For those soldiers who wished to remain enlisted or commissioned within this new army, these men were expected to pray to Lasidious twice Peakly and work hand-in-hand with the white army to maintain peace throughout the Lands of Kerkinn.

Further, Christopher was ordered to gather the darkest magic users, and give them the opportunity to stop their abuse of the arts. Those who refused to accept peace as a new way of life were thrown into the swamp that they had polluted with so many deadly, deformed creatures. Brayson helped Boyafed find a magic that was strong enough to ensure that none of these elves would escape their marshy prison.

Boyafed also decided to change the city of Marcus. As a way of poking fun at his new friend, Lord Dowd, he renamed the city, Froland. Every statue, token, idol and altar that was meant to glorify Hosseff was destroyed. The perpetual clouds hovering over Froland were removed. No longer would the city be shadowed by gloom, unless it was part of a natural weather pattern.

The walls surrounding Froland were no longer considered a barrier to keep the less fortunate out of the city. The people living beyond the walls were promised that the army would recreate their homes to bring them up to the standard of living that was enjoyed inside the city. No longer would there be a separation of cla.s.s. Any elf who wished to earn a living inside the walls-whether they commanded strong magic or not-was welcome to try.

Fellow soul ... the Kingdom of Lavan followed Boyafed's lead and made many changes to their way of life as well. After healing to the point that he could use his arms to move his wheeled chair, Lord Dowd began his work with Gregory to spread the word of Lasidious. Dowd moved to Lavan and took over as the kingdom's new sovereign.

Once Krasous accepted Lasidious as his new lord and swore to put off retirement, the Argont Commander was promoted to a new position as leader of the white army. The men who refused to accept Lasidious' word were removed from their positions within the army and given estates to show the kingdom's appreciation for their service. These men were not punished for their beliefs, but they were retired and allowed to worship whom they chose. Of the thousands who served in the white army, only 2,793 elves chose retirement. The rest re-enlisted without objection.

The number of those who chose retirement in Boyafed's reformed army was much higher. Eight thousand, seven hundred sixty-four men chose to continue their service to Hosseff. But because of the nature of their beliefs, a secret guard was implemented to ensure there would be no problems.

In total, between the two armies on Luvelles, more than 121,000 began praying to Lasidious twice Peakly. This did not include the members of their families that totaled another 287,472 souls. The rest of Western Luvelles was starting to take note of the changes, and since the Peak of their last survey, the number of souls who worship Lasidious continued to rise.

There was one other significant change that the armies implemented-a change that Kepler's scheming mind manipulated with Maldwin's help. Kepler convinced Maldwin to implant the desire to glorify him in Boyafed and Lord Dowd's minds. Thanks to Maldwin's specific visions, both men approached their respective councils with the rat in their arms.

By the moment Maldwin was finished, both councils agreed to meet with Kepler. Once they understood the depth of the cat's magic, they agreed that his ability, size, strength, white fur, and red glowing eyes would make the cat the perfect choice for Protector of the Realm. The jaguar became viewed as a unified symbol that both armies adopted, and his likeness was placed on their armor.

A new palace was slated for construction for Kepler. It was to be built at the center of the Battlegrounds of Olis. An enormous statue of the jaguar was to be erected to honor his position. This area of Luvelles would be Kepler's own territory to begin a family. All the jaguar needed was a mate, and thanks to Lasidious, Kepler knew where to find one.

The centaurs on Harvestom spent a considerable amount of their moments with Gregory. They eventually accepted Lasidious' disciple and deemed him to be a great man.

The blackcoats and browncoats agreed to set aside their differences only after George solicited the help of Maldwin to manipulate the minds. The result of his manipulation: the centaur councils began working to form a unified kingdom.

To keep the centaurs from going to the Temple of the G.o.ds on Harvestom and seeing that the statue of Lasidious was not the same being who appeared to Lasolias when Alistar manipulated the browncoated king, Lasidious made Harvestom's main temple invisible to all centaurs. The Mischievous One then created two other temples, placing one in the forest of the browncoats and the other in the territory of the blackcoats. A shimmering image of Alistar-as a centaur-became the centaurs' new idol. Because both kingdoms believed that Alistar's image was Lasidious, more than 581,000 centaurs began uttering Lasidious' name twice Peakly.

Further, to keep the centaurs from realizing Alistar was an imposter by seeing the image on the Mischievous One's new coin, more changes were necessary. While stasis was in effect, Lasidious altered the centaurs' minds. They were made to fear all two-legs or any other being who used coin to purchase goods. The only exception was those who traveled with George. Both the blackcoats and the browncoats became scavengers and hunters of nature. The Collective was given no knowledge of these deceptions.

