Free Vegenrage: The Magic User by Robert Spina Page B

subjects in its path. I do not know what form this presence truly is, but it is my belief it is a human male. Send scouts to the Bore Bog to investigate this power. It should be easy to find. Do not engage or make contact, just investigate and see what we are dealing with. I am planning and preparing to travel, defend or attack. Our day of truth is coming. The power that has put us all here has returned, and we have questions to be answered. When you learn more, send Maxflap back to me with your assessment. Xanorax.’”
    Mournbow looks up at the men. “This is why you are here. As usual I have no idea what Xanorax is talking about, so this is what we are going to do. Jetter, I want you to take two men and ride to the north of Bore Bog. Suther, you take two men to the south, and, Corksez, take two men and head straight for the bog.”
    Inglelapse enters the room, and he has three leather bags tied at the top by leather lace. “Here is the poison you requested, Mournbow,” he says and hands him the bags.
    “Inglelapse, have you prepared the stamina water for the Graybazelles?”
    “Working on it now, Mournbow. It will be ready shortly.”
    “Good, get it ready and meet us in the courtyard.”
    “Yes, Mournbow.” Inglelapse leaves the room.
    “Inglelapse has prepared Andalonian poison for you. Each of you, take two of your most trusted men with you. This poison is for you and your men in case you run into any trouble. Take no chances. Your arrows with this poison will stop anything. Collect your men and meet Inglelapse in the courtyard. He will have stamina water for your animals, making the trip very fast. Men, we don’t know what this is, so be on your guard. Just collect information and get back here safely. That will be all.”
    The three captains get up and head to get their men. The nine men meet in the courtyard, leading their Graybazelles, and Inglelapse gives each man a double pouch of stamina water, each pouch tied shut by a leather rope, and the men sling the pouches over the Graybazelles. This water allows the Graybazelles to travel much faster for greater distances with no adverse effects. The men walk their awesome steeds to the castle gate, which opens, and they mount up and head down the mountain on their journey to the Bore Bog.
    Xanorax senses the return of Maxflap and waits on his balcony overlooking Pinegrow Forest. His little messenger comes into view, and Xanorax happily extends his left arm for Maxflap to land on. Maxflap is so ugly but endearing and cute for a monster. He really grows on you. He makes these cute little monster noises that are all his own. He looks at Xanorax, making his cute little noises, just begging for attention, like he just wants to be patted on the head and played with.
    “Did you have a good trip, little buddy?”
    Maxflap pants and smiles wide, looking at Xanorax while he talks. Xanorax pets him a little and retrieves the message attached to his feet. He then puts Maxflap in his cage and covers the cage with a blanket, sending Maxflap back to his hardened state. Xanorax takes the parchment from the tube and flattens it flush on his podium, and it expands to letter size. He reads the message and looks up, very serious. Xanorax dresses himself with a loose-fitting long-sleeved blue shirt. He puts on a belt with a midsized dagger attached to his left side. He heads out of his room, down the stairs to the large summoning pool, and looks into the crystal-clear water. He unsheathes his dagger and slices his hand, dripping blood into the pool of water.
    “I summon you, Groglegoya, Smogle, Drumbolt, and Simtap.”
    The fours statues of the demons in each corner of the room start to move and come to life. Xanorax looks around as the very scary figures come to life. True to their statues, they are ten feet tall and most intimidating.
    “Why have you summoned us, Xanorax?” says Simtap.
    “I have a most delicate situation, and I need your assistance. In exchange for your