Marcus bit down on his lip to avoid a cutting response. "I'm also hungry. With my brother taking on a new Mystic Learner, an opportunity will present itself. I'll meet you in the dining hall in a few moments. I need to put away a few things first ... if that's alright with you?"

Boyafed shrugged. "Suit yourself." The dark paladin left the room.

As the Order leader shut the door, Marcus whispered. "Soon you'll be forced to watch your tongue, Boyafed. When that Peak comes, you'll bow before me or perish. I would prefer the latter." Marcus teleported.

Gregory Id's Gla.s.s Palace The Next Peak The White Chancellor called for the leader of his white paladin army to come to a meeting. He was waiting for Lord Dowd to arrive when Mykklyn entered his bedroom chamber. The goswig's paws thumped against the floor as the lioness sauntered across the gla.s.s while she looked through it at the river of water that pa.s.sed beneath the tower.

The lioness spoke. "Dowd has arrived. He's waiting for you in the throne room."

Gregory looked in his mirror and adjusted his green robe. "Please tell Lord Dowd that I'll be there in a moment."

The goswig looked at Gregory's robe. "I hate green, Your Boringness." The lioness vanished.

Now, fellow soul ... allow me to tell you about Lord Dowd and the white army. Dowd was the leader of the white paladins, and he hailed from a strong, elven family that lived in service to several White Chancellors for more than 6,000 seasons. Dowd was, by far, the strongest leader the Paladins of Light had ever served. He was large, powerful, diplomatic, and his short, sandy-brown hair accented a strong jaw line. His presence demanded respect, he exuded confidence, and his men followed him without waiver.

Dowd's men numbered 51,000, with another 9,000 in training. The white army served two G.o.ds: Keylom-G.o.d of Peace, and Helmep-G.o.d of Healing. Both deities revealed their t.i.tles to their followers, and they allowed the ranks of the white army to believe that they knew what they stood for.

Dowd considered himself a devout follower of his lords, and he never failed to pray thrice Peakly. He saw to it that every elf beneath him heard of the path that his G.o.ds intended for them to follow. He did this to ensure that all his men would see the heaven that Keylom and Helmep promised to provide if ever the Peak came that they were to perish under his leadership.

The white army was not given a designated name on the Peak of its creation. The Paladins of Light was bestowed upon the army by the people 111 seasons after the army was formed. This name was given only after the Order attacked the Kingdom of Lavan, and the white army drove the darkness out of their territory. With the darkness defeated, the army then became known as the Paladins of Light.

"Lord Dowd, thank you for coming," Gregory said after he appeared seated on his throne.

"Chancellor," Dowd responded. He bowed his head in respect. "How may I be of service to you?"

"I fear Marcus has become more of an irritation than he normally is. Recently, he made a threat against my being. Please send spies to Marcus' city. I fear his threat was sincere. We need intelligence."

Lord Dowd nodded. "I'll make it happen. I shall also double the guards throughout the city, and along the battlements. Further, I'll give them shorter watches to ensure they maintain a keen eye. Will this suffice to ease your mind?"

The chancellor nodded. "It'll definitely help."

"What other business do we need to discuss on this Peak?"

Gregory leaned forward on his throne. "For now, the Head Master has offered to a.s.sist. He has given me an amulet to wear for my protection, and he has also provided additional security." Gregory pointed up. "I'd like you to meet Hepplesif."

The kedgle's wings fluttered atop his spidery back as Hepplesif descended from one of the gla.s.s beams that spanned the throne room. He twitched his mouse-like nose as he settled on the floor only a few paces away from Dowd.

The leader of the white army watched in amazement as Hepplesif's legs clicked against the gla.s.s. "What are you?" Dowd queried.

Gregory was the one to answer. "Hepplesif is a kedgle. Their king has been gracious enough to send 100 of his kind to a.s.sist in the protection of the palace."

Dowd was intrigued. He had heard of the kedgles, but he had never seen one. He leaned down to study Hepplesif's body.

After a moment, Hepplesif spoke. "Lord Dowd, this introduction has become uncomfortable. I understand your curiosity, but perhaps we could get back to the matter at hand?"

"By all means," Dowd conceded. "I didn't mean to be rude."

