George waved his hand and the barbarian could feel his magical bonds release. "Don't overestimate my generosity."

Senchae shook his head. The barbarian moved to take up his son and quieted his cries.

George allowed the barbarian to hold his child for quite a while before he ordered Senchae to put him down.

The king nodded. He took his heavy, sleeveless shirt off to make a spot for the boy to sit.

As George watched Senchae rub his hands through his son's hair, he was thinking, There might be a better use for you, Senchae. Killing you may not be necessary. I'll investigate this on our way into your city. George paused as he remembered something the Mischievous One had said in his last dream. Oh, c.r.a.p! I've got to prepare for the Serpent King's arrival. My h.e.l.l, Lasidious, you could have given me a few more Peaks.

George barked another order. "Let's go! We don't want to worry your men."

"Agreed," the barbarian replied. "How do you want to do this?"

It was like the king was a new man since he had the chance to say goodbye to his son. He seemed at peace, resolved to the idea of his pa.s.sing.

George took a long, deep breath. "I may have thought of an idea that will make us both happy. I'll tell you about it along the way. You might not have to pa.s.s after all."

"Mosley, you won the wager," Lasidious proclaimed. "He left Kepler and took the rest, just as you said he would. Looks like I lost. What would you have me do?"

"I have a few ideas," Yaloom interjected while removing Mieonus' dress and s.n.a.t.c.hing up his robe.

"So do I," Mieonus giggled as she pulled her dress over her head. "There are many deeds we could make him do."

Without responding, Mosley turned to follow George. As he pa.s.sed Senchae's son, he reached out with his invisible paw and touched the boy's head to give him peace. Kepler was sitting near the child. The wolf decided he would appear to the cat. He informed the others he would catch up, saying that he wanted to comfort the youngster. The others agreed and left him behind.

There were other reasons the wolf wanted to stay, but he did not want the others to know them. Once they were out of sight, Mosley allowed himself to be seen.

The jaguar immediately took a defensive posture.

"Relax, Kepler. Do you know who I am?"

"I do," the demon responded. "You took Ba.s.sorine's place in the heavens. What do you want with me?"

"I know I am not the deity you serve, Kepler, but I am the G.o.d who is watching over this child. I have blessed the boy, and you won't be able to end him. He will remain quiet until George returns. It would please me if you would play with him, and keep the boy entertained."

Mosley nudged the child with his snout. Sadridz chuckled. "I think you'll find the boy in a playful mood now." Mosley sniffed the air. "He has soiled his backside."

The demon shook his head, disgusted. "You want me to play with it? I don't play with weaker species. It's degrading. It's bad enough that I should have to sit with this foul creature."

A stern look appeared on Mosley's face. "It would be upsetting if this child doesn't find his stay in the woods to be peaceful." The wolf growled. "Keeping the child-cub happy is the least you could do." Mosley paused and then delivered his next statement in a direct manner. "Especially since you ended my wife when you attacked the unicorns. I'm sure you can imagine that I've not healed from the events of that Peak."

Kepler's eyes widened. "She was your mate?"

Mosley's growl deepened. "She was!"

"I never meant to harm her, Lord Mosley. I swear it. She was in the way. I didn't know who she was. Her demise was not my intent. I meant her no ill will."

Mosley's growl intensified. "Yet, she was ended anyway!"

As the jaguar trembled, the wolf took the moments necessary to calm himself. "I'm not here for revenge. I'm simply here to ask you to care for this child. Play with him, and make him smile. That's all."

"That's it?" Kepler stammered.

Mosley sniffed the child's backside. "You should lick him clean. I'm sure you're willing to do this for me."

The jaguar was quick to agree.

"Good. Consider this task as a way of showing remorse for killing my Luvera. I shall seek vengeance on some other occasion." Mosley looked the cat square in the eyes. "Do we have an accord?"

Kepler nodded. "I give you my word that I'll care for the boy, Lord Mosley. Thank you for your forgiveness."

Mosley growled. "This is only a temporary reprieve, not forgiveness." With that, the wolf-G.o.d disappeared from the cat's sight. He took a few moments to watch Kepler to ensure the jaguar would hold true to his word. After the cat's first lick of the child's bottom and seeing Kepler cringe, Mosley grinned and then ran to catch up with the others.

Meanwhile, George talked with the king as they traveled. "You know, Senchae, we could handle this a better way. It's obvious you're a man who's willing to give his life for his family. I respect that. It's also obvious the people you have surrounding you aren't powerful enough to protect you. The mages you had as your counsel were weak. You know this."

"It would appear this is true."

The mage hesitated. "What is the real reason you find the people of the south to be so pathetic? You can't just perceive them as cowards."

The barbarian thought about how to answer.

"Speak freely," George encouraged. He grinned inside as he made his next statement. "Let's talk as friends, Senchae."

