After the mage's third trip, George decided to step up his drunken act. He sang out to announce the whereabouts of the Crystal Moon as he glared at the barbarian he had been talking to. "Hey, big man! Did you know the Crystal Moon has been stolen from the Temple of the G.o.ds?"

The mage lifted his voice to ensure everyone would hear. "I know where two of the Crystal Moon's pieces are!" He pulled his pack off his back and then opened it. "I have them on me! They're right here."

As the mage lifted the pieces high into the air, George continued to feign his drunkenness by stumbling around the room. "I spoke with the Serpent King! Shhhhhhhhh ... don't tell anyone. Seth is going to let me hide these in his lair."

Lasidious acted surprised. "What's he doing? He's going to ruin everything he's accomplished."

Mieonus was the first to respond. "I'm glad he's your puppet and not mine."

"Be quiet," Mosley urged, "and listen!"

George made sure his speech sounded slurred. "My buddy, Sam, is the King of Brandor. I'm sure you've all heard about him. I'm equally sure that I don't have to tell any of you that Sam would be p.i.s.sed right now if he knew I had these."

The mage fell onto his backside as he put both crystals back in his pack and continued to speak from the floor. "I bet Sam would pay a reward if he knew I was taking the crystals to the Serpent King's city." The mage paused as if he was thinking. "Then again ... that b.a.s.t.a.r.d's too cheap to see that this kind of information was worth good coin. Perhaps someone should explain it to him."

The mage scanned the faces that were sitting at various tables and along the length of the bar. His eyes stopped on an elderly, barbarian woman who was sitting at the bar. She was pretty by barbarian standards. She was accompanied by her two sons and her husband. The whole family looked like they should not be messed with. "You look like a smart woman," George complimented, "don't you think I'm right?"

Rather than wait for the woman's response, the mage redirected his attention to the rest of the room. "I bet everyone in here thinks I'm right."

George smiled as a number of heads nodded, and then he stumbled up to the big barbarian he had been speaking with earlier. "Didn't you say your name was Terron? What do you think?" The mage threw his arm around Terron.

The barbarian's voice was deep. "I think you would be wise to just sit and enjoy an ale without bringing further attention to yourself."

George removed his arm and put a bright smile on his face. "I feel you, brother ... but I'm in the mood to stir the pot!"

With the bar continuing to fill with interested ears, all the mage had to do was play the part a bit longer, and eventually, someone would confront him. George reached into his front, pants pocket and pulled out a handful of Owain coins. He tossed one in the direction of every patron. "All your drinks are on me tonight!" he boasted. "I love you all!" The mage released a large hiccup to add to his perception of drunkenness.

The mage returned to his stool at the bar. He used it to climb up and take a seat on the counter. "You know what? I could use some company. Does anyone want to go to the Serpent King's lair with me?"

When no one accepted the mage's offer, George threw his hands in the air and pretended to be angry. "You're all pathetic! Why am I buying a bunch of spineless idiots drinks?"

A powerful voice called out from across the room as he stepped through the swinging doors of the inn, "I'd be careful who you insult, southerner! A swine of a man like yourself would be an easy target for a killing if he failed to watch his tongue!"

George redirected his attention to find the source of the threat. The man was an intimidating looking barbarian. He was much larger than the wall of a man he had been talking to earlier, and he was almost Senchae's size. His eyes carried a cold confidence within them. The big man's clothes were made of leather and furs, and his muscular forearms rippled. George could not have picked a better person with whom to finish his drunken demonstration.

The mage stumbled in the big man's direction. "I bet you think you're the one who has the b.a.l.l.s to stop me, don't you?" George slurred. "I have bigger fish to fry than you. You're a waste of my moments."

The G.o.ds watched in disbelief as George stumbled around acting like a fool. "He's being careless and stupid," Mosley announced.

"I can't believe this," Lasidious added. "I think he's letting the ale affect his judgment. He's picking a fight with the biggest guy in the bar."

A moment later, Yaloom appeared. "George is going to kill him. He'll need to leave after this. Is anyone in a wagering mood?"

All the G.o.ds turned to face Yaloom. They were surprised by the G.o.d of Greed's sudden appearance.

"I thought you weren't coming," Lasidious stated.

Yaloom rolled his eyes. "Shut up!" He looked across the bar and nodded in George's direction. "I wager that he kills the barbarian and heads for the Serpent King's lair to hide the crystals."

