Wizard's Blood [Part Two] Read Online Free PDF

while they would have easily spotted an invading force, they simply weren’t numerous enough to have a real chance of spotting two men on foot taking care not to be seen. As they approached the last boundary before actually starting up the side of the first of the mountains, they walked through the small ravine cut by one of the many streams that flowed out onto the plains from the mountains. It was deep enough, and this time of year dry enough, that they could walk along the edge of the water, well below the level of the land above. Even though there was a patrol a mile off to the north, they passed unseen into the tree line, and started on their way into the occupied territories. By the time they had traveled five miles they had gradually worked their way back to the main trail. Breaking a new trail through these steep hills was far too much effort, and Asari wanted to stay on a known path both for speed, and to minimize chances of getting lost. They were careful to scan ahead, and always kept their eyes open for a place to hide off to the side of the trails in case they encountered troops of either country. For the next two days they made excellent time.
    “ Just the two of them,” Luzoke agreed. “I can’t see anyone else nearby, and I can’t sense anyone using the power.”
    They’d come across the two guards ten minutes before. They had set up in one of the narrowest parts of the trail, between two tall smooth granite hillsides, which simply could not be easily bypassed. The road was a mere twenty feet wide where the soldiers had set up their check point. It would take several hours to backtrack to a point they might be able to find a way around, but it would take them several days to work their way through the steep mountains back to where they needed to go. That was why there was only the one trail through the mountains. It had been found a very long time before and was the only reasonable path open.
    “ There have to be more nearby,” insisted Asari. “It wouldn’t make sense to have just the two of them out here alone.”
    Luzoke shrugged. “What do you want to do?”
    “ The jump off point for the back way to the lake is only a half mile ahead. If we can get by these two and off the trail without being spotted, they will probably think the men were attacked by soldiers from Angon making a check. I’m sure they won’t be able to spot us.”
    As he talked he took three arrows from his quiver and pushed them into the ground in front of his feet. He positioned himself carefully, and then whispered once again to Luzoke.
    “ Jolan wants our presence here kept as quiet as possible. We especially don’t want our interest in the lake to become known. It would be best if you don’t have to use your power. That would generate a lot of interest, and Angon mages typically don’t attack normal soldiers. I’m going to try to kill them with the bow. If something goes wrong, then you can join in. We will figure out how to cover up later.”
    Luzoke nodded his understanding, and watched as Asari pulled the first arrow from the ground and slipped it into place. He pulled back on the string and sighted on the two men standing unaware fifty yards ahead on the trail. Luzoke heard the soft “twang” of the string, and watched as the arrow flew swiftly toward the man on the right. The arrow struck true, passing through the man’s chest, and before the second man could react to the sudden death of his partner, Luzoke heard the bowstring sound a second time. The arrows traveled at two hundred feet per second, which meant they took less than a second to travel the short distance to the men. The heavy arrow moving at that speed could easily penetrate all the way through a man. It had taken Asari about five seconds to grab the second arrow, slip it into place, and release it. That meant in less than ten seconds the two men were dead, the second with the arrow protruding from his chest, the arrow having caught on one of