"How does Gorne live like this, he says? Better than me, he thinks he is, I say. What does the mean elf want from Gorne, I wonder? He wants something, he does. The fire isn't real, I say. A stupid elf stands before me, I think."

Kiayasis ignored the comments and stepped into the room. His foot pa.s.sed through the rotted wood, and he had to catch his balance.

"Hee, hee, ha, ha! Heavy is the mean elf, I say. Lose weight he should, I think. Fat the Order has become, is the word I shall spread."

Kiayasis gathered his thoughts, still ignoring the irritating mannerisms of the hermit. "I have business we need to discuss. I need you to sell me the knife."

"Eewww, hee, hee, ha, ha! The knife, he says. The Knife of Spirits he wants, I say. Why does the mean elf think Gorne has the knife, I want to know?"

" I'm in no mood for games. Sell me the knife so I can leave."

"Why, I say? The purpose, I want to know."

"Don't question my authority. I have the lawful right to take whatever I want. You can sell the blade to me or I'll take it from you, but either way, I'm leaving with it."

"Don't have the knife, I say. Go away, you should, I think. Shut the door, I command. Leave Gorne alone, you should."

Unsheathing his blessed sword of the Order, Kiayasis responded, "Give me the knife, and do it now. I don't want to end you ... but I will."

"Hee, hee, ha, ha, ho, ho, grrrrr! Kill Gorne, he threatens, I say. Hate the mean elf, I do. Give you the Knife of Spirits, I will. To kill something magical you need to do, I think. Strong this magic must be, I say."

Gorne scampered across the room, and then he reached under a mattress that was riddled with holes. He tossed the sheathed blade and watched it land at Kiayasis' feet. "Go away, I say. Leave Gorne alone, I ask. I have given you what you want, I have. Hate you Gorne does, I say. Leave your coin on the table, I beg."

Kiayasis shook his head and then pulled the door shut after dropping a pouch filled with coin through a hole in the floor. He walked back across the boardwalk and smiled as he heard Gorne dive into the water to retrieve the currency. Mounting his horse, Kiayasis headed for the inn.

The dark paladin entered his room and took enough moments to make himself presentable before he knocked on Shalee's door. His long, black hair fell across his muscular shoulders which were now covered by a fresh, golden shirt. The blue of his eyes gleamed with antic.i.p.ation as the queen opened her door.

Shalee had used her magic to create an elegant, emerald gown. Her blonde hair had been pinned up to expose a thick, gold necklace that hung tightly around her neck. Earrings, also made of gold, held an a.s.sortment of gems and shimmered as they dangled.

Kiayasis was the first to speak. "I've never seen anything so beautiful." He looked down at Shalee's feet. "Your shoes ... they hold your heels high off the floor." He looked up. "Your face has color on it. I can't take my eyes off you."

Shalee grinned.

Kiayasis' face showed a spirited pleasure. "It'll be a shame to take such a wonderful gown off such a beautiful woman."

Shalee took a step back. "What?" Her hands moved up and down the front of her body as if she was putting herself on display. "You're not going to see this dress fall so easily. Perhaps ... if you're lucky ... I might allow you to kiss me goodnight ... only perhaps."

"Then a kiss it will be. I have ordered a special night. It's being prepared as we speak."

"Ahhh. So you're going to spoil me. But we'll just have to see about that kiss, mister. I'm not a floozy, you know?" Shalee took Kiayasis' arm and squeezed. Not a single thought of Sam entered her mind as they headed out.

Brayson's Island The Next Peak Just Before the Peak of Bailem George, Payne and Kepler arrived at the shrine that was located on the southern tip of the Head Master's island. The key to the Source's temple was sealed inside.

"What kind of place is this?" George remarked, scowling. "Sticking this thing out here in the middle of nowhere is creepy. This is a crypt, not a shrine. Brayson definitely has a flare for the dramatic."

George dropped his bag of supplies to the ground. He adjusted his purple tunic to a more comfortable position. It was split below his waist and a loose-fitting pair of pants covered his legs. His pistol was strapped under his right pant leg, and it was loaded with his last bullet. Lastly, a short sword hung from his left hip. George was ready for the trials that would begin as soon as the group entered the shrine to retrieve the key.

