Brayson kissed her cheek. "He does. I left him with the Source. It'll be a few Peaks before he has gathered his memories, but my power has returned. You, my lady, were the first one I thought to visit as soon as I could leave the cave."

Mary nestled into his arms. "You make everything sound so romantic. Where are you taking me?"

"Nowhere, I'm afraid. I must go to my office. By chance, has George returned?"

"No. Was he supposed to be here?"

"Not necessarily."

"Where did you send him?"

"It would be hard for me to explain. How about we say he's on a magical undertaking. There should be nothing to worry about. You're welcome to come with me to my office, if you'd like. I'll see to it that you get home once I've completed my work."

"I would love that. Let me freshen up."

When they finally arrived at Brayson's floating office, it was not long before Mieonus appeared next to Mary.

"You scared me!" Mary squealed as she rushed behind Brayson. "I don't think I'll ever get used to the way people just pop in on this world."

Brayson knew who was standing before him. He quickly took a knee. "G.o.ddess, what an unexpected surprise." Keeping his eyes lowered, he tugged on Mary's arm to kneel next to him. "How may I serve you?"

Now, fellow soul ... I must interject. With all Brayson's knowledge and goodness, he had no idea the G.o.ddess he served was wicked. Mieonus misrepresented herself throughout the seasons and portrayed herself as a G.o.ddess filled with compa.s.sion to many beings. This feigned representation of benevolence was the persona that the Head Master served.

Mieonus sounded gentle and sweet as she spoke. "h.e.l.lo, Brayson, it's a pleasure to see you. Too long has it been since my eyes looked upon you. You look well, but I have come seeking George. Is he still inside your book?"

"He is, G.o.ddess."

Mieonus put her hand on top of Brayson and Mary's heads. She selflessly rejuvenated their spirits. "Accept this blessing." As a soothing current rushed into their bodies, she leaned down and whispered, "For the next 10 Peaks, the two of you will feel like children again. I trust you will use this gift to your advantage."

Though he kept his head lowered, Brayson smiled. "Thank you, G.o.ddess. How may I be of service?"

"I would like to speak with George when he returns." Mieonus moved across the room and set a crystal shard on top of Brayson's desk. "I will leave this with you. Have George use it to summon me when he has completed his task."

"I will, but I don't know when the task will be complete."

Mieonus turned her back to Brayson. A look of disgust appeared on her face, but her voice did not reveal her annoyance. "I understand. Please see to it that he gets the shard." The G.o.ddess forced a pleasant smile and then turned around. "Look upon me, Brayson. Of all my subjects who live in service to me, I'm most proud of you." Mieonus vanished.

Brayson a.s.sisted Mary to her feet. A look of awe appeared on Mary's face. "Was that who I think it was?"

"You know her as Mieonus. She's the one I serve."

"I gathered that from your conversation. Why would a G.o.ddess come to see you? And why would she be looking for George? She said something about a task, and what did she mean by, 'is he still inside your book?'"

Brayson gathered his thoughts. "The mission George is on is a test to see if he is capable of bonding with Payne. If he's unable to complete this task, he could be lost in the book forever. He could perish."

"Forever? Perish? What about Athena and the baby? If he doesn't come home, she'll be left to raise the child on her own. This isn't acceptable."

Brayson put his hands on Mary's shoulders. "I don't expect this will happen. George is a smart man. It's a necessary step for a mage of his caliber to take on a goswig. Payne will allow him to grow, and George will become a wizard or warlock, depending on the path he chooses."

Brayson moved to his desk and rubbed his hand across the top of the Book of Bonding. "I'm not sure why the G.o.ddess would want to speak with him, but this is a conversation that I intend to be present for. It's intriguing to know my new Mystic Learner has the attention of the G.o.ds."

Mary shuddered. "I think it's unnerving."

"Agreed, but I'm sure George knows what he's doing. I wouldn't worry about it." The Head Master took a look around the room. "Perhaps you could help me with the organizing I need to do around here. It will help take your mind off George, and give me the chance to teach you some of the Elven language."

Mary smiled. "As long as you promise to say something beautiful to me." She leaned against Brayson.

"I promise."

Mary oozed, "The more beautiful their meaning, the more I'll allow you to take advantage of the blessing we've been given."

A flirtatious look appeared on Brayson's face. "I like the sound of that."

Meanwhile, Inside the Book of Bonding George rolled over. His tunic was charred, and his forearms were burned. Payne lay next to him, face down and motionless. All George could do was watch as his alternate self moved to stand overtop his exhausted body. This being was far more powerful, but how, the mage did not know. The situation was hopeless.

George cried out, "You win! I can't fight any longer. My power has been drained. You're the better man. Just kill me, d.a.m.n it, and get it over with."

With a cold voice, the duplicate responded. "You're weak. I would've expected more, much more. You don't deserve to be bonded with such a powerful goswig. Payne has succeeded in beating his adversary, but he was unable to save you. He's close to his end ... as are you."

