"Someone wants the Prince of Brandor and the General Absolute slaughtered. Let me up. It's uncomfortable to talk with a blade at my neck. This is not how I intended to do business, so perhaps we could discuss this professionally."

The a.s.sa.s.sin yanked Kane to his feet. "That kind of job is suicide!"

Kane dusted off his backside and shrugged. "Fine. I'll tell them you said it can't be done. I'm sure they'll find someone to take the risk for that kind of coin."

"I never said it couldn't be done. I said it was suicide ... suicide for any man but me. But I won't do it for that price. It'll take twice that."

The G.o.ddess laughed and turned to walk away. "I'll tell them you said that, too, but don't expect me to return with an answer."

"Kane!" Double D shouted, "One hundred and fifty!" The a.s.sa.s.sin watched as the a.s.sistant kept walking. "One hundred and twenty five! That's my final offer! Don't push me, Kane!"

"Deal! You know where to pick up your coin when the job is done."

"I need supplies, and I'll need an advance."

Kane turned and threw a bag filled with coins and watched the a.s.sa.s.sin catch it.

"I see you came prepared," Double D smirked. "Pretty sure of yourself, weren't you?"

"I'm a businessman. Did you expect less?" With that, Kane walked down the path and out of sight.

17 Peaks of Bailem Have Pa.s.sed Since Kepler and George Parted George walked up the stairs of the landing tower with Athena. Amar was waiting for him at the top. The moments George had spent with Athena over the last 17 Peaks were wonderful, and he was certain that he wanted this woman in his life-forever.

The previous evening, George explained that he had to travel to Siren's Song to meet with the wisp. The fact that he was being forthcoming with Athena surprised him. He desperately wanted to avoid lying to her.

Though his moments with Athena had been short, his love for her had blossomed. Athena deserved the truth, and she got it. She did not question why. Instead, she smiled and instructed George to be careful. All she asked was when she would see him again.

George told the truth, saying he did not know, but he would try to get back to her as soon as he could. He wanted her to believe in him so badly that he gave her his Rolex over dinner and asked if she would consider moving to wherever he settled down.

Her response was everything he wanted to hear, saying it would be okay as long as she could visit her family now and then.

Their last night together had been pa.s.sionate after retiring to Athena's mother's guest house. Their relationship had been consummated.

George greeted Amar, then turned to kiss his beautiful Athena. "Tell Mother I said goodbye."

Athena liked how George had taken her family in as his own. "I'm sure she'll ask many questions when I get to work. I've never taken this many Peaks off in my life. My sister is expecting all the details. I'm so excited. I don't have to embellish and make them up."

Athena moved in close and put her head on George's chest. "I love you, George."

This was the first occasion in which he had heard those words uttered from Athena's mouth. He looked into her eyes and responded, "I love you, too." For once in his life he had told a woman he loved her without it being some sort of game. His love was genuine.

Amar said goodbye to Athena once the couple's lips parted, and he climbed onto the back of the hippogriff.

George followed. After plopping down onto the seat, a bright smile appeared on his face. His smile would not go away as the hippogriff took flight. He would gaze at his Athena until she was nothing more than a tiny speck.

The City of West Utopia Sam had won both of his fights in the town of Mountain View, and then the group had moved on to the city of West Utopia where his opponents suffered the same fate as the others before them. Sam's record increased to seven wins with zero losses-all of his wins ending in death.

On this Peak, Sam and Shalee decided to take the afternoon off from training. They wanted to spend some quality moments together without the crowds following them around. Sam's fame was growing and opening doors, but their getaway was necessary to remain sane.

BJ and Helga bid their students Good Peak and took the opportunity to run off to find some quality moments of their own. Their secret relationship had blossomed since their first kiss on the bridge outside of Lethwitch. BJ was smitten with Helga, and he had been creating excuses to be alone with her. But the tactics of creating excuses were becoming tiresome, and BJ was tired of hiding his feelings from Sam and Shalee.

