Redemption of Thieves (Book 4) Read Free Page B

wild, red hair over a youthful male face. Ridged scars zigzagged his cheeks but the disguised man’s lips were drawn back into a familiar grin.
    I sprang to my feet. “Dradac! How did you get here? Who told you where to find me?”
    He laughed. “You left instructions for reaching you with Kipp’s brother. As to the how, you see that for yourself. No one looks long at a cantankerous old peasant woman selling a load of dented crockery.”
    I tried to be stern. “Those instructions were for emergencies, Dradac. I expressly forbade anyone but the messenger to risk coming here in person. If you want me to remain leader of the circle, you must pay attention to my orders. Terrac’s Fists obey him better than any of my followers listen to me.”
    He looked confused. “Terrac’s Fists?”
    I had never explained to Dradac and the rest of my outlaw friends the connection between Terrac and the Praetor’s soldiers and I wasn’t about to now. “Never mind. Just don’t do this again,” I growled.
    “Maybe it will relieve your concern if I tell you I’m acting in accordance with your orders even now,” he said. “It’s nothing less than an emergency that brings me here. A Skeltai scout was seen materializing near the woods settlement along Beaver Creek.”
    “Materializing?” Hadrian stepped in.
    “It’s a magical method of travel used by the Skeltai raiders and their shaman,” I explained hastily. “No one knows how they do it. Go on, Dradac.”
    “Our man followed instructions,” he continued. “He held back and observed long enough to see the scout circle the settlement several times before pulling his disappearing trick again.”
    “You think they’re marking the place in advance of a raid?” I asked. “You’re probably right. It fits their usual pattern. I’ll pass the word to the Praetor and he’ll have his men stationed there to stave off an attack before it comes.”
    “Not so fast. I want to discuss an idea with you. That’s why I came directly instead of sending the messenger. I believe the Skeltai mean to attack this very night. Ada tells us tonight is a special occasion for her people—the final rites of Sagara Nouri.”
    I bolted upright at mention of the pagan holiday. “I’m listening.”
    “Good. We decided the purpose of the raids was to appease their gods by gathering sacrificial victims for their festival, right?” So, it occurs to me tonight being the bloodiest night of their rituals, Beaver Creek is likely to be their greatest massacre.”
    “Not if we act quickly,” I said. “With the Praetor’s men surrounding the settlement, we may prevent the attack and drive the Skeltai back. It’s worked before.”
    “But this is my idea… What if the Fists weren’t to show up so speedily? What if they held back and waited for the Skeltai raiders to make the first move? I know we’ve tried trapping them before—”
    “You’re rotting right it’s been tried before,” I cut him off. “More than once, too. But the enemy always discovers our presence too soon and they disappear before we can close in.”
    “Only because we were impatient,” he argued. “But this time, let’s hold back our Fists until the raiders have engaged with the villagers. They’ll be unable to extricate themselves and flee as we come charging in.”
    “Meanwhile villagers will be slaughtered for some minutes while we’re too far away to do them any good,” I pointed out.
    But he wouldn’t be swayed. “Balance their deaths against the number of lives that may be saved by this plan. Rather than counter one attack after another, wouldn’t you rather stop the Skeltai permanently?”
    “I don’t see how that’s going to happen.”
    “Just listen. What if we got close enough through the method of surprise to arrive while the raider’s magic portal is still open? We could send our men through the portal after their retreating army and trace them back to their home ground.”
    “You want to strand