The High-Wizard's Hunt - By Ashley Delay Page 0,85

gifts you have been given, and everything you have learned, and the rest will come. They look to you for guidance, not for guarantees.” She traced her fingers down his cheek, her breath catching in her throat as she looked into his eyes, and she turned away quickly. “I believe in you,” she added, opening the door and beckoning for Margaret and Tobias to join them.

“I hear that you have news,” Osric greeted the newcomers awkwardly as he sat on the edge of the desk.

“Yes, Contege,” Margaret answered. “The Kallegian have been harassing the vendors and demanding free food from all of the carts in the market. We are tired of their treatment and want to join in the fight to free ourselves from them.”

“What is it that you think you can do to help? The Vigiles are trained to fight, and we have sworn an oath to protect the city and its residents. What can vendors and cooks do, other than get in the way?” Osric felt a bit guilty as Bridgett’s eyes bored into him for the tone he used with them.

“We may not have been defending Stanton as long as you have,” Tobias jumped into the conversation, “but we have been living here for as long as your family has. We are the people who built Stanton. We plant the fields, hunt the land, and serve our community because we love our home. We have something to fight for!”

Osric raised an eye at the passion in his speech. “We have no doubt that you want to fight, but what we need to know is how you plan to help. This is a battle that can easily be lost if we have to come to the rescue of citizens who are in over their heads.”

“You are a hunter, correct?” Tobias inquired.

“Yes.”

“Have you ever had trouble while hunting?”

“Of course, you never go hunting without the possibility of trouble.”

“You have to think on your feet when a half dozen dragmas are out for your blood, don’t you?”

Osric smiled. “Yes, and you have to have luck on your side, too.” Osric shrugged, admitting defeat with the hunters. “I still do not understand how we can use the vendors and shop owners in an effective manner.”

“Then you obviously have never gotten to know many shop owners,” Margaret answered. “The Vigiles are not always three steps away when someone wants something they don’t feel like paying for. Thieves are not known for asking politely if they can steal our wares, and none of us would stay in business long in a trade center like Stanton if we didn’t know our way around a wand and a blade.”

Sighing, Osric looked at the two of them. “That is all well and good, but we already have plans in the making, and there is no way we will have time to inform all of the citizens who want to help of what we need them to do.” He placed his hands on the desktop and leaned in. “How are we going to coordinate with them with so little time to organize?”

Tobias grinned and folded his arms across his chest. “Funny thing is, the Kallegian don’t think to question us too much when a battle is looming. We can simply walk around, visiting stores like we are shopping, and spread the word. All we need from you,” he leaned in, “is orders.”

Osric scratched his head, looking at the map of Stanton spread out upon his desk. He had to find a way to keep them out of trouble or he would never forgive himself for their deaths. With their determination to fight, he could also see no way to keep them out of the battle. The trick was in finding a way to make them feel useful, but to also keep them out of the path of the major battle.

“All right.” Osric accepted that they could use all the help they could get, but he sighed at their excited expressions. “Give me a moment to think about the logistics and then you can spread the word. But please, be very careful who you choose to speak with. If any citizen decides to tell the Kallegian our plans, it would mean many, many people of Stanton would die. Do you understand?” They nodded somberly and assured him they would be cautious as they stepped back out into the hall.

Osric called to Machai to join him and then realized that there was another man he didn’t know standing with