Payne flew above the shrine. He planted his small, red behind on top of it, and then he relaxed his wings before as he looked down and shouted, "I'm hungry!"

"Shut up, Freak!" Kepler growled. "Be quiet while we think."

George shrugged. "At least he didn't speak of himself in third person."

Kepler growled again, and then he looked up at the fairy-demon. "Kepler want to eat Payne, because Payne still a freak."

"Ebbish nay, Kitty! Be nice to Payne."

George rolled his eyes. "Come on, you two. Can't we just all get along?" The mage poked Kepler with his elbow.

Ignoring George, the jaguar sniffed around the base of the shrine. After a few moments, the cat lifted his head. "Well, what are you waiting for? You have the words to Brayson's spell. So use them already."

The mage was about to respond, but a voice that was hidden amidst the trees of the forest spoke out. "Well, well, well! It appears the Peak has finally come!" Marcus emerged from the shadows, cupped his hands together and then placed them on his chest. "I'm so happy."

Kepler was the first to react. The demon lowered into an attack posture and prepared to spring into action.

Meanwhile, George remained calm. He slowly turned around to find the source of the voice while Payne had simply remained on top of the shrine. The fairy-demon was unconcerned and his attention was elsewhere. Payne had pulled one of his fingers off his hand, and he was playing with a small likeness of himself that was standing on his knee.

"I have been waiting for you," Marcus said, his brown eyes cold. "We have business to discuss, George."

Kepler growled. "How does this elf know your name? Who is he?"

George grinned. "His name is Marcus Id ... Brayson's putz of a brother. He's also known as the Dark Chancellor. I hear he's a p.e.n.i.s."

Again, Marcus clapped his hands. "Since it appears you know me, we should be able to dispense with useless introductions. They bore me anyway."

Both Payne and his miniature likeness shouted, "Hey! You got food? We's are hungry!"

Marcus ignored the fairy-demon and continued to hold George's glare. "You have something I want. I think you know that."

George leaned against the shrine and crossed his arms.

Kepler waited for the mage's response, but when one never came, he growled. "Aren't you going to say something?"

"Sure, when I'm ready. I'm still sorting out how little I give a garesh about what this chump wants. He's been watching us for a while now. The b.a.s.t.a.r.d thinks he can just sneak up on us."

Kepler's eyes flashed. "When were you going to tell me that he was stalking us?"

George shrugged. "I didn't know I needed to tell the Master of the Hunt that. I just a.s.sumed you would know." The mage shrugged again. "But if it helps, here you go. Hey Kep, this chump has been stalking us. Look at him. I don't think he's tough enough to rip the skin off my nuts."

Marcus cleared his throat. "George, it seems you don't fully understand what I'm capable of. Must I demonstrate the sincerity of my presence?"

Kepler's eyes continued to glow as he held them fixated on George.

The mage pushed himself clear of the shrine and matched Marcus' stare as he stepped within a pace of the Dark Chancellor. "I know what you want. You should leave. You're not going to get what you came for."

Marcus leaned forward, his voice filled with hate. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way. The easy way ... you live. The hard way ... you perish. Which will it be? Either way, I care not."

Kepler did not wait to hear another word. He lunged for Marcus with his ma.s.sive claws ready to strike.

George did not have a chance to stop the demon's attack. He could only watch as Kepler's paw cut through the air with his nails deployed and aimed at the chancellor's head. Instead of connecting with his target, Kepler's body lifted from the ground, and the demon was sent flying with a simple flip of Marcus' hand.

The force behind the chancellor's magic was severe-so severe that the collision the demon's body made as it wrapped around a tree, knocked the wind out of the jaguar. The branches broke beneath Kepler's weight as he fell limp to the ground and landed with a thud.

Marcus extended his arm. A magical arrow made of fire erupted from the chancellor's right index finger and buried itself into the demon-cat's chest. The glow filling Kepler's eyes quickly faded and rendered the jaguar unconscious.

