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Toryn nodded. ‘You should go back.’ He looked to Elrik’s red skin, noting his own had already healed. ‘We’ve achieved our mission to find the Amayans.’ He looked to the three warriors. ‘Well, almost. I will go with them to rescue Amyra, but you and the company should head for Vymarl. You’ll find Captain Gundrul outside. I sense we lost two in the ambush, and three are injured. You would all benefit from the healers at the town.’

Elrik looked to Toryn. ‘And when we’re fit? What then? Do you know what’s happened since we left Archonholm?’

Toryn recalled his dream. He had done as Nyomae asked and found her while he slept. She had appeared only briefly, but long enough to impart Elodi’s strategy. ‘Head for the East Watchtower of the Kolossos Pass. Lady Harlyn leads an army there. She intends to keep the way open for our forces in the west.’

Elrik nodded. ‘I must admit, I won’t be disappointed to get out of this place, but I’m glad we came.’ He leaned in and whispered. ‘Those Amayans may have spent a month fighting for their lives, but the tales don’t do them justice, eh. I have never seen such—’

Calestri called over. ‘And the tales also fail to do justice to our exceptionally good hearing.’

Despite the dim light, Toryn was sure Elrik blushed. He blustered. ‘No… no they don’t. But I didn’t mean no offence.’

‘None taken.’ Calestri smiled and winked at Toryn. ‘And not all simple folk are quite so simple as our tales depict.’ The three walked over. ‘And we appreciate your rescue mission.’

Toryn looked to Eryn. Of the three, she appeared to have suffered the most from their ordeal. ‘Rescue? I can’t think we made that much difference.’

Eryn’s eyes flickered blue as she met his gaze. ‘But that you did. It was your presence that tipped the balance and allowed us to break out. Defying the warlock gave us that chance. The Nordleng here may be dead, but our work is not done. We came for Amyra and that creature still holds her.’ Her mouth twisted. ‘That fiend kept her captive in the tunnels under the mountains. His aim was to turn her, then capture the rest of us one-by-one.’ Eryn sighed. ‘She is strong and yet resists… but even Amyra can be broken.’

Arijan took Toryn’s hand. ‘That was a brave thing to do. Warlocks pose a most dire threat.’ She glanced to her sisters. ‘We do not ask you to accompany us into the dark places beneath this place… but you’ll be most welcome. We are weak after a month of fending off these foul creatures, and eating vermin does little to sustain strength. But we must not delay. It’s vital we wrest Amyra from the warlock’s grip.’

Toryn straightened. ‘I will come. I was tasked to find you, and while one remains missing, my mission is not done.’

Eryn smiled. ‘Then wish your friends farewell.’

Toryn took his companions to one side. He regarded their gaunt faces. ‘You have proven yourselves beyond reproach. You have faced challenges many would have fled without a second thought. Yet you stood your ground and fought with skill and bravery. I will make sure your deeds are made known to Lady Harlyn.’

In turn, they clutched Toryn’s forearm. Elrik was the last. He placed his hands on Toryn’s shoulders and looked him in the eye. ‘Do you remember the day the Archon’s knights came to Midwyche?’

Toryn nodded. ‘It seems so long ago.’

Elrik laughed. ‘I couldn’t wait to leave and looked forward to living the life of a guard Hamar spoke of. At the celebration, I complained about nothing ever happening in the village.’ A wry smile crossed Elrik’s face. ‘I recall you saying there may come a day when I’d welcome nothing happening. Well… my friend, that day has come. What I wouldn’t give to sit and watch the carts come back from the field, and then perhaps enjoy an ale or two, eh.’

Toryn lowered his voice. ‘Then I also look forward to spending a long, dull day back home with you soon.’ He released his hold. ‘Stay safe, Elrik. Let’s do Hamar proud. Oh, and please give Shepra a pat from me. I believe she’s unhurt.’

Elrik beamed. ‘She’ll have given as good as she got, but she’s too clever to be outdone by the Nordleng. I bet she won’t have a scratch on her.’ His jaw clenched. ‘May the Three be with you, Tor.’

Toryn watched his friends leave. Would he see them again? They faced dangers they could barely comprehend and could easily fall in the challenges ahead. He turned as a hand rested upon his shoulder. Eryn stood at his side. ‘We must go. I cannot abide these foul creatures holding Amyra a day longer. She would be seen as a great prize if they can corrupt her. Amyra is strong, but she has endured our enemy’s attention for too long. And the loss of one more sister is not something we can tolerate.’

