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"At least I ed to escape" Leif shot back He paused in the threshold of the cell "Soet the drop on you" He hooked a thuuards

"At least I didn’t walk blindly into a trap" Valek stepped closer to Leif "You let them kidnap you" He snorted in derision "You knohy they call it kidnapping?" He moved until he was almost nose to nose with Leif "Because only kids are stupid enough to get caught"

Leif yelled and swung a wild fist at Valek He duck and dove at the guard on Leif’s right, tackling him at the knees Leif’s punch landed on the jaw of the man on his left What looked like chaos erupted for a few le ht with Leif

The three key components to a successful attack were surprise, speed, and intensity Within a uards and locked them in the cell

"Are there any ry"

Part 8

Valek and Leif crept up the prison’s stairs So far, they had ht of Owen’s ician Both were ar any chances An operation like this could easily employ a few more mercenaries Plus Leif had said they were professionals

He paused at the top, listening for any sounds Behind hirowled

"Sorry," Leif whispered

An ordinary house sat above the prison Heavy curtains covered the s in the front and back Solid side walls meant the residence was part of a row or block of sihbors Nothing like hiding in plain sight Valek approved It was how he picked his safe houses

"Where did you run into the three guards?" Valek asked Leif

"In the kitchen"

Valek suppressed a sigh Soet him into serious trouble

Once they confirround floor, they searched the upper floors and surprised a group playing cards It didn’t take long to subdue them and escort them down to the prison below

"Wow You’d think a dozen soldiers would be enough to keep us fro," Leif said

Then he sobered "Thearound is he?"

"No And he’s quite adept at lying even when he’s linked with another ician mind to mind"