Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign (Worlds of the Crystal Moon, Book 1) (60 page)

After a lengthy series of moments, Sam let the Minotaur fall to the sand. He spit a mouthful of blood onto the end of Terrogon’s shredded muzzle and then collapsed.

The arena was in a frenzy. The box holding the Minotaur King and his guards was the loudest of them all. Their cries called for justice. They were already claiming Southern Grayham’s laws of combat had been broken, and they were demanding a meeting with the headmaster of the arena to determine Sam’s punishment.

It did not take long for the healers to surround Sam’s motionless figure. There was not a moment to spare, yet putting Sam on the hide of their stretcher was impossible. It was easy to tell that his condition was critical and that his internal wounds were responsible for his faint breathing. The eldest of the three healers, named Jaress, was wearing an earth-colored robe. He reached into a large, leather case and removed a pouch that was filled with a reddish-yellow liquid. Pulling the cork from its mouth, Jaress knelt next to Sam, then lifted the fighter’s head onto his right knee. He forced Sam’s mouth open, poured the liquid to the back of the fighter’s throat and then pushed Sam’s jaw closed.

BJ jumped from his seat and landed on the floor of the arena before rushing to Sam’s side. As he passed the bowl beneath the headmaster’s box, he knocked it from its pedestal. The trainer shook his head in disgust as one of the dice flew out of the bowl and landed next to the healer’s knee.

Jaress placed Sam’s head onto the sand. He grabbed the dice and tossed it back in the direction of the bowl. After pushing his graying braid over his shoulder, Jaress looked up at BJ through weathered eyes. His voice was strong. “His condition is severe, brother, but I’ve given him the essence of the griffin. It is too bad our reunion is overshadowed by these grave circumstances.”

BJ’s eyes were filled with concern as he held his brother’s gaze. “Jaress, how did you acquire the griffin’s essence? I know of no healer on Grayham with access to this treasure.”

Shalee and Helga arrived to stand beside BJ as Jaress responded. “You can thank Soresym for saving your friend’s life. His Majesty sent word for me to come to the landing platform the night of your arrival. The Griffin Lord gave me his essence and instructed me to use it if ever your friend was to fall in battle. I know of no other man fortunate enough to have this bond.”

Shalee was a mess, and her eyes were filled with tears. Helga was holding her hand as the younger sorceress spoke. “Is he gonna die?”

Jaress found Shalee’s eyes. “A griffin’s essence is powerful. I’ll watch your friend throughout the night. We should know by morning.”

“His name is Sam,” Shalee said in a soft tone. “He’s got a name. Please use it.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Shalee knelt and lifted Sam’s head onto her lap. “When can he be moved? We can’t leave him lying here all night.”

Before an answer could be given, the loud voice of the arena headmaster filled the air. “Barthom Jonas, leave your fighter with your brother! There are matters that need to be discussed!”

“Now what?” Helga questioned. “You’re needed here. What could they possibly say that’s so important?” She turned to look at Shalee, “I’m sure everything will be alright, Child.” She redirected her gaze and focused on Sam’s trainer as she spoke about him. “BJ knows the politics of the arenas. Sam is in capable hands.”

BJ nodded and used Helga’s words as a source of strength to remove his concern from his face. He stood and put his hand on Helga’s shoulder. “I suspect this has something to do with the Minotaur King’s protests.” The expression on BJ’s face turned angry as he continued to speak. “Sam’s victory should not be tarnished, but he may have broken the law, and this may not be news we care to hear. I’ll return when I know more.” BJ rushed off.

Seeing the griffin’s essence was beginning to work, the healers accompanying Jaress rolled Sam onto the stretcher and carried the fighter off. Extending his hands, Jaress led the women into the healer’s vestry below the arena.

Athena’s Work

Later that Evening in Lethwitch

It was just after Late Bailem when Athena started her shift at her mother’s inn. She placed the flowers from George on the end of the bar and smiled. It was just a matter of moments before she would see George again and get the kiss she so badly wanted.

Athena moved about the inn, singing as she did odd jobs. She was dusting the bar when George finally arrived.

Sashaying across the room, she jumped into George’s arms. “Hello, honey,” she glowed. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’d love to finish the conversation we started.”

