"My office. I'll go get it. I'll administer it to Garrin tonight."

George smiled and then put his hand on Brayson's shoulder. "I'll explain everything to the girls while you grab the potion. That should calm them down. Holy garesh ... how much crazier can things get around here?"

Brayson started to laugh. "I don't know, George, but since I met you, there hasn't been a dull moment. I can only imagine what's next." Brayson vanished.

Later that night, after Garrin's power had been bound, and everyone was in bed, sound asleep, Lasidious appeared to Brayson.

All the Head Master could see was the G.o.d's silhouette since Lasidious was surrounded by a bright light. Brayson crawled out of bed and took a knee. "My Lord, how may I serve you?"

Mary stirred. As she opened her eyes, she squealed.

Lasidious allowed Mary to shout until Brayson could calm her. Once she, too, was kneeling, the Mischievous One spoke. "Mary, I have come to speak of your union to Brayson. I will bless it when the Peak arrives to take Brayson's hand and declare him as your own. I shall give you a gift ... one that will offer long-lived happiness."

Brayson responded. "Thank you, My Lord, but what do you mean by 'long-lived?'"

The silhouette disappeared as Lasidious allowed himself to be seen. He kept the sleeves of his white robe crossed as he spoke to the room, "Illuminate." Once the darkness had dissipated, the Mischievous One reached out and touched Mary on the head. "You shall live a life that equals the length of your mate's, and your womb shall be restored."

Neither Brayson nor Mary could believe their ears as the Head Master placed his forehead at Lasidious' feet. "This is truly a blessing we both shall cherish, My Lord. Thank you."

Lasidious commanded Brayson to stand. He cupped the back of Brayson's neck with his hand and pulled him close. "Are you ready to live a life of service, Head Master?"

"I am, My Lord."

"Wonderful. Then you will know when the moment is right to perform this next task. What I would ask of you is this..." The conversation continued.

Meanwhile, the Spirit Plains Krasous, Lord Dowd's Argont Commander, found the Spirit King, Shesolaywen. He was near exhaustion from running naked through the plains to avoid being possessed, and he had to use his magic to see in the darkness.

After putting some distance between himself and the spirit, Krasous jumped on top of a boulder and began shouting the words of the spell that he had memorized from the Scroll of Canair. He finished without a moment to spare, saving himself from being devoured. He watched as Shesolaywen disappeared into the parchment of the scroll.

Krasous fell to the ground, shaken. He spoke to himself while he fought to steady his hands. "I don't ever want to see another angry spirit again." He rubbed his arms to get rid of the gooseb.u.mps. "Only one more season until I can retire." He closed his eyes. When he reappeared, he was standing next to the tree where he had tethered his spirit-bull.

After putting on his clothes, Krasous grabbed h.e.l.lzgat's reins. The spirit-bull materialized, allowing the commander to put the scroll into the pouch of the saddle. "I hope Lord Dowd appreciates this."

h.e.l.lzgat snorted as Krasous teleported onto his back, and they were off.

Southern Grayham Sam and Shalee's Bedroom Chamber That Same Night Sam was irritated. He stormed across the stones of his bedroom floor while Shalee lay in bed watching him. Sam refused to take his spot next to the queen. "Look! I hear what you're saying, but I don't believe it. Lasidious isn't the one you should serve ... especially if George is involved. I can't believe you would tell the people that George was telling the truth. What's wrong with you? First, you cheat on me, and now, you want to serve a deity you know nothing about. Have you become dense?"

"That's not fair!" Shalee snapped. "You didn't see what I saw. Lasidious returned your soul after Mosley said it couldn't be done. You were a goner, mister. I felt your skin. It was ice cold. The people saw Lasidious give you your life back ... just like I did, mind you. You would've believed the same thing if you had been in my situation."

Sam plopped down into a chair that was across the room. "Believe me. I'm glad to be alive. But I don't believe for a moment that Lasidious has the power to return someone's soul. I don't know how he did it, but he has tricked everyone."

Shalee grunted her frustration. "If it's a trick ... then it's a pretty good one."

