With Maldwin shouting, the demon was finding it hard to concentrate. The furry critter was scared and confused and demanded answers.

The cat turned and asked Maldwin to relax.

George reached down to steady himself on a tree that Kroger had fetched the night before. He had asked the big guy to bring him a stump to sit on, but instead, Kroger had returned with an entire tree. He had laughed when he saw it and figured that, to Kroger, it probably was small. George had called the ogre his "adorable dumba.s.s" that night.

George noticed a bug resting where he intended to sit. He reached down and flipped the centipede-looking creature off the spot. The arthropod flew through the air, and before it hit the ground, it was rock solid.

George backed away. So did the others.

"See what I mean?" George hollered, thoroughly stumped and frustrated. "Now what? The power was supposed to work whenever I wanted it to. But it looks like no matter what I do, everything's going to turn. I swear to you, Kep, I didn't want to hurt Kroger. Sure, he was a moron, but he was a likable idiot. You should know by now, I'm not going to kill my allies, no matter how much they annoy me. It doesn't make sense to kill my friends. I might have needed him."

The rat was still asking a million questions. He was not going to stop, so it was best to talk with him. Kepler explained the situation, and as he did, the rat's demeanor changed.

When the rodent replied, he related a story of a similar situation. The rat had come close to killing his own mother when he received his gift of visions. He could not control them at first. It took the family watching throughout the moments of many Peaks to keep his mother from jumping into one of the shafts scattered throughout the cave. Maldwin could understand how this situation could be a tragic accident. Despite his understanding, the rat said, "Ah ilyel sey, George," which when translated, meant, "Tell George not to touch me."

George waited for Kepler to translate. When finished, the human felt better. The alliance with his companions was strained, but still intact.

George looked at Kepler. "So what the h.e.l.l do you think I should do? I don't want to turn you or Maldwin into statues. If you have any ideas, I'm all ears." He moved back to the tree and took a seat.

Kepler pondered the problem for a moment. This was new to him. His own abilities had always been under control. After a bit, he came up with a solution. "Since you emerged from the cave, I've seen two things turn that you've touched. The first was Kroger, and the second was the bug. I've also seen two things that didn't turn. The staff and the tree. If I'm right, you have only transformed things that were made of flesh and blood. I think you just need to practice, and-"

George interrupted. "I can't go around touching everything I see. I'll kill it all and leave a trail right to us."

Kepler laughed. "No, no, no. I have subjects you can practice on. They're already dead, and they're made of bone. Bone is a part of us. You should be able to find dominion over your power by using them. You won't need to end anyone else."

George sighed, "That sounds a h.e.l.l of a lot better. Where will we do this?"

"I'll call upon my skeleton warriors." The demon looked at Maldwin, then back at George. "We promised the rat we would seal his cave. Without Kroger's strength, that will be impossible. I suggest we move along the length of the pa.s.s as you practice. This approach will leave behind a trail of intimidating statues that will lead to the mouth of the cave. This should make an impression on anyone who pa.s.ses this way. I think Maldwin will agree that his family will be safe after that. My skeleton warriors, combined with Kroger, should frighten most anyone and keep them at bay. Even I would hesitate if I saw a sight like that."

George's excitement returned. "That's an awesome idea. Are you sure you don't mind? What about your home and the protection the skeletons provide?"

Kepler smiled and jumped onto Kroger's stone lap. After lowering into a comfortable position, he responded. "I can only a.s.sume 'awesome' means something good. I'll still have hundreds of my warriors guarding my pa.s.s, and I can always create more as we travel. I enjoy ravaging man flesh."

Kepler licked his paw and used it to clean the back of his ear. "There is something I'll want in return, but we'll discuss this later." Kepler's gaze focused on George as the demon's eyes flashed bright red. "Do we have an agreement?"

"Yeah ... sure ... fine ... I'll owe you one. It's a deal." George moved to shake Kepler's paw, but thought better of it. "We'll have to shake on it later, I think. So when will your warriors arrive?"

Kepler let out a low roar. Behind him were two large rocks that were located at the base of the cliff. The boulders were sitting in the shadows, and on top of them, two black jaguars made themselves known. They appeared out of thin air and jumped down into the light that was being cast by the fire.

Both cats looked a lot like Kepler, but one of them had white socks that covered his paws and extended a short distance past his ankles.

George had a clear view of both demons. The cats were equally as large and as physically intimidating as his feline travel companion. Kepler had his posse with him all along, and George had not known it.

With his heart rate skyrocketing, George had to force himself to remain seated. It was not a good feeling to know he was not as in control as he thought he was. But he would be d.a.m.ned before he would show weakness. He had been through the anxiety of awkward introductions once before with Kepler, but now he had an advantage and not just his bluff. He took a deep breath, calmed himself and waited for more information.

