At this point Jeffrey could remain silent no longer. “No!” he said,” putting his hand on Brutus's arm. “We'll not leave blood behind us.”
Brutus looked at him curiously. “I don't recall asking for your advice on the matter,” he said. “Take your hand off before you have an unfortunate accident.”
He let go, but before the bigger man could take aim, Jeffrey spoke. “Give me one of the crossbows,” he said. “I'll cover them while you all leave, and catch up to you later.”
Brutus laughed. “More likely, you'll realize you're outnumbered with no hostage and simply get recaptured. I'd hate explaining that to someone we both know. Smarter to just shoot them now and get away clean.”
“You could try,” Xander said. “But there is a smarter way. You tie all of us up except one, and leave your young man to cover him so you can get a decent head start. After you're gone, he ties up the last one and catches up with you.”
Brutus laughed even harder. “And who covers the last one while he ties 'em up?”
“No one,” said Xander. The last one gives his word not to try anything, in return for your word that you'll release Aria unharmed, once you're safely away.”
“And why don't we tie all of you up?” Brutus inquired. “I'd rather shoot you, myself, but I'm just curious.”
“Because I won't let you,” said Xander. “You've seen what I can do. If you don't agree to this plan, I'll be forced to take action and see what happens. I'd rather not risk her life, but I won't let myself be killed or tied up so she can suffer at your hands. You have two shots with those crossbows. Think before you roll the dice.”
“You don't have a campfire for ammo this time, old man.”
“I don't need a campfire,” said Xander, and vanished.
Brutus fired. The bolt from his crossbow smacked against the wall behind where the wizard had been.
“I'm not there anymore,” said the voice of Xander. “You now have only one shot. Choose wisely. Ludlow can't get you all past the guards without help.”
“We agree to your plan,” said Jeffrey. “You promise not to keep us from leaving and we promise not to hurt her.”
“Agreed,” said Xander. But he did not reappear. “Tie the others up. I'll reappear when your associates leave. Not before.”
“All right.” He handed his crossbow to Brutus and picked up the rope.
As Jeffrey tied up the two guardd the wizard's apprentice regarded Brutus. “I don't believe we've been introduced,” he said. “I'm Lester. Who're you?”
The commander looked at him as if he were crazy. “Brutus is my name. What's it to you?”
Lester met his gaze. “I just wanted to know who I'm going to kill,” he said.
Brutus snorted and strode forward, jamming the point of an arrow against Lester throat. “That's real funny,” he said. “Everyone needs a dream, I guess. If your crossbow makers are as good as ours, this arrow will go clean through your neck before you can blink. Now shut up and you might survive.”
Lester smiled. “Enjoy life while it lasts,” he said.
Jeffrey finished with the guards and tied Lester up. Then he picked up the discharged crossbow and its arrow, which had managed to survive bouncing off the wall. He reloaded and turned to Ludlow and Aria. “Saddle up,” he said.
“Cover her while I mount,” said Ludlow. While Jeffrey complied, hating the idea of aiming a loaded crossbow at girl, Ludlow swung into the saddle. Scowling, Aria climbed up in front of him and took the reins while his knife returned to the vicinity of her throat.
As the others rode out of the building, Ludlow turned. “You gave your word, wizard,” he said.
“So I did,” said Xander's voice. “And I'll keep it. But we'll meet again.”
Ludlow chuckled. “Part of me hopes that you're smarter than that,” he said. “But the rest of me doesn't.”
As soon as he was gone Xander reappeared. “I'm a man of my word,” he said. “Soon as I'm sure Brutus won't circle back to finish us off, you can put down the crossbow and tie me up. Brutus doesn't like you very much, does he?”
“No,” said Jeffrey. “And it's mutual. But what makes you say that?”
“The fact that he agreed to leave you behind, knowing who you are,” said Xander.
“I'm nobody special,” said Jeffrey.
“I think we all know your father is someone famous.”
“If you keep your word, I rejoin the others. If you don't, well, I'm out of the picture with no blame on the commander. He wins either way.”
“The Honcho might not see it that way, if you don't make it back.”
“Perhaps. But Brutus's men will confirm that it was my idea.”
Xander nodded. “I'm sure they will.” He glanced at the crossbow. “Soon it will be time to tie me up. What, exactly, will you do if I don't let you?”
Jeffrey shrugged. “I could always shoot one of the guards.”
Xander smiled. “You could, but you won't.”
“What makes you so sure of that?”
“Because it's something Brutus would do. Perhaps you had better tie me up now.”
“If I put down the crossbow,” said Jeffrey, “you could probably knock me out with your staff.”
“Probably,” Xander agreed. He leaned his staff against the wall and stepped away from it. “But I did give my word.” He regarded Jeffrey. “Now that I am unarmed, you might be able to kill me.”
“I might,” said Jeffrey. Then he laid down the crossbow and picked up the rope. “But I gave my word, too.” He began to tie Xander's feet together.
“You realize,” said Xander, “that this rope will not hold me very long.” He held up his hands for Jeffrey to tie them together. “I am a wizard, after all. I have a reputation to maintain.”
“I expect I'll be seeing you again, then,” said Jeffrey. “I think you will find that Brutus is not so easily surprised a second time.” He finished the knots and stood up.
“Certainly,” said Xander. “But I'll think of something.”
“Good,” said Jeffrey. “I would hate for him to get away with what he did.”
“Don't worry about that,” said Lester. “He won't. Not this time.”
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