The Path of Decisions by Mike Shelton

Author:Mike Shelton [Shelton, Mike]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy
Published: 2016-05-04T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

SEARCHING

Later that evening, the three-person search party set up camp next to the east bank of the Black River, just south of Anikari. It had been a long, unproductive day. Sean seemed to be winding them around the long way. At one time Kelln thought they had found some wagon tracks, but Sean dismissed them as being old and of no concern.

On the first evening the group talked around the campfire, planning their next day’s activities. Sean mentioned he had seen Darius a few months earlier in the Superstition Mountains and they had become friends and had a good time talking about the city. Kelln tried to appear interested, but he didn’t believe for one minute that Darius and Sean had become friends. Sean was hiding something.

“Did Richard tell you anything about the ransom?” Sean asked Kelln.

“Only that they hinted at causing more trouble if they didn’t get it. I don't think he knows who they are. I can't imagine why anyone would kidnap him.”

“Me either,” said Sean. “He is a fine young man, with a fine future...”

“What do you know of his future?” asked Kelln. He worried that Sean knew more than he was saying.

“Only that he is a noble and his father is second in power to the King. He has a life many of us wish for.”

“From what I saw of him, I don't think he wanted that life,” added Alessandra.

“Then he is a fool!” Sean almost shouted. “Maybe he is better off where he is.”

Kelln was becoming more suspicious of Sean. “And where might that be, Sean?”

Sean coughed. “That’s why we are here, right? To find out.”

Kelln watched Sean stare into the fire and smile to himself. He brushed his goatee with his fingers and a small chuckle escaped his lips.

“What do you find so amusing, Sean?”

“Oh, I was just thinking how no one is ever happy with what they have. Take Darius, for example. He is the son of the King’s closest councilor, with the ability to follow in his footsteps and to become a great councilor with power. Then, over and above that, he has some kind of magical powers giving him even more advantage. But he doesn’t even care about these things. Then there is this Preacher in Belor, who wants change and power but can’t seem to get all he wants.”

Alessandra looked over at Kelln. Neither of them had told Sean who Alessandra’s father was, but Alessandra shifted uncomfortably.

Sean continued. “Then, there is you, Kelln. I don’t understand your motivation in all this.”

“My motivation is to help out my friend. And what do you want, Sean?”

“Oh, that is easy. I want power and influence.”

Kelln looked at Sean with distrust. He was hiding something. In fact, as Kelln thought back on the day, it seemed like every time they found a clue, Sean had dismissed it. At first they had trusted in his abilities. Richard had sent him along with them, so Sean must be useful to their task. But the more Kelln thought about it, the more he didn't like having Sean around.

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