Mindbender by David A Wells

Author:David A Wells [Wells, David A]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Usenet, C429, Kat, Exratorrents
ISBN: 9781468102499
Amazon: 1468102494
Publisher: CreateSpace
Published: 2011-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

***

It took longer than Alexander would have liked, but eventually they arrived at the bluff where the keep stood, late in the afternoon of their third day on the island. From their vantage point in the trees about a mile away, they could see that the road was busy with squad-sized patrols of soldiers and that the walls of the keep were well manned and well armed. Getting inside would take some effort.

Chapter 23

“I hope Evelyn is still alive,” Conner said quietly. “By now, they surely know we’re coming for her.”

“I’ll take a look in a few minutes, but I can’t see why Phane would kill her,” Alexander said. “She’s no threat to him and as long as she’s alive and under his control, he can use her for leverage against your father. Phane may be a monster, but he’s not stupid. He’ll keep her alive until he has what he wants or she’s of no further use to him.”

“I concur with Lord Reishi,” Jataan said. “Prince Phane is very shrewd. Killing her would gain him nothing. Holding her gives him options.”

“I hope you’re right,” Conner said. “My sister doesn’t deserve this. She can be difficult at times but she’s never hurt anyone.”

“We’ll get her back, Conner,” Alexander said. He withdrew back into the forest and found a small open space to draw a magic circle.

He found the firmament easily and brought his awareness into focus over his meditating body. With impossible speed he moved to the keep and into the tower where Evelyn was being held. She was pacing back and forth across the room, wearing an expression that was a mixture of boredom and indignation. He moved through the door and saw four guards standing in the hall just outside her chamber. Next he searched for the wizard. He found him busy studying an old book in a workroom on the other side of the keep. Alexander spent the next few minutes exploring the interior of the keep. He floated through rooms and hallways looking at the layout of the place and at the defenses.

There were easily a thousand Reishi Army Regency soldiers stationed there with scores manning the walls and towers. They were barracked in the main building and had even set up cots in the banquet hall to accommodate the large number of troops. Alexander picked the place in the wall where he planned to enter and carefully traced his route to the base of the central tower. Once he was satisfied with his reconnaissance, he returned to his body.

He stood and stretched, then joined his friends who were sitting nearby talking quietly. He sat down and described the layout of the keep and the nature of the defenses. After he explained his plan, they laid out their bedrolls and got some rest in the late afternoon. At dark they rose, ate a quick meal, and struck camp.

The keep was well lit with oil lamps lining the battlements. Men stood guard at close intervals along the top of the walls, and patrols moved frequently from one battlement to the next.

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