Vol 2: Chapter 3

"Hey! Anyone about?"

The shout froze Svenir in place, but he moved when one of his companions seemed ready to reply. A sharp glare and raised fist silenced the man, and Svenir drew his hatchet, motioning for the others to ready themselves, as well.

Another voice followed the first. "If you want off this hells damned isle," it bellowed, "come out of hiding already."

Kohn rapped the back of his fist on Svenir's arm. "I recognize the voice," he whispered, "one of the troops."

Svenir nodded. "Jerl, I think. He could be one of them now. Maybe a ghost." The others had clustered around to listen in. One swore and made an obscure gesture -- a ward against evil in whatever village he'd come from originally, no doubt. They were afraid...and Svenir knew how to use that. "Right," he muttered. Then, barely louder, "I'll go and call them out. It's daylight, and the corpses were slow enough to follow us at night. If it's a trap I can't elude, rush in for a rescue. "

He looked over the others. They nodded; fidgeted with their weapons. Not a one of them would actually come to his aid if he needed it, but Svenir had already accepted that. He was making a calculated risk, but not much of one: Eventually, they would get off the island, or they would all die. If he were wrong now, he might die a little sooner. But if it was a way to escape, this action would seal his reputation with the men around him. And Svenir knew how to use men who'd had to stomach too much of their own cowardice.

Just give them a target they could face, an easy win, and they'd fall over each other for the chance to prove themselves.

Svenir jogged away from the others, keeping as quiet and hidden as he could while moving quickly. This was a risk, but it didn't have to be a stupid one. When he could see one of the shouting soldiers from behind a tree, he felt himself unwind. Not a ghost. Not a ghoul. A living man. Then Jerl stepped into view next to the other man, and Svenir nodded. Both still alive.

But possibly still a trap. Svenir knew he'd be quick enough to sell out his fellows if it was the price of preserving his own life. But there was only one way to find out.

With a grimace, Svenir stepped out of concealment. He raised his hands to his mouth and shouted, "Over here!"

The soldier spun, spotted Svenir and raised an arm to wave. "Hey there! Seen any others about?"

Svenir frowned. "Maybe," he called back. "But what's this about getting off the island? That wizard break the curse pulling us to shore?"

Jerl shook his head. "We hit the castle, yesterday at noon. Last night lady Halana destroyed the evil infesting this place; and master Raekar reports that all the magic is unwinding. We're free to leave, as soon as we get everyone gathered up."

Svenir swallowed. It was almost too good to be true. "Alright," she shouted. "I know where a few others have holed up. I'll gather them and head to the shore."

The first soldior nodded. "Good! We'll be sending anyone else we find back to join you. Just make sure to check in with Raekar and lord Dedran: they'll add you to the tally of found and tell you where on the island we still need searchers sent."

Svenir waved. "Alright," he called, and ducked back behind his tree, mind whirling. Damn, they would have to leave a guard on the ship. With the wizard there...no, what if the magic hadn't unwound enough? There was no way to just leave without waiting on the others. But that wouldn't always be the case.

The diplomat's chest the soldiors were escorting held a fortune in gems. Taking it and the ship would be ideal, but Svenir didn't think it would be too difficult to make off with just one or the other, in due time.

Continue to Volume 2 Chapter 4