The Eye Of Luvelles Part 38

Again, George's thoughts ran wild. I would've been afraid of this not too long ago. But now ... something this creepy seems almost like a second home. h.e.l.l ... living on these worlds has really screwed with my head. Could I really be this brave ... or am I just a dumba.s.s with no common sense? I can't be insane. Insane people don't know they're insane ... do they?

After working his way deep into the mountain, George came upon an area that opened into an enormous cavern. It almost felt as if the mountain had become hollow. The top of the cavern could not be seen. The walls to either side were hundreds of paces away, and they were visible only because of the glow from the lava that flowed down their surfaces and then across the floor like a river before it disappeared into the opposing walls.

A booming voice filled the cavern. "I've been expecting you."

George lifted his hands and prepared to use his magic, but he was unable to see a target.

Again, the booming voice spoke, but during this particular series of moments, the sound echoed off the walls.

George had to cover his ears to stop the pain.

"Do not be frightened, Mystic Learner. I am the one you seek."

George did not waste any of his moments. "Show yourself!" he commanded. "I want to see my first dragon!"

The Ancient One laughed. The rumble of his chuckle forced George to cover his ears again.

Once the laughter subsided, George spoke, "Do you always greet your visitors so rudely? That's not the kind of manners I would've expected from an ancient dragon."

From within his veil of invisibility, the Source lowered his head to a position just above George and snorted. The wind knocked George to the ground and covered his face with moisture. "You're a confident one. I can see you're not afraid. A good quality to have ... but also your weakness."

George finished wiping his face and then straightened his hair as he stood back up. "Confidence is only a weakness if it's backed up by ignorance. I know your purpose and what you're about. I also know you're not here to harm me, and you're not even the main reason why I've come. Show yourself so we can have a decent conversation."

Again, the Source chuckled, and again, the mage was forced to cover his ears. "Apparently, young Mystic Learner, you are under the same belief the others were who stood before me. You think the Eye of Magic is the only being responsible for swallowing souls. Perhaps I, too, have used my position to sample a few misguided morsels over the seasons."

George gasped as the dragon's form appeared and filled the cavern. The Source rose to stretch. His tail and neck elongated, and the muscles in his legs tightened as he balanced his weight to extend his wings. Each tip touched the walls on either side of the cavern with an overall span of more than 530 paces. As the Ancient One folded his wings to his sides, a powerful wind filled the cavern.

Again, George was blown to the ground. The mage tumbled head over heels and stopped at the edge of a river of lava. He quickly scooted back from the heat, but now he remained seated.

The Source spoke as he lowered his head close to George. "You know of me, George. I only jest about eating those who seek the ultimate power of the Eye."

George looked up and wiped the sweat off his brow with the sleeve of his tunic and shouted, "That's a relief! You almost knocked me into the lava! You could've killed me!"

"You fret over naught. If your life would've been extinguished, I would've rekindled it."

George's eyes squinted. "You can give life?"

The Source chuckled and grinned as George covered his ears. "Of course, I can."

The glow of the lava reflected off the dragon's ma.s.sive, green eye and was temporarily lost as the Source blinked. George realized the entirety of his body could fit in the beast's eye as the Source continued to speak. "You don't realize it, but you looked upon me during much of your wretched life on Earth."

George struggled to collect his thoughts. "How could I not remember looking at you, and how did you know I was from Earth?"

"I was in plain sight. I am older than your Earth. I am more than 29,000,000 years old."

"Did you just say years?" George questioned. "I haven't heard anyone say that word since my arrival on Grayham."

"As I have said, I know your Earth, and I watched as your planet was destroyed. There wasn't much left after the humans on your world unleashed their weapons of ma.s.s destruction. It was sad to see such advanced races annihilate themselves. Knowledge can be deadly. But I suppose the struggle on Earth wasn't much different than the way the beings who live on these worlds fight for dominance. It's as if the Collective doesn't care."

The Source sighed and another burst of wind filled the cavern. "Perhaps the Collective desires war. I simply fail to comprehend their logic."

George crossed his arms and set them on top of his knees. "So are you a G.o.d?"

"What I am matters not."

"What do you mean?"

The dragon cleared his throat. George had to grab his ears as the sound echoed off the walls of the cavern yet again. "I had taken my place amongst the stars with my ancestors. The light you came to know as the North Star was how you once knew me. I was beautiful, and my glory captured the attention of your galaxy. I was forced to venture to these worlds when the end of your Earth was nigh. This mere vessel that you see before you is all that is left of my being until I can reclaim all that I once was on this plane of existence."

