“We can best help Atrine by destroying Morios,” Relos Var told Janel. “If you focus on evacuation first, you’re letting sentimentality cloud your judgment.”

“No, I’m not. If we don’t pull people out of Atrine—right now—we shall soon find ourselves facing a combination of raging fires and terrified, screaming souls. And such a recipe summons a special sort of connoisseur to dinner.”

Relos Var made a face. “Demons.”

“Exactly. They’ll swarm Atrine. I’d rather face one enemy at a time.” Janel looked back at Thurvishar. “Can you open a gate to the east Atrine bridge? That’s where the Marakori slums are located.”

“I see no reason why not. Where’s Senera?”

Relos Var scowled. “In Atrine. She was supposed to signal me when Morios arrived.”

Thurvishar stared at the man hatefully. “You didn’t hear from her, with a raging dragon on the loose? And you weren’t going to say anything? Damn it!” Thurvishar immediately reopened a portal and started to rush through. He stopped at the last second and turned to the room. “If the rest of you are coming along, do it now, or haggle with Relos Var for the privilege later.”

“Thurvishar!” Kihrin said.

“I’m not joking, Kihrin. I’m leaving now—with you or without you.”

Ninavis clapped her hands over her head. “All right, people, we’ve practiced this. Everyone through the gate, right now. We’ll regroup on the other side.”

Dorna ran toward the stable, yelling, “Arasgon! Talaras! Lead the others. It’s time to say goodbye. Palom—Star, help me out here.”

Kihrin saw even Relos Var looked bemused at Thurvishar’s reaction. Janel and Qown’s story had certainly implied that he and Senera had the opportunity to know each other, but this seemed to indicate a deeper relationship. Kihrin found himself wondering if they’d been something other than casual associates.

Everyone must indeed have practiced this, because they cleared out with a speed and efficiency that struck Kihrin as militarized. Arasgon and Scandal trotted down the ramp, leading the horses, while Talaras was last to catch any stragglers who balked at traveling through the gate.

Finally, the only people left were Kihrin, Janel, Thurvishar, and Relos Var.

Janel turned her gaze to Kihrin and Relos Var with obvious concern. “Don’t be foolish, either of you,” she warned. “We need both of you right now.” She stepped through the portal.

“After you,” Relos Var said to Kihrin.

“You should tell Aeyan’arric she doesn’t need to sit watchdog over this tavern anymore,” Kihrin said.

“She’ll figure it out,” Var replied.

“Why are you really doing this? You don’t care if Morios is dead or not, and I really don’t think you give a damn what happens to a quarter million people either. What’s really going on?”

“Can we please hurry?” Thurvishar snapped.