Read Blood and Steel (The Cor Chronicles Volume I) Page 26
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Jonn despised riding, and he did it as little as possible. Unfortunately, now he rode for a small town on the southwestern coast of Aquis with a group of soldiers, hand picked by Palius himself for their loyalty and professionalism. The ride from Martherus would take a week, and he was simply getting too old for this kind of excitement.
The boy, man he reminded himself, had been found by an enterprising ranger. He was in the company of another, a Dahken, and no doubt had been perverted with their foul magic. Few Westerners knew anything of the Dahken; the Shining West had worked hard to strike them from record and memory, but Jonn knew something of them and the evil they wrought with their blood magic.
He must be careful, but he had no doubt he could bring the boy to Byrverus, as Cor had been a bright and friendly child. He was not so sure about the other Dahken, but he doubted Queen Erella would be overly concerned if the man chose to die fighting. Jonn had the power of Garod with him, and he was certain that would be enough when combined with a dozen well trained men at arms. Legend had it the Dahken were immune to magic, but what was magic compared to the holy strength of Garod. The Loszians had learned that lesson.
Jonn decided he would reevaluate his plan if necessary, but it was relatively simple. He learned a long time ago that simplicity added to one’s chances of success. They would ride to the town of Hager, and then Jonn alone would visit the farmer. He intended to tell the farmer that the older man was a criminal wanted for crimes near Martherus and that he had abducted the boy from his family. The farmer would divulge the day of the next visit, and Jonn would have them. With luck, the older Dahken would not bring the boy with him; that would likely make it easier to take him into custody. Then they could easily collect the boy from the castle apparently called Sanctum.
For now, he just wanted his backside to survive the journey on horseback.