“We’re all doomed!” a tall beanpole of a man said.

More of the villagers cried out, screaming in fear.

“Help,” Marten gasped, his eyes bulging. “Help me out of here!”

“Hurry!” Jorick cried, tugging at Evin’s arms. “Open the locks.”

The staccato howls and the marching of many footsteps filled the room and Evin’s heart began to pound. He needed to act fast, but he couldn’t think, couldn’t move.

Orange light enveloped Evin and Jorick as Bet ran past the other cages to their side. “We have to run!” she said.

“Did you get the other cage open?” Evin asked her. “Can you help me open this one?”

“There’s no time!” Bet shouted. “We have to hide. There must be dozens of gnolls coming right this way.” Grabbing Jorick’s arm, she turned and ran away from the cages, dragging him toward the north side of the room, past the cages. He protested loudly, but she didn’t lessen her grip.

Evin hesitated, his eyes darting from the growing shadows to the cages to Bet and Jorick. Finally his eyes came to rest on his brother, who had managed to slip his slender body halfway through the partially opened door.

“Help … me …” Marten wheezed.

Evin leaped to his brother’s side and grabbed his free arm, then tugged as hard as he could. Behind Marten, several of the villagers shoved at his back. He grit his teeth. At last Evin fell to the ground from the force of his pulling. And Marten landed heavily on top of him.

“We have to … we have to run …,” Marten began.

Evin jumped up, then pulled his brother to his feet. He whispered to the villagers who were still trapped, “I’m sorry. We’ll be back for you. We’ll be back.” Grasping his brother under his arms, Evin dragged Marten toward the crates and barrels at the north end of the room.

Mary Wright called out, “What about us? We’re all going to die!”

He ignored her. He had to. There was no time to waste now.

Just as he and Marten dived behind a stack of barrels, torchlight flooded the walls. The howls of the gnolls rose above the wails of the villagers.

Dozens upon dozens of gnolls surged out of the hallway and into the room.

Chapter Sixteen

Oh no oh no oh no,” Marten said. He rocked back and forth next to Evin behind the barrels, his knees to his chest, his eyes blank. “They’re back, oh gods they’re back.”

“Shhh,” Evin whispered, placing a reassuring hand on his brother’s shoulder. “They’ll hear you. You’re free now, don’t worry. You’re safe.”

Marten ceased talking, but continued to rock. His eyes were glossy, unfocused.