The portal to Andcardia had been breeched long before, and shut down. There had been one maintained portal from Hub, to the world of Locre-Amar, and from there back to E’bar. Once that one was closed, there should be no access to Midkemia by the demons. At least none the Taredhel knew about. Unless the brothers could manage to keep the marauding demons who still roamed this world from reaching the last remaining rift, and themselves get to it first, they would be stranded here with however many demonic castaways still resided here.

And Gulamendis’s knowledge of demons told him there were too many still nearby to give the brothers much hope of surviving.

Then the conjuration was broken, and Gulamendis extended the want. A sphere of silver light with pink and blue colors scintillating across the surface expanded around him, and as soon as it touched the demons they shuddered, went rigid, and fell to the ground at Laromendis’s feet. They were in spasm, and neither brother knew they needed to act quickly.

At first they had simply used the wand, but a couple of quickly reviving demons had educated them to the need to weaken them in combat to extend the period they were stunned. Both brothers drew out large battle knives and began cutting throats as fast as possible. Gulamendis reminded himself that even though this death was nowhere nearly as dramatic or effective as his magical abilities to banish demons under the best of conditions, it would suffice. The demons’ essences would return to their realm and reform, but by the time these three were reborn the issue of getting off this planet would long be decided. Not to mention, considered the Demon Master, that to the best of his knowledge, the portal to the demon realm had been sealed.

In a few moments it was over. The two tall elves stood covered in dark demon blood, the stench of carrion and sulfur making their eyes water. “That bought us a few minutes,” said Laromendis.

His brother nodded. “I sense some to the south, but they’re not coming closer. We should probably make our escape now.”

“Which way?” asked Laromendis.

Both were tall, nearly seven feet in height, but proportioned like all lesser elves. Massive shoulders narrowed to trim waistlines above powerful hips and legs. Neither was by training or inclination a warrior, but both had been forced to learn the killing trade and had become adept at it. It helped that Gulamendis understood each demon’s vulnerabilities and had communicated what he could to his brother.

“That way.” Gulamendis pointed to the northeast. “There should be an alley and through it to the broad street; last portal should be there.”

“I thought it was the other way,” said Laromendis, pointing to the northwest.

His brother smiled. “So does everyone else.”

“You have a plan?”

“Always,” said Gulamendis, trotting in the indicated direction.