Tying rocks to the ropes of the fire bells would keep them ringing for some time after he left the area, panicking the guards and causing the village to turn out in a vain attempt to find the location of the fire. With only a few guards in attendance in the castle, they’d need all of them to search because a fire in the fields at this time of year could destroy what little harvest Lazuli allowed them, threatening the entire valley with starvation. He hated causing so much trouble, but it was the only way to make sure that the guards posted in the lower area of the keep, where the cells were, would leave their posts. Fire bells were a priority. Guarding someone who was already safely locked into a cell was less important. Sandon saw two guards in chain mail running down the corridor from the barred door to the dungeons. They had their hands clamped over their helms, calling to one another as they rushed toward the kitchens. Sandon ducked back against the wall, hiding behind an empty suit of armor.
