As the conflict ebbed and flowed, Anteros observed from within Dawgs mind.
“Is it always like this?” he asked.
“Is what always like this?”
“Fighting, conflict… It is as if I have not been imprisoned for centuries but rather only days. I see nothing has changed.”
“Well, you did kind of bring it on yourself when you essentially kidnapped me. You could have contacted us for help you know.”
Anteros chuckled,
“And would you have helped? I think not, many of you thought of me as evil, some have even helped keep me imprisoned when I
found a way out earlier. They filled the hole in the spell.” He laughed again bitterly,
“You could say that from my point of view, it is I
who find your friends to be the evil ones. They even unknowly helped the Wizard they now fight for naught.”
“What’s his story?”
“You’ll learn in time possibly, and that gives me an idea as well. I have consigned myself to this fate, it is something I cannot
change.” His voice was melancholy,
“I will let you go, but I would like just a little more time, not in control of you, but rather going
along for the ride as you would say, tasting what you taste, seeing what you see, and basically experiencing what life is like one last time. Believe
it or not, I’ve greatly enjoyed our time together.”
“Can’t say that I have.”
“Yes, I know, but I didn’t understand nor care why due to my fanatical desire to escape, but after watching these people flail about and hurt
themselves battling ancient power that they have no way of ever killing it has helped set my mind right.”
“You mean my mind.”
“No, I mean my mind, I can take over your body, but it should be obvious I couldn’t take over your mind. I would like to help pay you for your
unintentional service and show you ancient places that have not seen a visitor in thousands of years. It’s the least I can do. I know you love
history and there is much we can learn from each other.”
“You sound like a used car salesman.”
“What is that?”
“Something I’ll have to teach you I guess. How long would this journey take? And what about my friends here?”
“I’ll leave that up to you. You have my word, I will leave when you ask. And your friends should be OK. He knows that if any real harm came to
them, the Circle of the First would greatly increase his punishment, he knows he has it good here. I think he’s just exercising right now. I believe
that you call it playing.”
“He doesn’t play very nice.”
“No he doesn’t…but he won’t kill either. What do you say to my proposal?”
Dawg walked up to Jacy, Foss, Homer and Night and gestured at the figures who seemed gathering themselves for the next round. “I have to take a
walk-about with Anteros and I can’t think clearly with all this noise, I’ll be seeing later you though.”
Foss looked at him sternly…”Is this your idea or Anteros?”
Dawg smiled, “It’s an agreement, and besides, if he has chosen me to defend him, we do need to talk.” He shook hands all around and even
accepted a couple of hugs. As he scootched past the battle circle, he swore that he could sense that they were all having fun. He looked around, “I
could have sworn I saw Jane in there?” he wondered aloud.
“I as well”, Anteros replied.
He stopped at the mouth of the cave and saluted everyone, patted Sporky on the side with a “good to see ya buddy” and melted in the forest.
edit on 22-8-2014 by TDawgRex because: Just a ETA...Bye Guys! Have fun!