Amirantha shouted, “Kill him!”

Pug, Magnus, the elves, and even Sandreena hesitated, looking at the Warlock, as Pug said, “What?”

Jim Dasher didn’t hesitate. The dagger that had not left his hand since coming into this chamber now flew straight across the room, taking Belasco in the throat. The magician’s eyes grew round, and he reached up as if he would staunch the blood flow with his fingers.

Crimson flowed from his mouth as he tried to speak, then out of his nose, then his strength gave way and he fell to his knees. With blood pouring down his face, neck, and chest, he fell over on his right side.

“Why?” Pug asked.

“Because that wasn’t my brother,” said Amirantha.

“What?” asked Sandreena.

“Belasco would never have gotten the oath wrong. It begins, ‘By the blood of the old woman of the moons,’ not ‘By the old woman’s blood—’” Pointing a finger at the prone body on the floor, he said, “That was no longer my brother. That was Dahun!”

“The demon?” said Gulamendis.

“Yes,” said Amirantha. “When we were being so clever, he was being much more clever. Everything we did was being manipulated. He convinced us there was a struggle—because he permitted it. Belasco remembered the oath, but when it came time to act, Dahun cast him out, into his body emerging from the demon realm. It was a foregone conclusion you two”—he pointed to Pug and Magnus—“would destroy Dahun’s body; Belasco had no ability to use the demon’s magic. He was an easy target.”

Magnus said, “It required a lot of magic to destroy that construction, but before that, there was no real fight.”

Pug said, “But why? Why go to all this trouble to come here, to possess your brother?”

“I can only speculate,” said the Warlock.

Jim said, “Well, we’re going to be back on Sorcerer’s Island soon, so let’s leave it to then.”

Pug said, “Agreed. Now, let us leave this gods-forsaken place and go home.”

No one in the room objected.

AFTERMATH

Pug motioned for everyone to sit.

The mood in the room was slightly festive but subdued. Despite their victory over the demons, they had lost lives.

Pug said, “With Belasco dead, I hope this means our days of conflict with your family are over, Amirantha.”

The Warlock smiled and put his hands outward in a sign of supplication. “Assuredly. That both my brothers served some dark agency who caused so much harm is beyond my ability to amend, but I plan on doing what I can to help, Pug.”

“It’s welcome. It’s clear we have very little understanding of the demon realm.”

The two elven brothers were speaking softly, and Gulamendis said, “My brother is going to return to E’bar, Pug, to see if we are able to help our people,” then dryly he added, “or if we’re even welcomed back.