What did it all mean? Why were the gnolls so angry about the villagers? And what about the wall? It was magic, yes, and it was definitely unusual. But he’d never felt trapped by it. Nor did he recall ever experiencing any monstrous, magical creatures until just the other day. If they were really trapped within some wall with all sorts of monsters, wouldn’t there have been some sign of them years earlier?

But right then wasn’t the time to think about it. Right then, they just needed to make their way out of the gnolls’ underground lair and follow the creatures wherever they were taking the villagers.

He stepped toward the open stone door but stopped short, startled by the sound of thumping footsteps.

“Gnolls!” Jorick hissed, unsheathing his sword.

“Worse,” Bet said. “It’s Evin’s brother!”

Before they could react, Marten burst onto the balcony, his eyes unfocused and wild. Tugging at his unkempt hair, he shoved past Evin and Jorick. Evin grabbed Marten’s soot-stained sleeve in an attempt to stop him, but Marten’s shirt ripped free and the boy ran to the edge of the balcony.

“Marten, no!” Evin hissed.

But Marten didn’t listen. Seeing the villagers being forced along by the crowd of gnolls below, Marten screamed, “Evin, you have to help us! We’re all going to die!”

In the cavernous chamber below, all of the gnolls ceased their yowling and turned as one to look up at Marten. Evin, Jorick, and Bet stood behind him, slack jawed.

And then, raising their weapons high and cackling madly, the gnolls surged at them, ready to tear them apart.

Chapter Eighteen

What is wrong with you?” Jorick screamed, spit flying out of his mouth and splashing against Marten’s face. “Why in the name of the gods would you do that?”

Marten didn’t react. Instead, he brought his hands to his face and cowered, sobbing, “We’re all going to die. …”

“We are now!” Jorick shouted.

“Stop it!” Evin yelled. “He doesn’t know what he’s doing. He got hurt and—”

“Now is not the time, boys,” Bet said as she turned and ran around the stone door into the hallway. “Come on!”

Not wasting another moment, Evin grabbed his jibbering brother tightly by the wrist and raced after her. Jorick followed at their heels.

Staccato, laughing howls sounded behind them, and Evin looked over his shoulder just in time to see several of the gnolls climbing over the railing and onto the balcony. Madness flared in their eyes and drool dripped from their sharp teeth.

Evin shoved Marten into the hall and pulled Jorick through the doorway, then shut the stone door, knowing it would hardly keep the gnolls at bay for more than a second or two. Then, grabbing Marten by the arm, Evin raced forward. Ahead of him he could see Bet rushing down the dark hallway, her white robes billowing behind her.