to either of them and wait for them to speak.
“It is a trap,” Runa announces. “He knows you will come running toward her and if he kills you, he will take the throne of Wolfjour Ail until your heir is born and if that heir is never born…”
“What do you all propose that I do?” I demand harshly.
Kjeld and Sten look to one another, then to Runa. She lets out a sigh as she lifts her hands. “I was not going to help in this capacity. I was here purely for consulting on the draugr,” she mumbles.
My talisman starts to glow, then my back arches forward, toward her hands. My men release me as my body lurches forward. Runa places her palms against my chest as she chants something that I do not understand.
Then everything goes dark. “What has happened?” I demand.
“Aaric?” the sweet voice of my Liv asks.
“Liv, I can’t see you, where are you?”
“I’m in the trunk, hiding,” she breathes.
I reach out, but when I look down, I realize that I cannot see my hands. This must be similar to the conversations that I have with Quest.
“I will come to you. Stay right where you are. Do not move, sváss.”
“Okay.”
My entire body jerks again and I open my eyes to see Runa staring back at me. She is breathing heavily, her body shaking from what I can assume is the excursion of her powers. Reaching for her, I wrap my hands around her biceps before she falls to the ground.
“She is safe,” I whisper. “We must get to her. I don’t know how long she will continue to be safe.”
Runa shakes her head. “I cannot protect you if he comes for you. That used up more of my powers than I anticipated. I think that there is some kind of protective shield around the campsite. It was definitely magical.”
“Carry her,” I bark toward Sten.
He jogs forward, shoving his shoulder into Runa’s belly and tossing her over his shoulder. Before I leave the area, I whistle out to my men, the signal that informs them of my next move.
They whistle back their agreement and then we run.
My feet carry me faster than I have ever traveled in my life. There is no need to worry about being breathless, the gods give me the breath that I need. My body endures the breakneck pace without hesitancy.
Then, right before we arrive at the camp, I stop as I hold my hand up. The men gather around, coming from all different directions, having heard my whistled instructions. I don’t speak, reaching out to Quest with my mind.
He is here. Quest sends, answering my call.
Why did you not tell me immediately? I demand.
There is a moment of silence and I think that he has decided to ignore me, which wouldn’t surprise me when it comes to the fickle beast.
I was blocked. He has only just let the shield down. He senses you. He is pacing, his eyes are red and he has brought three witches with him.
“How?” I gasp aloud.
Turning to look over at Sten, I grunt at the fact that Runa is still down. Inhaling a deep breath, I attempt to calm myself. I cannot go into any battle at all this way. I must have my wits about me, I must suppress the emotions that are flowing through my entire body.
Liv is safe, that is all that matters right now. I must focus on Fiske and his demon. Sten sets Runa down on the ground, propping her up against a tree.
“I hope that she regains her consciousness and her magic before this is all over and done with,” he mutters.
I grunt. “Yes, I hope that as well.”
Lifting my hand to one of the newer soldiers, I order him to guard Runa and bring her close when she is able and awake. He nods his head, grunting as he jerks his chin up and crosses his arms over his chest, his shield and sword at the ready for whatever comes his way.
My men spread out around the outside of the campsite. Just as we would with any battle, we slowly move inward. Each step that we take brings us one step closer to whatever hell awaits us in the middle of the camp.
All is well? I ask Quest.
They are conversing. Fiske is pacing and erratic. The other witches are unsure of him. I do not know if they will fight with him.
I snort to myself. Good.
We continue to move slowly and silently,