‘Ah! Then I have good news.’ Toryn turned to the others. ‘You told me of Eleni.’ He paused. ‘I have met her daughter.’

‘Lady Harlyn. Eleni named her Elodi. She has her mother’s sword. And apparently her skills.’

Arijan’s eyes widened. ‘That explains the awakening we felt. Eleni’s sword recognizes her daughter’s hand.’ She turned to Toryn. ‘Her Amayan Fire must have been kindled by a foe she faced.’

‘Nyomae called it a kruul, a warlock’s spirit I believe. It came to Archonholm.’

Eryn spat. ‘In Archonholm? They grow bold. But in a strange way it’s served a purpose. Our new sister will be stronger for it.’

Toryn heaved a sigh. ‘That’s encouraging to hear, for her and the people. Elodi has taken command of the armies of the Five Realms. She rides north.’

Calestri beamed. ‘If she possesses half of Eleni’s ability, she will be a force to strike fear into our enemies.’

Eryn turned to face the doorway. ‘Then let us find Amyra and swell our numbers. She must not share the fate of Tanis.’

Toryn’s voice echoed as they descended the steep, spiral stairway beneath Vortimo. ‘Who, or what is a warlock? I was reluctant to ask in front of my company.’

Eryn glanced over her shoulder. ‘You were wise not to. Your friends’ spirits must not be shattered if they are to stand any chance of victory. They must fight the Ruuk, while we and Nyomae face the warlocks.’

‘Are there many?’

‘Their numbers are not known to us. You fought one known as Vordrak. He, as with all Ormoroth’s commanders, was once a mighty Elorym warrior.’

Toryn slowed. ‘Elorym? I’ve learned a little of them from Nyomae’s thoughts. But if this Vordrak is Elorym, that would make him many thousands of years old.’

Eryn sighed. ‘Indeed, it does. And it’s that great age that makes him, and his like a formidable foe. At the height of their power the Elorym leaders were a match for Ormoroth, but some were deceived and bent to his dark will. Vordrak has long since forgotten his past, being completely consumed by Ormoroth’s hate. But he won’t have forgotten standing against Dorlan at Talaghir. He’s driven by the desire to avenge his Master.’ She drew her sword and looked to the blade. ‘I do not know how many warlocks survived the centuries in the wilderness of Nordruuk. But it is now obvious they were not idle. What you’ve seen on the borders is, I imagine, the result of their deeds. Their powers may be curtailed by Ormoroth’s absence, but as you’ve witnessed, they are not a force to be taken lightly.’

Toryn shuddered. ‘He showed me my father’s suffering. Nyomae believes he still lives, but she can find no sign of him in the Song.’

‘Then I suspect it must be far to the north, perhaps deep beneath the ice of Nordruuk. If it were closer, we would sense his presence.’

They reached the foot of the stairs. Toryn shivered despite the warm air. ‘Are you confident we can rescue Amyra?’

Eryn held out her sword and peered into the opening of a dark tunnel. ‘Like us, Vordrak is drained by his efforts of the last month. Despite our weakness, we three still present a significant challenge to him. We may stand a chance if we can apprehend him soon.’ She touched his arm. ‘And your presence will help.’

Toryn wiped the sweat pouring into his eyes. ‘How many are we chasing?’

Eryn placed her hand on the walls of the tunnel. ‘Judging by their speed and slapping of feet, I would say Vordrak is accompanied by at least two dozen cobtrolls.’

Toryn recalled the clammy touch of the creature in Dohl’s cell. ‘I’ve had the pleasure of meeting one.’

Calestri sneered. ‘Sly fellows, not skilled but can be a handful down here in their domain. But in our favor, it will require an effort on Vordrak’s behalf to keep them under control.’

Arijan and Calestri drew their blades to shed more light in the oppressive gloom. Calestri ran her hand along the stone wall. ‘This was hewn back in the days of Ormoroth. He must have come this way when Draegelan took his fortress.’ She looked up. ‘We’re deep beneath the peak of Vylanach. I can feel its weight.’ She pointed to the stone surrounding the entrance. ‘And see here.’ Her mouth curled. ‘Runesh.’ She turned to Toryn. ‘These are ancient symbols of the Ruuk’s ancestors. You won’t be surprised to learn it’s a curse on their enemies if they dare to enter.’