Now, fellow soul ... Southern Grayham was similar to Earth in yet another way. It had its own version of the Paparazzi. Instead of the constant snapping of photos, these seekers of gossip begged Sam to pose so they could ill.u.s.trate his personage for their stories. These drawings were hung with accompanying articles on the information boards that could be found at the center of most populated areas. With as many moments as it took to sit for an artist, Sam and Shalee would have preferred photographers in their faces.

After the artists of West Utopia were satisfied, Sam and Shalee packed a lunch. It was just past the Peak of Bailem when they headed out of the city. As they were walking through the gates, a young child dressed in fine clothing ran up and bowed. The boy had a piece of parchment in his hand.

"May I help you, young man?" Sam asked.

"Your presence is commanded at Duke Barthom Brandor's estate, sir."

Sam looked at Shalee and laughed. "Well, who are we to turn down a request to meet our first Duke?"

The child looked up while standing in Sam's imposing shadow. "This is not a request, sir. It's an order."

Sam's mood changed. "And if I don't want to come, young man?"

The child squirmed. "Sir, I beg you. If you don't, I'll be beaten for my incompetence."

Shalee slid in close to Sam. "He's just a boy. You said you wanted the fame. I suppose with it, we'll have to put up with a few pompous jerks every now and then."

Shalee's accent softened Sam's mood. The fighter turned to the boy and extended his hand. "Lead the way, buddy."

After a big smile appeared, the child led them through the city and up a hill past a number of large estates.

The buildings reminded Shalee of the architecture of old Rome which she had studied during her travels on Earth. The scene was fascinating. It was satisfying to see this sort of architecture in a form other than ruins. It was pristine and functional.

Sam, on the other hand, was not so impressed. "You'd think the G.o.ds would have at least given the people of this world some other ideas for their structures. I know it was supposed to make our transition easier, but give me a break. It's not unique. Everything since our arrival, though beautiful, appears to be from some period of our history."

Shalee rolled her eyes. "For heaven's sake, Sam, this place is delightful. Who says these ideas were ours in the first place? Maybe they were used before Earth was ever created, in some other culture, on some other world. What if the G.o.ds simply recycle their ideas over and over?"

Sam nodded. "Point made. I suppose that wouldn't surprise me after all we've learned. I wonder what the other worlds look like. Ba.s.sorine did say they're different. I wonder how much."

As they continued to walk, more ma.s.sive columns lined the road leading to the duke's home. The detail of the sculptures chiseled into the columns made them remarkably life-like.

Bountiful grapevines stretched between the columns and were set in the stone hands of the sculptures that held their arms outstretched. Slaves lined the vines, and the fruit being plucked was succulent.

The cobblestones of the road leading to the duke's home were perfectly placed. They sat on top of tamped rubble to allow for the drainage of storm water.

The duke's home was enormous, making both visitors feel anxious as they entered. They were taken to a large room, and as the decorative doors opened, a group of well-dressed people, in a flowing a.s.sortment of colored cloths, greeted them.

Shalee was relieved that she had made them dress nicely for their special Peak together.

A fat, jovial man walked up and introduced himself. "Welcome! Welcome! I'm Duke Barthom Brandor. I trust you're enjoying your stay in West Utopia."

Sam nodded. "We are. You have a lovely city."

Duke Brandor smiled. "Wonderful. I have heard much prior to your arrival, Sam." Barthom looked at Shalee. "I don't believe I know who you are, young lady." The duke reached out, took Shalee's hand and then kissed the top of it.

"Well aren't you all proper-like? It's nice to meet you, too, Duke Brandor. My name is Shalee."

After hearing Shalee's accent, Barthom kissed the top of her hand again. "Your speech is charming." The duke looked at Sam. "I do believe a woman as beautiful as the one you have on your arm should be given the right to call me by name."

Sam nodded. "I'm sure that would make things far more pleasant for the lady."

"Then it's settled. Shalee, you shall call me Barthom. Sam, since I have extended this courtesy to your lovely companion, I shall allow you the same privilege."

" Thank you, Barthom. To what do we owe the pleasure of being called to your home?"