"So you keep saying," Sam retorted as he stood from his chair to walk across the room. The king sat on the hearth of the fireplace to warm his back. "What about the potion Yaloom gave you? Have you been able to recall any of his memories?"

"No. I don't think it worked. I don't feel like anything has changed. Maybe he was wrong."

Sam slapped his hand on his knee. "Or maybe you're too stupid to handle it! Perhaps you're not smart enough to retrieve his memories!"

Shalee sat up and captured Sam's eyes. "I've already apologized for hurting you on a hundred occasions. Stop being such a jerk. I was wrong, and I hate myself for it. If you want me to leave, then just say so. I don't have to sit here and be chastised. Make your choice, and do it now. Do I stay, and you forgive me, or do I go, and I never talk to you again? I won't live like this."

Sam stood and moved to the window. After taking a deep breath, he turned to find his queen who was anxiously waiting for his response. "You should go. The thought of you makes me sick."

"Fine!" Shalee threw back the covers, crawled out of bed, grabbed Precious and then stormed out of the room. Her bare feet slapped against the stones of the floor like exclamation marks as she went.

After watching her leave, Sam moved across the room. He opened the chest at the foot of their bed and then lifted the other half of Yaloom's potion. He allowed the light of the torch that was hanging on the far wall to pa.s.s through the pale blue liquid. His thoughts ran wild. I wonder what secrets are hidden inside you. Why isn't Shalee remembering the things Yaloom said she would? I need to know his mind ... now, not later!

Sam removed the lid and put the vial under his nose to see if it had an odor. Kael's blade began to pulsate as it hung on Sam's hip. "Drink it, Sam. Drink it. Answers are only a swallow away."

Sam lowered the potion, secured the lid and then unsheathed Kael. He lifted the blade in front of his face. "I promised I would save the last half for Yaloom. To drink it would be wrong."

Kael responded. "His memories will give you answers. He doesn't need them for him to live again. You can still keep your promise to raise him. Once you have the nasha, you can use it on his corpse. Drink what you have, and keep his memories for yourself. You deserve them."

Sam shook his head. "I can't go back on my word." He lowered the blade to the bed and took a seat. "How did we get here, Kael?"

Again, Kael's blade pulsated, "Drink the potion, and you'll know."

Sam's face grew stern. "I won't hear another word of it. Now be quiet."

The sword did as instructed.

Sam's eyes traced the s.p.a.ces between the stones of the floor. Okay, okay. Do I really want to save my marriage? Can I look at Shalee and feel the same love I did for her before she betrayed me?

I do want to see Sam Jr. live again. I also want to see him smile when Shalee holds him. The king sighed. She was going through a lot when she cheated. But so was I. d.a.m.n it! What gives her the right? How would she have reacted if I had done the same thing? Would she have forgiven me? Shouldn't I be allowed to walk away without feeling guilty?

The king clenched his fists and looked up. Come on, Sam! You're better than this. Mom and Dad raised you to be a better cla.s.s of man. Carrying around this anger isn't going to help. It'll eat you up inside. It doesn't matter how Shalee would react. It doesn't matter if she would forgive you or not. It only matters how you choose to react. You're the one who's been put in this position ... not her. If you don't forgive her, how could you expect her to forgive you when you do something as idiotic? Granted, you wouldn't do this to anyone, but ... but d.a.m.n it to h.e.l.l. A long pause followed. Sam ... pull your head out and forgive her. It's that simple.

After many long moments, Sam stood from the side of the bed and left the room. When he found Shalee in the Royal Garden, his voice was filled with the softness the queen thought she would never hear again. "I kind of figured I would find you here. The beauty of the garden pales in comparison to you."

The queen recognized the difference in Sam's tone. "Pardon me? Did I just hear you right? Why did you come here, Sam? You just booted me out of your life. I'm not some yo-yo you can reel back in."

Sam shook his head. "Do you always have to talk? Come here, and let's put this mess behind us."

Shalee turned her back to the king.

"Come on, Shalee. I'm trying to forgive you, so let me do it."

"No, Sam. You can't take it back. Just leave me alone. I'll be gone in the morning."

The king reached out and pulled the queen into his arms. With her back against his chest and the light of her staff setting the mood, he whispered into her ear, "Stop it. I love you, and you know it. I'm finished being a jerk."

