Read Online Adventurers Wanted, Book 4: Sands of Nezza by M. L. Forman - Free Book Online

oddly shaped pits, and when Alex flew closer, he saw that they were windows. The windows were half underground and had heavy iron bars over them, but no glass. Alex guessed they were designed to let sunlight and fresh air into the first level of the dungeon.
    Having found a way to get into the dungeon without being seen, Alex returned to his hidden place in the alley and took his human form again. As the sun began to set, Alex made his way to one of the many taverns that lined the main road leading to the island fortress. Getting into the dungeon wouldn’t do him any good if he couldn’t find Skeld and the other adventurers. He hoped he could learn something more about the dungeon from the locals.
    Alex entered a tavern and his heart sank. The main room was filled with soldiers, and there were only a few people who were not wearing uniforms of some kind. Skirting around the crowds, he made his way to a shadowed table at the back of the room. For several minutes no one paid any attention to him, but eventually one of the servers made his way to the table and asked what Alex would like.
    Alex ordered a drink and waited, listening to the men around him talk. He soon learned that all of these men, and many more as well, were guards for the island fortress. The information surprised him, because he knew that the inner kingdoms of Nezza had been at war for years. It seemed odd that so many men would be called away from war to protect a fortress that was already surrounded by a river and a wall.
    After listening for some time, Alex knew he would need to talk to one of the soldiers if he wanted to learn anything useful. The problem was that the soldiers were drinking in groups, and to get anyone alone seemed almost impossible. Just then, Alex saw a soldier enter the tavern. The man looked like an officer, and the other soldiers didn’t seem to be too friendly toward him.
    Focusing his attention on the officer, Alex moved his hand slightly under the table. Instantly, the man turned and looked directly at Alex. Without speaking, and seeming not to notice anything else in the room, the man walked over and took a seat at Alex’s table.
    “You are young to be in a place like this alone,” the man said.
    “Not too young,” said Alex in a casual tone.
    “You are new here. I have not seen you in the city before.”
    “I am,” was Alex’s only answer as he moved his hand slightly again.
    “Strangers seldom come to Karmus. It was once a happy city, and people came from all over Nezza to visit and conduct their business, but times are not what they were.”
    “Have there been other strangers here recently?” Alex questioned.
    “Not in the tavern,” the man answered, laughing grimly.
    “No, not in the tavern—in Karmus.”
    “They are in the fortress,” the man said. “In the dungeons under the fortress to be exact.”
    “Are they well?” Alex asked in concern.
    “They’re alive, or at least they were a week ago when they went into that hole.”
    “Can I see them?”
    “Not unless you’re in the dungeon with them. Trust me, you don’t want to be there.”
    “I must find a way to see them,” said Alex in a matter-of-fact tone.
    “No one enters the dungeons except the black guard and the prisoners.”
    “There must be a way.”
    “Only for the black guard, and perhaps mice,” came the reply. “Though I doubt even mice would go down there. It is an evil place.”
    “And how would a mouse get to that place?” Alex asked thoughtfully.
    “The pipes under the fortress, I suppose. There are all kinds of pipes under there.”
    “What part of the dungeon are the strangers in?” Alex persisted.
    “I’ve no idea,” the officer said. “But if I know Magnus, he’s put them in the darkest hole the place has.”
    Alex noticed that a few of the other soldiers were looking in his direction. He needed to end his talk soon or risk drawing unwanted attention to himself.
    “What of Rallian?” Alex asked. “Does he