Page 83 of The Study of Magic
“Just having a little fun.”
“We’ll come check on you from time to time if we can,” Ari said. “Two blinks for yes, one for no. Understand?”
Valek blinked twice.
“Anything hurt?” Ari watched him closely.
The gag tasted like a wad of…spearmint leaves, and there seemed to be a vine wrapped around his head, securing it. Valek stretched his lips and cheeks, testing the gag. It didn’t hurt, but it was damn uncomfortable. He squirmed. Or he tried, but nothing bit into his skin. He blinked once.
“Janco spent time we really didn’t have picking the spearmint,” Maren said. “He acts all tough, but he’s really a?—”
Janco held a hand up and they all went silent. “Time to go,” Janco whispered.
They disappeared with just a slight rustle of leaves. Valek gazed at the tent with longing. His pack full of food and water was still inside. And instead of sleeping on the nice comfortable cot, he was tied to a tree. He could hope for a rescue, but the kidnapping team played it pretty smart. Good thing it was early enough in the season so it wouldn’t get too cold tonight.
The protection team ran into the clearing, calling his name. With a cry of alarm, Trevar found the ripped fabric. Valek would have to replace the tent, or the Commander would squawk. The foursome argued and blamed each other before Adrik thought to check for tracks. The light was fading, so they’d better hurry.
Yegor found the boot prints Ari and Janco had left behind. Valek wondered if Ari and Janco were giving the puppy dogs a sporting chance, as the tracks led right to the base of Valek’s tree. He yelled. Well, he tried. All that came out was a pathetic, muffled groan.
“Something happened here,” Yegor said right below Valek. “Either Adviser Valek tried to escape, or they changed directions, going deeper into the forest.”
Look up! Look up!Valek tried to lean forward. The vines had no give. None.
“Okay, let’s think this through,” Trevar said, taking charge. “Wilma, you scouted the area around the tent. Did you find any places that would be a good hiding spot?”
“A couple.”
“All right. We stay in teams. Adrik and Yegor guard the tent in case Valek escapes on his own and returns. I’ll go with Wilma to search those places.”
“Do you want a lantern? There’s one in the tent.”
“No, they’ll see us coming. The moon will be up soon, hopefully that will give us enough light. But light it so Valek can find the tent.”
Valek approved of Trevar’s orders.
“Take a long stick,” Adrik said. “Valek’s dressed in his black uniform. He could be tied to a log, and you could walk right by him in the darkness. Poke at every big shadow.”
Another good idea. They dispersed. The lantern was lit and Valek had nothing to do except stare at the tiny flame and wonder why he thought this exercise would be fun. As the hours dragged on, Valek dozed on and off.
Janco visited him from time to time, ensuring he was well and bringing updates about the ‘clueless puppy dogs.’ He also apologized for the gag again.
“I hate those things.” He shuddered. “My cousins decided to ‘shut me up for good’ once and ambushed me, hog-tied me, gaged me, and tossed me into a closet. My mother didn’t find me for a day.” The leaves shook again. “Bright side, spearmint is much better than dirty socks.”
Sometime during the long night, Valek dreamed Yelena was in trouble. She shouted for his help. A large serpent chased her through a thick forest. Fear energized him and he suddenly had a sword in hand, but he couldn’t cut the vines fast enough. They twined around his arms, legs, torso, and neck, yanking his sword from his hand. Ensnared and helpless, he watched as the snake caught up to Yelena, wove around her leg and bit her thigh. She screamed. He thrashed in his bindings but couldn’t reach her.
Pain in his arms and shoulders woke him. His heart galloped in his chest and sweat soaked his uniform. Gasping around the now very soggy gag, Valek hoped the nightmare hadn’t been real; hadn’t been Yelena reaching for him to help. If so, he’d failed her. Dawn couldn’t come soon enough.
When the first rays of sunlight lit the forest, it revealed the dispirited protection team sitting around the tent. Soon enough, Ari and the others materialized from the forest.
Trevar hopped to his feet. “Where’s Valek? We couldn’t find him anywhere within the exercise zone. You must have cheated.”
“Cheated!” Janco reached for his sword, grabbing only air. “Why you, little, pipsqueak, upstart—I’m gonna make puppy dog shish kabobs out of all of you.”
Ari put a meaty hand on his partner’s shoulder. “That’s enough, Janco.”
“But, but, but,” he spluttered.
“Not now.”