"Your reaction is understood. I felt the same way when I first laid my eyes upon one of your kind. You look just as odd to me as I must to you."

"I can imagine." Dowd turned his attention back to Gregory, "What is the kedgles' role to be?"

Gregory stood from his throne. The chair was made of an opaque, white gla.s.s. Thick, red cushions had been mounted to the seat and its back. The throne sat at the center of a large, circular area that was transparent and without imperfection. The throne looked as if it was hovering-sitting on nothing, and an elf could look through this spot and see Gregory's library that was one floor beneath the throne room. Just as they did in Brayson's school, countless fairies were flying back and forth while they organized thousands upon thousands of books and scrolls from one shelf to another. The rest of the throne room, though still made of gla.s.s, looked and felt like stone.

As Gregory responded to Dowd's question, the White Chancellor walked toward the window, "The kedgles will summon illusions to create confusion if the palace is attacked. Their magic should provide your men with an advantage when the chaos ensues."

Dowd thought a moment. He turned to look at Hepplesif. "I a.s.sume your illusions will only affect our enemy?"

The kedgle nodded. "That's correct."

"Then what do you need from me?" Dowd added.

The hard points at the end of Hepplesif's legs clicked against the gla.s.s as he moved to a better position from which to converse. The kedgle climbed up the side of Gregory's throne and stopped on its arm. "It's best that I know what my allies and my enemies will be wearing. My kind should know this to keep your men from being affected by our illusions."

"Sounds promising," Dowd responded. He removed his cape and then took off his breastplate. He then motioned for a servant to take his armor to the chamber he had been a.s.signed and then put his cape back on.

With the sun about to reach the Peak of Bailem, Dowd stopped the meeting and then lowered to both knees. He offered no explanation and began to pray. "My Lords, Keylom and Helmep..."

As the white army leader continued to pet.i.tion his G.o.ds, Gregory quickly moved across the room to kneel beside Dowd.

The kedgle commander bit down on his lower lip, crossed his arms and waited for them to finish an act that all kedgles believed to be futile.

With the prayer complete, Dowd fanned the collar of his shirt to refresh himself as he stood to continue the meeting. "Hepplesif, my men will wear silver plate or chain, with white markings. If they aren't on duty, all soldiers have taken an oath. They are sworn to always wear their cape. As you saw, it's black with white trim. The symbol of our army, the Turtle Elf of Healing, sits at its center. I, however, will be wearing black plate with silver trim.

"As far as the Order, their men wear black plate and black capes with gold accents. Their symbol is a golden altar that rests on both shoulders and again at the center of their capes. You'll have no trouble picking them out of a crowd."

Hepplesif looked at Gregory. "Chancellor, it seems as if everything is in order. Lord Dowd, I suggest you also wear silver plate to avoid confusion. I'll speak with you again during some other series of moments. For now, I must speak with my kind to ensure they understand what has been discussed."

The kedgle pounded his tiny right fist against his chest and left it there. "Lord Dowd, Saessa omentiena elle. I'narra ena gothrime glinuvan nuinle I'anora!"

"It was good to meet you as well, Hepplesif," the white army leader responded. "I also hope the sun finds their bones inviting."

Hepplesif lifted from the arm of the throne and flew out of the room. Once gone, Gregory addressed Dowd. "Please keep me informed. I'd like to know when your spies have gathered intelligence about my brother's intentions."

"Tinna' enta ley omonta, Chancellor."

Gregory stepped forward and placed his right hand on the white army leader's left shoulder. "Until then, Lord Dowd."

After Gregory and Dowd left, a figure emerged from behind a pillar that sat at the far end of the throne room. It was the Dark Chancellor. "Well, well ... my little brother has a plan and my big brother's amulet about his neck. That's all that saved you on this Peak, little brother. You're smarter than you look. But you cannot outwit the darkness." Marcus vanished.

Meanwhile, the Mountains of Oraness Now, fellow soul ... when Brayson took Fisgig as his goswig, he was warned by his father, Hedron Id-the Head Master before him-of the danger he would face during the series of moments encompa.s.sing the phoenix's cycle of pa.s.sing. Despite this danger, Hedron allowed Brayson to make the final choice, and Brayson chose Fisgig because the phoenix possessed more power than any other creature on Luvelles. Since then, only one creature has been born with the potential to command power stronger than Fisgig.

