Drawing her arm back the elven druidess hurled the ball into the tunnel pure, good magic crackling and sparking as the ball of light hit the column of undead. The front line, marching two abreast, exploded; flaming bone fragments ripped into the ranks following, igniting several others in flames so hot that they were reduced to ashes in seconds. But many more followed treading over their fallen comrades.

Sarel and Khaz skidded to a halt beside the druid just in time to witness the fireworks. “Where is Dev?” Kimba asked the pair between breaths trying to recover quickly from the energy expended from her spell.

For the first time Sarel and Khaz noticed that the former knight didn’t retreat with them. Gazing back down the tunnel they had just traversed, the frost elf could see the outline of Dev’s broad back moving away from them toward the bull orc who thus far had hung back and did not participate in the fight.

At that moment more great horned rats poured from the ramp leading up to the flood grate cutting them off from the battle maddened human. With the skeletal warriors closing in, the trio only had one option remaining.

“I’ll not leave im!” exclaimed Khaz, gripping his bloody axe and taking a half step toward the snarling rats brandishing his weapon menacingly. He was stayed by Kimba’s hand on his muscular arm pulling him away.

“Dying here will serve no purpose,” Kimba said to Khaz nervously glancing at the rats, then down the tunnel to the undead warriors. “Dev has chosen his path; he would not want us to die in vain.”

“I must acquiesce,” said Sarel as he hurled a dagger scoring a hit on the closest rat’s snout, “we can come back for him.”

“What the hell does akwese mean?” grumbled Khaz as he joined the two elves in retreat ascending the tunnel that according to their map would lead them to the maintenance area and Primus Creed.

Kimba paused long enough to conjure and hurl another fire ball at their pursuers aiming low to ensure the fiery missile would not miss its intended target and harm Dev. She effectively slowed down the pursuit as the trio lengthened their lead.

They ran on in darkness having left the druidess’ staff behind. “Maybe my staff can still be of use to him,” Kimba thought aloud trying to make herself feel better about leaving her friend behind them.

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