Mary has stopped on many occasions to stand in front of the mirror Brayson gave her. She cannot stop looking at herself. She has felt desired ever since the Head Master's advance. This is the 10th dress she has tried on of the 15 that were given to her. She wants to look perfect before she activates the mirror to summon Brayson.

Sam is about to dismount his mist mare outside the castle of Brandor. Shalee's condition is serious, and the servants are motioning for him to hurry.

Mosley plans to go to Luvelles. He wants to see for himself what George and Kepler are up to.

Gregory is inside his gla.s.s palace. The confrontation with Marcus has left him on edge. He appreciates the amulet Brayson has given him for protection, but he is still increasing the security within his tower. He hopes the Kedgle King will accept Brayson's offer of Froslip in exchange for their help.

Marcus is still sleeping inside his tower-palace.

Gage has teleported to the far west side of Crystal Lake, located in the Kingdom of Lavan. The badger is hoping to find a temporary place of refuge. To do this, he must seek permission from a race of beings called Ultorians.

Thank you for reading the Luvelles Gazette

CHAPTER 4.

Sam Junior The Family Homes THE HOMES BRAYSON PROVIDED the family were a luxurious combination of natural colors, throw rugs, and magical lamps that had been placed throughout each structure. The furniture was elegant, and to George's surprise, Lasidious had done a thorough job of describing his tastes. The wood looked as if it had been stained, something he had not seen since his arrival, but was just another fascinating use of magic. Compared to Grayham, the cla.s.s and style of living on Luvelles was a ma.s.sive step up, and just like Kebble's Kettle, all the family's homes were alive.

"... He left the rat on Grayham!" Athena shouted as she bounded down the stairs toward Susanne's food closet in hopes of finding something to settle Garrin. When she opened the door, she was blasted by a burst of cold air. Many frozen items had been stacked on hardwood shelves.

Athena shut the door. "Brrrr." She shouted up the stairs, "I have not asked George about Maldwin lately! I don't even know if we'll ever see the rat again! Is there another food closet in this house?"

"Not that I know of!" Susanne's voice echoed. "Mother said her food closet changes! She was excited about it, but changed the subject when she went upstairs to put on another dress!"

"What do you mean, it changes?"

"I don't know! I didn't get into it with her! Garrin started to cry and needed to be changed! I swear, this child must be full to the top of his head! It's like he never stops gareshing!"

"You don't have to be so foul," Athena responded as Susanne walked into the room. "You're starting to sound like George. I swear that man rubs off on everybody." Athena grabbed the handle of the closet door and opened it. The frozen food was gone, and the temperature had changed. Now she saw grains, rice, and other nonperishable items. She shut the door.

"This isn't normal," she muttered to herself. "I don't think I'll ever get used to magic. I wonder what else is in here?"

Again, Athena opened the door and peeked in. Through the crack, she could feel the temperature had dropped, but it was not cold enough to freeze anything. Now there were bergan eggs, vestle chick eggs, corgan milk, greggled hash, hogswayne (fatback), and many forms of fruit and vegetables. "Susanne, you've got to see this. Your food closet is the most amazing thing I've ever seen."

"Go check out the washroom. Say the word 'illuminate.' The whole thing fills with light, just like it did at Kebble's inn. I never get tired of that. There's also a platform near the front door that teleports you upstairs. And mother says the beds make themselves."

"The beds make themselves? How?"

"How am I supposed to know? Magic, I guess."

"I hope our clothes will do the same."

"Wouldn't that be nice?"

The sun warmed the front porch of George's new home. The smell of the rain lingered as George shook his finger. "d.a.m.n it, Payne, you need to listen! If you're going to be my goswig, you've got to pay attention. That's all I need you to do."

"George pick on Payne."

Kepler rolled his eyes. "No one's picking on you, Freak. Shut up, and do what you're told. You're supposed to call him, Master." Kepler glared at George. His eyes flashed. "We've become jesters, not territorial forces. We've digressed since the freak's arrival."

Before George could say anything, Payne disappeared.

"Where did he go?" Kepler questioned, scanning.

"h.e.l.l if I know," the mage shrugged.