Brayson looked down at Fisgig's ashes. The phoenix had burned himself to his end the night before. Now, it was only a matter of waiting for the bird to rise again.

As Brayson entered the Source's cave, he was dwelling on the relationship between George and Payne. It was not long before the Head Master was standing in front of the dragon. He could not see the beast, since the Source chose to remain invisible, but he knew the dragon was there.

Brayson lowered to one knee and smiled. "Yooraer ... qeel re, nay sann loome'!"

A voice responded from the nothingness. "h.e.l.lo, Brayson." The dragon materialized and winked to show Brayson that he understood the Head Master was jesting since they had visited just the other Peak. "You're right, Brayson, it has been too long since last we looked upon one another. I bid you good Peak as well. To what do I owe the pleasure of another visit?"

Brayson's eyes widened as the dragon stretched. A smile crossed his face as the expanse of the cavern was filled with the beast's form. "Ancient One, I have come to stay while my goswig prepares to be reborn. Also ... I have taken on a new Mystic Learner. Perhaps you'll meet him when the moment is right. His skills are advanced for someone who hasn't received training. It's as if he has been blessed by the G.o.ds."

"Is this being mortal?"

"He is."

"Intriguing. I shall speak with the G.o.ds to see if their manipulations have touched his soul. What else can you tell me of the happenings on Luvelles?"

Brayson sat on the floor and crossed his legs. "The woman I introduced you to has stolen my heart. I don't seem to be able to keep her at bay. I worry she'll be a distraction. I need your advice."

"Ahhhhhh! Love and magic can be a troublesome combination. Take a seat. I have also experienced love. I remember ... it was just over 3,000,000 seasons ago when..."

The Underground Village of Gogswayne When Gage finally awoke, he lifted his head from the pillow. As his eyes focused, he noticed an odd-looking creature staring down at him. The lower portion of its body looked like a snake's, and it merged with a torso that had wings on its back that allowed the creature to hover in one spot. Two muscular arms, covered with scales, were attached to two claws. The creature's head appeared as any man's. He had brown hair, dark eyes and the pointed ears of an elf. Every now and then, a slithering tongue shot out of his mouth.

Gage rubbed his eyes against his forearm and took a second look. "Where am I?" he said with a groggy voice.

"What a shame. He doesn't know where he is," the creature hissed, and then he flew out of the quaint, little home without saying another word. After retrieving a number of logs that had been stacked near the base of a tree, the creature flew back inside and threw a log on the fire. He then moved into a position far enough away from the badger to allow for good conversation.

"You don't know where you are. I figured as much." The serwin's tongue shot out of his mouth again. "It's a shame. Everyone forgets. Coming back from Ultor's kingdom is hard on the body. We've all been through it. You will be tired for a few Peaks before you begin to feel normal."

Gage thought a moment. "I remember shrinking and meeting with the king. The last thing I recall is being carried to the surface, but not much else. My name is Gage."

"Syse told me your name before he left. He informed me that you spoke with Ultor. You should feel honored. I can't think of another goswig who has spoken with the king other than Strongbear. Usually, we meet with his second in command. I'm sure your story will be one to tell the others."

Gage stood. His limbs felt feeble. It took most of his strength to remain upright. "Where am I?"

"You're in Gogswayne. I'll take you into the village once you've rested."

"What's your name?" Gage queried. "And what are you? And how many others of us are there?"

"Where are my manners?" the creature chuckled. "My name is Gallrum. I'm a serwin."

"I've heard of your kind." Gage lowered his head back to the pillow. "But I have never met one of you."

"Then it's my honor to be your first." The serwin bowed. "To answer your other question ... there are nearly 1,000 goswigs living in Gogswayne. You, my friend, just increased our population to 998. There will be a celebration the day we hit 1,000."

Gage smiled. "So the village does have a name after all."

"Of course, it does. Doesn't every village have a name?"

The badger smirked. "I suppose."

The furniture in Gallrum's home was charming, made of wood, and the covers the badger had been lying beneath looked as if someone had taken the moments to quilt them. This place was much more pleasant than Marcus' palace.

Gallrum commented as Gage looked at the craftsmanship of the blanket. "Strongbear is the one who makes such things. He's a master craftsman."