George pulled Athena close and gave her a warm kiss. “I’ve missed that smile of yours. I’m going to be in town for a while. I was hoping we could get to know one another. Maybe one of these evenings we could have dinner.”

Athena kissed the end of his nose, winked and then excused herself. She ran into the back room and rummaged through the kitchen. After a while, she returned with a basketful of food. “I’m free for the evening. My mother will do fine without me. We have extra help during the fights. There are torches out back. We’ll need to take a few with us.”

Leaving the inn, George admired the purple hues of Luvelles and the orange hues of Harvestom as both worlds approached opposite horizons. He liked the collection of moments called evening. Although smaller than when he first saw them, he could almost feel the vibrant colors of the setting worlds as the sun closed in on the end of the Peak.

He had learned while traveling with Kepler that both worlds would continue to move farther away from Grayham’s orbit. Eventually, they would become too distant to see. The demon cat said the red world of Dragonia would be the next sphere to become visible, followed by the dark world of Trollcom.

George felt romantic as he held Athena’s hand and walked south out of town. Soon, they came to a natural spring that bubbled to the surface. It was tucked behind a wall of foliage, and the area it covered was some 60 paces across. The spring was encircled by this wall, and there was a narrow path that led through the foliage to a hidden gazebo that was made of hardened clay. The gazebo was large and sat at the center of the pool that was created by the spring. It was covered with an array of blooming flowers. A quaint bridge made of treated wood led to the structure. The natural enchantment of this spot was intoxicating as dusk was approaching.

George reached for a torch.

“Not yet, honey,” Athena whispered as she placed a single finger across his lips. She led him across the bridge to the gazebo and continued to whisper. “Just watch. The torches are for later. We don’t need them now. Shhh.”

As the pitch-black of night fell across the land, George could not see a thing. He reached over, found Athena’s ear and leaned in. “What are we waiting for?”

Athena covered his mouth. “Shhh.”

Eventually, the flowers growing on the gazebo and the trees surrounding the pool began to illuminate. The surface of the pool mirrored the warm glow as the flowers produced a light that exuded their natural color.

Staring at the reflections in the water, George felt as if he was standing in the middle of a galaxy, floating amongst stars of many colors.

The petals of the flowers began to wave back and forth in a soothing, massaging manner. Small puffs of pollen were released. A plethora of fragrances filled the air as each radiating puff drifted, some of them against the breeze. One by one, the puffs worked their way to their destinations. It was as if the flowers were in the middle of some sort of mating ritual.

George watched as a blue puff found an opposing yellow flower. The flower opened, allowed the puff inside, then closed its petals. The color of the puff merged with the color of the flower, and soon the flower reopened and radiated a vibrant green.

With this new color reflecting off the pool, a melody filled the night like the flowers had voices of their own. As their song progressed, George opened his mouth. “I can’t believe this,” he blurted. As soon as he spoke, everything went black.

Athena punched George on the arm. “I told you to shush! Now we have to use a torch. You ruined the mood.”

“Aahhhh, man, I’m sorry. That was freaking cool. We’ve got to do this again sometime.”

An awkward silence followed. Athena was not sure how to respond. She was confused by how George phrased his words.

Seeing her confusion, George changed the subject. “I’ll get us some light.” George fumbled in his pocket and pulled out his lighter. As soon as the flame appeared, Athena’s eyes widened. George smiled, lit a torch and then placed it into one of the brackets that was molded into the side of the gazebo. He waited for the questions he knew were coming.

Their conversation would be without pause as he explained how the lighter worked. Athena was intrigued by the many, subtle differences in their speech. Their conversation bounced from one subject to another as they held each other while they cuddled at the center of the gazebo.

Before the second torch extinguished, Athena led George to a quaint cottage. Twice the size of George’s old apartment on Earth, it was lit with many oil-filled sconces. He held their last torch high and examined the stone masonry. Meticulous work and great care had been put into every detail.

Athena walked to the door and opened it. “Mother!” she shouted, “I brought home that adorable man I was telling you about! Can he stay in the spare room?”

George was taken aback by Athena’s forwardness, but after a moment of thinking it through, he stepped inside and shouted, “Mom, we’re home!”