Shalee tried to pull free of Sam's arms, but the king kept her close. He spun her around. "I said stop. I love you."

The queen gazed into Sam's eyes. A long series of moments pa.s.sed before she finally caved. "Fine! I love you, too."

Sam put a finger across Shalee's lips. "Shhhh. You don't know how to say it right, do you? We should just move on, and never fight about this again." He took the queen by the hand and then led her to one of the benches that were scattered throughout the garden. Once seated, he cupped her face. "I will always love you, Shalee ... no matter how big of a pain in the b.u.t.t you are." The king winked.

The queen smiled, and then their lips met. It was not long before the pa.s.sion Sam had felt for his wife returned. The intensity was growing, and it lasted for a fair series of moments before Sam stopped kissing her. The king leaned back so he could stare into the queen's eyes. "Hey, before we get too carried away, I need you to promise me something."

"Sure. What is it?"

The king grinned. "The next time you try to burn me, please make sure I'm not just mostly dead." Again, Sam winked.

Shalee grinned and then grabbed Sam's hand. She started running with the king through the garden. On the tenth stride, they vanished.

CHAPTER 25.

t.i.tans Ancients Sovereign The Hall of Judgment THE NEXT MORNING, the G.o.ds were gathering inside Gabriel's hall. Jervaise was the first to arrive, and she entered in her spherical form. Once near her seat, she transformed into an apparition and then took her normal position at the table.

It was not long before the others appeared. As usual, Keylom's hooves clapped against the floor while Bailem walked through the doors with his wings folded behind his portly body. Lictina's tail swished across the floor until she reached her seat. The lizardian lifted her tail, tucked it through a special opening that had been cut into her chair and then lowered into a comfortable position. As always, Lasidious was the last to arrive with Celestria on his arm.

The Mischievous One noticed right away that someone was missing. "Gabriel, where's Mosley?"

The Book lifted from the table and floated to a position that was eye-level with Lasidious. "Mosley has grown tired of your games. He left, and he doesn't plan on returning. Your theatrics in Brandor caused the wolf to seek solitude."

Lasidious frowned. "Where did he go? I'll apologize."

Gabriel's thick brows furrowed. "He doesn't care."

"I'm sure I can say something that'll make him feel better. I don't want the wolf to be angry with me. I like Mosley."

Mieonus frowned. "Why do you care about the wolf?"

Hosseff added to the conversation. "I agree with Mieonus, Lasidious. You sound truly remorseful. Are you feeling alright? You must have a fever."

"I simply ... simply ... bah! Why should I explain to you how I feel?" the Mischievous One snapped.

Lasidious' response felt defensive to the members of the Collective. Gabriel smiled. "Perhaps you care too much, Lasidious." The Book floated back to his golden stand and hovered above it. "You could always try to track Mosley if he decides to use his power."

Lasidious flopped down onto his chair. "I suppose!"

Celestria spoke out to cover for Lasidious' moment of weakness. "This is unexpected to be sure. I wouldn't have labeled the wolf a quitter. If he doesn't wish to be found, I'm sure he knows how to avoid prying eyes."

Keylom interjected. "Mosley did say that he intends to gather the elements he needs to form his own world and then fill it with beings who'll worship only him. There is, after all, nothing in our laws to prohibit the wolf from doing that."

The Mischievous One slapped the edge of the table, and a smile returned to his face. "Now that sounds more like my Mosley!" Lasidious chuckled as he looked at Celestria. "I knew the wolf was better than quitting. I just love that wolf. Nothing can get him down ... not even me."

Bailem stood from his chair. "Allow me to change the subject. I'd like to know how you returned Sam's soul to his body? How did you manipulate such an event? You don't possess the power to pull a being out of Gabriel's pages."

"Sam's name was never added to my pages," Gabriel announced.

Bailem's face was not the only one to express confusion. "Explain!" the angel demanded.

Gabriel shrugged his little shoulders that protruded from the sides of his covers. "Perhaps you should ask Lasidious to explain."

Lasidious leaned over to kiss Celestria on the cheek before he stood. "I manipulated an event that trapped Sam's soul inside the dagger that was used to end him. Boyafed was the one who wielded the weapon."

