Chapter 113 Blood Magic (1/2)

Before they entered the keep, Arran gathered up the slain s Even at a ti out on any treasures — whatever dangers still lay ahead in the months to come, he would doubtless find sos held

Snowcloud looked on with a be as Arran looted thewatched while he robbed the dead

”My grandfather wasn't a Patriarch,” he said, by way of explanation ”I have to make do hat I can take”

Snowcloud didn't reply, although her expression turned thoughtful

When Arran finished the grim work, he took a look around the courtyard ”You said they'd been taking slaves,” he said ”Are you sure about that?”

So far, the only people he had seen within the fortress walls were arn whatsoever of any slaves, servants, or prisoners

”I' your Sense, I followed one of their raiding parties to the fortress, and they had several dozens of prisoners with them”

”I suppose we'll find theo”

They entered the keep cautiously, both of theh the bandit Arran had questioned said there were only five es, Arran did not put too much faith in the words The man had hardly been in a calm state of mind, and even if he had been, he still could have lied

Conscious of the danger they ht prih the keep's er, he would not be taken by surprise

Beyond the keep's doors they found a short hallway, and behind it lay a large dimly lit chamber that held several rows of tables The tables were filled with fresh food — the h the chan of any people here, either

They quickly searched the ground floor, and at the back of the keep, they found a small open door that led outside That explained why there were no bandits in the keep — they had clearly fled long ago — but it left open the question of where the prisoners were

”We'll have to check the floors above,” Arran said Perhaps there, they would be able to find at least one or two people who had not yet escaped and knehere they could find the prisoners

”Maybe we should split up,” Snowcloud said ”It will be faster if we—”

”No,” Arran replied before she could even finish the sentence ”We stay together”

Once more, he found himself puzzled at Snowcloud's naivety It see power had together left her alet them both killed if Arran did not put a halt to it

Fortunately, she seemed to be aware of her own inexperience, and she had followed Arran's lead without objecting If not for that, Arran thought, he would already have left

They found a staircase in a small room to the side of the main chamber and quickly made their way up the stairs

The upper floors turned out to hold the es' chah not to the point of lavishness There were several iteold, some scrolls, and a herb collection that caused Snowcloud to cry out in exciten of any people whatsoever

As they made their way back down to the main chamber, Arran silently wondered where the prisoners were Although it was possible that they had fled with the bandits, that seemed unlikely — the bandits had fled in a panic, and they certainly didn't have the tiroup of prisoners out of the fortress

”Maybe there's a dungeon?” Snowcloud offered, her brow furrowed in thought It was obvious that the absence of any prisoners mystified her as round floor,” Arran said ”And there was no sign of any dungeon”

”Give me a moment,” Snowcloud replied For several seconds, she stood motionless, a look of concentration on her face