Delver Magic: Book 06 - Pure Choice Read Online Free

probably
waiting in some dark corner hoping to ambush its prey.
    Sy's orders for the citizens to
find immediate shelter as opposed to heading home probably saved at least one
life. With no one on the streets, the rogue would be disappointed.
    Careful not to step near any
potential hazard, Ryson stayed to the center of the streets. After a few turns,
he located a dark alley behind a candle maker's shop. He knew the rogue was
hiding behind two waste barrels. The creature probably hoped the scent of the
discarded oils and fat would mask its own presence, but Ryson had no such
difficulty in locating the beast. He could hear its labored breaths.
    Keeping his eyes on the alley,
Ryson waved his sword over his head three times and waited stone still until a
group of soldiers arrived bearing a long and wide net made from iron chains.
The delver knew it would be dangerous for any of the guards to attempt to
capture the monster in the narrow confines of the alley, and he didn't wish any
injury to befall either the soldiers or the rogue.
    "Let me bring it out in the
open," Ryson offered before any of the soldiers could move into the alley.
    The corporal in charge of the
squad immediately disagreed and offered his own approach.
    "If we stretch the net across
the alley, we can rush in and wrap it up before it has a chance to move. That
alley's a dead end. It can't escape."
    "But if it runs up against
the back wall," Ryson countered, "it's going to know it's trapped and
it might panic."
    "Let it."
    "And if it flails out in that
narrow passage? What then?"
    "We know the risks."
    "Why take any risks?"
    "It's what we do."
    Ryson didn't care for the
soldier's disregard for danger and unwillingness to consider safer
alternatives. He decided to paint a clearer picture for the corporal.
    "You mean your job as a
soldier? One that takes orders from Captain Fenden? He put me in charge of
finding the rogues. I would think that means you need to defer to my
judgment."
    It was not quite an accurate
statement. Sy Fenden had told Ryson to simply find the rogues and allow the
guards to handle the capture. Ryson had no authority over the corporal, but he
was not against taking on more responsibility.
    The corporal appeared uncertain,
clearly not wishing to bow to the orders of the delver. He also, however,
understood that Ryson—though not an official member of the guard—held a special
relationship with Burbon's captain. The corporal had hopes of obtaining the
rank of sergeant, and falling on the wrong side of the captain's wishes would
not aid that cause. In the end, the soldier decided it was wiser to allow a the
delver a measure of latitude.
    "Fine. You force the creature
out here in the streets, but once it's in the open, let us handle it."
    "You're not to injure
it," Ryson reminded.
    "I know my orders," the
corporal grunted.
    Peering into the alley, Ryson watched
the dancing shadows created by the surrounding torches and the much brighter
light reflecting off his sword. The creature remained well hidden and
apparently somewhat secure in its place of hiding. Perhaps it felt as if it was
nestled under some fallen tree across a dry creek bed. It made no movements and
showed no undue concern toward the gathering of soldiers just beyond its reach.
    Ryson decided to use his speed to
dash past the waste barrels and into the back of the alley. He did not leap. He
simply burst into motion and raced past the rogue before the creature even
realized the delver had entered the alley. As Ryson turned swiftly about at the
back wall, he held the Sword of Decree out in front of him to ensure the
monster would not lunge. He didn't want the rogue to think it suddenly obtained
an easy meal.
    For its part, the river rogue
remained crouched behind the barrels but clearly confused at the drastic change
in events. The shadows and darkness it used to conceal its presence vanished in
the glow of the enchanted blade held by an invader to its sanctuary. The
trespasser moved