“Heck of a demonstration.” Vic rubbed his cheeks.

“Will you come?” Kerrick asked.

“Yeah, what do you need us to do?”

“I’ll trap the soldiers with the vines, but this time I’ll also cut off their air supply, knocking them out. You drag them away and then take their place.”

“Should we put on their uniforms?”

“No need. It’s dark and they’re similar enough. Plus we don’t have the time. Ready?”

They sheathed their weapons and collected their packs. Kerrick led them back to the blockade.

Once they reached the dried creek bed, Kerrick whispered, “I’m going to disappear. You’ll be able to see from here when the vines have done their job. I’ll go warn Captain Drisana and send her your way.”

Sergeant Vic nodded. Kerrick moved away and dropped his normal look. He edged closer to his targets—eight in all. Thick bushes and thorny briars grew along the creek’s raised banks, creating a barrier between those in the dip and the others.

Kerrick knelt on the ground and visualized what he needed the vines to do. Concentrating, he directed the vines to drop down and quickly ensnare the soldiers all at once. While this action didn’t require magical energy, his connection to the forest deepened and the task became a physical effort. Sweat soaked his shirt.

A few muffled grunts sounded as the vines captured the enemy, but none loud enough to raise an alarm. When the squad appeared to do their job, Kerrick staggered to his feet. He headed toward the fighting. Keeping to the edge of the forest, he crossed behind the POW camp and stopped.

The two armies fought in the training fields. They appeared to be evenly matched, but Drisana didn’t know about the soldiers waiting just to the north. Kerrick scanned the fighters until he saw the familiar blond hair. He hadn’t seen her since they trained together up in Ivdel Realm.

Kerrick gathered his magic. He pulled his dadao sword and stepped from the forest, heading straight for Drisana. Each stride drained him. Halfway there, one of Cellina’s soldiers intercepted him.

Flashing his thick-bladed sword, Kerrick growled. The young man stared at the nasty-looking weapon and backed away. Kerrick kept moving even though each step cost him. The skirmish resembled...a skirmish. The enemy lacked a certain fierceness, as if the presence of the blockade meant they didn’t have to try as hard. At least no dead soldiers fought among them.

He dodged a few other soldiers before joining Drisana. She glanced at him briefly before continuing her fight. With Kerrick’s help, they dispatched the man in no time.

“You look horrible. Did you come back from the dead just for me?” Drisana wiped the blood off her sword.

“I can’t stay—” He ducked as a soldier swung his sword, aiming for Kerrick’s throat.

Drisana engaged the man. “Go on.”