Red Magic

Maligor leaned back, kicked off his slippers, and extended his feet so Asp could massage them. "I have waited anxiously all day to hear your report," he fabricated.

"I visited each garrison today, and I took them through a variety of fighting maneuvers. Some have difficulty mastering defensive tactics, but the sergeants have been working with them hour after hour."

"Good," Maligor said. "How long will it take to join the three garrisons?"

She gently massaged his rough heels as she continued. "That depends on where they are to be joined. If they are united outside this tower, about a day. But this location poses some problems. There are several Red Wizards in the city, and the presence of so many soldiers will concern the wizards and frighten the officials and people of Amruthar. I suspect the wizards will do something about it.

"I recommend instead that we join them south of the tower, well outside the city boundaries. Uniting the garrisons there could take two days, three if we move them at night and keep them a good distance from the tower. That would give us the best chance for success. No doubt the local wizards would know what is happening, but they are not likely to interfere, thinking your target is south of the city and out of their domain." She finished the massage, kissed his feet, and tenderly guided his toes into the slippers.

"Your military mind is becoming sharper, Asp. That is what we will do, then-march them south of this tower and Amruthar. Start them moving tonight. Then, three days from now, the garrisons will be joined, and we can put our plans into motion."

The spirit naga sensuously licked her lips. "It will be glorious, My Lord Maligor."

"Glorious," he echoed, thinking instead of the Thayvian gold mines. In three or four days, his darkenbeasts would be released-those in his tower and those he was storing elsewhere. "Soon it will begin," he said aloud. "The other wizards will never be able to stop me, beloved Asp. In just a few days."

Maligor looked into his unhuman associate's exquisite face. For a brief moment, he imagined that her eyes sparkled like gold.

Six

Bre

"Pretty, huh?" he whispered into Bre

"Beautiful. What are they, uh… I'm sorry. I don't know your name."

"Elwin. My name's Elwin. C'mon. I'll take you closer so you can see 'em. But be quiet. We don't want to bother 'em."

Bre

"If we start leaving a trail of dead guards and missing slaves, they'll be onto us," Galvin whispered.

"I know," Wynter said in as soft a voice as he could manage. "I was just watching. It brought back some old memories."

It was late when Elwin directed them to a small but thickly wooded area behind an abandoned barn. It stood a few miles from the orchard, and he claimed there was a clearing inside. Traveling in the darkness had slowed their progress. They weren't as deep into Thay as they had expected to be.

Bre

The centaur followed the guide, making a thrashing sound as his massive form disappeared into the foliage. Following him was relatively easy, Bre

Patches of tall grass were scattered in the clearing. Elwin made a show of stomping them down for Bre

"This place should be safe," Elwin a

Bre

The enchantress was frustrated that she couldn't find a dry spot to sit on, but she was too tired and proud to complain about it aloud. Rummaging in her smaller bag, she pulled out a heavy linen cloak and laid it on the ground under an elm. She sat unceremoniously on it, no longer caring if she wrinkled or ruined her clothes. Letting out a low moan, Bre

"Gods, I'm tired," she said, and she began to rub her feet. They were blistered and sore, and for a moment she wished there was enough moonlight filtering through the trees so she could look at them.

"Want me to do that for you?" Elwin offered.

Wynter tapped the guide on top of his bald head. "Why don't you get some sleep now?" The centaur was surprised when Elwin complied without argument. The guide leaned back on the ground, stretched, made himself comfortable, and began to snore softly.

Galvin sat spread-eagled in the center of the clearing, watching Elwin. Satisfied the guide wouldn't pester Bre

"Here," he said to Bre

Wynter glanced at the druid, about to comment on his friend's compassion, but Galvin glared at him. Don't say anything, the druid warned with his look.

Wynter smiled. "I just wanted to point out we should stay here in the grove tonight. We'd be wise to wait until the morning slave crews start before we move on."

Galvin nodded then turned his attention back to Bre

"Thank you for being so concerned," she snapped.

"I am concerned," the druid said simply. "I can't let you slow us down. I don't intend for this mission to take weeks."

"Slow you down?" she fumed, rising to her knees. "With a spell, I could fly to Amruthar!"