this off.

With his feet on the ground, he questioned his judgment again, but the answer was the same. The rat's talent would come in handy, and if it was not salvageable, he could always shoot him.

George noticed Kepler was near the entrance, yet the jaguar had stayed far enough back that he had not challenged the magic that was said to protect the mouth of the cave. As he turned to face the rat, he quietly pulled the blood stained sleeves of his old shirt out of his pack to wrap his hands for protection.

He was now within 10 feet of Maldwin, and the rodent still had no idea he was there. The opportunity was wide open for the taking. George lunged and landed on top of the rat.

Maldwin squealed as George closed his hands around his body.

"I got you, you little snot! Visions, my a.s.s! You never saw me coming, did you?" George pinned the terrified creature to the ground and then waited for the rat to stop squirming.

Maldwin continued to squeal as he fought to free himself, but struggle as he might, he could not break his a.s.sailant's grasp, nor could he bite his captor's hand to force the human to release him.

George mocked, "Face it! You're screwed!"

Eventually, Maldwin tired and his body relaxed.

George adjusted his hold to one hand and then reached under his pant leg to draw his pistol. He pointed it at Maldwin's head and shouted, "Can you talk?"

When Maldwin did not respond, George tightened his grip. "I asked if you can talk! Every other d.a.m.n thing around here can, so you'd better be able to!"

When nothing came out of the beast, George's voice amplified. "This is your last chance! If you don't say something, I'm gonna drop you!"

Again, nothing. George lifted his pistol. He was about to pull the trigger when the rat spoke. "As sel a ip te yalema quay!"

The words were clearly a language, but nothing George could understand. "English, you little freak. Do I look like I speak Ratanese?"

From inside the cave, Kepler growled. "He wants you to spare his life. He'll do whatever you want."

George found the jaguar's glowing eyes. "You understand this ... this ... this-"

"He's a rat!" Kepler snapped. "What's wrong with you? You've made your point. You've displayed your ability to pounce. Your prey is frightened, and idle threats no longer serve a purpose."

George thought, d.a.m.n it. I've got to think faster. Come on, George, you need to be smarter than this. You're going to lose your advantage if you don't pull your head out.

George adjusted his att.i.tude and then responded. "Well don't you have many talents, Kep? Having you around is going to be just what I needed. I have a linguist and a politician all wrapped up in one big, furry companion. I should never have doubted you."

George made sure Kepler saw him smile. The manipulator knew that simple rea.s.surance often went a long way. The jaguar seemed nervous over the last few Peaks and being complimentary, however untrue his intentions, would help the cat relax. George's manipulative mind was now working more efficiently.

Kepler did feel a sense of relief. The jaguar shouted something that only the rat could understand. "Uh uyat gote say!"

George watched as the rat twisted his head and responded, "Le fuat yoor tekle!"

Kepler walked out of the cave and back into the open. He moved close to George and sat down. "I told him to release his magic over the entrance. I'm going to translate for you, but I cannot say this pleases me. Speaking to a rat is degrading. I should be devouring him, not conversing with him."

George grinned. "Degrading, but necessary. He's too valuable to devour."

Kepler's head tilted. "How so?"

"I'll show you. But first, I need you to tell him something. Will you please do that for me?"

The manipulator thought a moment. He had no idea how stupid he was about to sound. "Tell him it's clear that neither you nor I are affected by his visions. Tell him I don't intend to kill him. Tell him I'm offering him a chance to do something other than live in his cave. Tell him I would like to employ his ability to send others visions."

Seeing there was not going to be an end to George's rant anytime soon, Kepler plopped onto the ground.

"Tell him that killing everyone that enters his cave is pointless, and it solves nothing. Tell him there will be a reward for traveling with us. Tell him a life of luxury will follow. Oh, oh, oh, and tell him that we intend to rule this land, and that he would be wise to hang with us."

George put his hand to his chin. "And we better not threaten the little guy, so tell him if he says no, I won't harm him. Tell him I only want something from the inside of his cave, and after I retrieve it, he's free to go. I think if you tell him all that, it would be good enough for now." George paused and then blurted, "But make sure you tell him that we would prefer it if he was with us."

