Born Magic by A.R. Moler

Author:A.R. Moler [Moler, A.R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: JMS Books LLC
Published: 2019-01-25T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 3

Traveling through the desert heat brought back memories of stumbling along the sand, overheated, dehydrated, injured, and delirious. Nev patted the neck of the horse he rode. At least he wasn’t on foot this time, and he wasn’t alone. Jamal and the three other guards flanked him. A nearly full water skin hung from the saddle next to his knee. He had been given a bisht, a voluminous robe to go over the lightweight calf length tunic he wore. It did provide a measure of protection against the intense sun and the intermittently blowing sand.

As the day wore on, there was a brief stop for food and to rest the horses, then they continued onward, coming to the edge of the city an hour or so after sunset. The military complex was an enormous walled place, as big as a town all on its own. It took a little time to pass though the guarded entrance and be directed to the building where they were to meet with higher level military officials.

Officials? No, due to the evening hour, it was one official and a handful of underlings.

“I am Colonel El-Menshawi,” the important man in a uniform said.

The mid-level ranking soldier who had led the contingent escorting Nev slid down from his horse. “I’m Lt Khouri.” He extended his hand. El-Menshawi shook it. “We were ordered to bring the Perathean known as Nev here to headquarters.”

“Ah, yes. And which one is he?”

Nev thought it was an odd comment, but he realized he was dressed similarly enough to Jamal and the other guardsmen that his identity was probably not obvious.

“The one in the center.” Khouri gestured toward Nev.

“We have a set of secure quarters prepared for you,” the colonel said.

The choice of the word secure made Nev swallow hard. Was it a cell? Not that he was used to much more than a tiny room with a pallet, a chest for clothes, and a stool on which he had usually set a candle, when he lived with Kustaa.

Jamal spoke up. “If you don’t mind, we’d like to examine the quarters. Just to make sure all the usual amenities are available.”

Nev was grateful for the request, although he wasn’t sure it was within Jamal’s ability to demand something better if it was a barren cell.

“Of course.” El-Menshawi made a gesture for one of his underlings to lead them into a building behind where they stood. “Lt. Khouri, you and your people can bunk in the barracks tonight before you head back tomorrow.”

“Yes, sir.” Khouri nodded before they followed the underling into the building.

All four guardsmen and Nev went inside and up a flight of stairs. They were led into a spacious suite of rooms. It was more than adequately furnished, including its own bathing room and garderobe. Khouri and the other guardsman spread through the rooms, conducting a hasty survey that appeared to be half security-based and half curiosity.

Jamal turned and looked at Nev with a questioning expression.

“This is…quite nice,” Nev said.

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