Page 48 of Oath of Rebellion

Chapter 17

ASHUR STOOD NEAR THE stairs with a grim expression, leaning against the wall with a foot propped up behind him. He spied Knox and straightened, then jerked his head to the stairs.

Knox strode through the crowd and past the sleeping patrons who still held cups in their hands. If Ashur was wide awake, sober, and without a woman, then it was time to work.

He reached the top of the stairs and strode down the hall, following Ashur into the last room on the left. He closed the door behind him to find several of his most trusted men sitting around the room.

The old woman had said his men needed him to save the princess, but he couldn't come right out and ask about her.

As soon as the door closed, his eyes narrowed on them. "Everyone is back from the wedding reception? How did it go?"

Nineel's eyes glinted and he grinned, revealing one tooth missing. "Aye, well that was a great plan, master warden. It worked! Every single piece of it. Your spell put the entire castle to sleep, even the magic users. Then we lifted every jewel off those rich bastards."

"Only two people were coming awake as the last of us left, so the sleep darts took care of them," another said.

Several of the men chuckled, and Knox sighed in relief. He'd left the stealing to the men as he'd overseen the perimeter and made sure no one sounded the alarm.

"Excellent. Tomorrow, go to Vidrland and turn everything over to John. He'll see that it can't be traced back to us, sell it, and send the money to those who need it most. "

The man nodded. "Great. We circled around the city a few times to make sure no one was following us. All good though." The man kicked his saddle bags on the floor.

Knox sighed in relief. "Excellent."

"Well, not quite," Ashur said. "Tell him what else you heard while patrolling."

Knox' heart skipped a beat.

Several of them looked at each other, then Nineel continued. "The princess might've been kidnapped."

Knox felt his breath still, then he snorted. A green vapor escaped, sinking to the floor. He took a deep breath and controlled his racing emotions. The old woman was right. Eirwyn was in trouble.

He stood still, motionless as he tried to process. He growled, "Explain."

They all began speaking in rapid succession.

"Exactly what I said. She's missing. No one knows where she went, but the king doesn't seem too concerned about it."

---