The Midnight Storm (A New Dawn #2)

Chapter 47 - Sebastian (Part 1)

The God of Patience was not on his side.

He bounced his foot off the rock that marked the end of the tour he had to patrol, then paced back along the mountainside, momentarily distracted by a murmuring sob coming from one of the ironbound cells. His breath echoed through his full body armour as he yelled, "Be quiet! If you think crying will help, think differently."

The woman, pale and thin, and bound by no less than five chains, retreated deeper into the cave. Her whimpering softened but didn't disappear. 

He quickly walked away from the magician. It wasn't her fault he had wasted two sunsets and as many sunrises since Adam had offered to help him in his mission to free George. Other than the occasional whisper that he had convinced another man, they had made little progress.

Yesterday he had planned for the group to gather, but that had been without Lieutenant Raymond following him wherever he went; the man had popped up behind the stable, inside the barrack that looked like it was about to collapse. Even the midnight meeting outside the base had been disturbed by half a dozen officers blocking their path to beat up a prisoner.

Today the cell was empty.

Sebastian made two more rounds, deep in thought, pondering over his options. If only he knew how many men he had and what they were worth, he could take actions. He could place the men in strategic positions. Distract the officers with an emergency, then use the chaos to put George on a horse and gallop down the hill.

Save George the way he hadn't been able to save Abby.

He stood still, his muscles tense as he gazed at the barrack where they kept George hostage. Gods, if he wasn't already too late. If only he could peek through George's window, to check on him, to assure him help was coming, to not give up yet. But there were too many eyes on his back, too many trigger-happy men who wouldn't question him if the officers ordered his death.

Being Lord Sebastian had advantages that being Cadet Ian did not have. Still, he did not want to draw that card yet. A hundred leagues from Sundale, less than a mile from the border, and surrounded by magicians (albeit tied up) was not the place to test just how loyal these people were to the crown.

But what if he had no other choice?

"Hey." Metal clattered against metal as an iron hand touched his arm.

Sebastian turned towards the soldier. He hardly had to look up. "Hey?"

"You're Ian, aren't you?" said the low voice from behind the closed visor. "Adam sent me. My name is Reg."

"Did Adam say anything else?"

"He said you could change the way things are done around here, that you have the power to get me out of here. You're important."

"I'm a nobody," Sebastian snapped. He bit the insides of his cheek—Adam shouldn't have said so much. "What can you do?"

"I don't know. Adam said you would."

Sebastian breathed out through his nose, a snort of frustration but not defeat. Having Reg here was better than doing this on his own. "Fine." He waited for two guards to pass, then edged closer to Reg. "I need a horse, saddled and ready to go. Can you arrange that?"

"Well..." The man averted his gaze. His posture stooped. "I don't know."

"How do you mean—you don't know?" Sebastian's voice shifted to a squeak. He cursed inwardly, hated sounding like a Muttonhead.

"It's a big base. I can't just walk into the stable and saddle a horse without getting questions."

"Then come up with an excuse—lie if you must. There must be one of the officers who regularly goes out to ride."