“Don’t even think about it,” Avry said. “You’re in no condition to fight.”

He opened his mouth to argue, but a shrill cry tore through the air.

“That’s our cue to leave.” Avry stepped close to him, tucking her shoulder under his armpit.

He refused to lean on her for support, but after a few steps, he abandoned his pride. His weak legs threatened to collapse under him. Damn legs.

In the fading twilight, they headed north, aiming for the woods. Shouts mixed with the clangs and scrapes of metal as the battle sounds grew louder. About halfway to their destination, victory yells echoed along with a stampede of boots.

They paused. Kerrick glanced back. Hundreds of soldiers raced toward them.

Avry tugged on his arm. “Come on. Once we reach the forest—”

“I can’t do a damn thing.” He yanked the sword from Avry’s belt and spun, sliding his feet into a fighting stance.

The soldiers stopped in the middle of the camp and stabbed their bloody swords into the air as they celebrated. Almost all of them were women. Relief coursed through him.

Fydelia approached. “And what exactly do you plan to do with that?”

Kerrick lowered his weapon.

Avry embraced the woman with a whoop. “Did you—?”

“Yep, we captured the Skeleton King. Prince Ryne has him under guard.”

Ryne was here? Kerrick straightened.

Touching his arm, Avry said, “Easy.”

He shot her a look, but his murderous plans would have to wait. Another cry pierced the air and, in a blink of an eye, they were surrounded by Belen, Flea, and the monkeys all talking at once.

“...so cool, you should have seen the look on their faces.”

“...not expecting a battalion of very pissed-off women.”

“...or a death magician...”

“...and then Belen comes roaring in, I swear the guy I was fighting peed his pants when he saw him.” This from Quain.

Kerrick held up a hand, stopping the excited chatter. “Report.”

Fydelia filled him in. “We looped in behind the Skeleton King’s forces and waited for Prince Ryne to give the signal. After that, it didn’t take long to overpower them.”

“What about Tohon’s forces in the north?” he asked. “He probably sent Cellina and a bunch of troops over the Nine Mountains to use the Milligreen Pass to ambush us.”

“Noak and his warriors are en route to intercept them. Everything is covered.”

So Ryne had already figured it out. Kerrick shouldn’t be surprised. He glanced at Avry, but she gnawed on her lower lip as if deep in thought. Belen and the others sported cuts and bruises. Wet muck coated Flea’s back as if he’d been wrestling in the mud.

One of Fydelia’s officers rushed up. “The camp is secured. Prince Ryne wishes to speak to you.” She swept her arm out. “All of you.”

“Come on,” Fydelia said.