"I watched your fights. I must say your reputation is understated. I don't believe that I've ever seen such a presence in the arenas since my king's General Absolute. I dare say you could find yourself in the arena with Graywind on one of these Peaks. This would be a fight that I dare not miss. He, like you, has killed every being who has entered the arena against him. I do hope you're able to make it that far. I would love to watch you shove his vanity down his throat."

The room erupted with laughter as Barthom continued. "It seems you've earned a room full of fans, Sam. I'm sure they'll be following your career ... as long as you live, of course."

A maidservant approached. She was carrying a tray of cups filled with wine.

Barthom motioned for Sam to grab a drink.

Sam removed two from the tray and then handed one to Shalee before he responded. "Let's hope I live longer than your average fighter."

An optimistic smile appeared on Barthom's face as he lifted his cup and tapped it against Sam's. "Indeed. Let's hope."

Sam and Shalee found their Peak with the n.o.ble and his friends to be pleasant. At the end of their visit, their host sent them away with gifts. Sam received a set of the duke's finest, handcrafted, black, leather armor. The seal of the duke's home, a red dragon, had been crafted onto the chest piece, arm bracers, greaves and again on the back of each boot.

Shalee was given six bolts of exotic fabric of a.s.sorted colors. As they left, Shalee realized she did not have a place to put them. She had been so busy running around with Sam, staying at one inn after another, that she had not thought about getting a place of their own. She spoke with Sam about the problem as they headed back to the inn.

Helga and BJ were sitting at the bar drinking ale when the two arrived. The younger couple saw the older couple flirting with one another, but they did not say anything. They stood in the background and watched as Helga reached over to touch BJ's arm.

BJ was about 61 seasons, and even though Helga was over 247, she did not look a Peak over 55. It was clear there was more to their relationship and neither Sam nor Shalee had noticed until now.

Sam crept up on their trainers. As BJ touched Helga's hand, Sam cleared his throat and watched the couple jump. "Look what we have here," Sam said in a fatherly voice. "I guess I'm going to have to start keeping an eye on you two. We leave you for the shortest series of moments and come back to find you groping one another. I'm shocked."

"Oh, get lost, bonehead!" BJ grumbled. "We have lives, too, you know. I never thought I would look at another woman after my wife pa.s.sed, but traveling with Helga has given me new perspective. There's something here that's good for both of us, and there's nothing wrong with that."

Helga was embarra.s.sed. "Sam, please know that we still intend to provide you with the best training we can offer."

Shalee jumped into the conversation. "Don't be silly. I don't think that ever crossed our minds. The idea of you two getting together is sweet, really. Sam and I were talking the other Peak about the two of you, and we both agreed that you're like parents to us. You're not just our trainers. You're our friends. We love you, and we see you as family."

Shalee's sentiment was everything Helga wanted to hear. Her eyes grew misty. Grabbing a towelette, she dabbed the moisture from them.

BJ looked at Sam, shrugged and then rolled his eyes as guys often do during emotional moments. After the mood subsided, BJ placed his arm around Helga. "I suppose the cotlum has been let out of the bag. We can be more open with our love."

"Love? Have you two been doing this long enough to use that word?" Sam said, ignoring the fact he had no idea what a cotlum was. "Where was I when the courting was taking place?"

BJ turned to Sam. "Since you consider me your father, the place you have been when Helga and I were courting is on top of my daughter. This incestuous relationship between the two of you must stop." The trainer smiled as he sat back on his stool.

Helga slapped BJ on the arm. "He's always talking that way, Child. He can be so naughty. Just last night, he said-"

Shalee covered her ears and spoke loudly over Helga's voice. "T.M.I. T.M.I."

Sam agreed, chuckling, "Yeah, way too much information, you two." Sam looked at BJ. "Anyway, we received some gifts from Duke Brandor." He pointed to the pile sitting across the room.

As soon as BJ saw the armor, he jumped from his stool and ran over to take a look. Lifting the chest piece from the floor, he held it up in front of him. The excitement could be seen on his face as he threw it over his head to try it on.

The armor was way too large for his smaller frame, but this did not curb BJ's enthusiasm. "Sam, do you realize what this means?"