George's alternate crossed his arms. "I didn't wish to hurt Payne. He had the fighting spirit necessary to earn the right to leave this place. Unfortunately, your weakness has doomed you both.

"I imagine the fairy-demon will pa.s.s not long after I'm finished with you. Too bad, Payne would've given you an incredible amount of power."

Tears flowed as George began to beg. "Please, allow me to pa.s.s without the use of magic. I don't want to be left unrecognizable. Your magic will scar my face. I don't want my wife to see me that way. Please, just give me this last request. It's the least you could do."

The duplicate laughed. "I wouldn't worry about your wife. She'll never see your face again. She'll live a life without the satisfaction of saying goodbye, and your son that's inside her belly will be fatherless."

George sobbed. "You can't do this! Please! ... Please!"

"Oh, but I can. It's funny how pathetic you are. You've failed, and you'll perish alone as a consequence of your weakness. Accept your fate and pa.s.s with whatever dignity you can find from such a miserable life."

George could not argue. He was pathetic. He had used and abused so many people throughout his life who had deserved better. "At least allow me to perish without the use of magic. Please, I beg you. Just use my blade. Either way, I'll be ended, and you'll win."

"An interesting request. It's a good way to pa.s.s, I suppose. I'm sure I can make it just as painful as the torture I could administer with my magic." The alternate lifted his hands in the air and turned to look at the horizon. "What better way to perish than to release your last breath to a setting sun? Your eyes will capture the glory of such a wonderful array of color before they close." After a moment of allowing the sun to warm his face, the imposter turned to face his victim.

A sharp cracking sound filled the evening air. The alternate's right eye exploded as the bullet pa.s.sed through the socket and into his brain.

George shouted, "I bet you didn't see that coming, did you, you son of a b.i.t.c.h?" Watching his enemy fall to the ground, the mage scrambled to his feet. Blood flowed from the alternate's eye as George moved to stand above him. "You talk too much, moron! Everyone knows that's how every James Bond villain gets himself killed!"

The mage leaned over and tapped the handle of his gun against the duplicate's forehead. "Looks like some Earth magic just saved my a.s.s."

George moved to Payne and lifted the fairy-demon into his arms. Payne's body hung limp as he looked down. "This is bad ... real bad." George closed his eyes and teleported.

Brayson's Floating Office George appeared with Payne hanging across his arms. He laid the fairy-demon on the floor. "Master Id, I need your help! He's not breathing!"

Brayson pushed Mary off his lap and then stood from the chair behind his desk. He teleported to the bookcase at the far side of the room, grabbed the vial filled with his special elixir and then teleported next to Payne. "George, open his mouth. I need to pour the liquid under his tongue for it to work."

Once the light-blue droplet had been administered, Brayson sighed. "There's nothing else that can be done. It's up to the G.o.ds whether he lives or pa.s.ses."

George rubbed his hands across his face in disbelief. "He can't pa.s.s! He saved my life. If he croaks, it's my fault. I let him down!"

Brayson put his hand on George's shoulder. "It's not your fault, son. We can't always control the outcome of every event. Some things are bigger than we are."

Mary watched as Brayson helped George to his feet.

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" George snapped as he pulled away. "What kind of gareshy logic is that?"

"It's just the way of things," Brayson responded.

"Garesh! I don't believe a word of that! I should've been strong enough to protect him! You sent me in there unprepared, ya b.a.s.t.a.r.d!"

Brayson took a deep breath and chose to ignore George's insult. "You can't save everyone. If he pa.s.ses ... it was meant to be. That's it."

"h.e.l.l no, that ain't it! I don't believe that! You better fix him! h.e.l.l ... you weren't there. What good is magic if I can't do c.r.a.p with it? You're teaching me a pile of garesh."

Brayson was about to rip George a new backside, but a faint voice stopped him.

"Yeah ... garesh pile ... gareshy logic," Payne added as he struggled to sit up.

George pushed past Brayson and knelt at Payne's side. "You're okay. Dude, I thought you were a goner. That vial must have some viciousness inside it."

The fairy-demon grinned. "Payne hungry."

"Ha! That sounds like my Payne," George boasted. "My h.e.l.l ... that place really sucked. I never want to go there again."

"Yeah ... sucked your h.e.l.l," Payne affirmed.

Mary stepped forward and scolded, "George Nailer, what has Athena told you about speaking that way? It's foul, and not something I wish my future grandchild to learn. Payne, you'll speak properly. Do you understand me?"

George had been so caught up in the situation that he did not realize Mary was in the room. "I'm sorry, Mother. You're right. I apologize." He turned to face Brayson. "Master Id, I was frightened. I owe you an even bigger apology. Thanks for saving Payne, and I'll be more respectful in the future."

Brayson put his hand behind George's head and pulled the mage's forehead to his own. "You're forgiven." Immediately after, he shoved George away. "You smell worse than garesh."

Mary poked Brayson in the side. "Hey, Payne is sitting right there."

The fairy-demon giggled as Brayson nodded and then continued to speak with George. "We have much to discuss, but first, you should go home and clean yourself up. We'll meet again in the morning."

