Page 40 of The Study of Magic
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Valek sprinted to the stables. Thank fate they were finally leaving MD-5 and returning home. They had been living at the manor for a full season and then some. It was the first day of the warm season and the sun hadn’t crested the Soul Mountains yet. But today promised to be glorious.
Even the Stable Master’s scowl couldn’t ruin Valek’s mood. The man stood next to Onyx, but the horse wasn’t saddled and ready like the others.
“You can’t take this one,” the Stable Master jabbed his thumb at Onyx. “He’s one of ours.”
“Not anymore.” Valek didn’t bother with niceties. “Saddle him and two others. I’ll send you replacement horses when we return to the castle.”
The man gaped at him. “What do you need the other two for?”
“That’s not your concern. Your concern is getting all the horses saddled and ready by the time the Commander wishes to leave.”
Valek left the stables and checked on the Commander’s elite squad. The fifty soldiers needed to be extra vigilant. Ari and Janco had left yesterday to scout the route. However, if they encountered an ambush, Valek wanted Ari and Janco to be able to get on the horses and escort the Commander and the four advisers to safety. That wasifthe Commander allowed it. The stubborn man was more likely to stay and fight.
The plan was based on the hope that Ari and Janco would uncover an ambush before they all stumbled right into the middle of it. And they’d have time to prepare to defend themselves.
The horses were all ready when the Commander and the rest of his advisers joined the travel party. The Commander peered at the assembled soldiers with a frown. No doubt wishing for a smaller escort, though Valek would have liked another fifty. Brazell soon followed, guarded by two soldiers. His hands had been shackled behind his back. A cloak had been thrown over his shoulders to ward off the morning chill, and he’d been given a pair of boots to wear. The guards also carried a gag in case Brazell decided to preach, and extra manacles and chains to secure the prisoner at night. Probably overkill, but Valek was determined to deliver Brazell to the Commander’s dungeon.
The Commander mounted his horse, signaling the start of the journey, and they all headed west at a fast walk. Valek had argued for a quicker pace. The soldiers could easily maintain a jog for hours, but the Commander vetoed the idea out of concern for Brazell, who wouldn’t be able to sustain the pace.
While the Commander and the advisers stayed in the middle of the group, Valek urged Onyx to the front, keeping alert for any signs of danger. On occasion, he would loop around to the back and check for anyone following them. Onyx enjoyed the bursts of speed and would glance back at Valek in disappointment when he slowed down.
They stopped at dusk to set up camp for the night and to feed and water the horses. After Valek ensured all was well, he donned his all-black sneak suit and slipped into the forest. There was just enough moonlight to pick out the shapes of the trees and budding underbrush.
Moving with a lithe and soundless grace, Valek circled the camp, avoiding the guards posted to keep watch. The day’s warmth still clung to the loamy scented air. But without clouds in the sky, the comfortable temperature wouldn’t last long. When Valek completed each circuit, he ranged further out until he was satisfied no one lurked nearby. Now to test Ari and Janco.
Scouts typically checked the route for each day before the party left. Then they would return to the start, confirming the route remained safe. Once the party was in motion, they stayed a few hours ahead of the main group. It meant Ari and Janco would cover twice the ground or more than the rest of the travelers. Overall, the system worked well.
Ari and Janco would overnight close to the camp—when the risk of an ambush was the highest—just in case they were needed. When the distance away from the tents seemed right, he shuffled his boots slightly and lightly brushed a few dead leaves still clinging to a bush’s branches. They rustled with the contact. Back in silent mode, he kept going before making more noise. He repeated this a few more times.
Nothing happened. Valek wondered if he had miscalculated until a large shadow loomed to his left. He reached for his knife but was tackled from behind. Landing face down on the ground, Valek’s breathwhooshedfrom his lungs as a weight settled on his back. His arms were yanked behind him and secured. Impressive.
“Gotcha,” Janco said in an exultant whisper. “Now to see who’s been tailing us all day.” He rolled Valek over. “Ah, hell.”
“Who is it?” the large shadow with Ari’s voice asked.
“Not the person we’d hoped.” Janco removed the cuffs and helped Valek to his feet.
Valek spat dirt out of his mouth as he gasped for breath.
Ari’s teeth flashed. “Still a good catch. I bet we just passed one of Valek’s infamous tests.”
Janco chuckled. “Yup, he fell for our distract and tackle maneuver.”
At least they were in good spirits, despite being tracked all day. When Valek recovered, he asked about it.
“An unknown person has been shadowing us,” Ari reported. “They’re good, too, keeping just far enough away that we can’t spot them. Or get a good read on them.”
“Frustrating,” Janco added.
“How did you discover they were there?” Valek asked.
“Janco’s been feeling itchy all day.”
“Twitchy.” Janco corrected.
“There’s a difference?” Valek asked.
