Free Seeker (The Source Chronicles Book 1) by MJ Blehart Page B

charge after the Raiders.
    *****
    Varlock-Sharron watched as the Sorcerer was moved into position.  Suddenly, explosions rang out within the crowd.  Instinctively, the Guardsman encircled the King and his Seneschal, as someone cried out “Protect the King!”
    The King was not amused, to say the least.  He shouted at his guards, as he drew his sword.  Lord Tulock had his sword out as well. 
    Varlock-Sharron could not see what was happening.  The chaos around him was infuriating.  He roughly grabbed a guard by the shoulder, pulling himself into the circle.
    It was pandemonium.  The crowd ran all about, shouting and screaming in terror and confusion.  The thunder from more explosions died away.  The King turned his eyes to the gallows.
    A woman rose up, and turned to look at him.  She had blonde hair, and very light skin.  And it was clearly a disguise. 
    He would know his own daughter anywhere.
                  A moment of shock, he found himself staring in disbelief.  Varlock-Sharron watched her leap upon a horse, another man tossing the Sorcerer behind her.
    He recovered from his surprise.  “Archers!  Do not let them get clear!  Chase them down!”  he cried out.
    Discipline was not broken, but the stampeding crowd got in the way.  His soldiers did their best, firing off arrows and crossbow bolts at the retreating raiders.  A company of mounted Guardsmen began to mow through the crowd.  But the Raiders were already clear of the marketplace.
    He turned to his Seneschal.  “Tulock, send messengers to the gates now!  I want the gates sealed.  No one gets in or out without being thoroughly searched.  Hurry, before they can get away!”
    Tulock turned, and called out for the Captain-General of the guards.  He barked orders at the man, who in turn shouted terse orders at his men.  Horsemen thundered off, carrying the message to the gates.
    A breathless Guardsman rode up alongside the dais, and spoke to his Superior and Tulock.  Varlock-Sharron was fuming, looking off in the direction the rescuers of the Sorcerer had ridden off in. 
    Tulock turned to address his King, reclaiming Varlock-Sharron’s attention.
    “My liege, the crowd has mostly dispersed.  We’ve captured a few suspected conspirators.  What do you want done with them?”  Lord Tulock asked.
    The King sheathed his sword, taking a moment to reign in his emotions.  “Bring them to the Palace.  We only need a platoon to accompany us home.  Send messengers ahead to deploy the rest of my Guardsmen, as well as the Constabulary and Army.  I want the city sealed.  Send out heralds throughout town.  All shops are to be closed, and the citizens are to be in their homes within one hour.  Taverns must be closed as well.  Anyone found on the streets in two hours will be arrested, and brought in for questioning.  Is that clear?”
    Lord Tulock nodded his head in assent.
    “See to it.  When we get back to the Palace, I want the prisoners questioned immediately.  I also want the Council convened by sunset.  No more underestimating Lyrra-Sharron’s abilities, she has gone too far, now.  I want my daughter captured, and her Raiders broken.”
    “Does the original order of her capture stand?”  Lord Tulock asked.
    The King looked at him a moment, then shook his head slowly, sadly.  “No.  She is no longer protected, I want her brought in by any means necessary.  She will not humiliate me again.”

Chapter 7
    Darkness was descending upon the city of Gara-Sharron.  It was eerily quiet and deserted, not a citizen dared walk the streets.  Taverns and theatres and shops and factories were closed, each and every one. 
    Only squads of the Royal Guardsmen, Sharron Army Soldiers, and the Constabulary moved about the boulevards of the capital.  The gates were sealed. 
    The various militants on patrol would deal with any persons they found disobeying the curfew assertively.  They had orders to arrest anyone they