Mary interrupted before George could respond. "Aren't you going to tell him about the G.o.ddess' visit?"

Brayson moved toward his desk to avoid George's nasty odor. "I will, but I think it can wait until morning. I'm sure we all have many questions, but I'm equally sure rest will give us the clarity we need for ample conversation. We'll meet at your house in the morning." He kissed the top of Mary's forehead. "Perhaps you could make everyone breakfast."

Mary enjoyed the tenderness of Brayson's arms as he put them around her. "I would love to."

Before anyone else could speak another word, Brayson teleported the group next to the mound of boulders that sat at the center of the clearing amidst the community of homes. There was no more conversation. George and Payne headed inside and called for Athena once the door to the mage's home had been shut behind them.

Mary took a moment to rub her hand through Brayson's short, brown hair and then played with the tips of his pointed ears. "You, Mr. Id, are a handsome elf. I just love hair on a man's face. You may tickle my neck with it whenever you want to."

After giving Mary a long, wet kiss goodbye, Brayson returned to his office.

Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Hyperia Just North of Lake Floren Kiayasis and Shalee stopped for the night. They decided to camp south of the western point of the Mountains of Vesper. Late Bailem had come and gone, and the world of Dragonia was now coming into view, but like Harvestom, it had set much earlier in the Peak. Grayham was no longer capable of being seen as anything more than a speck in the sky, and Harvestom was continuing to grow significantly smaller. It would not be long before Trollcom would also become a dominant fixture above the horizon.

Shalee's body was sore from riding on Joss. She fought through the pain and cooked their meal while the dark paladin set up camp.

"You've cooked outside before," Kiayasis said as he set the final pole that held a woven tarp above the ground where they intended to sleep.

Shalee looked up from the kettle filled with stew. "I did my fair share of camping when I was younger. Any good Texan worth her salt knows how to whip up a meal over a campfire."

Kiayasis tilted his head. "I don't know of this 'Texan.'"

Shalee laughed. "It's nothing to talk about, really. What do you say we get some sleep after we eat?"

"Agreed. I could use the rest."

After their meal, Shalee used her bag as a pillow and quickly fell asleep. Once Kiayasis' eyes shut for the night, Lasidious and Celestria appeared near the sorceress' head. The G.o.ds remained invisible to the mortals as they took a knee.

Celestria spoke. "Her sleep is peaceful. Do you find her appealing, my pet?"

Lasidious looked up and found his G.o.ddess' eyes. "I only care to drink from the well of your beauty, my love. I have eyes for no other."

Celestria smiled. "Well said. Shall we begin?"

"By all means. You first."

Celestria lowered her mouth next to Shalee's ear and then whispered, "You have affections for Kiayasis. He's strong and powerful. Your loins long for him."

Lasidious clapped his hands, "My turn." The Mischievous One lowered his mouth to Shalee's ear. "You were right. Sam looks at you with disgust. Only Kiayasis can remove your pain. Kiayasis is your destiny. He's the love you've always wanted."

Celestria thumped Lasidious on the head. "That was my line. Move back so I can finish this." Again, the G.o.ddess lowered her mouth to Shalee's ear. "You want to abandon your life on Grayham. Sam is a cancer. He wants to control you. You're a strong woman and deserve an elf as strong as Kiayasis. It's his seed you long for."

Lasidious stood and extended a hand to Celestria. "That should do it."

The G.o.ddess took his hand, then stood at his side. "How clever of us, my sweet. I wonder how many moments will pa.s.s before she acts on our suggestions."

Lasidious looked down at Shalee and grinned. "It didn't take long for her anger to manifest after you manipulated her mind on Grayham. The miscarriage was the perfect series of moments to mold her thoughts. She is susceptible while she sleeps. Her argument with Sam was brilliant. Perhaps you should've been called the Mischievous One ... and not I." The G.o.ds vanished.

Mary's Home The Next Morning Brayson knocked on Mary's door. She gave him a warm welcome and instructed him to take a seat at the kitchen table. Mary had put on her best dress-one of Brayson's many gifts. It was a yellow Bailem dress that hung low across her bosom. Her long hair and smooth skin complemented the ensemble, and at 47 seasons old, she looked radiant to Brayson's eyes of 730.

It was not long before George walked through the door and soured the mood. "Mother!" he shouted from the front door. "What's for breakfast?"

Athena slapped George across the back of his arm. "Don't be rude. You don't have to yell."

"Yes, dear," he replied with a grin. "You know ... as the baby gets bigger inside you, you slap me harder and harder, I think. That one stung."

"Then start minding your manners," Athena retorted.

"Yes, ma'am," George conceded just as Payne ran through the door and darted into the kitchen. The mage rolled his eyes. "That little freak cracks me up ... which reminds me, babe ... where's Kepler?"

Athena took George outside on the porch and pointed at the mound of rocks at the center of the clearing. "Go to the other side of the stones. Kepler had a family of gophers dig him a new lair. He's probably sleeping. All he's done since your departure is lie around and sulk. I think he misses you."