Suddenly, the giant jaguar cried out. Payne had reappeared, grabbed the tip of the undead cat's tail and bit. The look on Kepler's face was cla.s.sic. George laughed, despite the fairy-demon's disregard for his former instructions.

"Get this d.a.m.n thing off me, George!"

Payne released his bite and flew away, but Kepler was not finished. His ma.s.sive paw swiped through the air, aiming at Payne's head.

"You missed! Kitty too slow! Too fat!"

Kepler roared.

Athena heard it from inside Susanne's house.

The jaguar began to chase Payne around the clearing at the center of the community of homes. Payne was enjoying the excitement, but Kepler was dead set on killing him. "Come here, you little freak!"

"Try to catch Payne, Kitty!"

"Be still so I can bash your head in!"

Kepler was adjusting to the quick changes in Payne's direction. His muscles rippled under his dark coat as he moved as fast as he could, but it was not fast enough.

"We've got to go, guys!" George called out, but as hard as he was laughing, the words took a moment to form. "Hey! Hey! Hey! Dang it! We've got to get going!"

Athena walked up behind George. "I think the whole family heard Kepler roar. The baby is crying again. What's with those two?"

"Payne bit his tail. Kepler's p.i.s.sed."

"I thought you were going to have a talk with them."

"I did, but I don't think it sunk in. Kepler called Payne a freak and it was on. I swear to you, Kepler is going to kill him."

Athena shook her head. "I'm glad I'm not in your boots. I don't think I'd have the patience to put up with them. You can't let Kepler hurt Payne. He's just a baby. How do you think you acted at three seasons?"

"I know ... I know. I find this humorous, to tell you the truth, but I need to put a leash on Payne. I don't understand what a goswig does, but I'm sure it'll require better behavior than this. I'm going to need your help with him."

Nothing else could be said before Payne flew over and stopped next to the side of George's new home. He taunted the jaguar as he waited in front of the stone-covered wall.

"Come, Kitty! Come get Payne! Fat Kitty! Slow Kitty!"

"Bad idea, Kep...!" George shouted, unable to finish his sentence before the jaguar launched. He watched as the giant cat stretched out, zeroing in on the fairy-demon's position-ignoring the stone-covered wall beyond his target. Just before impact, Payne vanished. George scowled as Kepler smashed into the wall face first.

"Oh, my! Go see if he's okay, George!" Athena ordered, "Payne, you come over here ... right now! You will take a seat on the porch steps! Don't you dare move a muscle! Do as I say! Right now!"

George watched as Payne did as he was told. The little guy held his head low as he settled on the steps. Once the fairy-demon's wings rested against his back, George turned to look at Kepler's motionless form. "I think it's a bad idea to walk up on a jaguar when his pride is hurt. I don't think he wants to be asked if he's okay."

Athena squeezed George's arm. "But he's not moving."

"I know. Let's give him a bit."

After a moment, Payne began to antagonize Kepler from the steps. "La, la, la, Payne think Kitty won't call Payne Freak no more!"

George pointed. "Don't say anything else."

"But-"

"Not another word!"

Slowly, George approached the giant cat. "Kep, you okay?"

" Ugggggh ... my head. I hate that freak."

"You scared me," Athena said as she shoved past George. "Let me have a look at you." She squatted near his jaw and used the bottom of her dress to wipe his nose. "You'll be okay. You have a nasty cut, but it's nothing some healing mud won't fix. You're going to look frightful for a few Peaks."

George studied the wall. "Kep, look at the huge dent you put in my house. I can see the outline of your face."

"Not funny, George. Do you see me laughing? I hate that little freak."

"I get it, I get it. You don't like him."

"No! You don't get it. He's going to drive me insane. Take me back to Grayham if you're going to allow him to stay. I could be lying in my pa.s.s without irritation. I could be devouring people in peace."

George was caught off guard. He did not expect Kepler to react this way. He had a decision to make-it was either Payne or Kepler, and he needed to choose now. "I'll tell Payne to go. Your friendship is more important to me than he is. Just give me a moment, okay?"

"Fine. I'll be inside with Athena." The giant cat brushed past George, and then he strolled past Payne without a glance. After squeezing through the frame, the door of the home slammed behind him.

