The singed gnoll climbed the first of the steps.

“Now!” Evin whispered to himself. He let his blade fly.

There was a slicing sound as the dagger severed the taut trip wire, and a rumbling began as the false roof dislodged itself.

Confused, the gnoll looked up. It didn’t even get a chance to scream before the faux stone roof crashed down on it, impaling the monster with dozens and dozens of razor-sharp spikes.

Black liquid squirted out from beneath the trap and splattered against the walls. Dust rose in little clouds.

Evin didn’t give himself even a moment to celebrate. He turned to help Jorick only to find his friend panting as the one-eared gnoll lay in a heap on the muddy floor. The creature’s eyes were rolled up into its head, its tongue lolled out of its snout, and it lay in a pool of black blood.

Jorick held his now stained sword high, his arms trembling. His eyes were wide as he stared at the monster he’d just finished off.

Slowly, Evin and Jorick met each other’s gaze—and smiled.

“Whoa!” Bet called out.

Evin turned to see her stumbling over the top of the fallen trap. Jorick ran from across the room to help her. She took his hand and jumped down from the top of the trap.

“Good aim,” Jorick said.

Evin grinned. “Lots of practice.” He walked over to pick up his dagger.

“I can’t believe it,” Jorick said, hands on his hips, surveying the room. “We actually did it!”

Bet grabbed Jorick’s arm. “Quiet down,” she said in a hushed voice. “Listen.”

“What?” Evin said. “I don’t hear—”

“Shh!”

All three fell silent, straining their ears. Evin heard a distant drop drop drop of water falling into some unseen pool, and the crackling of the torches along the wall.

After a long moment, Bet let out a sigh of relief, then patted herself down as though making sure she was really all in one piece. “I was worried that all the commotion might cause other gnolls to come running,” she whispered. “But these must have been the only two nearby.”

“At least we know we’re in the right place after all.” Jorick’s face broke out into a big grin. “Did you see me with that one-eared monster?” He cut his sword through the air. “The best part was when I ducked and then—”

“Quit it, Jorick.” Evin brushed the sweat off his forehead. “There’s a lot more of these monsters down here, and we barely managed to get past two.” He pointed toward the narrow hallway at the other end of the room. “We don’t have time for tales of glory. Our families are waiting. We need to move.”

Chapter Fourteen