Despite the human's inability to control his new power, the appearance of the cats caused Maldwin to instinctively jump up and land on the tree next to George. He looked up at the human for protection, his nose twitching wildly. The poor rat was having one heck of a Peak. His world had been turned upside down. He had been jumped on, threatened, pinned to the ground, yelled at, negotiated with, and then recruited. And if all that was not enough, he was now sitting here with three large cats. He felt like dinner. Cat and the rat was not a game he wanted to play ... especially since he believed George and Kepler were not affected by his visions.

Kepler cleared his throat. "Allow me to introduce my brothers, Keller and Koffler. The three of us are identical ... well, besides Koffler's stupid socks. My brothers will be useful as we seek territorial dominance."

Koffler growled and the spoke. The sound of his voice revealed his complete lack of wit. "My socks make me look ferocious!"

Keller rolled his eyes. "I bet Mom told you that before she pa.s.sed. You're an imbecile. You're flawed, and you know it."

Koffler hissed.

"Oh, shut up," Kepler snarled. "I don't have the patience to deal with your idiocy." The demon-jaguar turned to look at George. "I'm the oldest by only moments. With the help of Keller, I have been able to create the perception that I'm everywhere within my pa.s.s. The three of us prowl with a common goal of keeping our pa.s.s under my control. My brothers will send an asordian sparrow to a.s.semble my army. It will take 12 Peaks before they arrive."

George took another deep breath. "How can a sparrow a.s.semble an army?"

Keller's eyes were intimidating as he glared at George and responded. "Kepler and I speak Asordian. This will allow us to send a sparrow with a message. The commander of my brother's army will hear the message and comply."

George looked at Kepler. "So you can talk to rats, birds...," he nodded in Kroger's direction, "big a.s.s ogres, and humans. What other languages do you speak?"

"I speak most every language of Southern Grayham," Kepler responded. "The G.o.ddess, Celestria, saw to that."

A brief look of confusion appeared on George's face. He still had no idea who this G.o.ddess was, but he did not feel it was best to admit it. He replaced his look of confusion with one of feigned understanding and then continued on with the conversation. "I'm glad you speak so many languages. That skill will serve me well, Kepler."

Kepler's eyes flashed a deep burgundy-red. "I've decided that I won't live in service to you. I've chosen to think of our relationship as a partnership ... an equal partnership with a common goal. If you believe yourself to be above me, I'll depart with my brothers."

Kepler used one of his claws to scratch at the stone of Kroger's lap. "It is clear to me that a relationship with you doesn't come without peril. If we are to share in this risk, we shall be equals. No one will be above the Master of the Hunt."

George smiled. He had an opportunity to strengthen his relationship with Kepler by simply agreeing with the jaguar. "Equals it is. I don't need to be above you, Kep." The manipulator looked back at Keller and Koffler. "Your brother and I can lead together. That will give us an advantage. We'll never need to fight for control that way, right?"

After seeing the cats nod, George continued. "Kepler, looking at your brothers, I can see why you're not concerned with keeping your pa.s.s protected. You have plenty of back-up."

George's nerves were still on edge. He rubbed his hands together and held them toward the flames, hoping that his actions would cover his nervousness. "So ... 12 Peaks is a long time ... I mean, 12 Peaks is a lot of moments to be sitting around here doing nothing." He rolled his eyes. "It would be so much easier if there was a word for time around this joint. You guys use the word moment as if you understand exactly what moment you're talking about. It's ridiculous. I mean ... who's the dumba.s.s that thought of a system to describe the moments of your days without thinking it was smart to create other words that referred to specific measurements of time? Even Athena looked at me like I was an idiot when I said the word time."

Kepler shook his big, furry head. "Though I'm unsure what this word 'time' means, I believe you're rambling. Why speak of matters that you cannot change? I hope you have a point to this nonsense. And who's this Athena?"

George frowned. "Just forget about Athena. She isn't our focus at the moment anyway."

"Fair enough," Kepler replied.

George looked down at Maldwin. "Since 12 Peaks is a long period of moments, why don't we leave Maldwin here for now. We can travel to Lethwitch so I can grab some supplies. This should kill 6 or 7 Peaks. Hopefully, I'll be able to find something to put over my hands. Maybe a pair of gloves will work. d.a.m.n, I hope they work."

Without validating George's plan, Kepler sent his brothers to gather his warriors. The jaguar then looked past the fire at Maldwin and spoke in the rat's language. "It appears it will be a while before we return, my new friend. Stay with your family until then."

Maldwin's nose twitched as he acknowledged he understood.

Kepler stood and jumped down off Kroger's lap. "George, perhaps you could explain the meaning of this word 'time' as we travel to Lethwitch. Many of your words are foreign to me. If I'm to hunt at your side, we should have an understanding of each other's ways ... agreed?"

