Keylom reared up onto his hind legs. "I have no desire to become mortal. I won't go with you, nor will I help you when trouble finds you."

Mosley grinned. "I don't need you to go with me. I'm asking you to be my eyes and ears on Ancients Sovereign. I want you to give me guidance, the same way Lasidious has given George guidance. We shall fight fire with fire."

Keylom pondered the wolf's proposal as he stared into the light of the orb near the door of the wolf's cabin. "Your proposal would provide good entertainment. I'd enjoy seeing George's downfall and the surprise on Lasidious' face. I just may decide to help you after all."

The Book took control of the conversation. "Mosley, you must break one of the G.o.d's laws, and then I'll do the rest. With your absence on Ancients Sovereign, there will be two G.o.ds now that need to be replaced. Yaloom was so full of himself, he failed to give me the name of the one he wanted to ascend. Mosley, you have also failed to speak of a replacement. Do you have a name?"

Without hesitation, the wolf responded. "Shalee."

"I cannot. Nor can I allow you to choose Sam. Lasidious had the foresight to see that they could not be chosen. Lasidious believed Ba.s.sorine was up to something, and a Call to Order was given. The Collective voted against Sam and Shalee's ascension more than 12,000 seasons ago."

"d.a.m.n!" Mosley chuckled. "Lasidious is truly clever. Gabriel, you may choose for me. Choose someone whom you believe will create disruption in Lasidious' plans. How long can you wait before you introduce my replacement to the others?"

Gabriel lifted off the railing and dropped to a position that was eye-level with the wolf. "I see no urgency in finding your replacement. You may relax."

Mosley jumped off the porch. "When Lasidious asks where I am, tell him that I've decided to go away for a while. Say that I no longer care for his games, and that I won't be back until I find myself. It would be best to let him think that you have no idea where I went. I don't want anyone on the Collective looking for me. As far as they're concerned ... I've gone to look for the elements that are necessary to create my own world. That should throw them off."

The Book thought long and hard for many moments. "I shall explain what you've instructed. For now, attack Keylom. Then I'll do my duty and return your mortality."

Keylom took a step back. "I don't want the wolf attacking me."

Gabriel smiled. "That's why it'll work."

Gabriel floated down the steps and lowered next to the wolf. He reached out and put his hand on top of the wolf's head. "I hope you succeed, Mosley. You'll be vulnerable to the people of the worlds, and I won't be there to protect you. Be careful."

The wolf nodded and then took one last look at his cabin. After taking a final breath of the clean air atop Catalyst Mountain, he attacked Keylom.

The Head Master's Island The Family's Community of Homes That Same Night Susanne darted out the front door of her home with Garrin in her arms. She was pale, nervous and scared. After crossing the clearing, she pounded on Mary's door and did not stop until Brayson answered.

When the barrier opened, Brayson's eyes showed his exhaustion. He was not wearing a shirt. The evening had been quite the affair, and the effects of the Mesolliff wine had left him begging for sleep. "What is it, Susanne? What's so urgent?"

Susanne pushed past Brayson and then set Garrin on the living room floor. "He's got the magic in him!" she shouted.

Brayson queried, "What do you mean?"

Susanne continued to holler, "He's got the magic! He made my goblet float around the kitchen! The boy isn't normal!"

Garrin began to cry because of the sound of his mother's tone.

Brayson chuckled.

"Why are you laughing at me?" Susanne snapped.

Mary was making her way down the steps after putting on her robe. "What on Luvelles is all the commotion about?" She stopped on the landing.

Brayson picked up the baby. "It's nothing. Nothing's wrong. Susanne's just frightened because she doesn't understand why Garrin has the ability to command magic."

Susanne pushed past Brayson again and rushed up the steps to the landing and threw herself into Mary's arms. "He's got the magic in him, Mother! I can't raise him any longer! If anyone finds out, they'll take him from me!"

"Nonsense," Brayson retorted. The Head Master walked up the steps and stopped on the last step just before the landing. He placed his free hand on Susanne's arm and then led her back down to the living room. "This is quite the gift Garrin has been given, if you ask me. To be showing signs of magic so soon is rare. The G.o.ds have blessed him, and this is nothing to fear."

Mary pulled up the hem of her robe, and then she moved down the steps to stand next to Brayson. She reached out and played with Garrin's cheeks to encourage the child to smile. "I think a man with magic is s.e.xy. My grandson will grow up to be even more dashing than he already is."

Susanne was floored at their lack of concern. "What's wrong with you two? How could a child of mine have the magic in him? I don't have it ... so how could he? It doesn't make sense."

Brayson adjusted the baby in his arms and then touched the top of Garrin's pointed ears. "I imagine his magic comes from the elf you laid with. I wanted to ask you about that, but I felt like it was improper. But now that were talking about it, what was the elf's name you pleasured during the baby's conception? Perhaps he was one of the men who escorted the council of the Order to Grayham."

Susanne was taken aback. "I can't remember pleasuring any man ... or elf for that matter ... ever."