Kepler smiled as a jaguar would. He looked at George and for the first series of moments since their introduction, he jested. "That's it? Are you sure there isn't anything else that you want me to tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him, and tell him? I would hate for you to miss an opportunity to tell him something. It's not like you've given me enough to tell him already. Perhaps I should tell him now. George, do you think I should tell him now?"

George rolled his eyes. "Just tell him, d.a.m.n it!"

The demon-cat laughed, and after a few moments of speaking with Maldwin, he translated. "George, he said to tell you-"

George cut Kepler off. "I get it already. I sounded like a moron. You've made your point. Now get on with it."

Kepler chuckled. "He'll travel with us. He hates the cave his family lives in. He lives here only because his family wants to avoid you humans. A number of his family was killed by your kind, and he uses his visions only as a way to defend those he loves. That's why he didn't send Kroger walking down the pa.s.s toward the pool."

George's brow furrowed. "Okay, that makes sense. Then he realizes that his visions cause people to drown themselves."

Kepler turned to Maldwin and proposed the question. "He said he thought the people simply left and never returned."

George studied the rat's demeanor. He could see that Kepler's revelation was causing the rodent stress. "d.a.m.n, I think he looks remorseful. Does he know his home is called the Cave of Sorrow?"

Again, Kepler queried the rodent. As Maldwin looked toward the entrance, the jaguar translated. "He said he had no idea, George. All he wanted to do was protect his family. He's the only one who can use the visions to make the humans go away."

"Well, that's good to know," George replied. "What else can he do with his visions?"

A long conversation followed between the jaguar and the rat. Eventually, George interrupted them. "So what's he saying?"

Kepler cleared his throat. "He can channel the visions to evoke many emotions, not just sadness. Apparently, his family was given the gift to help with some sort of test. He doesn't remember the details, but the rat does remember that this is why they received the power. Apparently, a group of dwarves was to be kept out of the cave. His family was to use the gift for this purpose, but the dwarves never showed. After that, they decided to use the visions to keep other predators away ... especially the humans. The power is a comfort to Maldwin, but he's never used it with malicious intent. He simply wants to live in peace in his own territory."

George laughed. "Tell that to the poor saps at the bottom of the lake."

While George continued to muse over his response, Kepler remembered the reason why the dwarves never showed. He had been friends with the Serpent King, Sotter long ago. He knew it was the snake who had murdered the dwarves, but he never knew why. The Serpent King had asked Kepler for permission to slither through the Enchanted Forest. The message that was delivered by Sotter's runner said, the Serpent King had some dwarves to kill near the Pool of Sorrow. They had a map of his kingdom, and he was going to get it back. The message never said what the dwarves were doing at the pool or anything about the cave.

The demon realized George now had the map that Sotter was after, but the jaguar could only guess what George intended to do with it. Perhaps he wants to make the serpents serve him or use the map to seize their territory, he thought. The map must possess secrets. Kepler now wished he had cared more about what the Serpent King had been up to. Why would the map take George inside the cave, especially if it depicts the serpents' kingdom?

The demon further thought, Why would the dwarves need to enter the cave? This must be the reason why George needs to go inside. I wonder what he's after. Is it what Sotter wanted? Why would two different beings have the desire to prowl the same territory?

Kepler would have to wait to find out until the human exited the cave with the answer. He thought it best to stay quiet since he could not do anything about it anyway. George was too powerful, and the human would destroy him if he tried to force the answer out of him. Besides-his connection with George was growing, and he could see that the human's mind looked for every opportunity to dominate every situation. Perhaps this was not a bad alliance after all.

Kepler moved to the mouth of the cave and used the rocks to scratch his back as he continued to talk with George. "Maldwin said if you provide his family a safe lair, he will travel with us and remain loyal. He asked that you give your word that you'll provide this haven of safety once you've gained the power you're after. He also asked that you seal the cave. His family can use other escapes to hunt for food. He also wants to say goodbye to his family. This is important to him, and it's non-negotiable."

George thought a moment as he took note of the anxiety in Maldwin's eyes. "Kep, do you believe him? Do you think we can trust him?"

