The Rogue Guardian

Chapter 65: The Fortress Heist part 1

By the way, if this book is going to be roughly the same length as The Royal Thief, we're about ten chapters from the end! ...you know, if things go according to plan. What do you mean, my books never go according to plan? Me and my completely unplanned sequel are offended that you'd even think that!

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Joshua had to admit, the guards really were in good form. He had mixed feelings about that. On one hand, competent guards would be a real obstacle to breaking out the rebels, but on the other, their entire plan — from the timing of Morane's arrival to their next steps — hinged on a certain amount of competency from the guards they were dealing with.

Mostly though, it gave him mixed feelings about Luca. The man he'd known had no experience commanding this many people. Unless he'd found an extremely competent second-in-command to enforce this behavior, he must have grown up fast.

Their guide paused in front of a heavy wooden door with carved panels, the finest details you were likely to find in a fort this far north. "This is the meeting room, Captain. If your lieutenant would like to—"

"She stays with me. Thank you." He nodded a sharp dismissal and the guard turned smartly on his heel and left them.

He opened the door and surveyed the room briefly. Several stiff chairs were arranged around a low table. There was a fireplace to the left, a bookcase to the right. A window showing a square of pure darkness punctuated the back wall. He appreciated commanders that didn't insist on luxuries for themselves. Or at least, Joshua Blaisze appreciated that. As himself, he couldn't help but think of Roman's rooms at the Court of Assassins, that strange contrast between the grand luxuries Roman gathered about himself like a dragon's hoard and the sparse necessities he actually preferred — a fighter trying to be a king.

Still distracted by memories, he walked to the window. Tori followed him in and took up position next to the fireplace, hands clasped behind her back. He didn't appreciate Roman sending him an assassin with so little experience as their only ally, but at least she was eager to do well. It wasn't her part in this plan that he was worried about.

He wondered if Morane had made it up yet.

The door behind him opened with more force than necessary and Joshua turned with a start.

Luca stood in the doorway, slightly out of breath and staring. After a moment, a wide grin split his face and he strode forward to clap his hand to Joshua's. "I couldn't believe it when Dalian told me. But you're really here."

Joshua forced a smile and shook his hand firmly. "I am. Is that Dalian as in Cara?"

"You really know all your guards' names," Luca said, shaking his head in admiration. "Never realized how incredible that was before I had so many myself. Yes, it is."

He wondered if Luca knew that Cara Dalian had been one of Morane's closest friends, and he wondered if her being here was about to wreck all of their carefully made plans. There weren't supposed to be any auxiliary guards here. It could ruin everything. His smile was suddenly much harder to fake.

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For the second time, I pulled the shutters of a window open a crack as slowly as I could and peaked inside. It looked like a study, and it was empty. Perfect. I pushed it all the way open and pulled myself over the ledge. I stripped the sweaty gloves off my hands and stuck the stiff soles of my boots back on so I wouldn't pick up dust as I walked around. Finally, I was able to stretch out, rolling my shoulders with a sigh. It had been a long climb.

Maybe I could take a moment to rest. I sank into the comfortable chair at the desk. Stacks of reports and books of what looked like military command were scattered around me. It smelled like weapons polish and that deep wood and metal scent that I associated with places like Joshua's office back at the castle. Actually, in this soft darkness, it was rather comforting.