George was blown away. "Well, from where I'm sitting, what you call a 'mere vessel' is what I call b.a.l.l.s out, wicked bad a.s.s."

The Source grinned. "Your flattery is received with open wings."

George stared for a moment before he finally keyed-in on a specific part of the Source's previous statement. "What do you mean by reclaim all that you once were on this plane of existence?"

The ancient dragon's eyes narrowed. "You have an inquisitive mind, but that is not a question I shall answer."

George pondered the Source's response. "Then asking why won't get me anywhere either, will it?"

"No, my mortal friend, it won't."

The mage grinned. "Well then ... the idea that you were a star is pretty d.a.m.n cool. I can't imagine how you must feel. I mean, holy garesh, you were not just any star ... you were the star that everyone on Earth knew about. I'm sure you realize the role you played in navigation. I've got to tell you that I did a report for Science cla.s.s about you when I was a kid."

The dragon chuckled, and again, George had to cover his ears. Once the noise subsided, the Source changed the subject. "I know of your daughter. I also know that you desire to see her again. I can hear your thoughts, George. I know you'll do whatever it takes to retrieve her soul from the Book's pages."

The mage nodded. "You can count on that."

"I believe you're strong, but you're not without weaknesses. Do you not fear your weaknesses?"

George jumped to his feet. "It's hard to fear something that I can't pinpoint. I appreciate your concern, but all I care about is getting my daughter back. You're right. I'll do whatever it takes. I'm sure you would do the same for a child of your own, or dragon cub, or whatever you call it."

The dragon snorted. The force blew George back down. "You presume much, human. I am so much more than dragon. I would find it far easier to release my offspring's soul than you would. One tooth piercing the Book's binding would do the trick." The dragon winked his ma.s.sive left eye.

George wiped the moisture off his face. "Ha! Humor. I wouldn't have expected that to come out of a dragon's mouth."

The Source pulled his head back. "You must be careful, George. Don't allow the hate in your heart to cloud your judgment. The iniquity running through your veins could be your undoing. You're stronger than the others who have come before you, but strength is nothing without character. If you allow anger to control your mind, you will be lost.

"There is much in your past that still runs through the depths of your mind. I can feel the torment that these moments have caused your spirit. I understand why you resent those who hurt you. You have allowed the abuse of your father to turn you into a killer. One man's sins are not another man's excuse to break the Commandments."

George shook his head. "Commandments? You sound like you're talking about the Bible. I don't understand."

The Ancient One sighed. "I suppose you wouldn't. I would ask you to re-evaluate what's important. I have spoken with your daughter's soul. She doesn't want her father to kill in her name."

Silence filled the cavern as George processed. "Is Abbie okay? Does she see good visions like Lasidious promised?"

The dragon nodded. "She does."

"That's a relief." George lowered to the flat of his back and then put his hands behind his head. "I hope you don't mind, but it's easier to look up and talk to you this way."

Again, the dragon nodded. "Understood."

"Anyway, it kind of freaks me out that you've spoken with my Abbie's soul. Can you release her as well?"

"I can do as I wish."

"Will you return her to me?"

The Ancient One shook his head. "I will not reward the sins of a father." The dragon pulled back his head. "Alas, our conversation must come to an end. The moment approaches for you to look into the Eye."

Frustrated, George sat up. "How do you suggest I retrieve Abbie's soul without killing the folks who stand in my way? If you won't give her back to me, then I have no other options."

The Source's large figure began to dissolve. "Only you can decide how to handle your issues of morality. There is good in you, George. You will struggle to find your way, but your well has the potential to overflow with righteousness. Embrace it."

"Righteousness?" George retorted. "That sounds a bit heavy for a guy like me."

The dragon smirked. "You have much to strive for. I do hope the Eye finds you worthy of its gift. Perhaps you should get some sleep before you enter the Eye's chamber. You'll want to have your wits about you."

The last bit of the dragon's form vanished. "Remember, George, if you allow your past to victimize your future, happiness will forever elude you. You must forgive to become the man I know you can be. You must find the desire to be better than you are."

George called out, "Wait! Don't go! Who am I supposed to forgive?"

After a long, agonizing silence, George sighed, "Figures!" He moved past the ancient dragon's lair and eventually came to a heavy, metal door that sat at the end of a long corridor. This must be the place, he thought. I'll sleep here and then go inside. He lowered to the ground and put his hands behind his head.

Once the mage was asleep, Lasidious made his presence known inside his dream. "George ... we need to talk."

"Holy garesh, man! Where have you been? I have a million questions."

"I'm sure you do, George. But I have a few things that I need to tell you first. You're going to have to react quickly."

"Nothing new with that concept. What's up?"

"Brayson knows you killed Amar."