Upon seeing Kepler's fate, Payne and his finger reacted. The fairy-demon teleported behind Marcus and dug his claws into the back of the chancellor's legs while his tiny counterpart appeared next to Marcus' ear and bit down on his lobe.

Payne's claws ripped downward, opening gashes before he was also sent skyward into the trees. Dazed, the fairy-demon tumbled through the branches just like Kepler had done and landed headfirst not far from the cat while Marcus reached across his chest with his left hand and flicked the miniature Payne with his finger. Now both fairy-demons had also been knocked unconscious.

George rushed in and punched Marcus on the side of his head. The Dark Chancellor fell to the ground, and George followed. The mage threw his weight on top of Marcus' belly as he straddled the chancellor.

The wizard responded to the mage's a.s.sault by waving his hand, but nothing happened.

George smiled and smashed his fist into the chancellor's chest.

Marcus tried again, but still nothing happened.

George delivered another shot to Marcus' face. The chancellor was forced to cover up to protect himself from the barrage of punches. It was not long before a blow connected with Marcus' temple, and he, too, was knocked out.

With the Dark Chancellor incapacitated, George stood and rushed to Kepler's side. He struggled to lift the demon-cat's head into the necessary position to administer the elixir Brayson had given him. He reached inside the demon's mouth and lifted his ma.s.sive tongue. He uncorked the top of the vial with his teeth and then allowed two drops to fall. After lowering the cat's head, he repeated the process with Payne, but he only used one drop with the fairy-demon. Once Payne's mouth was closed, George rushed across the clearing and bound Marcus with a rope before the chancellor could awaken.

After dragging the Dark Chancellor's lanky body to a tree, George secured him to its trunk with a second rope. All he could do now was hope that Kepler and Payne would be alright. George dropped to his knees next to his companions and waited for the healing power of the elixir to take effect.

Marcus opened his eyes. Realizing he had been tied up, he spit the blood in his mouth to the ground. "Release me or I'll-"

"You'll what?" George shouted. "You won't do anything! You're going to sit there, and shut the h.e.l.l up! Open your mouth again, and I'll finish you off."

George moved to stand before Marcus and then crouched. He held the elixir in front of Marcus' face. "This better work," he hissed. "Because if they pa.s.s ... you're a goner."

Noticing how severe the bleeding was on Marcus' legs, George smirked. "I can't have you bleeding out before I know what's going on. The cuts on your legs look pretty nasty. Open your freaking mouth, a.s.shole."

The chancellor did as he was told. The drop found its target, and it was swallowed.

George moved to check on Payne. The fairy-demon was beginning to stir. George cradled Payne's body and then lifted him off the ground. He propped Payne up against Kepler's belly. The mage's voice was soft as he encouraged, "I'm right here, Payne. I need to check on Kep. Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere."

George used his power to lift the demon-cat's head and set as much of it as he could on his lap. "Kep ... come on, wake up. Come on, Kep. We've come too far for you to pa.s.s on me now."

Marcus' magic had nicked the edge of Kepler's heart. George knew fire was the only thing that could end Kepler. As the mage continued to encourage the jaguar, Payne finished gathering his senses and then moved to sit next to him. It only took a moment for the fairy-demon's tiny mind to understand the severity of Kepler's condition.

With his claws outstretched, Payne stroked the demon-cat's neck. "Kepler," he whispered, leaning in to lie against the cat's blood-soaked, black coat, "Live. Payne like Kitty. Don't want Kitty to pa.s.s. Kitty Payne's friend. Kepler, Payne's favorite kitty."

The sentiment of Payne's words ripped into George's heart. Tears filled the mage's eyes as he patted the fairy-demon on the head. Despite Payne's words, Kepler continued to lie motionless on the forest floor.

George reached into his pouch and administered another two drops of the healing elixir. "Come on, Kep. I need you," he whispered. "You're my best friend. I can't lose you, too. I've already lost too much. Fight this, Kep. Fight this, d.a.m.n it."

Payne watched as George lost hope. The mage shouted as he stared at Kepler's closed eyes. "Get up, you big lug! Things won't be the same without you!"