Mosley agreed. "I also say he kills the barbarian and heads for the Serpent King's lair."

Mieonus rubbed her hands together. "I disagree. I think he'll kill the barbarian, but then he'll return home to sleep off his intoxication before he makes his way to the snake's lair."

"I agree with Mieonus," Lasidious added.

The Book of Immortality cleared its throat. All the G.o.ds were intrigued by the expression on the Book's new face as it spoke. "I would also like to wager. I say George will kill the barbarian, but he'll neither sleep nor go to the serpent's lair. I believe he'll teleport to Scorpion Island. It's there he'll hide the crystals. No one would think to look for them there since the dead rot on the island's sh.o.r.es. I believe George is sober, and this is a ruse. He wishes to draw Brandor to Seth's city of serpents. The mage believes that someone will tell Sam about his supposed hiding spot for the crystals."

Lasidious laughed. "I have to admit that that's pretty devious." The G.o.d paused as the Mischievous One realized that they had not given the Book a name. It was odd to be chatting with the tome and be unable to address it in a formal manner. "I hate to say it, but I agree with the Book. But there's something else that's bothering me."

"What is that?" Mosley queried.

"It's silly, I suppose. But do you realize we've all been sitting here talking to the Book, and it feels like it's one of us? Do you know what I mean?"

Mosley nodded with the others as Lasidious continued. "I feel like it's a part of our group now. Perhaps we should give the Book a name." Lasidious looked at the tome's new eyes. "Would you like a man or woman's name?"

Mieonus clapped her hands together as she cut in, "That's a great idea. I agree with you, Lasidious. We should name the Book. The Book no longer seems complete now that it has a face."

Everyone nodded in agreement. But as they did, George turned the big barbarian who had made the threat to stone. The mage left the statue standing at the center of the room and then exited the inn.

Since the G.o.ds were enjoying their conversation too much to care, they dismissed the killing with little more than a backward glance and continued their conversation. Only a short series of moments pa.s.sed before the Book interrupted as the G.o.ds debated to choose a name.

"I like Thomas," the Book announced.

"Thomas?" Lasidious questioned. "How about something that suits the power you possess? Thomas is a fine name, but it sounds weak."

Mieonus jumped into the conversation. "How about a name like Deegan? That sounds more powerful."

The Book did not like the G.o.ddess' suggestions, but Mosley was quick to add another, "How about a name fit for the dragons on Dragonia? Perhaps Drake?"

The Book declined. "I chose Thomas for a reason. Of all the souls inside my pages, Thomas is the one who stands out above the rest. This specific being was from Dukas, and he perished during its destruction. I've grown fond of Thomas, and I speak with his soul on a regular basis. He was only 10 seasons old when he perished. I-"

"Yes, we know. You liked the child," Lasidious interrupted. "But the name you choose will be with you for eternity. Make it a strong name, and don't settle for something feeble."

The Book tried to defend his position, but Mieonus interrupted. "We aren't going to call you Thomas. You might as well pick something stronger. Give us another name."

Mosley stopped gnawing his right, front paw. "You might as well not argue. A book of your stature needs a strong name."

Agitated, the Book thought a moment, and then it spit out another name. "How does Gabriel sound?"

All the G.o.ds agreed. Since it was a male name, they took the moments to adjust the Book's new facial features to something more masculine.

The wolf tried out the Book's new designation. "Gabriel, it is nice to meet you." The wolf laughed at how silly it seemed to refer to the Book as a real person.

"It's a boy, everyone!" Mieonus announced. "But the baby has a square head. Don't tell his mother, she'll want to put him back on the shelf."

Only Yaloom chuckled at Mieonus' joke.

The G.o.ddess struck her lifted heel against the wooden floor of the inn. "I hate you all!" she sneered.

The wolf rolled his eyes and changed the subject. "Gabriel, perhaps we should look for George to see who won the wager."

"Agreed."

The G.o.ds hovered close as Lasidious checked his map to see where the mage had gone. As it turned out, the Book was correct. George was inside the cave on Scorpion Island. They decided to join the mage, but on this occasion, the G.o.ds would not stay hidden. They appeared behind the unsuspecting human.

Lasidious was the first to speak. "Nice act, George. I thought you were drunk."

George whirled around "Holy garesh, man! I just c.r.a.pped myself. What are you doing here ... and why are they with you?"

