***

  When Lazerek’s tent was constructed he entered and sat on the heavy blankets of his bed.The air was chill and a front moving in with even colder temperatures threatened.He could see his breath in the dark tent. A small candle was his only light, and no warmth. He paused for a second, letting out a long wind, and reached into his pocket. Many nights had passed since he contacted any of his people.

  He set the stone in front of him on the floor and began bringing in the magic.When he had enough inside, he twisted it and shaped it perfectly to the magic of the stone.After a moment or two a bluish light erupted from the stone and in the glow was a face.

  “Nowata how goes the hunt?”Lazerek asked.

  “Not well, I have located the Sword and know who carries it, but I am doing as you asked and waiting until you arrive,” the Osaban priest lied.

  “Good, do not go in there and mess everything up.You are like an elephant at a tea party.”The priest would go in and kill the entire town if Lazerek let him.

  “They do not even know I pursue them,” He lied again.

  “That is well.Did you dispatch the Sicari that were with you?”

  “Yes, I sent them where you wished them to go.”

  “Where are you, in Spadix?”

  “I am south of Rommel by perhaps a day, maybe a day and a half.”He was actually further south than that.

  “Why are you out of the city?” Lazerek suddenly felt a chill.

  “The people holding the Sword bolted.”

  Lazerek was amazed,”What? They are coming toward us? Why?”

  “I do not know,” the priest lied again.

  “This will make the hunting of them even more difficult! Nowata Oolong, it would be good for you if I find out you had nothing to do with their heading north. I expressly forbade you from making any contact with our prey. You were merely there to find the Sword and who had it.”

  “Nothing was done on my part to initiate a move to the north for them. They do not even know I exist.”

  “If I find out you did have something to do with their flight, then you will rue the day you became a follower of Lo.”

  “Bold statement, mage. Be careful with your threats.”

  “We are forced to work together, but you will be wise to do as I say. Your demon friends do not put fear in me. The converse is true.”

  “And how happy I am to be working with you, K’rin”

  “I am far from that.”

  “Is that true? So you have done the ceremony then?”

  “Just stay on our prey and I will be happy. Now give me their descriptions so I will know if they pass me, for I am coming from the north, and you from the south. They will be in our trap.”

  “They are a party of four men, one woman and two children. They are traveling in a wagon and the men mostly walk. I have two of my minions following the wagon.”

  “Excellent. They will be easy to capture. A wagon is hard to conceal.”

  “Aye.”

  “We will speak tomorrow, in person.” Lazerek said, and severed the connection.

  .