"What? How in the h.e.l.l did he find out?"

"Celestria was spying on Brayson. Your mother-in-law told him. Apparently, Mary spoke with Morre before you left Lethwitch. She knew of Amar's pa.s.sing, and when Brayson mentioned that Amar had recently visited his office, Mary told him that his friend was deceased."

"This isn't good. So ... how did Brayson figure out it was me who killed him? Has he said anything to Athena or Mary about it?"

"Brayson visited the Sprite Queen who has the ability to bend moments. He saw you kill Amar after the sprite took him to the past. I don't think Brayson will say anything to Mary until he understands your reasoning. You need a plan."

"Ya think?" George snapped. "This is a nice pile of garesh you've gotten me into. Thanks a lot, Lasidious."

Brayson's Floating Office Brayson watched through one of the windows as Sam made his way into Floren. The wizard had posted one of his students outside the invisible school of magic, and he was to greet the King of Brandor and show him the way inside.

Like many others who had entered Brayson's tower, Sam marveled at how the spiral staircase shot up into the distance for what seemed to be forever. The fairies moved between the walls of bookcases, and as always, they were rearranging the books and scrolls from one shelf to another in an organized fas.h.i.+on.

Sam moved to stand beside the table where Kepler had injured his neck while fighting the silver sphere. The king moved his hands across the etched markings of magic, and it was not long before Sam found a symbol that he recognized. It was one of the symbols that had been etched into the ring that Brayson gave him after he arrived on Merchant Island. "Fire," he whispered.

The king strolled over to one of the bookcases and began to search for a reference in which to study more about the symbol's origin. Though his knowledge of the elven language was minimal, it was not long before his genius mind was lost in thought.

The Head Master appeared at Sam's side. "It's good to see you again, King of Brandor. I trust your queen will be returning to Grayham with you?"

Sam's mood went from one of extreme interest to one of enormous irritation as soon as he heard the reference to Shalee. "No. She will continue her journey to find the missing piece of the Crystal Moon."

"You don't appear to be satisfied with your visit," Brayson responded. "When I teleported you south of her position, you were anxious to catch up to her. The window showed she was with someone. Who was her companion, and did your journey with your tracker provide you with the moments you needed to think?"

Sam found Brayson's eyes. "The answers to your questions are not something I want to discuss. I'm ready to go home."

Brayson nodded. "Fair enough. I do hope your queen is right about the location of the crystal." The Head Master redirected the conversation. "I have recently uncovered some grave news ... news that has left me with many questions. Do you have the moments to indulge an old man?"

Sam grimaced. "Where should we talk? Perhaps you could make it someplace comfortable. I'm tired."

"Of course." Brayson waved his hand. Before Sam knew it, they appeared inside his office. Brayson pulled back his new chair and motioned for Sam to sit. Once the king was comfortable, Brayson leaned against the edge of his desk and crossed his legs in front of him. "I'd like to know how you came to Grayham."

"Why do you ask?" Sam responded as he reached up to play with the gash on his lip.

"My Mystic Learner is traveling to meet with the Source. I think you may know him."

Sam crossed his arms. "Let me guess. George is the one you're talking about."

"He is. So ... you do know him."

"I know him alright. I'll tell you anything you want to know. But first, what is the Source, and why would George meet with it?"

Brayson explained the ancient dragon's function and what would happen if George looked into the Eye of Magic and survived.

Sam stood from the chair and strolled to the far side of the room. "This isn't good. George is a manipulative b.a.s.t.a.r.d. He's a liar and a thief. Before he left for Luvelles, he managed to start the largest war Southern Grayham has ever seen. Many men perished, and almost as many will spend the rest of their Peaks as sad reminders of the men they used to be."

Brayson had to find the courage to ask his next question. "Do you hail from the same world as George?"

Sam's brow furrowed. "How do you know of Earth? Who gave you this information?"

"It doesn't matter, Sam. I suppose whether you came from this Earth or not tells me nothing other than you are alien."

Sam chuckled. "I've never been called that before."

"I meant no offense. What else can you tell me about George?"

Sam scowled. "Why are you asking me so many questions about him? What has he done now? Has he screwed you over, too?"

A puzzled look appeared on Brayson's face. "'Screwed over?'"

"I meant, did he do anything to hurt you?"

"No. George has done nothing to harm me, or anyone else I know since his arrival on Luvelles. My concern lies with the pa.s.sing of my friend ... a person George ended on Grayham. This man was my old Mystic Learner, and it is the way George ended him that worries me."

Sam reclaimed Brayson's chair. "You say that as if there is a way to end someone that wouldn't cause you concern."