The fighter crossed the room and picked up the bracers. "It means we have met our first n.o.ble, why?"

"It means far more than that," BJ responded. "It means the house of Brandor is watching your career. It means the king knows who you are. When something like this happens, a fighter usually receives an invitation to the battle of champions before he completes the circuit requirements."

BJ put his hand on Sam's shoulder. "You've only competed in three cities. I would wager that if you win your next few fights, you could get an invitation to the city of Champions before you complete the tour.

"Sam, all you have to do is ensure your victories are memorable. If they are, we'll be on our way to the Senate's tournament.

"There is far more than fighting at this tournament. Just like the king's tournament in Brandor, the Senate's tournament is a citywide event that lasts for 10 Peaks. Sixty-four fighters are invited, and none of the fights are meant to be to the death.

"The winners of this tournament from past seasons are given a chance to enter the king's tournament in Brandor. The ultimate prize is to defeat the General Absolute. Many want the glory attached to this victory, but all have perished while trying to attain it. The general is merciless, and although he's an honorable man, he believes the arena is a glorious place to pa.s.s. The leader of the king's army steps into the arena prepared to kill and equally prepared to surrender his life."

BJ took off the chest piece and placed it on Sam. He admired the fit as he tightened the straps beneath Sam's arms. "The first Peak of the tournament is to celebrate the 64 fighters and the General Absolute. The next seven are filled with heroic battles. In Brandor, the field is narrowed until only one fighter remains. On the ninth Peak, this being is given the chance to face the general. To battle the general is considered the highest form of exaltation a warrior can receive. The winner is celebrated and invited to the king's personal table. For as long as I can remember, the general has been the one celebrated, but I don't think he cares about dining with the king any longer."

BJ reached up, grabbed hold of his student's head and placed his forehead to Sam's. "Victory could be yours. If you were to beat the general ... you would be one of the most powerful men in the kingdom. Only the king and his son would stand above you."

An enormous smile appeared on Sam's face. "I can make the impression we need to win our invitation to the city of Champions. You can mark my words on that."

Sam turned and headed for the bar. He was about to order an ale when Shalee tapped him on the shoulder. He turned to see a look of fright in her eyes. "What's wrong?"

Shalee put her hand on his armor-covered chest. "Didn't you hear the part where BJ said that all of the general's opponents have died?"

"I heard it. What's the big deal?"

"Doggone it, Sam. I know you're not dumb. He's killed everyone. For heaven's sake, don't you think that's a problem? I don't want anything to happen to you. I love you, ya big ox."

"Okay, okay. Hold on a second. You know I love you, too. But BJ also said I don't have to fight the general if I don't want to. So let's not worry about it, and let's take it one fight at a time. Sound good?"

"No, that doesn't sound good. I don't want you to fight him."

"So, I won't. Don't worry about it."

Sam pulled Shalee close and winked at BJ. He just wanted Shalee to relax, but he knew he would fight the general if given the chance. He had no choice. How else could he get into a position of power? Shalee would just have to understand when the moment arrived for him to make the decision.

Shalee seemed to be okay with his answer. She released Sam and then turned to Helga. "I need your help. Would make a quick detour to the city of Brandor and find a place for us to live? I'll give you the coin for it."

Being this close to Brandor, it would only take Helga only 4 Peaks to fly south and then find something suitable. She could find the home, and then catch another hippogriff a few Peaks later to meet up with them in Haven. BJ suggested that Helga take Shalee's bolts of cloth and leave them in Brandor. BJ wanted to go, but he would not have the moments necessary to get back before Sam's next fight.

Helga agreed to leave the next Peak.

Retiring for the evening, Shalee watched to see if Helga would sneak into BJ's room. As expected, the older sorceress did just that. Shalee smiled and then shut the door to her room. She crawled into bed next to Sam. "I can see they love one another. It's in their eyes. I think it's cute. It's downright adorable. Don't you agree?"

"Yeah, sure, whatever floats your boat. Now get over here and float mine."

The next morning, the group headed for the landing platform. While walking through the city, they noticed a heightened level of military activity. The king's soldiers were transporting gigantic trees to the mill.