Alutar: The Great Demon by Richard S. Tuttle

Author:Richard S. Tuttle
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Fantasy, Young Adult, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Publisher: KBS
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 27

Prisoner

Bart Larmin moved through the sewers of Farmin like a wraith in its own lair. While the thieves thought that they knew the sewers as no one else could, they were wrong. Ever since Garth introduced the Rangers to Juggler for the purpose of training the thieves, the Rangers had made a point of mapping the sewers. The Alceans did so thoroughly, sometimes in the spirit of camaraderie, walking with their pupils through the sewers. Other times, the Rangers mapped covertly, slinking through the dark passageways and avoiding contact with the thieves. The mapping had not been ordered because of any ill feeling towards the thieves. Bart had ordered it to provide a challenge to the Rangers while they were stationed in Farmin. It had become a game for the Alceans to enjoy during their downtime. Now Bart was glad that they had been so thorough. If Juggler’s men were actually working against the Alceans, the Rangers’ knowledge of the sewers would prove vital to their survival.

When Bart reached the area of Juggler’s lair, he paused in the darkness of the sewers. He stuck his finger into his pocket and gently woke up his fairy. The tiny man stuck his head out of the pocket and checked out his surroundings before leaping onto Bart’s shoulder.

“You have a mission for me?” Dart whispered in Bart’s ear.

The Ranger nodded in the dark and whispered, “Around the corner are two sentries. I need you to go well beyond them and draw them away from their posts. I only need enough time to get through the door they are guarding without being detected. Go.”

Dart needed no further instructions. He leaped off the Ranger’s shoulder and disappeared into the darkness. Bart waited. A few moments later, he heard the soft moaning of a woman in pain. Voices, much closer to Bart, carried through the stale air of the sewers.

“What was that?” a hushed voice asked.

“Sounded like a woman,” answered another subdued voice. “She sounds hurt. I will go and check it out.”

Footsteps started receding and then the first sentry’s voice called after the other. “Wait. You should not go alone. It might be a trap.”

Bart smiled as both sentries moved cautiously away from the door. He had expected that Dart would have to put the first sentry to sleep and then lure the other, but this was a cleaner way to make his entry. He eased around the corner, making each step a silent one. When he reached the door, he eased it open and stepped through it quickly so that the dim light from within the room did not spill into the sewers for too long. Juggler looked up immediately, a heavy frown marring his face.

“Where are my sentries?” Juggler asked.

“They are not needed for this meeting,” Bart answered as he crossed the room and stood before Juggler’s desk.

Juggler instantly became alert and anxious. A knife slid into his hand, more from habit than conscious thought.

“I would hope that you know better than to try that,” warned Bart.

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