Aerén strode for the edge of the bluff but Daén grabbed his arm. “Don’t. You don’t know what could happen, what’s down there.”
“This is my domain. I won’t fail my people again.” He dove into the churning sea and swam below the murky water, sending his senses out…
He picked up on Allatus to his right and swam toward him.
I can’t find the main thread of the magic to unravel the spell, the mage’s voice coasted to him.It’s covered with layers and layers of wards.
Leaving Allatus to his work, Aerén swam off. A dull thud sounded, sending him spinning in the detritus raining down into the murky depths.
Fuck, was the island sinking?
He shot up to the surface, gulping in deep breaths of air, but couldn’t see anything. An underwater detonation?
Thiorr emerged alongside him, dragging up one of the wounded warriors with him.
Aerén dove back down and swam around the floating debris, searching for survivors. A dark shape floated in the water. He grabbed the warrior and dragged him up to the surface, and swam to the island’s shore.
He set him down on the pebbly beach and pumped his chest with his palms. Blood seeped from a wound on the male’s cheek. The warrior coughed and spewed out water as his injury sealed.
“You okay?”
“Aye,” he groaned, turning sideways and coughing again. “Didn’t see that coming.”
Allatus and his brother appeared moments later.
“What caused the explosion?” Aerén demanded since the island was still standing.
“Spells rigged like explosions deep down within the base,” Allatus rasped, flicking back his dripping braid. His tunic and pants were soaked. “I managed to undo one, but the second caused the crack to widen further.”
“Spells? There’s more?”
“Aye. Two more across the island. I felt their vile essence.” Allatus’ brow furrowed as he swiped the salty water from his face. “I undid the first. Had I not, it would have caused all four to detonate and sink the island.”
Aerén wanted to kill the bastard rebel again. But he was dead, and they had no more suspects. He growled, “The human explosives brought into Élendium were just a ruse to keep us out hunting the lands while they did this damn shit!”
“Aye,” Daén muttered, his tone icy. “I found supplies in Nehendem, too.”
“The explosion from a year ago sounded like thunder…” Aerén looked up at the churning dark clouds. “It’s why the islanders said the storm caused the sinking of the first island.”
“Indeed.”
“Is Akkeris safe, then?” he asked the mage.
“It hasn’t sunk despite what happened. Now it depends on nature, if she will allow this place to be and flourish again as the remnants of the spells wear off. It would be best to wait a while before anyone resettles here.”
Anger surging, Aerén swiped his brow and the blood there. He flashed to the fissure splitting the island, with the sea flowing between the two parts. It was over five meters wide now.
He wanted to find the fucking sorcerer, draw and quarter him repeatedly for eternity.
“Well, I’m just glad we got here in time and saved Akkeris, even if it’s split in two,” Daén said from his side. “We have your mate to thank again.”
Just the thought of her and the rage churning eased a little. “Yes.” He reached within him, and her anxiety darkened her warm light there. “I have to go. Let me know if you find out anything else.”
* * *
Leya’s attention remained fixed on the roiling seas as the wind picked up. An hour had passed, and still no sign of Aerén.
“My lady, we must leave before the storm starts again,” Haroth said, glancing skyward.