"What on Grayham is he doing?" Lasidious asked as he listened in on the conversation. "This is a twist I didn't see coming. If he does what I think he's going to, it'll be brilliant. Yaloom, do you see the brilliance?"

The G.o.d of Greed had a deer-in-the-headlights stare. Mieonus was not much different.

Lasidious snapped out a retort in frustration. "Where's Mosley when I need to speak with someone who understands strategy? How in all the worlds could either of you be G.o.ds?" He did not wait for a response. Instead, he turned his attention back to the conversation between George and Senchae.

The mage could see Senchae's hesitation. "Look, I already know how you feel. Just give it to me straight."

"Our repulsion of the south is simple," the big man replied. "We feel many of the territories of the south are our lands. The Enchanted Forest, the Pool of Sorrow, and the hills of the Minotaur all once existed beneath the banner of Bloodvain. Brandor stole them from us after they broke a treaty that existed for over 3,000 seasons."

"So you don't really think the people are weak?" George queried. "It's all about land?"

Senchae hesitated. "It's not all about land. We do believe they're weak, but I've never met anyone like you. I must say you've changed my mind in many ways."

"My name is George, and I allow only my friends to call me that. You can call me George, if you'd like."

The barbarian was now more confused than ever. "I don't understand."

"I imagine you wouldn't. Let me explain. The more I think about it, the more I feel you and I could help each other out. Your goal is to defeat the people of the south, correct?"

"Yes, but what does this campaign have to do with us? And why do you speak of us as friends?"

"Because friends work together. Perhaps we can accomplish your goals together."

"I'm listening," Senchae responded without hesitation. "I like what I'm hearing thus far. To dominate the south and retake the territories we've lost would bring honor to my kingdom. I would be remembered on the Scrolls of Old as the mightiest barbarian to have ever lived."

"But you'll need a protector. That's why we should join forces. My reasons for attacking Brandor will remain my own."

George stopped and looked up at the royal wall of a man. "I don't need to be a king to get what I want. The two of us can accomplish great things without sacrifice. Let's go back to get your son. We'll bring him with us. You can announce me as your counsel. All I ask in return is that my family be treated as you would treat your own ... and we'll need to feed my animals, of course."

George pa.s.sed his hand through the air. All six invisible cats appeared next to Maldwin, who had been walking with them. The rodent jumped into George's arms and nervously twitched his nose. He still felt like dinner around them. Maldwin looked up at the mage and with as brave of a face as he could muster, he said, "Everything is A-okay, man!"

Senchae laughed at the rat's attempt at gallantry. "Allow me to ensure I understand. You want to form an alliance and I still get to be king?"

George bowed to the monarch with his manipulative mind in full swing. "I would rather fight with you than against you. I never wanted to end you. I only wanted you to listen."

Senchae could not believe his ears. "I was convinced you were after my throne."

"Did you truly believe that? Think about it for a moment. Your city wouldn't listen to an outsider without your support. If I hadn't commanded your respect, you would've never taken me seriously. Besides, you intended to destroy me first. I didn't have much choice. I had to force your hand. I couldn't allow you to rip me apart."

Senchae gave a thoughtful grin. "You have demonstrated strength worthy of my respect." The king pondered these new ideas. "I like your mind. As allies, we could go after the lands of the south, but this will take a stronger army than I command. What other support can you draw to our campaign?"

Realizing the redirection of his plans was unfolding without flaw, George reached up to pat Senchae on the shoulder. "d.a.m.n, you're a big s...o...b.."

Senchae's brow furrowed, "s...o...b..?"

George chuckled. "Don't worry about it. To answer your question about the support I can bring, Kepler rules the giant cats of the plains. You can see the alliance I have with him. Between his cats and his skeletons, we'll have a powerful force against Brandor. There is one other thing I'm working on, but you'll need to set aside your pride to make it work."

The Barbarian King was intrigued. "What would this be, George?"

The mage smiled and divulged his meeting with the Serpent King.

After a considerable period of moments pa.s.sed, the king acknowledged, "Your scheming is profound. Blood will flow in the rivers of Brandor. But why would the serpent get involved in the affairs of war when his kingdom has lived in peace for so many seasons?"

The mage extended his hand and turned his palm toward the ground. A pebble from the road floated up and settled into his hand. He responded while tossing it up and down. "Someone put it into the Serpent King's head that Brandor is going to attack his kingdom." George grinned to give the barbarian the impression that it was he who had done it.

"You're an ambitious soul," Bloodvain praised. "I would not have employed such tactics." Senchae paused. "I hate snakes. Perhaps you could attend this meeting on your own. My scouts will tell the serpent you're their king as you've requested. I have a home to the south of here. I often use it to get away when I need moments to myself. With your cats, my guards, and your rat, this will be an acceptable place to hold your meeting."

"I agree," George replied. "Let's go get your son. Perhaps you could have your cook prepare us a grand feast when we get to your castle."