George backed out from under Kepler's head and moved to the side of the demon's neck. He reached through the fur to feel for a pulse. It took a moment before he was able to find one. It was shallow, but it was there nonetheless. He held his fingers over this spot and waited for the elixir to strengthen the frequency in which he felt the next beat. But this would not be the Peak for recoveries. Not long after-Kepler's heart stopped, and he perished.

"No, no, no, no, no, Kep! You can't do this! Fight, d.a.m.n it! Fight!" Seeing the demon was not going to respond, George fell across the cat's body. Unable to control his emotions, the mage wailed.

The sun lowered behind the horizon before Marcus decided it was an acceptable moment to break his silence. "George ... I can help him."

The sound of the Dark Chancellor's voice angered the mage. He pushed himself off the cat's body and flew across the forest floor toward Marcus. He lifted his hands, and with all his hate, he sent his magic flying. Lightning enveloped Marcus, but failed to cause anything more than minor discomfort.

George closed his eyes and concentrated. He channeled Payne's power to amplify his own. A fire storm filled the afternoon air. The trees surrounding Marcus instantly turned to ash, but the heat only managed to give the chancellor a slight burn.

George took a step back, his chest heaving. "How-?"

Marcus cut him off. "Your magic isn't powerful enough to harm me."

The top of the tree behind the chancellor had disintegrated, leaving Marcus bound to a stump. George looked at the ropes. They remained intact. "Why didn't they burn?" he mumbled.

Marcus looked down at the ropes that were running across his chest. "Because the bonds are touching my body. Everything I'm wearing is protected. These are things a Mystic Learner with your ability should know."

"Who in the h.e.l.l are you to tell me what I should know?" George snapped.

Marcus shook his head. The ash in his hair created a small cloud of dust before it settled to the ground. "Your skills are impressive. I was surprised to learn that my brother was sending you to stand before the Source so soon. When I learned this, I was unable to fathom how a new Mystic Learner could be ready so quickly. It appears I've underestimated you. You're far stronger than Brayson's last Mystic Learner. I'm sure you wouldn't hesitate to end me if you could."

George spit on Marcus. "I don't need magic to end you." He lifted his fists. "I'll drive you two paces under with my bare hands. I'll squeeze your life's source right out of you."

Marcus grinned. "You could ... but you won't."

"You don't know me!" George poked his own chest with his finger. "You don't freaking know me at all! Don't think I don't understand how to screw with someone's mind. You're not going to get into my head. I'm the master when it comes to that." George walked toward Marcus and pulled his fist back into a striking position.

Marcus turned his head to prepare for the blow. "If you end me, you won't be able to save your friend!" he blurted.

The mage stopped his swing. He grabbed the back of Marcus' head and forced the chancellor to look at him. "He's pa.s.sed already! That's bad for you!"

"I can fix this! I can prove it."

George thumped the back of Marcus' head against the stump. "What do you mean, you can fix this? He's gone! There's no saving him!"

Dazed, Marcus responded. "You're wrong. I can bring him back. I serve Hosseff. I command his Touch of Death."

George stood. "Tell me more!"

"If I tell you, you'll have the advantage."

"Really? Really? You still believe you have a card up your sleeve? Are you dense? What kind of a fool are you? You must think I'm stupid." George took a knee next to the chancellor. "I should take your power from you. I should cut your a.s.s open and eat your heart. I'll keep your power for myself."

Marcus started to laugh.

"You find that funny? Only an idiot would laugh at that." George stood and moved toward the shrine. He took a moment to think. "Perhaps there's something you know that I don't."

Marcus nodded. "Indeed. The power you need isn't mine to command. I know you could end me and add my power to your own. I've stolen magic myself throughout my seasons. I'm surprised a human would have knowledge of this nature. Someone powerful must have shared this secret with you ... someone worth my respect. But it wasn't Brayson, was it? He wouldn't share information so sacred with just a mere student."

Marcus took a deep breath. "Unfortunately for you, the power you need wouldn't pa.s.s to you with my demise. It doesn't work that way. The one power you would want to command most would be lost with my last breath. Your feline friend would remain cold."