George allowed a big smile to appear on his face. "I think your crown will look better on me than it does above that nightmare you call a face."

Without waiting for a response, George gave the signal for the cats to attack. He squeezed Maldwin's tail to send the king a vision of helplessness. The tigers' claws, along with Kepler's brothers, tore into the sides of the heads of the unsuspecting magic users. The sheer force of the blows knocked all but one of the mages unconscious. This man, though he tried to speak his words of power, did not have the moments necessary to finish his command before Keller's jaws closed around his head and slung him from side to side.

The barbarian's body popped off from his head. Keller spit the skull to the ground and watched it roll before he lowered his snout and smelled the barbarian's life's source as it poured out of him. The cat slurped at the red pool, still in his invisible cover.

The king was struggling to fight off Maldwin's vision. To everyone's surprise, Senchae was able to overcome the emotion and attack.

George reacted by lifting his hand. He pinched his fingers together (just as his favorite villain had done in yet another one of his favorite movies on Earth) and lifted his arm into the air. The barbarian rose from the ground and grabbed his throat as he choked. George grinned as he thought, May the force be with me. Wow! This actually feels as cool as it looked.

The G.o.ds were taking wagers. Lasidious was first to speak. "I bet he takes him prisoner."

Yaloom hoped to be able to put on his robe. "I say he kills him."

Mosley was next. "Taking him prisoner is the wisest move."

Mieonus laughed as she chimed in. "I agree with Yaloom. George will kill him. The mortal's emotions will get the best of him."

George spoke with coldness that Kepler had heard only once. The cat had heard this wickedness on the Peak that George's eyes changed color.

"Did you really think I'd come unprepared, Senchae? You're not all powerful. I should snap you in half," he hissed.

As George spoke, his voice grew louder. "Maybe I'll allow my friends to tear you apart!" George waved his free hand, and the cats appeared below Senchae as he hung suspended. "Do you really want to die, King of Barbarians?"

Senchae searched for the breath to respond. "I'll pa.s.s before I serve you. End me now."

George lowered the big man to the ground, but instead of choking him, he bound his arms and legs with unseen cords. With a calculated approach, he moved his face only inches from the bound king's. "You'll perish, don't worry about that, but not before I use you as my puppet. There are many ways I can make you cooperate." George thought back to another movie he had seen. He could not resist. "We can do this the easy way, or we can do this the real easy way. You choose."

Senchae did not respond. Instead, he just stared George in the eyes.

George chuckled. "Real easy it is. When I'm done, you're the only one that's going to pa.s.s. I'll spare your family, but they'll live in service to me. They'll never know another peaceful Peak in their lives."

"My family would rather perish than serve you," Senchae refuted. The king tried to spit in George's face, but the mage was too quick. He rocked back and used his magic to foil the attempt.

Senchae glared at the spit as it hovered between them. The king did not allow George's dominance of the moment to thwart his proclamation of defiance. "Even my son would not serve a swine like you," he boasted.

George allowed the spit to fall to the ground. He took a deep breath and thought about how he should react. He did not want to let his emotions control him or the situation. What would he do if he was in the big man's shoes? He definitely would not have spoken about a son of his own if he had one.

I wonder how old his son is? George thought. If he's young, it's an opportunity to use Senchae's slip against him. But I need to know more.

"So," George led in, "how is your son, Senchae? Is he as proud as his father?"

The reaction was what George expected. "Of course, he's proud ... and strong! He's a barbarian. He's a king's son."

"Hmmm! Funny that you should say he's strong," George replied. "From where I stand, I don't see strength. I see a defeated king. I see a fool who would rather have his family ended before he admitted weakness."

The barbarian's rage intensified. "Take your magic away, and you're nothing! You're just another coward from the south!"

George laughed. He would not allow himself to be baited into Senchae's argument. He continued to probe to exploit the potential that Senchae's son may be young and vulnerable. "Does your boy have the same weakness as his father?"

"You don't know my son!" Senchae barked. "All barbarians are strong. I'll have you tied between my horses and ripped apart."