Brayson placed his hand under Garrin's chin and then lifted the baby's head to kiss his forehead. He responded in a soothing voice while smiling at the child. "Clearly ... your mother's memory of your father wasn't necessary for you to join us." He handed the baby to Mary. "Now that I think about it, there were two other groups of elves who visited Grayham during the period around the child's conception. Perhaps one of those elves took liberty on their way back and ended up in your bed. Is that possible?"

Susanne shook her head. "I think I would remember that."

Brayson's brows dropped. "Well, you can't have a child without pleasuring someone, now can you? There must be a memory inside your head somewhere. To my knowledge, no elf on this world has magic strong enough to manipulate a being's mind, so if you had a child, you must possess knowledge of the experience somewhere."

Susanne walked across the room and threw herself onto the couch. "I'm not spewing deception, Brayson. I truly have no knowledge of lying with an elf. Perhaps the baby isn't mine."

"Don't be silly," Mary chastised. "I watched the child come out of you myself. I was there, sweetie."

Brayson chuckled. "Do you at least remember having the child?"

Susanne crossed her arms in a huff. "Well, of course. I was there, too. I don't know why I made such a ridiculous statement. I know Garrin is mine."

Brayson grinned. "It's clear the child had an elven father. In my opinion, it could only be one of 30 elves, though it would be hard to imagine it being a member of the white army. It is, after all, against elven custom to leave a woman with child without taking care of the responsibility. Perhaps you were inebriated on the Peak of the child's conception. I've seen you drink over a dinner or two, so the concept isn't far that farfetched. Perhaps you take after your mother and had some Mesolliff."

"I would never drink that stuff," Susanne defended. A moment later, her eyes dropped to the floor. "But I have been known to consume other wines." When she looked up, her face was covered with despair. "I hate to say it, Mother, but Brayson could be right. What if...?"

Brayson walked across the room and knelt in front of Susanne. "Perhaps the father returned to Luvelles and didn't know he left you with child."

Susanne leaned forward and put her forehead against Brayson's. Tears were streaming down her face. "How could I have forgotten something like this? I know I didn't lie with 30 elves, that's for sure. I'm not a wh.o.r.e. How is it possible that I could be so snocked and forget losing my virginity?"

Mary played with the point of Garrin's right ear as she responded. "I would like to know why I've never noticed Garrin's ears were pointed until now. Tell me how that's possible?"

Susanne added, "I haven't even thought about Garrin's father until now. Perhaps George knows who the father is. He uses magic. Brayson, are there any elves that live on Grayham?"

Brayson shook his head. "None that I know of. If there are, it would be against the G.o.ds' privilege." Brayson reached down and patted Susanne on the top of her knee. "Try to relax. George will be back soon. I'll tell Athena to have him come over as soon as he arrives."

Mary counseled, "Why look for the father at all? We're doing fine without him. If he doesn't care to stay in touch, then he's not worth the ha.s.sle."

Susanne gasped, "Mother ... I need to find out. How can I go through life without allowing Garrin to know his father? We must make the effort to do what's right."

Mary handed Brayson the baby and then took a seat beside Susanne on the couch. She placed her hand on her daughter's knee. "What if the answer isn't something you want to hear? What if the father doesn't want to be a part of the baby's life?"

Susanne reb.u.t.ted. "What if he doesn't know he left a baby behind? If he doesn't want to be with us, then at least we've done what's right. I'll be able to tell Garrin the truth, and I'll have a clear conscience. Better still, at least I'll know the elf I laid with and forgot. Perhaps he's so un-incredible, I subconsciously chose to forget him." A look of agony appeared on Susanne's face as she leaned toward her mother and placed her head on Mary's shoulder. "How could I be so immoral, Mother?"

Mary pushed Susanne back and stared into her daughter's eyes. "Stop that. You're being silly now. No daughter of mine is a bad person. You will stop this nonsense, and we will figure this out."

Brayson placed Garrin on the floor at the center of the room. "I'm sure the answer as to who the father is will present itself when the moment is right. Until then, we should celebrate my future grandson's command of the arts. I've never known a child to show power so soon."

A moment later, George walked through the front door. He put his staff in the corner and then turned to face everyone. "Sup!" He studied the gloomy look on their faces. "d.a.m.n! Why is everyone so cheery around this joint, and where's Athena? She wasn't in the house. I saw the light on over here and thought she might be chilling with you."

Kepler poked his head through the door and squeezed through the entryway. The cat's body consumed the foyer. "Athena was in your food closet, George. You must have missed her."

Susanne rushed across the room and gave George a hug. "Thank the G.o.ds you're here."

The warlock looked at Mary with questioning eyes.

Brayson motioned for George to take a seat.

George pried Susanne's arms off his neck and walked across the room. "So what's the dealeo, you guys?"

Brayson responded. "Susanne can't remember who Garrin's father is. I can only a.s.sume he must be from Luvelles. Do you know who he is?"

George hung his head and thought, Garesh!

Now, fellow soul ... George knew this Peak would come sooner or later. Knowing the name of Garrin's father was the only incomplete part of the vision Maldwin gave the family. Before traveling to Luvelles, George had no knowledge of its inhabitants, so choosing a name was impossible. Though the warlock had failed to address the issue with Lasidious, a solution presented itself during one of his dreams when the Mischievous One spoke with George. As luck would have it, the warlock was capable of producing the name of the elf who had journeyed to Grayham, and better yet, this elf had recently perished at the hands of Marcus.

