The Lost Knight (Volume II) The Lost Girl

Chapter 12: Dinner Time

Sarpedon smiles, literally from ear to ear—if he has ears. "You are the most resilient of persons," he says, and my resolve strengthens with his praise. "That is Kolomi. He is a Tlaloc, the representative for water. Everyone on the council was selected for their knowledge of what you may encounter on your journey. Kolomi is kind. He has a deep soul and is considered by his people to be a loving and caring ruler."

"He looks like he wants to eat me."

"You said the same about me."

"I meant it!" I shout, then lower my voice. "I stand in that circle and I feel like the main course. The only one there who doesn't look like they would eat me is Queen Ekecheiria, because she looks like she never eats anything!"

Sarpedon takes a breath. "Do you actually believe one of them will eat you?"

I wait to respond. "No. But you need to understand, they're the stuff of nightmares on Earth. I know they won't like someone like me telling them what to do."

"Why would that concern you?"

"They are very important. I'm just a girl from Queens. People like them don't like people like me telling them what to do."

"It is irrelevant if the experience for them is enjoyable. Just because they have ideas does not mean they are correct. You are not asking for much. It is reasonable for you and the people you trust to have a say in your wellbeing. You are deserving of that. They will give it to you. They just may not be happy about it. Besides," he smiles gently, "they cannot eat you until you find the key."

I smile at his humor. "You're right. But before I go in there again, tell me who everyone is and why they were selected."

"Well, I am the Grand Master of the Knights Templar. I have the most knowledge of the portals and whatever was used to lock them. Jonah is the one who found you and you trust him. There is Kolomi, as I mentioned. King Ohad has knowledge of the air. His son, Dathid, is here because you invited him. Queen Ekecheiria is powerful and the elves wanted a say. She is also the one facilitating your training."

He pauses and steals a glance at the circle as if trying to remember who else is there. "Oh, Kyrbast, for the magical arts. And lastly, Laius—she is the anubis. She is here to help with anything underground."

I hope I don't look as afraid as I feel. The anuba-thingy sounds horrible and I don't even know what it is. "What's an anubis?" I wish my voice wouldn't shake.

"This would be much simpler if you would read the books I give you," he says, trying to chide me but instead lightening the mood by talking about something other than frightening creatures.

"The anubis live underground," he says. "They are rather dull, as far as personality goes. They are even-handed and slow to anger."

"But what do they look like? I don't care about its temperament or where it lives. I want to know how many teeth it has and if it's disgusting."

"Well, it is rather human in appearance. One head, two arms, two legs, walks upright. They have superb posture. They are covered in short, black fur and have a head like a dog."

"Like a Rottweiler or a Shih-Tzu?"

"More like a Collie. It is long and pointy, with giant ears that stand up straight, and a thick mane of hair that flows down its back."

"Does she look like she's going to eat me?"

"You think everybody looks like they will eat you."

I can't argue with that. Everybody I've met here is something from a horror movie. I take a few deep breaths. "Okay, I'm ready to try again."

Master Sarpedon slithers back to the circle with me trailing behind. Once there, I take another breath for courage and wrap my hand around the pareixer. Everyone appears and abruptly stops arguing.