Kepler and his brothers remained hidden in the shadows. The demon-cats watched as Mosley sniffed around. The wolf spoke. "George. I have to admit that you had me fooled."

Once Mosley realized the jaguars were present, he snorted his disapproval and then continued to speak without acknowledging their presence. "You're creative, and you accomplished your deception without the a.s.sistance of your useless feline companions. Tell Kepler I look forward to our next meeting."

"Oh, shut up, wolf!" Mieonus snapped. "You know the beasts are hiding." She looked at George. "You play the game well. You would make a fine G.o.d. Your deception will keep Brandor guessing. I hope you win the war."

Gabriel floated to a hovering position in front of George. "You're a far cry from the soul that resides in my pages. Abbie isn't deceitful like you are. I find it hard to believe that your daughter's gentle spirit was given to you to be her father. Perhaps with our guidance, she would not have joined the d.a.m.ned. How could your G.o.d have expected a man with such malice in his heart to raise a child who had the potential to possess such innocence? Abbie is nothing like you are-nothing like you at all. Yet she still loves you."

George dropped to his knees at the mentioning of his Abbie. He was about to question Gabriel to try and understand the meaning of his words, but Lasidious cut in. "Hmmm, hmmm, hmmm, George!" the Mischievous One said in a louder-than-normal tone.

The mage picked up on the hint and dropped the subject.

"What's next, my friend? What happens in this cave stays in this cave."

George rolled his eyes as he stood and used his magic to clean the scorpion garesh off his knees. "You make it sound like we're in Vegas, Lasidious."

The G.o.ds looked puzzled as George studied their faces. "Oh, forget it! d.a.m.n this world!"

The mage reached down and scratched the top of Mosley's head as the wolf sniffed at his feet. "Since when did the G.o.ds decide to start following me around? I must be turning heads, eh?"

"You are," Gabriel responded. "What's next?"

The mage shifted his feet. "It's weird to be talking to a book." He walked around Gabriel and studied the Book from all angles. "So we got a wolf that's a G.o.d and a book that's a G.o.d. This place trips me out."

Gabriel corrected, "I'm not a G.o.d, George. You have been misinformed if you believe otherwise."

George shook his head. "I really don't care what you are. But, hey, who am I to talk garesh? But I will say this ... you're just another freak."

Lasidious grinned and added to the conversation as he watched the annoyance appear on the Book's face. "So are you going to tell us what's next, George?"

George tossed the two pieces of the Crystal Moon on the ground. "I don't think I'm going to tell you what I'm up to. You can watch as everything unfolds. Isn't that what you guys do best?" George took a knee behind the pedestal, and then he used his magic to dig a hole behind it. "Now, if you don't mind, I've got a couple crystals to hide. Perhaps you guys would be kind enough to leave me alone...?"

CHAPTER 38.

A Ticket Out of Here WITH THE G.o.dS NOW GONE, George finished burying the pieces of the Crystal Moon behind the pedestal. As he stood, he patted the top of the podium and looked beyond it at the blood-stained area of earth where the Scorpion King had torn apart Shalee's friend. The memory of how Shalee called out Helga's name kept playing in his mind again and again, and the more he allowed himself to think about it, the more his actions bothered him.

After a long series of moments, George sighed. The mage spoke to the spot where the older sorceress had been ended as he walked toward it. "I'm truly sorry, Helga. I cannot express to you how sorry I am."

A fair series of moments pa.s.sed before George continued. "But the thing about your situation is ... and I mean no offense when I say this ... but my Abbie had to be more important than you. h.e.l.l ... she's more important than anyone. I just couldn't risk my life for somebody I didn't know. You had to be a smart woman, right? I'm sure you can understand that what I did wasn't personal."

George made sure his tone was sincere, and he even nodded as he held up his hands in a pleading manner to deliver his next statement. "I'm sure you can understand that everything that happened was for the purpose of getting my Abbie back."

Hearing his own logic, George frowned. "Holy garesh! I sound like a p.r.i.c.k. d.a.m.n it, Helga!" The mage bent down and placed his right hand on the spot where Helga's torso was pulverized. "Perhaps on some other Peak I would've found a way to stop him."