"I do. I think the rat will be useful. He doesn't have a devious bone in his body, but he'll do whatever it takes to protect his family. I think you should use this to our advantage and allow him to travel with us. I may even be able to teach him to speak with you as we quest."

George smiled at the cat's use of the word quest. "Tell Maldwin..." He stopped and realized he was about to do it again. He took a deep breath and continued. "Oh my freaking h.e.l.l, don't tell him anything. Inform Maldwin that I'm agreeable to his terms. But I would like him to stay out here with you until I retrieve what I've come for.

"When I exit, Kroger will seal the cave after the rat has said goodbye to his family. Oh ... and please ask Maldwin to give Kroger some happier visions. I'm sick of listening to his big a.s.s cry. I'm going nuts. His sobbing is killing me."

It did not take long before Kroger's crying turned to smiles. The big guy warmly hugged himself and started to sing in gorilla tongue.

George rolled his eyes as he looked at Kepler. "You've got to be kidding me. He's snuggling himself now. How in the h.e.l.l did I sign up for any of this? I don't remember the application asking if I had experience with giant morons."

Kepler's brow furrowed. "What's an application?"

George threw his hands in the air and shouted over his shoulder as he turned to enter the cave, "I've got to get out of here! I'll be back!"

The demon watched as George disappeared into the darkness. He could not wait to get the answers to his questions. What did the dwarves want in the cave, and was it the same thing George was searching for? The cat allowed himself to get lost in thought.

Eventually, Kepler looked down at Maldwin and spoke in the rat's language. "Does the cave have other secrets?"

Maldwin nodded. "My visions are not the only magic that protects this cave. Fear surrounds what is hidden. Your friend may not scurry out of the darkness. His days of scavenging may be over."

Kepler lifted his head, and as his red, glowing eyes found the entrance to the cave, he laughed. "We shall see if George is truly a master of the hunt after all. Fear ... how delightful."

After a few more moments of pondering, Kepler turned to face Kroger. The demon-cat also understood gorilla. The knowledge of this language had saved his life seasons ago when he was threatened by Kroger.

Kepler shook off the memory and watched as the simple-minded, big fella sang a lullaby that his gorilla mother taught him as a child. Even Kepler's vicious heart had to smile at the sight of the pathetic sweetness.

George made his way into the cave. Realizing more light was needed, he pulled out another torch from his pack, fumbled around in the darkness, and produced his antique cigarette lighter. The lighter had been pa.s.sed down from his great-great-grandfather, a lie he told everyone. The truth-he stole it from a Vietnam veteran while doing court ordered charity work for the VA Hospital in Orlando. He had refilled the lighter the day before he sold Brenda her RV, and considering how dark the nights were on Grayham, he would continue to need it and could use it for quite a while before it ran out of fluid. It was one of a kind, and he carried it everywhere, despite the fact he did not smoke.

He lit the torch and studied the map. Once he had his bearings, he headed for the secret door. The cave was moist and wet, the floor slick and smooth, like ma.s.sive amounts of water had raged through it for many seasons. The air was stale, and he would need to be careful of his footing. He tried to grab hold of the walls for balance, but they were just as slippery as the floor. It was clear why it took 8 Peaks to go from one end of the cave to the other, but there was one positive quality about the wet surfaces. They reflected light well.

According to his Rolex, it took him over an hour to get to where the secret door was marked on the map. Setting the torch down to free his hands, he ensured the moisture on the floor did not extinguish the flame and then searched the walls. There had to be some kind of hidden latch or switch to toggle. He checked the entire area more than once, but found nothing.

Frustrated, George returned to the torch and s.n.a.t.c.hed it off the ground. With the flame above his head, the light filled the tunnel. From the way things were going, he might need to exit the cave and ask the rat for a.s.sistance.

He sighed, "You've got to be kidding me. It's got to be here."

He was about to give up and leave when he noticed an area about 10 paces deeper into the cave where the wall failed to reflect the light. He moved to this spot and stood in front of it. Again, he held the torch above his head. The light was pa.s.sing through the wall, and as a result, a dull spot was left behind that looked like an entrance, yet the wall still appeared to be solid.