After talking with Athena throughout the night, they decided to get some sleep. George leaned in and gave her a soft kiss. One kiss led to another and before the two of them knew it, they were tickling each other on Athena’s bed.

For the first series of moments in George’s pathetic life, other than the day of his daughter’s birth, he felt truly happy. He knew his goose was cooked—this woman had stolen his heart. All he had to do was figure out a way to ensure she ended up in his life. He knew this would be a challenge, a challenge he looked forward to facing. He pulled her close and spooned her as they drifted off to sleep. He would make no further advances.

Lethwitch Arena

The Next Morning

When the sun rose, Shalee and Helga were still sitting next to Sam who remained unconscious in the healer’s vestry beneath the arena.

Jaress returned, carrying breakfast—corgan milk and muffins. “Any movement while I was out?”

“I’m afraid not,” Helga replied.

The heavy, wooden door to the vestry opened. BJ walked in, followed by the arena headmaster, Lorund. Upon seeing them enter, Shalee stood from her seat, set her muffin on the table next to Sam and braced herself for bad news. The grim looks on the faces of both men caused her to retrieve Precious from the corner of the room.

Lorund, a strong, gray haired man with brown eyes, was the first to speak. He was still dressed in his black, leather armor that bore the symbol of the Kingdom of Brandor. “The Minotaur King has requested that Sam’s life be surrendered in exchange for the death of his champion.”

Shalee gasped, “Why? Sam beat him fair and square. I won’t let them have him. He’s practically dead already.”

“Child, it’s not that simple,” Helga responded. “There are laws the combatants must live by. Hear the man out.”

“Laws or no laws, I’m not going to let them have him. I’m not giving Sam to some bull-faced losers.” Shalee tapped the butt end of Precious on the floor. “I’ll give ‘em what for. You tell them to come down here, and I’ll show them another way to die. I dare them to try to take Sam off this table.”

BJ laughed. “I admire your spirit, Shalee, but you won’t need to use magic on anyone. After a long debate, we have determined that Sam’s actions were acceptable. The fight was to be without weapons. Terrogon was the first to use a weapon during the battle. When he tried to use the pillar to crush Sam, he broke the law by which he chose to fight. Sam’s use of Terrogon’s horn as an instrument of death was justified. Sam no longer had to abide by the rules set by the roll of the dice.”

“That’s great!” Shalee exclaimed. “Then Sam’s free to go when he wakes up.”

Lorund shook his head in disagreement. “I would not consider this a joyous outcome. The Minotaur do not agree with my ruling, and they will remember Terrogon’s passing. I know their race. If I was you, I would see to it that Sam never encounters another one. I would not be surprised if the Minotaur King puts a bounty on Sam’s head.”

“What kind of crap is that?” Shalee snapped. “That’s not sportsmanlike at all.” The younger sorceress crossed her arms. “I hate sore losers. They wouldn’t make good Texans. We would’ve been downright embarrassed to know folks like that.”

Lorund looked at BJ, then at Helga and then at Jaress. “What is she talking about? Is she foreign?” He turned to look at Shalee. “Is Texas on one of the other worlds? I have read nothing of it in all my studies, and I’ve never heard anyone speak as you.”

Helga cut in, “You know how young ones can be. I’ll handle her. You go about your business. I’m sure your family is expecting you. Thank you for clearing matters up.”

Lorund nodded. “There are other issues that I must attend to. I have been informed that there is a woman sitting in the stands who has passed. Her weight is abnormal for her size. She will require a significant number of men to carry her to the wagon waiting outside. It’s as if she is made of stone.”

It was not long after Lorund’s departure that Sam stirred.

Jaress quickly moved to keep the fighter still.

Once Sam’s eyes opened, the fighter realized where he was.

Jaress took the moments necessary to explain. After Sam acknowledged he understood, the healer uncorked the essence of the griffin and lifted Sam’s head. “I need you to drink. This is a powerful elixir. Your wounds will heal quickly.”

Sam took three, large swigs. His body tingled. Despite the blood loss, the paleness of his skin faded.

Sam managed a weak voice, “That doesn’t taste like any medicine I’ve ever had. It’s sweet. What was it?”