Kerrick huddled next to a small fire. Maybe he’d been rash to scare the smugglers off. He could have paid them to go into the city... And what? Find Flea and Ives? They were supposed to report back to him if something went wrong inside the monastery. Their absence meant they, too, encountered trouble. The smugglers wouldn’t break into the monastery for all the gold in his pocket; everyone in Ozero Realm was terrified of the priests.

Even though he had the entire forest at his command, he couldn’t do a damn thing to save Avry. Not without help. And who would help him? Not Ryne. Noak? If the tribesmen did travel south with his warriors to aid Ryne, perhaps Kerrick could intercept them. But when should Kerrick abandon his vigil? Tomorrow morning? No. The sooner the better.

Energized, Kerrick hopped to his feet and packed up his meager supplies. He spread the burning logs out and went to fetch water to douse the flames. As he scooped up dirty water, a faint rumble reached him. It emanated from the aqueduct. He approached the entrance and leaned in to listen.

The sound grew louder. Water rushing? Kerrick wondered if it was a good idea to be standing at this spot. Curiosity kept him in place. More splashing followed, and a drumming that echoed off the stone walls. When a voice cried out over the din, Kerrick yanked his sword free. A glow from a torch lit the interior and he backed up.

Friend or foe? He’d find out soon. Retreating to a better position, Kerrick waited.

From the amount of noise, Kerrick guessed at least a company of soldiers was racing toward the exit. It couldn’t be Avry and the others, they wouldn’t produce that much—

Flea and Ives burst from the aqueduct. Kerrick’s relief didn’t last long as more people streamed out. Were they being chased?

He pulled power, turning normal and intercepted Flea who stumbled through the underbrush with Melina right behind him. She carried a torch.

“What’s—” he tried.

“We have them all.” Flea gestured to the others wildly.

People continued to pour out. Some carrying torches, others swords. All wearing robes and no shoes. All women.

“All? As in all the girls in the monastery?”

“Yes, over two thousand. We must keep moving.”

Kerrick heard the number, but he didn’t quite comprehend it until the forest protested the trampling of the bushes and vines by so many feet. He didn’t recognize anyone else.

“Which way?” Flea demanded.

Sneaking through the forest was no longer an option. They needed to get to Pomyt Realm fast. Kerrick pointed. “Head straight. When you reach the path, turn right and follow it.”

“Are you coming?”

“Where’s Avry?”

Flea gestured behind him. “Back there somewhere.”

The tightness around his heart eased. “I’ll catch up. I want to make sure everyone gets out.”