Page 16 of The Study of Storms and Magic
“And you bring the storms?”
“Yes.”
Lorton turned to Zohav. “All we’ve heard is that you can move snowflakes around. What else can you do?”
Zethan wondered who had told them all this information. By the response from his so-called friends, it could have been anyone living in Icefaren. Zo directed her high powered glare to the captain. Lorton was unfazed.
“I can move raindrops, too, keeping everyone dry.”
Smart of her to downplay her abilities. Zethan approved.
“Whatcha thinkin’, Cap?” Beet asked.
“I’m thinking bad weather can win a battle.”
What battle?Zethan wondered as they headed northwest. He and Zohav walked behind the wagon. Beet had taken over the driver’s seat and kept a slow and steady pace. Kitty hadn’t been happy with the strangers, but he was hitched and smart enough to keep calm. Beet followed Lorton, who rode Smoke. They had laid Heli on top of the tarp, and the other soldiers marched on either side of Zethan and Zohav.
Zethan used the time to collect information, noting weapons, and any weaknesses he and Zo could exploit. Too bad the ground was dry. They had left the snow covered roads behind a few days ago. Plus, it was the end of the cold season, which meant clearer skies and warmer temperatures in Ixia.
Heli woke with a groan. Beet called a warning and stopped the wagon. The captain explained the situation to Heli, who blinked at him as if trying to clear her vision.
Then she met Zethan’s gaze. “That so?”
“Yes,” he said while signalingfor now.Wait for it.It being the perfect opportunity to escape.
“All right,” Heli said. She joined them.
With the three of them together, they could easily whisper, but Lorton ordered them to remain silent. Not a problem. They had all been trained to use the signals Valek had created.
Escape plan?Heli asked.
Working on it,Zethan said.Any ideas, Zo?
Not yet.
Sneak out at night?Heli suggested.
“Hey, stop that,” one man said to them. “Hey, Captain, they’re talking with their fingers,” he called.
Shit.
Lorton looped around. “Cuff their hands behind their backs,” he ordered. “That’s one, Boyo.”
“One, what?” Zethan asked as a soldier yanked his arms back and slapped on a pair of manacles. The cold metal bit into his wrists.
“Transgression. The punishment is losing your freedom for a few days. The next one will be followed by lots of pain. The third…” He shook his head sadly. “No one survives the third.”
Zethan didn’t quite understand the loss of freedom punishment. They were already prisoners. But the ramifications soon became apparent. Walking with your hands secured behind your back was much harder. And when they stopped at a travel shelter for the night, they were secured to the beds. No food or drinks were offered and taking care of other necessities was closely supervised.
Zethan lay in bed and listened to the patrol enjoy Aunt Larrisa’s food as his stomach grumbled. Overall, they were a quiet bunch and didn’t discuss their mission. Of the sixteen total, he guessed there were ten who appeared to be men. Theyall obeyed Lorton without question. Beet was his second in command.
He considered his options. Thanks to his brother’s training, Zethan had a set of lock picks concealed in the hem of his uniform. Unlocking the cuffs would be too noisy with the entire patrol nearby. Hopefully, Lorton would leave them alone and they could escape.
The other possibility was waiting for help. Not from poor Annika and Endre. He allowed a wave of grief to flow through him, but he didn’t wallow. He’d have the energy to mourn them properly later. As for being rescued, the trio would eventually be missed in Sitia and Valek would be alerted. How long would that take? And could they survive?
Unfortunately, Lorton was proving to be smarter than the average thug. After a second day without food or water, Zethan, Zo, and Heli didn’t have the strength to do anything except stumbled after the wagon.
The third morning, Beet removed their cuffs and handed them each a water skin and a bowl of oatmeal. The cool liquid tasted divine. It rehydrated his tongue, which had shrunken like a raisin in his mouth. He’d never take water for granted again. Savoring the oatmeal, Zethan took his time. He’d already learned the lesson of not shoveling food down your throat after a few days of not eating.