Ignoring the uncleanliness of his surroundings, George lowered to his rear end. He bent his knees and wrapped his arms around them. "I'll promise you this. If ever an opportunity presents itself to pay you back in another life, I swear I'll do it. No one should ever have to pa.s.s the way you did. My lack of action was inexcusable. Only a sad-a.s.s individual would allow a woman to die like that." A true caring sentiment consumed George as he placed his right hand over his heart and cried for a fair series of moments.

But true to form, the jerk eventually allowed his remorse to turn to scorn. "What the h.e.l.l, Helga? What were you doing here in the first place?" The mage stood and kicked a blood-stained rock with the toe of his left boot. He watched as the stone rolled beyond the entrance of the corridor and struck the wall across the hallway. The rock settled into a pile of scorpion garesh. "Stupid woman!"

Kepler decided to add to the conversation. "George, it's comforting to know that you have a conscience. This will make you a stronger leader and a more reliable companion. Never allow your regret to destroy a sentiment as pure as the one you just expressed. Own your emotions, and use them to become a territorial force. Regret will only hold you back if you don't learn from it."

Kepler's openness surprised George. "d.a.m.n, Kep, you're like an onion. If I peel you back far enough, I just might find a good guy inside."

The cat would have responded, but Koffler's grating voice filled the labyrinth corridor from the shadows. "What's an onion?"

Though Keller and Kepler also did not know what an onion was, they growled, "Shut up, Koffler!"

George grinned. His next statement was followed with a wink. "Thanks for being so cool, Kep. I would've never guessed that I'd be taking advice from a giant kitty."

Once the demons were finished snarling their distaste for the mage's attempt at humor, George asked the jaguars to gather around him. He then used his magic to ensure the cats were invisible. Once they were touching one another, he teleported with the group to a familiar spot outside the city of Champions. They made their way to a raucous, hole-in-the-wall tavern, and this would be their last stop of the night. A group of Brandorian soldiers were celebrating their friend's last night as a single man.

George noticed that the future groom happened to be an officer in Sam's army. The mage smiled, and then he delivered a similar performance like he had inside The b.l.o.o.d.y Trough, but he did make a significant change. He had Kepler and his brothers pin everyone against a wall. Amongst the cats' snarls, the mage professed to his frightened audience that he was going to hide the two pieces of the Crystal Moon in the Serpent King's lair. His declaration was as good as gold.

Before George left the tavern, he turned the groom to stone, and then he threatened the dead man's friends who were as highly ranked. Once the mage was sure his message about the crystal pieces would get to Sam, he leaned over and whispered in Kepler's ear. "Kill everyone, but let two of Sam's men escape. Meet me outside when you're done."

As George sat on the heavy, wooden railing of the porch, he listened to the sounds of death that came from inside. Moments later, the two survivors burst through the door and bounded down the steps with Keller close behind. After chasing them down the road a bit, the demon stopped. Once the blood-soaked cats finished feasting, George teleported the group south of Bloodvain before the guards of Champion arrived.

George commanded, "Keller, go into the city and deliver a message. Tell Senchae that I want him to mobilize the army and head west into the Neutral Territory. From there, he needs to march the army south and stop just north of the Serpent King's city and set up camp. The army needs to mobilize before morning. I want Sam's scouts to think Senchae is after the crystals. Let's hope Sam takes the bait and takes his army to the serpent's doorstep."

The mage reached into his pocket and produced a blank piece of parchment. He used his magic to project his thoughts onto the page. "Take this note to Senchae. If you forget anything, it's all here." George rolled the parchment up and tied it to the demon's neck. "Hurry! Once you return, we'll go to Athena's. We'll sleep through the Peak and go to Angels Village tomorrow night. We have a lot of work to do over the next 9 Peaks."

When the group finally arrived in Lethwitch, George called out for Athena as if it was any other night. "Honey, I'm home."

Athena ran into the room and jumped into his arms. "Oh, I've missed you. How long are you here for?"

"I've got to leave tomorrow. I'll be gone for a while, but I should be able to put the family together real soon. You won't have to work if you don't want to. Your family can come with us as well."

Athena hugged him, "Where will we be living?"

George took a deep breath. "In City View. I think you'll love it there. So will the family."

Athena gasped. "That city is full of barbarians. What about our safety?" She cupped her hand over her mouth. "What about our baby's safety? My family won't want to go."

"There's no reason to worry. I'm respected throughout the barbarian kingdom for the work I do. No one will harm us. We will be safe, and so will the family."