Free Ways of Power 1: Power Rises by R. M. Willis Page B

us once we werre farr enough off courrse. I don't suppose one o' yourr little beasties is a healerr?"
                  "No."
                  "Well, tie them up. I'll go get us something to eat."
    Dorbin hefted his axe and stalked off towards the woods that were to the west of them. Rancoth pulled some rope out of his knapsack, and tied his childhood bullies together. He then went about gathering the items to start a fire. Not needing anything nearly as hot as Gillbrick would offer, he started it by hand once he had a pit dug out and kindling piled in it.
                  Once he had a decent sized crackling flame going, Rancoth stood and wiped the sweat from his brow. He took a few long pulls from the flask of water he had slung over his shoulder. The water was cool and refreshing; building a fire was thirsty work.
                  Rancoth then surveyed the surroundings, hoping that they had detected the ruse before getting too far off course. He was in a shallow valley between two grassy hills. He had already noted the wooded area to the west where Dorbin had gone off to hunt. He couldn't see the tower at all. Either they had been traveling for a lot longer than he thought, or they were really off course.
    It should have been to the north of them, since they were supposed to have been going due south. The northern hill was small enough that Rancoth could see the horizon past it in the distance, but no tower. To the east there was a small brook, babbling along as it cut at the base of a rising cliff face.
                  Rancoth looked back down at his erstwhile tormentors, and decided they weren't going anywhere any time soon. He then climbed the hill just to the south in order to get a better look from the higher ground. Why those little bastards , he thought.  As he crested the hill, Rancoth could see, far off in the distance, the glistening white tower. They had been leading them north the whole time!
    Obviously the location of the sun had been a part of their illusion. A hint of admiration crept into his breast. That was one powerful illusion , he thought. And they're wasting their talents on trickery and games. What fools.
                  His irritation at the two men did not hinder his admiration of the vista before him. The brook that was flowing south past the northern hill turned to the east by the hill he was on. Now Rancoth could see that it was not only cutting into the cliff face, it was actually flowing into a tunnel under it. Since he knew of no river that flowed past Tower City, he wondered where the water sprang forth again, or if it was permanently subterranean from this point forward.
                  Rancoth then looked to the sea of grass that undulated in the soft breeze. There were sparse trees here and there, which slowly grew closer together the further west he looked until joining in the forest. Some birds flew by, their small bodies, sharp beaks and long feathered wings dancing through the pale blue sky. What bliss to be a bird, Rancoth thought, but his musing was interrupted at the sound of a soft groan behind him. Well, my guests are waking. Hopefully Dorbin gets back soon. Rancoth turned and walked back down the hill.
                  His wish was granted. As Rancoth approached the men he saw Dorbin emerge from the forest carrying what looked like two dead rabbits. Rancoth waved, and Dorbin held up his prize, a look of pride beaming on his face. They arrived at the fire at almost the same time.
    "Looks like a meal fit for a king!" Rancoth exclaimed, as he knelt down to see if either man was conscious. It appeared as though the groan had been emitted during their continued slumber.
                  "Hey now, firre rroasted rrabbit is grreat!" Dorbin announced, a grin still splitting his face. "Now, help me skin them." He tossed one of the small furry animals to Rancoth as he pulled out a knife