It seemed so simple, cross a train yard, hop a train and Todd and Nick would be free, on their way home to Elk's Ridge in Yellowknife. Nothing is ever simple or easy for the Ruger men, however. Captured by Vice-Chancellor Raleigh, Todd is imprisoned, leaving Nick alone and seeking a way to free his mate. Help comes from an unlikely and unexpected ally. Todd's freedom places the Rugers yet again into the Chancellor's debt. He sends them on a fact finding mission to the small village of Eldrid, the same village where Nick was raised a slave.<br><br>There they discover how past events led to their present society, the origins of sentries and slaves and what made some of them so special. They also uncover a conspiracy spear-headed by Vice-Chancellor Raleigh. An attempt at stopping him isn't as successful as they'd hoped when old enemies are confronted. The realities of war, and why some people don't survive, are hard lessons for both Todd and Nick to learn.<br><br>Through firefights, explosions and a vicious attack from a seemingly unbeatable supernatural being, one thing is reinforced over and over-the most important thing each one has is each other. Will they survive or join an ever-growing list of casualties?

Collared Souls

A few miles from the depot where they would meet the train that would take them into Yellowknife and close to home, they turned onto a side road. It was barely more than a footpath and didn’t really lead anywhere. Nick thought it looked as if it might be a back access to some nearby farms.


“We’ll camp here. If we’re being followed, they can’t really sneak up on us here.” Todd was already on the ground and pulling his saddle and bags from Arenite’s back.


Dark had descended a few hours before that and Nick was so weary he was having a hard time staying awake and upright in his saddle. They bedded down their horses and made themselves comfortable for the night. After a dinner of cold sandwiches, Nick was very happy to stretch out on his bedroll.


“Hey, c’mon, it’s getting cold.” Todd held one arm out and yawned as he lay down. “In this together, don’t you forget that.”


Chapter 62