The badger's brow furrowed. "A male made these?"

"Yes. He's very talented, don't you think?"

"Yes ... very. But is this Strongbear a little ... well, you know ... a little on the sensitive side?"

Gallrum laughed. "Strongbear hates it when someone makes that a.s.sumption. It would be a shame if you said that to anyone else around here."

"I'm sorry. I just a.s.sumed."

"I wouldn't a.s.sume much while living in Gogswayne. Strongbear is always sewing something. He provides most everyone in the village something he has quilted at one moment or another. He is also the owner of the finest establishment that serves the best quaggle in town."

"Quaggle?" Gage responded. "What's that?"

Gallrum gasped. "It's a shame you don't know. Quaggle is the finest meal a goswig can eat. You'll have to see for yourself."

"I look forward to it." Gage thought back to what he had learned about the goswigs' village. "I know you said the village is called Gogswayne, but I was told by more than one other goswig that this was a place with no name."

Gallrum shook his head. "We've already confirmed that you were wrong."

The badger smirked. "What else can you tell me?"

The serwin flew over to a small table. He reached down and lifted a book from its surface with his claws and then tossed it across the room. "Inside, you'll find a record of everyone who lives in the village. I'll give you the moments necessary to study it. Perhaps you should pay special attention to page 323."

Gage fluffed the pillow with his paw. "Why?"

The serwin c.o.c.ked his head and smiled. "Because it's about me."

"I see. Perhaps I'll start there. I'm feeling tired, so I shall do it when I wake. Thank you, Gallrum. I look forward to meeting the others."

"Sleep well." The serwin waited next to the fire until the badger was asleep before he left the home and shut the door behind him.

Lasidious and Celestria are inside their home beneath the Peaks of Angels on Ancients Sovereign. They plan to stay away from the others of the Collective until the moment is right to reveal the exact location of the third piece of the Crystal Moon.

Head Master Brayson is still inside the Source's cave. He has spoken at length with the ancient dragon and is now speaking with the king of Southern Grayham through a pool filled with molten lava.

Sam's image is shimmering within the fiery liquid as the king informs Brayson of his queen's desire to visit Luvelles. Brayson keeps wiping the sweat from his brow due to the heat, and judging by the way the conversation is going, Shalee will be given a Right of Pa.s.sage to Luvelles.

George and Payne are still inside the Book of Bonding on the Head Master's desk. They are hungry, but George is unsure if it is safe to eat the food from the banquet table since the room had been filled with poisonous gas.

Kepler has rounded up a number of swa.s.sel gophers that he happened to cross paths with while roaming the woods around the family's new homes. The demon-jaguar has also asked the gophers to dig him a new lair beneath the rocks located at the center of the community.

Athena, Susanne, and Mary are visiting inside Mary's home. Baby Garrin has finished cutting his first tooth, and he seems happier. Athena and Susanne are enjoying the tale of Mary's first date with Brayson.

Shalee has arrived on Southern Grayham's Merchant Island. She plans to teleport back to Brandor once she has familiarized herself with the area. Once Sam informs her of Brayson's approval of her Right of Pa.s.sage, she will teleport back to Merchant Island and catch a ride to Luvelles with the Merchant Angels.

Mosley is with the G.o.ds on his team. They have agreed that Mosley will inform Shalee of everything she needs to know about Grogger's Swamp. The wolf plans to have this conversation while keeping Shalee company inside the container carried by the Merchant Angels. The G.o.ds believe the answer to the crystal's whereabouts will present itself once Shalee arrives at the swamp.

Mieonus is also with her team of G.o.ds. They have been looking for George. They intend to use him to go after the crystal. Since the mage cannot be found, Mieonus has decided to speak with Lasidious to get an idea of where George might be.

Gregory is with the King of Lavan. They have agreed to break ground on the new bridge that will span the lake between their cities. It has been decided that the supports for the bridge will be made of stone, while the undercarriage (substructure), traveled pathway (roadbed), and the upper-carriage (superstructure) will be made of three colors of gla.s.s to give the bridge ample definition.

Marcus is meeting with Boyafed. He has a mission for the leader of the Order, but worries the friction in their relationship may create an obstacle that he must overcome.