Payne cringed.

George took a knee beside the fairy-demon. "I'm sorry, but I've got to say this. I don't want you around any longer. I can't afford to have a goswig that doesn't listen. You need to leave."

"Payne no go. Payne be really, really, really gooder. I like here. Um, and ... Athena gooder to Payne."

"I understand, little guy, but you don't listen, and you're creating problems. I'm sorry, but you have to go. Goodbye." George shook his head and went inside with Athena.

Payne stood on the steps and stared at the heavy wooden door. Tears began to flow from the corners of his eyes. An agonizing series of moments pa.s.sed before he lowered his head and vanished.

George and Kepler appeared in Brayson's office a little while later. The left side of Kepler's head was swollen. The brown healing mud Athena had administered stuck out like a sore thumb on his thick, black fur.

"What happened to you?" Brayson asked as he stood from his desk. He closed a large, heavily bound book and walked across the room.

Kepler responded with a grunt and moved to a comfortable spot to lie down.

"A wall hit him," George responded.

"What do you mean?"

"It's a long story."

"Where's Payne?"

"I told him to go home. He's more trouble than he's worth."

Brayson sighed. "Too bad. I'm not surprised you couldn't handle him. He could've been an a.s.set to your growth. He could've been the strongest goswig on Luvelles. If you're unable to control him, it's best you found out now."

George rolled his eyes. "I could've handled him. The problem isn't me. It's the relationship between Payne and Kepler. I was put in a position of choosing, so I chose the one I knew I could count on."

Brayson thought a moment as he looked out the window to the land below. "Loyalty is important. But if you're able to handle Payne, then Kepler needs to try harder. As I said, the fairy-demon could be useful."

Kepler snarled. "I can't stand the freak. I won't travel with him."

Brayson smiled. "When you met George, did you like him at first?"

"No, but he was easier to stomach."

Brayson nodded in a fatherly manner. "I'm sure he was, but look at you now. Your relationship has grown, and two friends have appeared before me, choosing each other's friendship over any other. If you take the moments necessary, perhaps, just perhaps, you could find a similar relationship with Payne."

"I doubt it," Kepler sneered.

The Head Master moved to the jaguar to look closely at his face. Kepler winced as Brayson touched a sore spot, and then the Head Master went to a bookcase at the center of the room. He removed a small vial. Opening the lid, he motioned for the cat to open his mouth. He poured a drop of the potion under Kepler's ma.s.sive tongue. It was only a short series of moments before the swelling began to reduce.

Brayson watched as the last cut on the jaguar's face mended. "I trust that feels better?"

"Yes ... much. Thank you."

George spread Kepler's fur to study the cat's skin. "There's no scar. I've never seen anything like it. He healed in a matter of moments. How's that possible?"

Master Id handed George a different vial. "The healers in Floren are the best at what they do. You'll find no stronger magical cures than what they possess. If you have a pulse, they can fix you. I want you to keep this vial with you. It's not as powerful as what I've given Kepler, but it will do the job. It will take longer for its effects to work. The vial I possess is rare and I don't wish to part with it. You'll need something to keep Kepler healthy. You'll need it, because I'm not going to allow you to abandon Payne."

"What?" Kepler growled. "I said I won't travel with that freak."

Brayson looked Kepler in the eyes and moved within a hand of the deadly beast's snout. He spoke with authority. "You're going to find a way to get along with Payne. This conversation is over, and the matter is settled."

Kepler tried to object, but found his ability to argue had been stripped. The giant cat could only watch as Brayson waved his hand across one of the windows. "Seek Payne," he commanded. A moment later, the window zoomed in on the fairy-demon's position. He was sitting on top of George's house, waiting for the mage to come out. "George, take a look."

George moved to the window. "I can't believe it. Kep, come look at this. The little b.a.s.t.a.r.d hasn't left."

Brayson waved his hand to release his magic, allowing the cat to speak. "So what? Just give him enough moments. He'll go away. That's what freaks do."

Brayson moved across the room and took a seat behind his desk. After putting his feet up, he looked at Kepler. "You need to change your att.i.tude. You're not getting out of this. You're going to learn to work together."