"We will feast, George, but I wouldn't expect my leaders to be eager to dine with you. They're barbarians, and this change will challenge their pride."

Mosley lowered his head and began gnawing on his front paw. "I never saw that coming. I think George is smart to form this alliance. If he had killed Senchae, he would not gain the respect of the barbarian people. Senchae's support will be the key to his success."

"I agree," Lasidious replied. "I'm becoming more and more impressed as we go. George is brilliant. He can dispose of the king later. It will be interesting to see how he handles the barbarian military leaders and the Serpent King."

Mieonus added, "George is, indeed, worthy of being a king." She adjusted her b.r.e.a.s.t.s to a s.e.xier position. "I hope he succeeds." The G.o.ddess was becoming a fan of the mage. She was going to keep a close eye on him. "I'm taking my leave now. Mosley, I've enjoyed your company." She vanished.

Mosley and Yaloom agreed and then followed suit.

Lasidious smiled as he vanished. The G.o.d of Mischief had avoided the consequences of the lost wager.

CHAPTER 33.

An Example Made GEORGE, SENCHAE, SADRIDZ, MALDWIN, and KEPLER, along with the rest of their feline companions, arrived at the king's castle. As they pa.s.sed through the barbarian's city, many heads turned. Most men did not travel with seven man-eating cats and an oversized rat.

Bloodvain was a rugged city. The area reminded George of a national park with equally rugged people living in it. The expanse of the city was built within a heavy forest. It extended to the north until the tree line ended at the beach of the Blood Sea and a Peak's ride on horseback both to the east and west.

The Bloodvain River flowed from the Pool of Sorrow through the Dark Forest and through the center of Senchae's city. Heavy wooden bridges spanned its depths, and the river was full of fish. During the moments it took to cross the bridge leading into the city, the group had seen two men catch enough fish to feed a small family.

As they walked through the trees, George's frustration grew. Everywhere he looked, the place reminded him of log cabins-a lifestyle he loathed. He was careful to keep his feelings to himself, not wanting to strain his new relationship with the king. It was bad enough he had been sleeping on the ground, something he would never have done on Earth, but now he was faced with the likelihood of spending the rest of his life in a wooden shack. He hoped the king's castle was much nicer. If it was, he would find a room there until he could build something that was more suited to his tastes. He was not about to live like an animal, and he missed his Gucci clothes.

As it turned out, Senchae's home was nothing more than a giant lodge. It was nicer than the rest of the city, but the mage felt it looked like the home of the Brawny paper towel man. It was not a place for George. He would have to figure out a way to renovate, but for now, this termite buffet would have to suffice.

Everywhere George looked, he saw trophies from the king's hunts. Heads of animals that looked like deer, boar, mountain goat, Minotaur, mounted fish, and various birds hung all over the walls. Life-sized stuffed animals in various poses were scattered throughout the structure. He saw bears, gorillas, buffalo-like beasts, and after the third giant cat, he stopped Senchae.

Kepler and his posse were agitated. The idea of their feline family being used as trophies was not sitting well with them. "Ummm ... Senchae, perhaps you should get rid of the stuffed cats," George suggested.

The king was quick to apologize. He had his servants take the trophies out of the castle-lodge. This seemed to pacify the cats, and Kepler was able to calm his subjects.

Once in the throne room, the king sent Sadridz to find his mother. A moment later, the general entered with three high-ranking officers of the Barbarian Army. From the door they entered, they did not see their king's travel companions since their backs were to them.

Fergus expressed his concern, "Sire, rumors are spreading through the city. They say you travel with undesirables. Is it true that you've allowed a southerner through the gates?"

Senchae looked around his general and nodded his head in George's direction.

The leader of the army spun around. Realizing he had spoken in front of the king's company, he faced Senchae and bowed. "Sire, please forgive my intrusion."

Bloodvain frowned. "Stand up, Fergus! If the moment of your intrusion had been less than perfect, I would've had you beaten."

George smirked. "General, I wouldn't call my group undesirable. I'd call us diversified."

Senchae grinned and then slapped his hand against the arm of his throne. "Introduce yourself to George, Fergus. I met him south of the city. He shall be my consulate."

"What?" Realizing his tone, the general added in a softer voice, "My King, your consulate? How could you possibly let this ... this-"

"This what, General?" Senchae questioned as he held Fergus' glare.

George interrupted. "Are you suggesting I'm not capable of performing the task, or are you bothered because I'm not barbarian?"

Fergus looked at Senchae as if he was asking permission to confront the man from the south.

Senchae smiled as he looked at George. "Are you prepared for barbarian hospitality?"

"That's what I'm here for," the mage replied. "I think I'll fit right in."

Senchae slapped his hand again on the arm of his throne. "Then go ahead and speak your mind, Fergus."

George decided to say something to stir things up before the general could speak. "I can handle this, My King."