Hosseff lifted from his chair. The shade's wispy voice emanated from the nothingness beneath his hood. "Boyafed would never do that. He serves me and no other."

Lasidious allowed himself to fall back into his chair. "You're right. Boyafed thought he was doing your will ... not mine. I appeared to him in your image. I requested that he use the dagger to deliver the fatal blow. The blade trapped Sam's soul inside it, and it didn't allow it to ascend to Gabriel's pages. That's why you couldn't find it, Hosseff."

The Mischievous One redirected his attention toward the G.o.ddess of Hate. "Your affair with Boyafed could not have come at a better moment, Mieonus."

Lasidious grinned. "Once you were finished with Boyafed, his mind was made up to end Sam. I knew you would want to witness Boyafed's misery, so I used your manipulation against the Collective to accomplish yet another part of my plan."

Mieonus gasped. "You saw? How? I was careful to pick the perfect moment."

Celestria decided to answer. "You have no understanding of what careful is, Mieonus. I watched you seduce Boyafed, and I'm sure Boyafed would agree that he has had better lovers. Your moves were amateurish. You're not worthy of being called a G.o.ddess. Boyafed said he felt you needed to be educated in the art of lovemaking."

Lasidious slapped the table again. "Ha! A truly bold statement for a mortal, wouldn't you agree, Mieonus?"

All those around the table laughed while the G.o.ddess of Hate stomped the lifted heel of her right shoe against the floor. "I hate you all!"

Celestria pushed her seat back from the table. Her flowing hair and gentle curves captured every male's eye, as well as Lictina's, as the G.o.ddess walked around the table to address the Collective. "Mieonus' failed attempt to orchestrate Sam's demise only managed to strengthen Lasidious' position amongst this table."

The G.o.ddess of Beasts stopped behind the Mischievous One's chair. She pulled back his hood, and then fondled his hair lovingly with her fingertips while she continued. "Mieonus, you gave my pet the opportunity to use the dagger he created so many seasons ago. Thank you. You've never been so helpful."

Alistar leaned forward. "Lasidious, you had no right to create a dagger without a vote. It's against our laws, and you know it." The G.o.d of the Harvest turned to Gabriel. "Why haven't you stripped him of his immortality?"

Gabriel lifted off the table. "He must have created the dagger before the law was added to my pages. I had no knowledge of the blade's existence until I saw him pull it from Sam's side. Even then, I had no idea what its purpose was ... other than ending the king. Lasidious has broken no law."

The Mischievous One looked across the table at Alistar. "You're as pathetic as Mieonus. Do you truly believe I'm that stupid? Do you think I'd create against our laws? I have no desire to be made mortal. Gabriel is right in his a.s.sumption. The dagger was created before the law existed. I've been waiting for the perfect moment to use it, and thanks to Mieonus, the opportunity presented itself." He slapped the table yet again. "And it was employed on the King of Brandor no less."

Mieonus wanted to scream, but she knew her anger would only make her look more foolish than she already did.

Alistar stood to move behind his chair. "Yet again, your cunning is fierce, but I have a surprise in store for you." The G.o.d of the Harvest chuckled.

Lasidious mocked Alistar. "I'm sure you believe you're funny."

Alistar did not respond. Instead, he gave the Book a nod.

Gabriel responded by giving the Call to Order.

Lasidious shouted. "You can't do that! Our laws don't allow you to, Gabriel. You can't give the call without Mosley present!"

Gabriel hovered over to Lasidious. "Mosley has surrendered his vote to me. My laws allow me to do whatever is necessary to protect the sanct.i.ty of this Collective. As long as my actions don't affect your free will, your campaign to gain the followers you need to control me isn't something I can endorse. You have come to this meeting because you've chosen to attend. This allows me to give the call without sacrificing your free will."

Lasidious pondered the Book's words. "This collective cannot vote to take my dagger from me. That would be to strip me of my free will."

Alistar cut into the conversation. "You can keep your knife. No one cares. There are other matters that we intend to vote on."

Lasidious smirked. "What can you vote on that I would possibly care about?"