George kept his head lowered and waited for someone to pry.

Susanne could see George had bad news. "What is it? You must tell me."

George sighed. "I don't know. Perhaps Brayson could tell us. All I know is that Dayden is the name of the elf who impregnated you, Susanne."

Brayson walked across the room and lowered onto the couch. "How do you know this?"

"Lasidious told me."

Brayson sighed and then lowered his head into the palms of his hands.

Mary could see the disappointment in her lover's eyes. She moved to take a seat next to him. "Are you alright?"

George looked across the room at Kepler and communicated telepathically. Can you believe this pile of garesh? I'm so glad we got here when we did.

You're evil, George, the jaguar responded. That's why I love you.

Love? Awwwwww! Thanks, big guy. I'm touched. Remind me to give you a hug later.

Kepler sent a growl into George's mind. Keep your d.a.m.n paws off me, or I'll tell them everything you've done.

Ha! No you won't. You love me, and you know it. George looked away and waited for Brayson to tell the girls the bad news.

The Head Master looked up. "Dayden was the Order's Argont Commander. He was one of the men who went to Grayham to visit the Tormalian Ice King. Dayden was an extremely powerful elf."

"What do you mean by 'was?'" Mary queried as she looked at Susanne's distraught face.

"News of Dayden's pa.s.sing has recently reached my ears. His demise was one of the reasons why Boyafed called for war."

George took a moment to act as if he did not know who Boyafed was. "Are you referring to the leader of the dark army?"

"Yes. Dayden was Boyafed's childhood friend. If he was Garrin's father, then there's nothing we can do to include him in the baby's life."

"That's terrible!" Susanne began to cry. "George, did Lasidious say anything else about his father? Like, why did he choose me, and why don't I remember him?"

The warlock shrugged. "He said nothing other than the boy's father was powerful and gave me his name. I'll see what else I can get out of him when I speak to him again if you want."

Garrin watched as one of his mother's tears fell on the floor. The G.o.d-child used his magic to float across the room and take a seat on Susanne's lap.

Susanne's eyes widened. She lifted the child up and then lowered him onto the couch between her and George. "See what I mean? He's got the magic in him."

George rubbed his hand through Garrin's hair. "Susanne, you can't push the kid away. He's a baby. You still need to be a mother. It's not his fault you're all freaked out."

The warlock pushed clear of the couch without waiting for Susanne to respond. He motioned for Brayson to follow him outside and then walked toward the door. As George squeezed past Kepler, he grabbed his staff and then sent the cat a thought. Stay here, and keep the girls busy. This is bad, Kep. I've got to think of something. This isn't the best moment for Garrin to start using his magic.

Kepler returned a thought of his own. Speak with Brayson away from the house. You don't want to talk where the women can hear you.

Gotcha.

Mary looked at Brayson after watching George shut the door. "What's wrong with him?"

Brayson stood to follow. "I'm not sure. I'll let you know when I return."

As the Head Master shut the door behind him, George reached out and touched Brayson on the shoulder. When they reappeared, they were standing outside the Source's cave. George tapped the b.u.t.t of his staff on the ground. Light erupted from the gem that was resting at its top and also provided warmth for the still shirtless Brayson.

"George, why are you acting so strangely?"

After taking a deep breath, the warlock replied. "We can't do the things we need to if we're constantly worrying about Garrin. The power he used to float across the room was phenomenal for a baby, and we both know it. He hasn't even reached his first season yet, for h.e.l.l's sake."

George moved to the edge of the water that surrounded Fisgig's island. "We can't bring peace to Luvelles if we're spending all our moments babysitting. Besides, Garrin could hurt someone ... or even himself, for that matter."

Believing George's logic was correct, Brayson nodded. "What should we do about it? We can't tell the child not to wield his magic. He can't understand."

George pondered for a bit. "Can't we put up some kind of magical block on him or something? We need the moments to do the things our lord has asked us to accomplish."

Brayson pulled at his goatee. "It would be hard to monitor the child. Not to mention, the women can't defend themselves against his magic. I may have a potion we could use. It should restrict Garrin's ability to use his magic for nearly a season."

"d.a.m.n! That sucks."

"Why? What's wrong?"

"A season is awfully long. What else could we do?"

Confused, Brayson responded, "Why would a season be too long? He's only a baby."

George thought to himself, Because I need Garrin to be ready when Lasidious decides to take control of the Book, dumba.s.s. And I want my Abbie back as soon as possible. A brief moment later, George spoke aloud. "I think that binding his power for a season seems a bit excessive, that's all."

Brayson still did not understand, so he shrugged. "I could always lower the dosage to cut the Peaks by half. But I feel I need to remind you that he's extremely young, and a season is only a short series of moments."

George moved away from the water and leaned against Fisgig's perch. "I hear you, Pops. But I think we should have more control over Garrin's growth than that. Let's try a half season for now. You can always give him more if you feel the need arises. Where's this potion anyway?"