Now, fellow soul ... all these events brought us to a very special Peak that happened on the Worlds of the Crystal Moon a fair number of seasons ago. That Peak marked an event that many of the beings on Western Luvelles celebrated as a holiday once per season.

The City of Inspiration.

The Peak of Bailem.

Brayson and his bride were standing at the top of the steps that led to the entrance of Gregory's gla.s.s palace. A rainbow of color was cast against the walls of the chancellor's tower as a result of the sun pa.s.sing through the prisms placed throughout the city. Spring had arrived, and it was a wonderful Peak for a union.

Many beings traveled to Inspiration from the lower three worlds in support of the Head Master. The streets throughout the city were filled as far as the eye could see, and in total, more than 2,080,000 beings were waiting for the couple to utter their vows.

George had teleported to Brandor and brought the royal family and the Senate to Luvelles to celebrate the event.

Shalee's fashion expertise has been solicited, and after speaking with Brayson and Mary, the couple decided to go with the queen's recommendations. Shalee used her magic to create dresses, tuxedos, and floral arrangements for more than 5,000 souls.

Sam and Shalee took their positions as honored guests while Sam Junior was sleeping in his mother's arms.

Gregory a.s.sumed his position as Brayson's Ho Meellon (Best Man) while Susanne was standing beside Mary as her He Meellon (Maid of Honor).

George and Athena were standing beside Sam and Shalee, with the rest of the family behind them. Joshua was also asleep in his mother's arms while Payne was holding George's hand, fidgeting something fierce while he wore his first tuxedo that had been tailored to accommodate his wings.

Approaching his first season, Garrin was sitting on George's other arm. The child's eyes were wide as he looked down the steps of the palace at the movement of the crowd.

Lord Dowd had been provided a platform for his wheeled chair next to Boyafed, and behind them, the officers of both the dark and white armies were in formation. The councils of Luvelles were next, followed by their families. The senators of Brandor were at the rear with the rest of the city behind them, filling the streets.

The one sight that no one expected, and perhaps the most memorable, was the position Kepler had been given. The jaguar had worked with the scholars of Luvelles for more than 30 Peaks. The demon had been designated to marry the couple, providing he spoke in the language of the elves.

Standing at the top of the long flight of stairs, the jaguar lifted his head toward the sky. The Protector of the Realm let out a mighty roar to command everyone's attention.

Knowing this was going to happen, George used his power to ensure that every child present would not hear the fearsome sound in order to keep them from crying.

Kepler addressed the crowd and welcomed them all before he turned his attention to Brayson and Mary.

"Brayson ... Lle nau belegahtar, Cormelle nau taunya tel'ray."

"Mary ... Vonimle sula teeri, Lle nau vaunima, Oiy nau ellealla alla.s.se."

Mary motioned for Kepler to pause so Brayson could tell her what the jaguar had said.

Brayson smiled. "The cat said I'm a mighty warrior, and I have the heart of a lion. He also said your beauty shines bright, and to see you gives him great joy."

Mary winked at Kepler. "Keep up the good work."

Kepler returned the wink and then continued to speak in the elven language. (Fellow soul ... I shall translate to make it simple.) "Today is a Peak to celebrate. Peace has come to Luvelles, and your Head Master has chosen a mate. This union will break the boundaries of race. It will show the beings of this world and others that we are all created equal. This couple sets the standard for others to emulate. If there is anyone here who knows of a reason why this couple should not be joined ... speak now."

"DOOMED! This union is doomed!" The woman commanding the voice emerged from the crowd and began to float up the stairs as she continued to shout, "Doomed! Doomed! This union is doomed!"

It was Bryanna, the visionary seer who scared Mary and the girls during their first visit to the city. She was dressed in black, ash covering her body. "The head of this family is surrounded by evil! He is cursed! This union shall perish because of it! I have foreseen it! Destruction will come to those who follow Lasidious' Prophet!"

George quickly handed Joshua to Athena, commanded Payne to go to Susanne and then the warlock vanished. He reappeared next to Bryanna and took control. With a wave of his hand, he silenced her outburst and then used his magic to lift the seer and suspend her above the crowd.

With the visionary on display for all to see, George addressed the gathering, using his magic to amplify his voice. "There are those who would have this world live in fear! Luvelles deserves better! There are also those who would seek to destroy a union as blessed as the one we see before us. I ask you now, why can't the Head Master seek his own happiness? I see no evil in this man. Since my arrival on Luvelles, I've witnessed his honor, his integrity, and his loyalty to every being he serves. If you wish to witness this union, shout your approval!"

