Read Online Mage Hunter Omnibus (Complete 5 Book Series) by Ty Johnston - Free Book Online

ahead of you. And frankly, I’m surprised you can think of such a thing with all that is going on.”
    Guthrie smiled. “I figured as much, captain, but didn’t think it would hurt to find out. I’m not planning on shirking my duty, so I don’t want you to think that, but ...” His words trailed off.
    Now it was the captain who smiled. “Oh, I see. You were hoping for a promotion.”
    “ Something like that, yes.”
    Werner chuckled. “Well, we’ll have to wait and see when one of the army officers arrives. With your experience, and considering we just lost so many able-bodied men, I’d guess you’ll have little trouble moving up. Besides, I might be retired from the service, but I can still pull a few strings. I’ll put in a good word for you.”
    “Thank you, captain.”
    “ Any way, the Gauntlet would likely prefer dealing with an actual officer.”
    “ The Gauntlet, sir?”
    “ Yes,” Werner said with a nod. “You’re  the only survivor we know of who has had direct contact with the Dartague and this Ildra woman you told me about. As soon as I can get a knight or two from the Gauntlet here, I’m sure they’ll want you to lead them into Dartague after these witches.”
     
     

 
    Chapter 5
     
    Though he had looked forward to putting the army behind him, Guthrie Hackett was no coward. He was more than willing to face peril for his country and kin. Besides, he owed it to the men who had fallen under his command. He owed them as much. But he did not find the notion of working with The Holy Order of the Gauntlet to his liking. An utterance from such men could doom an individual. Not even a duke nor bishop would dare to countermand a major order or dismiss a judgment from a knight within the Gauntlet. Only the pope himself held such authority.
    The sergeant was opening his mouth to voice his opinion to the captain when the tent’s flaps were brushed aside behind him.
    Turning, Guthrie found Pindle sticking his head into the chamber, a look of concern on the man’s features.
    “ My apologies, sir,” Pindle said with a nod toward his leader.
    “ What is it?” Captain Werner asked.
    “ A pair of riders, sir,” Pindle said, “they’ve just come in.”
    “ What do they have to report?” Werner asked.
    “ Not sure yet, sir,” Pindle said, “but they’re both in bad shape. Look as if they’ve seen recent action.”
    The captain glanced to Guthrie then back to Pindle. “Let us see these men,” he said as he strode forward.
    The three wasted no time returning to the winter air of the encampment. The captain’s pair of guards still stood their posts outside the tent entrance, but a sizable number of the militiamen were gathered to one side just outside the camp’s perimeter. The group was mobbing around a pair of tired horses, more than a few curses and angry shouts being thrown up by the mob.
    Werner gave Guthrie a curious glance of concern, then rushed forward, the sergeant and Pindle in his wake.
    “Make way for the captain!” Pindle shouted out as they neared.
    The group of militia turned nearly as a whole to stare at their approaching commander, many of their faces ugly with anger but not toward their leader. As commanded, they parted, allowing Werner and Guthrie and Pindle to march through to the horses.
    The sight was one Guthrie had witnessed on some few occasions, one he realized was probably to become more familiar to him in the weeks to come. The horses were nearly dead, froth streaming from their noses and mouths as their chests heaved. The sergeant was surprised the poor beasts were still standing. Worse yet, next to one of the animals and leaning against it was a young man in soft leathers who appeared just as tired as the horses. The fellow’s situation was not improved by a blackened left leg, his high boot and pantaloons there having turned nearly to crisped char. Another man lay at his feet, this man slightly older, though it was difficult to tell since half his face had