The king twisted and turned as he struggled to break free of his magical bonds. Once again the mage laughed, and then he returned Senchae's insult. He spit in the big barbarian's face to amplify the king's rage further.

"My daughter is only five seasons. Let's let our children decide our disagreement." George hoped the king's son was close to Abbie's age. She may not be on Grayham, but she could battle with me, he thought.

"The big man scoffed. "Your child commands magic, or you wouldn't be wasting my moments with such nonsense."

"She commands some, but she won't need to use it," George reb.u.t.ted. She's a sc.r.a.pper. I'd be willing to wager my last Yaloom that she would destroy your son in your arena."

Senchae scoffed, "Without magic, your child is no match for a barbarian. You're wasting my valuable moments. My family would rather pa.s.s than serve you, you piece of garesh."

Once again, the king spit, but during this moment, George simply dodged and let it fly past his face. Senchae's reaction confirmed George's suspicion that his son was not old enough to fight, or the king would've accepted the challenge. The moment had come for the second phase of his plan. He turned to Kepler and spoke to the demon as if the barbarian was not present.

"Kepler, I thought you told me the people from the north were strong. This man won't let our children fight for the crown. Don't you think that's a pathetic display of weakness? I think we should spread word of how weak the barbarian king really is."

Kepler had an idea of where the mage was going with his questioning. He could already see the barbarian biting his tongue. Senchae's pride was baiting him.

The undead cat responded, "I agree, George. I, too, am disgusted. I believed the men from the north to have pride. A true barbarian would never cower from a challenge." Kepler paused for effect. "Perhaps the king's son is secretly a female of his species."

George laughed. "Not much of a territorial force, is she?" Out of the corner of his eye, the mage could see the king was about to blow. "I don't think Senchae knows his son should be wearing a dress."

George and all the cats were now laughing. Even Maldwin laughed, though the rat did not know why. It just felt like the proper thing to do.

This was all it took for Senchae's pride to seize control of his emotions. "My son is not a girl! If he were old enough, I would allow them to battle. I would get no greater satisfaction than watching your seed perish in my arena."

George turned the heat up another notch. He shouted his next statement and took a stab at a confession. "Are you telling me that your son isn't even old enough to beat a girl of only five seasons? You're lying, Senchae! You're scared to put him in the arena!"

Bloodvain cursed. "A boy of three seasons cannot be expected to fight! Let it be! You and I can settle this dispute!"

George took a step back and smiled. "You said too much. Your child is mine now, Senchae."

The king sighed. He had given George exactly what he was after. Senchae pleaded, "Please. There must be a way to settle this dispute between us. I can give you anything you desire. What is your wish?"

Once again, George laughed and then he spoke in a tone that even sent a chill up the G.o.ds' spines. "I want to end your son!"

The king cried out as George issued the demon-jaguars his orders. "Kepler, take one of your brothers into the city. Find the boy, and bring him to me. Leave one of your brothers behind so that I can communicate with the tigers."

George leaned over and whispered in Kepler's ear, "I would prefer the smarter of the two, if you don't mind."

"I will take Koffler with me. But what of the noise the child will make when we carry him out of the city?"

George took a piece of cloth from his pack. He tore a long, thin strip from it, and then tied it around Kepler's neck. He waved his hand across it twice and the strip disappeared. "That will keep him silent. As long as you have the boy in your mouth, he won't be heard."

Kepler enjoyed the cries of the Barbarian King for a moment, and then the demons ran toward the city in the fading light.

After a moment, George found the antic.i.p.ating eyes of the tigers. He asked Keller to give the order for the cats to drag Senchae's mages into the trees. "Tell the tigers to have at them."

Keller nodded. "They'll be happy about that, but I don't think they're fond of you."

"I don't need them to like me. I just need them to obey. Besides, they're getting a free meal. They should just shut up and eat."

"As you wish," Keller responded. The jaguar moved into the trees to join his feline companions in severing limbs.

