Stones Unbound (The Magestone Chronicles Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

at this distance Hoyle could
sense more than see a predatory gleam in the soldier’s eyes.  The woman must be
somewhat comely, but as Hoyle could now only see her from the side, with her
cloak up over her head, the only thing he had been able to tell was that she
was tall, and had long shapely legs.
    Finally, the woman got up and strode toward the tower, her
chin held high.  This could be interesting thought Hoyle, as he rounded
the corner and sauntered two buildings closer, trying to stay inconspicuous. 
He leaned against a post holding up the second floor of the building beside the
Tower grounds.  To get to the front door of the tower, all Hoyle had to do was
pass the front wall of what he assumed was the stable, the gate and two spans
of the building front.
    The woman reached the bottom of the stairs and called to the
guard “I have business with your master.” She was still gripping the necklace
beneath her robes.
    “Sure you do little lady” responded the guard slyly.  From
this vantage point Hoyle could confirm the gleam in the guard’s eye.  “What’s
his name?”
    The woman seemed taken aback for a moment, apparently
thinking.  “He didn’t provide one.  He told me to come here if I wanted
training as a wizard,” she replied somewhat shakily.
    “Goralon’s got no use for wizards,” the guard answered
angrily.  “It’s got a use for whores though.  Want to come in and spread your
legs for me and my boys?”
    “You’re a... a... a disgusting pig!” The woman exclaimed.
    At this, the guard started moving down the stairs towards
the woman.  Hoyle moved quickly from his position to intercept the guard. 
Pretending to be winded, Hoyle stepped between the woman and the guard as he drew
his sword.  He put his right hand on the guard’s chest, while bending over to
‘catch his breath’.  He peeked back at the woman, seeing her face for the first
time.  She was beautiful.
    “Please sir, don’t mind my sister,” he said as he raised his
eyes to meet the soldier’s.  Thankfully he hadn’t met this particular soldier
this morning, thank Voral.  “She’s not in her right mind since the death of our
mother.”
    The guard took a step back, “Get your hands off me!” he
demanded, pushing Hoyle backwards into the woman.  Hoyle purposely stumbled
slightly before standing erect.  He faced the guard, the woman a mere handspan
behind him.
    “Your sister!” the woman cried, “I haven’t seen you before
in my life!”
    Hoyle looked at the guard, and made a finger motion to his
own forehead.  “See, so out of her mind with grief that she doesn’t even
recognize her own brother,” Hoyle turned to face her, grabbed both her
shoulders and looked into her eyes with a wink, “Keela, Keela, don’t you
remember me?!” Hoyle said as he shook her shoulders slightly.
    The woman looked perplexed, which in this situation worked
perfectly, as Hoyle handed the guard an Imperial Mark, and added “Thank you for
taking care of her.” 
    The guard muttered something he could not hear. Hoyle led
the woman from the square and down a small side road, until he found a small
alley to steer her into.  She was still sputtering about the ordeal.  She
stopped suddenly, realizing where she was.
    “What are you doing?” the woman demanded, looking around the
tight confines, Hoyle purposely standing, blocking the end of the alley.
    “Saving your life,” Hoyle responded quietly, tossing her
coin pouch towards her.
    “My pouch!” She exclaimed as she caught it out of reflex.  “You
stole from me, and now you expect me to show you some gratitude?!”
    “A little would be nice!” Hoyle replied resentfully, “Do you
know what that guard was going to do to you before I stepped in?  Do you?” She
looked confused. 
    Hoyle took this moment to study her.  She was tall, as tall
as him, with long legs under her robes.  Her robes and cloak were a deep
burgundy, the cloak trimmed with rabbit fur.  Her long