Read Quest's End: The Broken Key #3 for Free Online Page A

lane to the road.
    With conditions of the road being what they were, they were only able to make Kemmet before nightfall arrived. There, they stayed at the inn Bart had originally stayed that first time he sought Durik. At the time, he hadn’t any idea of the ruthlessness the man possessed.
    Twice since their return from Catha, Bart had returned to Kemmet to poke around Durik’s estate. The first time he found it just as he had the previous visit. Empty of people, yet Durik’s belongings still filled the various rooms. He had stayed a full day searching the manor house from top to bottom for further information Durik may have gathered about the King’s Horde. Despite his meticulous efforts, he finally had to admit there was nothing to find. Either that or Durik was smarter than he was about such things. Bart felt that likelihood improbable.
    His second visit had found the house stripped of Durik’s possessions. Every room was bare and empty. Of the map on the wall depicting where caches of the King’s coins had been found, and the implements of torture in the basement, there was no sign.
    The inn was all but empty and they had their choice of rooms. After meeting in the common room for an evening meal, everyone but Bart and Riyan retired to their rooms shortly afterward. Seeing as how Kemmet had been Durik’s base of operations, there was always the possibility of running into one of Durik’s men who may recognize them. Riyan had advised keeping out of sight as much as possible while they were there.
    When the others went to their rooms, Riyan accompanied Bart out to Durik’s estate to take a look around. Though the place had been stripped of Durik’s things, Bart wanted to know if anyone else had taken up residence there. And if so, who?
    As they rode through the dark, snow shrouded streets of Kemmet, Riyan asked, “You think that whoever has possession of Durik’s place may be connected somehow?”
    Bart shrugged. “Maybe,” he said.
    “It could still be empty you know,” stated Riyan.
    “If it is, then we’ll turn around and come back,” Bart replied.
    They soon left the outskirts of Kemmet behind as they continued toward Durik’s estate. A half moon shone overhead giving the world a shadowy presence. Not long before they reached the lane that led to Durik’s estate, Riyan saw a light shining in the direction the estate laid. “Looks like someone’s there,” he stated.
    Bart nodded as he stared at the light. “It’s coming from the manor house,” he said. “Keep alert.”
    They turned off the road and onto the lane that led toward the manor. When they drew close enough, they saw that the light was coming from not one window but four, two on the ground floor and two on the second. Bart indicated a nearby tree where they could leave their horses. Coming to it, he and Riyan dismounted and secured the reins of their mounts to one of the branches.
    “Now,” Bart said. “Let’s go see who has taken up residence here.” Riyan nodded and they quietly made their way closer.
    Out of the darkness to one side of the manor house, they began to make out wagons. Four wagons in all, they stood in a neat row. Bart moved toward the wagons all the while keeping an eye on the front door. Shadows could be seen moving to and fro as they were silhouetted by the light coming from within. It looked like there could be at least three separate individuals beyond one of the ground floor windows.
    Once at the wagons, they found that each was covered by a tarp to keep the snow and rain off whatever lay within. Bart lifted up the end of one tarp and was surprised to find dozens of stone blocks one would use in constructing a wall. The second wagon was filled with stone as well, while the third and fourth held beams of timber.
    “Doing some construction are we?” Bart asked himself quietly.
    “A magic user lives here,” Riyan stated.
    “What makes you think that?” Bart asked. Glancing to Riyan he saw him pointing to