George listened to the deep growls of the feeding cats for a moment, awed at the veracity of their snarls. He turned back to the king. "That could've been you, Senchae."

He lifted his hand into the air and used his magic to carry Senchae's big frame deep into the brush. Taking another piece of cloth from his bag, he used it as a gag. He needed to keep the road clear until Kepler returned with the king's son.

NIGHT has fallen across Southern Grayham. George built a fire that he could put out quickly if need be while Maldwin ate his cheese and fell asleep.

The mage has commanded two tigers to stand guard over the Barbarian King and directed the others to watch for unwanted visitors from the edge of the tree line.

MOSLEY, Yaloom, Mieonus, and Lasidious are sitting by the fire, invisible to the mortals. Yaloom and Mieonus are in the wagering penalty box. They are wearing each others' clothes since they were wrong about George killing Senchae.

CELESTRIA is 32 Peaks from having her baby. The elven witch family is now pleasant to be around as a result of their last conversation. The G.o.ddess has cooked everyone dinner, and despite her obvious lack of talent for the culinary arts, the family appeased her as they eagerly ate the dried-out platter of meat she set before them.

SAM is elated to hear the news-Shalee is going to make him a father. They have just returned from dinner with the members of the Senate where they announced her pregnancy.

At dinner, the senators expressed concern. They have no idea when the war will take place and wonder if the full mobilization of the military is necessary. To answer, Sam spoke of the G.o.ds' warning to be prepared. He reminded the senators that the kingdom had three bountiful harvests because of the blessing from Alistar.

This seemed to satisfy the members of his government. It was now just a matter of Peaks before Merchant Island would a.s.sign a value to the first shipment of the kingdom's harvests. Soon, they would be dispersed throughout the worlds, and the kingdom's vaults would be full of coin. The funds to support the war would no longer be an issue.

Thank you for reading this edition of the Grayham Inquirer

CHAPTER 32.

A Babysitting Jaguar "THIS IS RIDICULOUS!" Yaloom snapped as he walked around the fire in Mieonus' lifted heels. The dark-blue shoes clashed with the hair on his legs. "I don't like wagering. I never dreamt I'd be doing something this asinine. Your mind is dreadful, Lasidious."

"Quit moving your sniveling snout!" Mieonus barked with her arms crossed and eyes gleaming. "I can't bear the thought of wearing those shoes again after you've touched them. You're disgusting. I have to sit here in your body-odor filled robe, and I'm not whining."

Yaloom stumbled as one of his heels doubled over, sending the G.o.d face first into the flames of George's campfire.

"It appears we have our own personal jester," Lasidious beamed, slapping his knee. "Yaloom ... you're finally useful after all. You would make a great G.o.d of Fools."

"Ha, ha, ha! Very funny! Enjoy your moment at my expense. You'll lose a wager soon enough, then it'll be my turn. We'll see who's laughing then."

The wood shifted as the G.o.d of Greed pushed himself clear of the fire. The deities watched as George looked in their direction.

"That's odd," George said as he waved his hand in the direction of the fire. He was sure something was there, but his attempt to reveal the unseen did not work. "Why would the fire do that? The logs shouldn't scatter like that," he muttered. He waved his hand again for good measure and still nothing appeared.

It was just before dawn when the jaguars returned with Senchae's son. As soon as the Barbarian King saw his boy suspended with his cloth diaper caught on the tip of Kepler's tooth, he cried out, "I'll do anything you want! Please, don't! He isn't old enough to understand why you're doing this to him. If you want my crown, you can have it."

George ignored the plea and plucked the child off of Kepler's tooth. The morning filled with the terrified boy's cries. This amplified Senchae's desire to plead for his son's life. George grabbed the baby by his right leg. The child's face showed his horror as the mage dangled the boy upside-down in front of his father.

"Please! Do what you want with me. Just let him live. Please! Please! He hasn't seen enough seasons. I'll do as you command."