George grinned. "Totally. Maybe we should get going. We can talk along the way."

With that, George smiled at Maldwin, threw his backpack over his shoulder and then headed for Lethwitch.

IT'S A NEW MORNING on Grayham, and Sam is getting ready to catch one of the hippogriffs to travel to his next fight. Shalee is also making the trip, along with their trainers. The next arena is located just outside of Lethwitch. They intend to stay 7 Peaks before moving on to the next town.

The tremors are increasing, and they have Sam worried. Upon further communication with BJ, Sam has determined how he's going to gain an audience with the King of Brandor. He must fight twice every 7 Peaks over the next 77 Peaks-22 fights in all-and win. His ambitions are adding up to one city, town or village every 7 Peaks. He must fight in the city of Champions for the Golden Chalice of Brandor before he'll be able to meet the king.

MOSLEY attended the ceremony honoring Ba.s.sorine's pa.s.sing. The wolf has decided to join Bailem's team. He is with them now, telling them everything he knows, or at least everything Ba.s.sorine wanted him to share.

MALDWIN called his family out of the cave. They have gathered around the stone statue of Kroger as the rat explains he will leave with his new travel companions. Soon, they will have a better, safer place to live. Maldwin hopes that George will be okay with the size of his family. There are easily over 250 of them. Imagine the noise and the rat droppings on Kroger's lap.

GEORGE and KEPLER are still on their way to Lethwitch. They walked through the night and agreed to stop to rest just after the Peak of Bailem. George set the alarm on his watch to ring five hours later and showed the jaguar how the Rolex works. At this very moment, Kepler is asking questions about the device-questions George wants to avoid, but cannot.

CELESTRIA is going crazy. The elven witch family has been nagging her to answer every question their small minds can conjure. If it wasn't for her baby's safety, the G.o.ddess would end them.

ATHENA is sitting behind the counter at her work, going through the logbook and singing. She has been happy since her breakfast with George and looks forward to seeing him again.

LASIDIOUS is more than ready to step down as the leader of his team. The G.o.ds have been called to a meeting that is scheduled for Late Bailem. He plans to announce where he's going to hide the first piece of the Crystal Moon.

Thank you for reading this edition of the Grayham Inquirer

CHAPTER 19.

What Irony George and Kepler's Napping Spot "SO, YOU HAVE YOUR Rolex watch," Kepler said after hearing much of what George explained. "I understand it keeps what you call 'the time' according to your Earth's day, which has 24 hours, and it takes 24 of these hours for your sun to rise, travel across the sky and then rise again. I also understand what you call a 'minute.' I think this concept would make things much easier if we had something like your Rolex on Grayham. But what I don't understand is how did you get here?"

"That's the fuzzy part for me, too," George replied. "One minute, I'm driving with this beautiful woman in an RV ... I'll explain what an RV is later ... and the next thing I know, her eyes changed color, her teeth grew sharp, and the cold was like needles to my skin. After that, I woke up in a great hall with huge pillars and golden doors. I was one of three in that hallway. The others were also from my world, and they had no idea what was going on. The man said his name was Sam, a pompous b.a.s.t.a.r.d if you ask me, but he was pretty smart. The woman was annoying and not worth talking about. We found a statue, and this guy, Sam, was able to read what was on it. It had a prophecy about the three of us and talked about a crystal. I think he called it the Crystal Moon."

The demon-jaguar interrupted. "You mean the Crystal Moon in the Temple of the G.o.ds?"

George shrugged, "I don't know. I can't remember. Everything was so crazy that day. The inscription on the statue talked of a man's great victories and how he brought home the power to control worlds the other G.o.ds had lost. Apparently this power, which Sam said the crystal generates, is what keeps five planets from colliding. It said something about the planets rotating around a single sun. I know there's more, but I can't recall it all right now.

"Wait, I remember Sam saying there were five planets and some guy named Ba.s.sorine was turned into a G.o.d."

The demon jumped in. "The place you're talking about is the Temple of the G.o.ds above Griffin Cliffs. The man you speak of is the G.o.d of War, Ba.s.sorine ... the mightiest of prowlers. But we can speak more about him in one of your Earth's 'minutes.'

"The Crystal Moon is the divine object that governs the worlds. Ba.s.sorine protects the crystal to ensure that no one can send the worlds into chaos."

Kepler stopped talking when he saw the expression on George's face change. "What is it? You seem bothered."

The manipulator urged, "Maybe we should keep walking. I have a gut feeling you're not going to be able to sleep once you hear what I have to say."

Kepler shrugged. "Okay, but what's troubling you?"

