Many thousands of miles away, Long Baiyu smiled. Staring into the cold blackness of his cell, he let his mind drift. Zhudai’s shields around his cell were strong but flawed - as was much of his work. It cost Baiyu dearly to keep a light link with his rescuers over such a distance - enough to know they were safe but not enough to communicate. Now he knew they were truly on the path to complete their second quest, he could afford to rest a little.
They had yet to realise their true goal, of course but that would come in time. With each new experience, they grew and learned – and their chances of surviving to find and free him increased. Many of the obstacles they faced were in their minds, anyway. Only when these were overcome would they truly be able to release him and themselves from bondage.
As he let his thoughts float, Baiyu became aware of something else: the gossamer touch of another mind seeking his. Before he could withdraw, it seized him, striking and tearing at his mental shields with fearful force.
Zhudai!
Baiyu wrenched his mind free and withdrew into the weak shelter of his exhausted body. Shivering, he strengthened his inner defences. How could he make such a stupid mistake? Zhudai’s shields were not weak. The flaws were simply a temptation. How could he let himself be lulled by the belief that his rescuers were safe away from Zhudai’s influence in Britain?
Now Zhudai knew through which land the four travelled. He had plucked that much at least from Baiyu’s incautious thoughts. He wouldn’t know exactly where but it would not take him long to find out.
Unable to restrain himself, Baiyu released a howl of anguish that echoed off the uncaring stone walls.