“Last night, at the stronghold.” Iola told the young guardsman. “I entered your mind and controlled you to take me to the dungeon... where Dacia and my grandfather were being held.”

“And... I did?”

“Yes, quite well actually.” Iola blushed furiously at the intensity of his gaze. “You helped me free my grandfather and Dacia too.”

“I don’t remember any of it.” Nesmir leaned back and emptied another cup of wine. “But I have memories of places I don’t think I’ve ever seen before... and of you, I know you... Iola Starlight of the River Plains Clan.”

“And you ran all the way here to find her to just say that.” Dacia cut in. “Are more guardsmen coming... to arrest us?”

“No.” The guardsman shook his head. “Though there is some kind of emergency going on in the stronghold.

“Lord Esamus arrived in the morning and doubled the guard duty. I’m just a new conscript, so I am exempt from double shifts for now.”

“Do they know you assisted us?” Iola sat upright as the realisation hit her. “Has anyone seen you?”

“No, I was the only one on gate duty last night.” Nesmir nodded grimly. “The three on duty inside, Gerould, Hadir and Ralf... I haven’t seen them since morning.”

“But Gerould saw you.” Iola blurted out in her anxiety.

“He did?” Nesmir looked concerned. “But then... he would have told the Captain.”

“What if he has?” Dacia pounded her fist on the table. “What if they followed you here now?”

“I don’t think...” Nesmir tugged at the clasp of his red clock.

“Are you sure?” Dacia demanded.

“No.”

A chill streaked down Iola’s spine as the three of them anxiously glanced at the front door of the tavern.

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THE STARLIGHT SHINING SAGA 1

DESTINY BECKONS

CARLTON ISAAC

This book is a work of fiction. The names of characters and places, and the incidents taking place are fictitious creations from the author’s imagination. Any resemblance whatsoever to actual events or locations, or to persons living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2019 Carlton Isaac D’Rozario

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, shape or appearance, or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without exclusive written permission from the author.

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Publication Date: January 18, 2021.

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