Free Mindbender by David A. Wells Page B

needed?”
    He smiled at her and nodded. “I believe I did, at least for now,” he said to her without speaking.
    “Jataan, you should get some rest,” Alexander said as he arranged his bedroll and lay down.
    “Now that you are back and safe, I will,” Jataan said. “Lieutenant Wyatt reports that his quarters and meals are good. He will be ready to ride at dawn. I’ve taken the liberty of assigning a Ranger guard detail at the entrance of your tent for the night.”
    “I doubt it’s necessary but I’ve come to value caution,” Alexander said as he closed his eyes.
    Chloe curled up on his pillow a few inches from his face.

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 7
     
     
     
     
     
    When Alexander woke the next morning, Chloe was sitting cross-legged not six inches from his face watching him sleep. He smiled at her.
    “Good morning, Little One,” he said to her without speaking.
    “Good morning, My Love,” she replied. “There is much commotion in the camp.”
    Alexander sat up and saw that Anatoly was asleep and breathing deeply, Lucky was just waking, Jack was already up and out of the tent, and both Jataan and Boaberous were outside as well.
    Alexander rubbed the sleep from his eyes and pulled on his boots. Even though he’d slept well, he still felt tired. The past few days had offered little time for rest. When he strolled out of the tent into the early dawn, he saw his Rangers eating breakfast around a set of cook fires. Jack and Boaberous had joined them, but Jataan was standing just outside the tent with his hands clasped lightly behind his back.
    “Good morning, Lord Reishi. The Rangers tell me they have breakfast ready if you’re hungry.”
    “Have you eaten?” Alexander asked.
    “Not yet,” Jataan said.
    Alexander nodded and started for the cook fires. Jataan followed him like a shadow. Breakfast was oatmeal with nuts and honey. Alexander ate quickly and had the Rangers make up two more bowls for Lucky and Anatoly. Jataan frowned slightly when he saw Alexander head back to the tent with breakfast for his friends, but he didn’t argue.
    Lucky was checking Anatoly’s bandages and smiled appreciatively when he saw the steaming bowl of oatmeal.
    “How’re you feeling?” Alexander asked Anatoly.
    Anatoly glared at Jataan and then looked at Alexander. “My wound is mostly healed but I’m still a little stiff. Mostly, I’m confused. Why is he here?” Anatoly asked, looking hard at Jataan.
    Alexander sat down on the side of his bed and handed him the other bowl of oatmeal. He held up the softly glowing Sovereign Stone and shrugged. “It turns out the Reishi line is descended from the Ruathan line. When I picked up the Stone, it bonded to me—and Jataan switched sides.”
    “That’s a bit hard to swallow,” Anatoly said suspiciously. “Are you sure we can trust him?”
    Alexander shrugged. “As sure as I can be. His colors tell me I can and he helped fight off the Andalians. He seems pretty intent on protecting me.”
    Anatoly didn’t look convinced.
    “I understand your reluctance to trust me, Master Grace, as well as your understandable animosity toward me,” Jataan said. “However, I assure you that I serve Lord Reishi and no other. I have offered him my life in recompense for the crimes I committed against his family and that offer stands. He may order my death at any time and I will end my own life on his command without protest.”
    “Huh,” Anatoly said. “I suppose I’d rather have you on our side than trying to kill us. But it may take some time for me to warm up to the idea.”
    Jataan bowed. “Quite understandable,” he said as Boaberous Grudge entered the tent.
    “Him, too?” Anatoly asked.
    Alexander nodded. “Apparently, the whole Reishi Protectorate will come to serve me once they learn that I’ve bonded with the Sovereign Stone.”
    “That could be useful,” Anatoly said around a mouthful of oatmeal.
    Alexander spent the next half hour recounting what he’d