The ma.s.ses lifted their voices to the sky as if it had been rehea.r.s.ed. George lowered Bryanna to the ground and then released his power over her. He commanded four guards to carry her away, and throw her in the dungeon.

As they dragged the visionary through the streets, Bryanna continued to screamed, "Doomed! Doomed! This union is doomed!"

George shook his head and gave everyone around him a big, bright smile. "I can't tell you how happy I am that she isn't my mother-in-law!" He listened to the crowd laugh before he teleported back to his place. After taking Joshua back into his arm and reclaiming Payne's hand, he looked over at Athena. "Wow. What a nut job that lady was."

Kepler smirked. "Other than the crazed lady, is there anyone else who wishes to object?"

Once the laughter subsided, the streets quieted. It felt as if everyone was waiting for a voice to cry out, but when one never came, Kepler moved forward with the ceremony.

He concluded by saying, "...By the authority given to me by Lasidious, I p.r.o.nounce this couple united. Brayson, you may lick your bride."

Brayson and Mary shook their heads and stared at the jaguar.

Susanne leaned forward and spoke in a whisper. "Kepler, he needs to kiss her. We don't lick one another."

"Oohhh. My apologies. Brayson, you may kiss your bride's face."

Again, Susanne spoke in a whisper. "No, Kepler. We kiss on the lips."

Kepler growled his frustration. "Just kiss whatever it is you feel like kissing. I hear the lips work well for this."

Lord Dowd and Lord Methelborn led the laughter as the crowd enjoyed the moment.

Later that night, Sam caught up with George inside Gregory's ballroom. "George, you handled the seer rather well. I have to admit, she freaked me out a bit. It wasn't that long ago I would've believed her, but after watching the way you've handled yourself, I believe you."

George put his hands on Sam's shoulders. "Thanks, man. You know, since you and Shalee are on Luvelles, why don't you let Shalee take a gander into the Eye of Magic so the two of you can teleport between worlds? She has already pa.s.sed the trials, so it won't take long. There are so many amazing places we could go if Shalee had this power. We could visit anywhere we wanted on Harvestom, Luvelles and Grayham. It'd be a ton of fun. We could call it our moments to bond."

"I don't know, George. The baby needs-"

"I think that's a swell idea," Shalee blurted, entering the room. "Goodness-gracious, Sam, you know how to handle the baby now. You'll be alright until I get back. I could go tomorrow night."

Sam took the baby from the queen's arms. "What about the soul swallowing? I'd rather have my son's mother around. I don't want to lose you."

George looked at Shalee. "He does have a point. It's possible. The Eye could swallow your soul."

Shalee stroked Sam Junior's forehead. "If I had any doubts, I wouldn't go. My power is progressing at a rapid pace. I'm not worried about my soul. I'm a hundred and ten percent sure that I won't leave Sam without a wife. Besides ... traveling wherever we want to go would be fun."

"Then I'll take you tomorrow ... that is ... if you're alright with it, Sam."

The King of Brandor shrugged. "If there's one thing I've learned while being married to this woman, she's stubborn. If I don't agree, she'll torture me until I do. Perhaps you can take the baby and me to Brandor so I can get some work done until she returns."

George clapped his hands. "Then tomorrow night it is. We should celebrate."

Ancients Sovereign.

Lasidious and Celestria's Home.

Lasidious scratched Celestria's back as they watched the vision of Sam, George and Shalee fade from the flames inside their fireplace. The Mischievous One then returned to the head of the table, put his feet up and addressed Alistar who was sitting on the opposite end. "This is what we've been waiting for, brother. Tomorrow night, the Collective will meet with the dragons to discuss further shaping of their new world, and a better opportunity could not be found."

Alistar nodded. "This is a moment we should definitely seize. The Source's expectations will provide the perfect distraction." Alistar stood from his chair. "Things are once again going our way."

"You both talk too much," Celestria chastised. She redirected her gaze toward Lasidious. "We should celebrate." The G.o.ddess reached across the table and pushed Lasidious' feet off. With a flip of her wrist, she used her power to turn Lasidious' chair into a more playful position. She stood, walked around the table and then straddled the Mischievous One's legs.

Seeing that their moments were about to become too personal, Alistar excused himself and vanished.

Celestria purred, "You see, my love, my pet ... we shall control the Book soon enough." She leaned into Lasidious and kissed the top of his ear.

