“This is why I said ‘I think’ I have found a way home, instead of ‘I know.’ If there are controls we can use, I suggest we make for Home.” Laromendis was about to object, but Gulamendis cut him off. “Not for E’bar, but for Sorcerer’s Island.”

“How?”

“I spent enough time near that portal in the keep on the island to…I think,” he stressed, “I can contrive to get us there.”

Laromendis was determined not to let his brother get his hopes up. “And what do we use for power?”

Gulamendis held up a small bag and even though his brother could barely see him in the gloom, he sensed his brother was smiling. “I took these from the dead galasmancer.”

“Crystals?”

“Crystals.”

Laromendis said, “As I don’t have a better idea, can I suggest we leave now, take the volume with us, and read it somewhere far from here at first light?”

Gulamendis was loath to leave the treasure trove of ancient human magic behind, but saw the wisdom in getting out of this place when activity was at its lowest point. He took the volume and nodded once, and opened the door.

They moved purposefully but slowly down the circular stairs of the tower and at the base, looked down the long connecting hallway that would eventually lead them to the stairs back down to the dungeon, and then up to the yard. They made their way past silent doors and empty rooms and when they were once again in the dungeon, Gulamendis risked a hurried peek through the viewing window in the door to the cells. Prisoners were huddled together for warmth, all sleeping. There were no guards.

They moved as silently as possible and when they were once again at the low door that opened on the courtyard, Laromendis opened it a crack and peeked through. The three steps up to the surface were open and no one else was in sight.

They crept along the wall, staying as much as possible against it, despite being covered in darkness. With even a chance at freedom before them, they were loath to take even the slightest risk that they might bring failure upon themselves.

A quick stop in the storage shed and they loaded up with provisions. They were stymied for a short while when they reached the gate and found it bolted. They realized they had come in through a portal in the wall that emptied into the marshaling yard, and hadn’t given any thought of getting through the gate. Logic dictated there was more than one way through the wall so a hurried examination of the defenses led them to a postern gate behind the keep. It was unguarded and they opened it and went outside.

“If I understand what it is we’re looking for,” said Gulamendis, “we need to start south.”

“Toward the volcanoes and the battlefield?” asked his brother.

“Yes,” said Gulamendis.