Their stupidity is actually amusing.
We are all very aware that we don’t have that long to find who we’re looking for before the portal shows up and takes us back home.
Two hours is not a long time.
It does occur to me that we should have probably let the guys know that we were going, but none of us are particularly good at thinking ahead like that, and I didn’t want to miss the opportunity that the imps were giving me.
It’ll be fine, two hours isn’t that long, they probably won’t even notice that we aren’t back yet within that time.
Fortunately, the two that we’re following really are oblivious to the fact that they have three deadly supernaturals stalking them through the woods, and they lead us straight to their camp. While they were walking, we heard them say that they’re supposed to be packing down the camp today, and that they should be back at the stronghold in a day or two.
All extremely interesting information, and information that means that we need to get the supernatural out now. We can’t risk not managing it, putting these fuckers on high alert, and then by the time that Flint can send us back here, coming up against an army on high alert and prepared for us, or have them be at the stronghold, where we are far less likely to be able to rescue the supernatural.
I really wish I had a name for him. Calling him the supernatural is just odd, but until I have an actual name for him, I’m at a loss as to what else to call him.
The camp is basic, but huge.
There have to be at least fifty tents here. There are horses, people, and random animals all milling around. These people sure as hell don’t travel light.
I motion for Raiden and Coen to follow me, and we move further back into the trees and away from the camp.
Once we’re far enough away, I throw up a ward that will block sound so that no one can hear us talk. The two soldiers who we followed here may have been incompetent, but I know for a fact that not all of them are.
“What’s the plan?” Raiden asks as soon as the barrier is up.
“Normally, I would suggest that we do some scouting and figure out what we’re up against, but we can’t really do that here, since we’re short on time,” Coen replies with a slight frown.
“I don’t think we should split up. We have no idea how it would affect the portal getting to us to take us home, I have no idea if we all have to be in the same place or not for it to work,” I reply.
“No, I don’t think we should split up. I’ve been timing us, and we’ve already lost thirty minutes following them here. Who knows how long it’s going to take us to get him out from whatever they’re holding him,” Raiden adds.
“Good thinking on the timer, I hadn’t even considered that,” I reply. “Okay, so they are unlikely to keep him near the main sleeping areas, so these tents are out. They’re scared of him, so I would wager that they are keeping him on the outskirts of the camp, even though strategically it would be better to keep him in the middle of it, where it would be harder for anyone to get to him. Especially since they know that I exist.”
“Agreed,” Coen says. “Let’s scout around the edge of the camp and listen for any hints to where he is.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Ransom
We all nod, and then in silence head back to the camp, staying far enough away that we shouldn’t be easily detected, but close enough that we can see anything that looks like a place where you would keep a prisoner.
We walk for a while, and I’m starting to get twitchy. Time is running out, and there is still no sign of the supernatural.
As we round the corner though, we come face to face with two soldiers from the camp, obviously doing perimeter patrols.
Before they get the chance to call out for backup or to let anyone know that we’re here, I call on my magic, stepping into a shadow and appearing behind them in their own shadows. As I appear in one of their shadows, knowledge floods me, and I take his head before turning to face the other one.
He spins his eyes wide, his sword raised, as momentary confusion flashes through his gaze when I simply stand there.
Using the newfound knowledge that my magic has afforded me, I call on his own shadow, which willingly obeys as it wraps around the soldier's legs, pinning him to the spot.
“Wh-what are you doing?” The soldier exclaims, louder than I would have liked, and I command a tendril of shadows to cover his mouth.
The soldier's eyes widen in shock and panic, as pain fills them.
With one last command, I watch as the shadow consumes him entirely, making him collapse in on himself and leave nothing behind. The shadow seems thicker somehow, and it rushes up to me, twining around my legs. Instinctively, I know that it's now mine to command.
“Is it me, or is that shadow behaving like a puppy that wants pets for doing a good job?” Raiden asks with a smirk.