Finally, the king had said the words George wanted to hear. His manipulation had come full circle. He now had a marionette whose strings he intended to pull. He lowered the baby back onto Kepler's tooth to shut it up.

"The moment has come to wager!" Lasidious announced. "I think George will leave the child behind with Keller and take the king into the city."

Mosley placed his wager next. "I say he does the same, except he'll leave Kepler behind, since the jaguar has the cloth around his neck to keep the child quiet."

As soon as Lasidious heard the wolf's logic, he said, "d.a.m.n! I forgot about that."

Yaloom and Mieonus saw an opportunity to get back into their clothes and jumped at the chance to agree with Mosley. Lasidious rolled his eyes. "You two are sheep."

George turned his head in the G.o.ds' direction and waved his hand again to reveal the presence he felt, but nothing happened.

"He knows we're here," Yaloom whispered. "Do you think he's powerful enough to reveal our location?"

Lasidious gently swatted the back of Yaloom's head with the palm of his hand. "Come now, Yaloom. He may feel a presence, but he isn't powerful enough to reveal us. You use your moments to say the d.a.m.ndest things."

George turned back to the task at hand and faced the big barbarian. "Your child cries to live, Senchae. Why would I let him breathe another Peak? I know you came out of your city to end me. I also know it was without the knowledge of your army. You wanted to kill me before I had the chance to challenge you. Why would I change my mind? Why wouldn't I kill the boy?"

All 550 pounds of Senchae sobbed like a baby as he answered. "I'll give you my crown. Just let the boy live. I give you my word that I'll do whatever you ask. Just take the boy back to his mother, and I'll go with you in peace."

George stood and grabbed the baby. He held him upside-down again in front of his father's face. The screaming child reached for Senchae, but George pulled him back. "Do you take me for a fool? I'm not stupid. You don't really believe I'd go into your city without a plan."

The mage re-hung the child by his diaper on the jaguar's tooth and moved within a hand of the king's tear-filled eyes. He hissed as he noticed the puffiness of the dark skin surrounding them. "You'll go with me, barbarian, and I'll leave your baby behind with the cat. If you make so much as one wrong move, he'll come out the back end of the cat as garesh."

George stood and took a few steps away. He took a deep breath and exhaled over an extended series of moments. "Don't worry, Senchae. I intend to release your son once I have your crown. As to your fate, you'll pa.s.s in your arena as payment for sparing your boy's life. You'll be given your burial at sea, and I'll personally harvest your organs. If you try anything stupid, I'll turn you and your son to stone."

George bent over and plucked a small worm off the ground that was crawling near a rock. He dangled it in front of the big man's face and then smiled as the worm stopped wiggling, and its flesh turned gray. George crumbled it up in his fist and then dropped the dust to the ground.

The barbarian wept at the hopelessness of the situation. "I'll do as you command. Please! Just give your word you won't harm the boy once you possess my crown."

" What's the boy's name, Senchae?" George queried.

The man sobbed, "Sadridz."

"You have my word that I'll spare the child." The mage took a seat next to Senchae. "But if you so much as think one wrong thought, Sadridz will become my favorite yard gnome."

Senchae's brow furrowed. He had no clue what George meant by yard gnome, but he did not want to argue. "I understand. We should go. My general will be wondering where I am."

George agreed and then gave his orders. "Kepler, stay with the boy and keep an eye on him. When he gets hungry, feed him the bread from my pack. If I'm not back by tomorrow night, or if anyone tries to rescue the child, devour it and then get out of here."

George made sure the king was paying close attention to everything he said. "Tell Maldwin the moment has come to implement our plan with the king's people. Inform the tigers that I'll be taking them into the city with me. Make sure they know they'll be unseen like before. Ask them not to attack unless they're given the signal."

Kepler did as he was asked.

George looked at the king as he walked over to Kepler. "Are you sure you're ready, Senchae? I'm only going to give you one chance to get this right." He backed away and pointed at Kepler's teeth as the cat yawned. "I'd hate to see your son torn apart."

"You don't need to remind me. Please! Allow me to say goodbye before we go."