Dain Barden picked up his war hammer and leaned on the head. "I remember you, Lord Marshal. We met on the Azure Plains."

"We should get out of here," Ella said, breaking the tension in the room. "Miro, Ilathor, help me with Evrin."

The two warriors lifted the groaning old man between them and carried him out of the chamber.

"Don't even think about it," Ella said, glaring at the Akari and looking pointedly at his war hammer.

Ella followed the Dain down the spiral stairs, but before she left she saw a book on the ground. Its pages were seared at the edges and part of it was missing completely, but it was made of the same metallic fabric as the Lexicons. She bent down and picked it up.

Soon Ella, Miro, Prince Ilathor, and Dain Barden all stood on the pedestal at the foot of the Sentinel.

"Please, put me down here," Evrin said. "Lean me up against the foot. Yes, that's it. Before I speak, there is something I must do."

The old man called out a series of activations, names Ella didn't recognise at all. The circle of runes around the opening in the pedestal flared blue, and there was the sound of stone moving against stone. In an instant the opening was closed, sealed as if it had never been. Only the circle of runes remained.

Now they were safely out of the chamber and Miro and Ilathor held the Akari in check, Ella rounded on Evrin.

"Where did Killian go?" Ella demanded.

"He went to another place, removed in both time and space from this world. I am sorry, but where he has gone you cannot follow," Evrin said sadly.

Ella's mouth set with determination. Killian had given himself so they could be safe from the danger on the other side of the portal. He couldn't be gone forever. He just couldn't.

"I promise you, I will find a way," Ella said.

Ella saw Miro coming towards her and fell into his embrace, closing her eyes for a moment. She looked over Miro's shoulder and saw Prince Ilathor, looking at her as if seeing her for the first time. Ella remembered Killian's last words as she looked past the prince.

"Look," Ella said, pushing her brother away and pointing, laughing despite herself. "It's Jehral. He has Bartolo with him. And Shani! And…"

71

71

MIRO released his sister and then turned his head in the direction she pointed. Five figures were walking across the tiny island towards where their group clustered at the base of the Sentinel.

Miro saw the Hazaran first, recognising Jehral from long ago in Sarostar, though he was now covered in blood and walked with a terrible limp.

Supporting Jehral on each side were Shani, the Petryan woman, and a bladesinger. Miro grinned when he saw Bartolo, smiling broadly despite his wounds.

Then Miro saw Rogan Jarvish, whose tall body obscured the woman beside him. Rogan smiled wearily.