The Mischievous One placed his hands on Celestria's hips and listened while she continued to whisper. "Soon, our son will be old enough. We'll be able to draw from his power, and you, my pet, will be a king amongst G.o.ds. Perhaps you should show your future queen the pa.s.sion her king would have for her." She leaned in and playfully nibbled on Lasidious' lips.

Fellow soul ... the rest of what happened I shall leave to your imagination. For those of you who would take the moments to ponder what may have transpired ... STOP ... BE GOOD ... and keep reading.

Western Luvelles.

Gage and Gallrum stood on the sh.o.r.eline of Crystal Lake. The goswigs watched Luvelles' new moon set as if it was something they had seen all their lives while the sun's rays were beginning to peek over the mountains and glimmer off the water of the lake. Neither goswig could have asked for a more perfect spring morning in which to begin their adventures.

"I'm nervous," Gage said as he looked down to count the coins resting inside a bag that was clenched in his paw.

Gallrum looked over the badger's shoulder. "How much do we have?"

Gage used a claw to flip through the coins after he poured them out onto the ground. "We have three Lasidious, five Jervaise, eighteen Owain and thirty-six Helmep."

The serwin reached up and scratched his head. "That should be plenty, don't you think?"

Using his cane to carve his name in the pebbles covering the sh.o.r.eline, the badger responded. "I've never left Luvelles before, so I don't know what to expect. I can only hope it's enough." The badger retrieved the coins and then looked toward the horizon. "At least we're free to do whatever we wish now that our masters have pa.s.sed. Where should we go?"

"I can't say that I know. It feels strange to know that I no longer need to stay hidden."

Gage pondered a bit before he responded. "We can go to any world we choose since there are no restrictions on our races. I say we expand our knowledge of the other worlds."

"Okay. Where do you suggest we start?"

The badger scratched the underside of his jaw. "I had a dream last night about the ice of Northern Grayham. I have to admit, I felt like I was being called to it. My vision led me to believe that someone needs our help. Perhaps we should head to Merchant Island. Let's find some warmer attire and go find what beckons me."

Gallrum smiled. "What could it hurt? Let's see where your dream leads us."

Without further conversation, Gage took Gallrum's talon. Both goswigs vanished.

Meanwhile, the Hidden G.o.d World.

Ancients Sovereign.

The Book of Immortality sighed when the image of Gage and Gallrum changed. A moment later, the goswigs reappeared on the Merchant Island of Luvelles to approach the dock foreman.

The mirror Gabriel had been using to observe the beginning of the goswigs' journey was hanging inside a room that existed deep beneath his Hall of Judgment. This room was a secret sanctuary. It had been hidden from the others of the Collective and was a place that only Gabriel and two others were capable of entering.

The Book reached up and scratched at his chin that protruded from the spine of his binding. "Help is coming, Mosley. I should never have allowed you to abandon Ancients Sovereign. I'm the one responsible for your capture. Hold steadfast, my friend. I have sent goswigs to a.s.sist in your escape and help with the location of Swayne Enserad's secrets. It's too soon for your name to appear on my pages. I won't allow it."

Western Luvelles.

The Next Peak.

Late Bailem.

George and Shalee appeared inside the Source's old cave. George knew the Ancient One had been traveling back and forth between Luvelles and the new dragon world to discuss the changes that needed to be made to the dragons' new world.

The prophet escorted Shalee past the rivers of lava to the heavy, iron door that guarded the Eye's chamber. George reached out and took Precious from Shalee. "Let me hang onto this until you get back." The warlock leaned the staff against the wall and then slapped his hand against the door. "The Eye is just on the other side. Are you ready for this?"

Shalee embraced herself. "Tarnation! A chill just ran through my body. I'm as scared as a fly staring down a swatter. Did you feel the same way, George?"

"Of course, I did. Don't be silly. This is some serious garesh." George's face turned serious. "Let me give you some advice that Brayson and Lasidious gave me before I entered. The key to looking into the Eye is your belief in yourself. You must have no doubt that you deserve its power, or it'll swallow you. Go in there, and show the Eye who's boss."

The queen's grin was shallow at first, but then it broadened. "You're right. That Eye has never ever met a girl like me. I can do this. I know it." She leaned in and gave George a lengthy hug. "You didn't turn out so bad after all. Thank you for everything ... and I mean that."

The prophet smiled and put Shalee's hands inside his own. "You can thank me once you get back. Now get in there, and remember, you deserve everything that's coming to you."

Shalee opened the door and then walked inside. The queen walked only a few paces before the door slammed behind her. The deafening sound sent another chill down her spine as she stared at the gem that was sitting atop a wooden staff at the center of the cubed-shaped room. The gem was beautiful, and its color called to her. Nothing else occupied the room.