George threw his backpack over his shoulder. "You said the Crystal Moon was protected by this 'so-called' G.o.d, Ba.s.sorine-"

Kepler cut George off. "There is nothing 'so-called' about the G.o.ds. They are to be revered. You should speak with respect."

George turned to Kepler. "If this Ba.s.sorine was so all powerful, then why was I able to take a piece of his crystal before I fell through the floor? Didn't you say he protects it? I shouldn't have been able to take a piece, right?"

"How could you be so foolish?" Kepler snorted his irritation. "Don't you realize what you've done? You've doomed us all!" The demon started to pace. "Where is the crystal? And how did you fall through the floor?"

George hesitated, eyeing the giant cat for a moment before he answered. "Now keep calm when I tell you." He took a deep breath, and thought, c.r.a.p, he's gonna kill me. "I don't know where the piece is."

The demon let out a deafening roar.

George prepared for the worst, holding his hands up in case Kepler attacked.

The demon's explosion stopped as he turned to find George's eyes. The jaguar walked toward the vulnerable human, his muscles rippling beneath his fur as he delivered a stare that cut through George's soul.

With a cold tone, the jaguar growled, "You're telling me you have the power to remove a piece of the Crystal Moon, but you have no memory of where you put it. What else haven't you told me?"

George was scared and desperate. Despite the fact he had readied his hands to turn the cat to stone, he knew the jaguar could sense his fear. He spoke with caution. "I have no idea where the crystal is. I fell through the floor after I grabbed it. Don't ask me how, but the floor just opened up. I only took the crystal because of a riddle that was written on the statue. The riddle spoke about waking it up."

"You lie!" Kepler snarled. "I've read the statue on a hundred occasions. It says nothing about a riddle."

George snapped back, seizing what was left of his backbone. "Hey! I didn't ask to be brought to this world! There was a riddle! Call me a liar again, and I'm gonna get p.i.s.sed!"

Kepler snorted. The cat was exasperated because of his inability to kill his irritation. "Hmph! Finish your ridiculous story!"

George clenched his fists, but he kept them raised just in case. It took a moment before he was able to take a breath. "The words on the statue said something about three people fighting to recover the pieces of the Crystal Moon." George continued to relate the rest of the story of everything that had happened and then finished it off by saying, "...and then I landed on some guy named Jason. I had no idea touching the crystal would start a cosmic crisis."

Kepler snarled. "Put your hands down, George! There's no struggle between us. Have you not learned anything from your experience with Kroger? We may get angry with one another, but we don't fight amongst ourselves."

The giant cat shook his head, snorted and then continued, "I don't believe you would make up such a ridiculous story, so I'll accept your foolishness as fact."

Annoyed, George lowered his hands. Rather than speak, he waited for the demon to continue.

"Alright ... so ... you fell through the floor, and the Crystal Moon disappeared. You have no idea where the people are, the ones you were with in the temple, and you have no idea where the piece is that was in your hand.

"Hmmm ... you clearly have enough power to get past Ba.s.sorine's hold on the Crystal Moon, but there are a few things that don't make sense."

"What things?" George said as he allowed himself to relax. "Maybe I can clear them up for you."

Kepler secretly enjoyed the human's anxiety. "You said you fell on a man named Jason. How long ago was this, and where did this happen?"

George thought back. "About 10 Peaks. It happened south of the Enchanted Forest near Lethwitch."

The demon's face was showed his disbelief. "You're saying ... in 10 Peaks you've learned about the map, found out about the cave, learned there was a staff inside it, and then you went in to retrieve the power to turn things into stone. I would like to know how you did all this in such a short span of moments."

George grinned. "Hold on a second. That's not everything I've done. I also got threatened outside of Lethwitch, and later that night, I robbed the mercantile. I took the proprietor's coin and used some of it to pay a smelly a.s.s mage for the snare scroll I used on your Saber Lord."

Kepler laughed for only a moment before he realized what George had said. A quizzical look consumed his expression. "What do you mean, you used a scroll on the Saber Lord?"

"Ah c.r.a.p," George blurted. "d.a.m.n it, I've said too much." He strolled over to a nearby mound of dirt, plopped down on it and then started flicking ants with his middle finger. With these newly made statues flying toward the bank of the Cripple River, George decided it was best to level with the jaguar by telling the cat the truth.

"Well, big guy, it's like this. I landed on Jason just like I told you. He was in pain, so I reached in his pack and gave him a liquid that made him talk ... and he talked a lot. Jason told me a secret. The map led me to the staff Kroger broke. He said it was filled with a liquid, and if I drank it, I'd receive the power to turn stuff to stone. Apparently, the staff was meant for some dwarves."

"Dwarves?" Kepler responded, as if he didn't know. "What dwarves?"

"Jason told me the dwarves were from a place called Trollcom. I have no clue where that is."