Abuse of Power (Rise of the Mages 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

In addition to the catcher and the three men who had been at the tavern, only four other guardsmen milled about the site. A picket line, however, secured at least two dozen horses, and two-man canvas tents dotted the area around a monstrous purple and orange pavilion topped by a banner depicting an oared ship.
    Way too many men for him and Benj to fight alone. They should have jumped Emar outside the tavern. What to do? Calling for reinforcements was out as there was no legal justification for freeing Alaina. The best Auggie could do on that front would be to delay the inevitable.
    “After the camp settles, we’ll bust her out.” It killed him to leave her in that cage for another minute, much less what was likely to be more than an hour, but no help for it.
    “We cannot do this, big man,” Benj said. “I’m all about fracturing the occasional rule, but you know how your father’s going to react when he hears about this. Stealing a catcher’s bounty is a crime. The least he’ll do is have us both flogged.”
    “It’ll be worth it.”
    “C’mon. That guy is probably just yanking your chain. I bet he’ll let her go in the morning if you don’t butt in.”
    Emar’s voice boomed from the camp. “Make everything ship-shape you sea-kissed dolts. We move her out at first light.”
    Auggie eyed his friend.
    “Seriously man, just let this one go. We can scare up a hundred prettier—and more willing—girls.”
    Benj had never understood the responsibility that accompanied privilege. Would that Auggie had the same blindness. As much as he wanted to flee, he couldn’t ignore duty when it stalked him.
    Auggie forced words through clenched teeth. “She’s in there because of me.”
    Was that really his only reason, though? Alaina was definitely pleasant to look at, but more than that, she hadn’t fallen all over herself when she’d learned he was the heir to the duchy. In fact, it had seemed to be a turnoff. He’d never had a woman act like that.
    The occasional drop of rain turned to a steady drizzle, plastering her hair to her head and dress to her body. He’d never seen anyone who needed him more but wanted him less.
    Auggie had to at least try to woo her, and if being the niskmo didn’t do the trick, rescuing her from death sure the blast would. He spent the next half hour alternating between regretting each second she spent imprisoned and imagining in vivid detail how she would reward him when he sprung her from that cell.
    Finally, all but a lone sentry, huddling by the sheltered fire with his back to Auggie and Benj, retired to the tents, and Auggie waited another excruciating half hour to give everyone time to settle into their bedrolls.
    Gusts of wind roared through the trees. The rain intensified, coming down in sheets. Alaina lay curled in a ball at the bottom of her cage. Water poured onto her through the steel bars. A fresh tremor hit her.
    If Emar didn’t kill her, the rain and cold would. Enough waiting. Time for action.
    Auggie didn’t bother with stealth as he stood; the roaring gales and thundering water would conceal his movement. “Follow me.” He marched toward the guard.
    Forty yards became twenty became five. The man didn’t stir until Auggie was almost upon him. He turned and shouted a surprised yelp that died on the wind. Auggie’s fist hit his cheek with a satisfying crunch, cutting the cry short. The sentry sprawled onto his back.
    Benj used his knees to pin the guardsman’s arms and covered his mouth with one hand. “Another peep, and you’re done.”
    Firelight reflected off Benj’s knife blade, and the guardsman’s eyes widened. He nodded, slowly.
    After trussing the sentry’s limbs with the rope and gagging him with a dirty handkerchief, Auggie climbed onto the wagon holding Alaina. He grinned as he swaggered to her, the very image of the conquering hero.
    She staggered to her feet, groaning as she unwound her body from its curled position. “What are you doing? Get