No sooner had they taken a step to leave, when a girl come running in. “Donna, you can’t go!”
Donna held a hand up to calm her down. “Tasha, Tasha, settle down. Don’t attract attention. I know you weren’t quite ready for this, but the shop is yours, and I’m leaving.”
Tasha shook her head. “No, it’s not that. The Guards just told me the city has been locked down. No one can enter or leave. You really can’t go.”
“Oh, I see what you mean. Well . . . I . . . Treb?” She was at a loss for a plan.
Treb looked around. “We can’t stay here. It’ll be only a matter of time before they find us.”
Tasha’s eyes widened, as she had not actually seen the people her friend had been hiding. It was only then she realized something. “Oh my.”
Donna cocked her head. “What is it?”
“That Captain Morris. He put out a sign this morning saying the King has issued a priority objective target on a boy traveling with a Rakki family. A human boy . . .” She looked at Markus. “It’s you they’re after.”
Markus asked, “What’s a priority objective?”
Kiin answered, “It means you are now the most wanted person in all of Gallenor. Every person in all the lands under the King are required to be on the lookout for you.”
“Oh.” Markus was stunned for a moment.
Treb looked back at Markus, then at Tasha. “What did you tell them?”
She shook her head furiously. “I didn’t tell them anything. Donna told me to keep her guests a secret. I didn’t even know you were the ones they were looking for.”
Kiin let out a harsh sigh with a touch of a growl in it. “That Morris must be after us for evading him.”
Markus began to realize his life was in real danger. “Uh, what will you do?”
Treb looked to Donna. “Are there any other secret ways out of this city? A drainage system or a crack in the wall?”
“Yes, I think there is. A group of young boys I know use an opening in the city wall on the far side to get out and play in a field. The City Guard never sealed it and don’t watch over it. It will be difficult to get through, but I think we can squeeze.”
Treb understood this was their only option, and he would rather die before handing his daughter over to the Guard. “Fine, lead us there.” He took his Crystal’s arm and held her close to him. “Stay with me while we go through the city.”
Donna sort of pushed Tasha back out to the stand. “Dear, the shop’s all yours. I don’t know if I will ever come back. Thank you for being such a good assistant.”
“Thanks. I will do you proud.” Tasha hadn’t been expecting this so soon, but she felt ready.
Donna smiled at her. “One last request: if they come asking about me, tell them I’m ill. When enough time has passed, tell everyone I passed away.”
“No one will believe me.”
Donna grinned. “I know, but the Guards will. And that’s what matters. Now, don’t watch me leave; I can’t let them see us.” With that, she hurried out with the others. All five ran down the street and out of view.
Tasha had seen this many of the Guard in Stillwater only one other time: the week they had carried off all the wizards they could find. Men and women had been dragged out of their homes. Several had fought and were killed in the street, and the sight of their blood still haunted her nightmares. Her heart sank as she pictured Donna lying dead in the street, just like that man who had been stuck by five arrows in front of their shop. “Please make it out alive,” she whispered.
About the author
Daniel Peyton was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and now resides near the Smokey Mountains in East Tennessee. He is an honorary member of the Sigma Alpha Iota, professional performer with the Miygai Ryu Nosho Kai, and a longtime member of the Embroiderers Guild of America. Daniel is an award winning stitcher, graphic artist, stage performer, and cook. The verities of experiences have helped him develop rich worlds and characters for his fiction works. Since the fourth grade he has never stopped penning stories for the entertainment of others.
More bookS from Daniel Peyton
Legacy of Dragonwand book II
Legacy of Dragonwand book III
Legacy of Dragonwand: Book 1 (Legacy of Dragonwand Trilogy) Page 18
