The three exchanged perplexed glances upon hearing her account, uncertain whether they could trust her words.
'So…you're the belle of Riniock we've been hearing about?' one asked cautiously.
Linry's cheeks flushed immediately. 'B-Belle?'
Another stepped forward, scrutinising her carefully. 'We know Riniock,' he said deliberately. 'Prove you're close to him. Tell us something only an intimate friend of his would know.'
She hesitated, brows knitted in thought as she strained to recall something both significant and unmistakably known by these three men. Her hands still hovered midair from surrender, fingers twitching lightly with anticipation.
Suddenly, clarity struck her. Before her stood three who claimed familiarity with Riniock, and she remembered a story he'd shared, involving precisely these companions.
'Ulred – Hadfarr – Lodras,' she named them confidently, indicating each as if they'd already been introduced. 'Riniock shared drinks with you the day the lockdown ended.'
'How does she –' Lodras stammered, astonished.
She pressed on, 'And afterward, when elantreas ambushed us, you three attacked the Ikshari camp responsible.'
Lodras raised his hand instinctively in shock, only for Hadfarr to grasp it gently midair, smiling as Linry's words erased his doubts.
'If she knows all that,' Hadfarr concluded warmly, 'she must have learned it directly from one of us. We can trust her.'
Linry inclined her head slightly in gratitude.
'Please rest assured,' she added resolutely. 'Even if academy members cross our path, I won't hesitate to oppose them.'
'Excellent,' Ulred replied with approval. 'I take it you wish to accompany us?'
Linry nodded decisively. 'These maegis are spellswordsmen,' she explained, recognising the notorious mercenary group from the region. 'I've been fortunate so far, but my safety alone isn't guaranteed.'
'Say no more, lass,' Ulred declared warmly. 'You're welcome among us.'
'Thank you,' Linry responded earnestly.
'Then, by all means, after you.'
With that predicament behind them, the four proceeded through the unexplored tunnels. The place was like an insect colony – endless and branching, revealing new passages at every turn and twist.
Several times, they retraced their steps upon encountering numerous dead ends, which increasingly frustrated the group.
Whilst moving through one particularly long tunnel, Hadfarr, who led the group, abruptly raised his hand, signalling them to halt silently. He paused, pointing to his ear to indicate they should listen closely.
Ulred, Lodras, and Linry focused intently, and soon they heard it too – a faint crackling sound ahead, unmistakably the noise of a fire.
'Camp ahead,' Hadfarr gestured silently, emphasising caution as they advanced.
Moving as quietly as possible, they neared the tunnel's end and spotted their targets. This time, they faced not just Iksharis or mercenaries alone, but both.
Students sat around a small campfire – presumably conjured by their magick – whilst a mercenary stood before a bound figure, clearly torturing them.
The prisoner was unmistakably Gorlean, identifiable by her distinct blue robes.
Lodras nearly burst out in anger, but Hadfarr swiftly restrained him, gesturing urgently for patience. Complying reluctantly, Lodras held back as the four carefully surveyed the scene before deciding their course of action.
'Where is Riniock Ev Tolgir!' the mercenary demanded of the Gorlean prisoner, stomping on her stomach. Linry's ears perked at his mention. 'If you remain silent, this will only become more painful.'
The young woman grimaced from the blow yet stayed defiantly silent, her gaze fierce and resolute.
'Hoho, the bitch is fierce!'
A magickal arrow appeared above the mercenary's hand and plunged into her shoulder. She screamed sharply from the pain.
'Let's see how many arrows it takes before you share your secrets.'
The mercenary distanced himself, cruelly turning the woman into target practice, arrow after arrow piercing or slashing her.
Watching became unbearable.
Just as he was about to release his tenth arrow, one of them emerged from hiding, stepping into view to interrupt.
'Another Ikshari?' the spellswordsman questioned immediately, his eyes switching to the incoming person, recognising Linry's beige robes. 'There should be at least two of you. Where's the other?'
Linry swallowed nervously. 'Dead…'
'Dead? How?'
She quickly improvised. 'Beast.'
But her deception quickly unravelled. One of the students by the fire sprang up, pointing accusingly at her with clear disdain.
'Sir, don't trust this vixen. She's betrayed the academy.'
The mercenary shifted his arrow, redirecting it from the Gorlean to Linry. 'Well, young lady. Anything you'd like to say in your defence?'
'I have nothing to say,' she insisted, maintaining her lie. 'It's all lies. I've never betrayed the academy.'
'Liar!' shouted the Ikshari with contempt.
'Actually, this one's been jealous of me for ages.'
'What? That's a lie!'
Though the accusation was flimsy, the Ikshari's emotional response inadvertently strengthened Linry's deception. Yet the mercenary remained unconvinced. Suddenly, he connected the dots, recalling a specific young woman their employer had mentioned – a condemned Ikshari destined for the chopping block.
'You almost fooled me,' he sneered, preparing to strike. 'Help me find what I'm after, and maybe I'll grant you a painless death. Comply, or –'
His words were abruptly silenced when the wall behind him exploded. Massive boulders crashed down, crushing him instantly beneath their immense weight, leaving only a red stain in their wake.
Emerging from the shattered wall was the ghostly beast terrorising the Yawning Tunnel. It swiftly swept through the fleeing Iksharis, consuming their souls before they could take more than a step. Their lifeless bodies collapsed instantly.
As the beast vanished through the opposite wall, the three Gorleans rushed forward towards the prisoner.
'That's Karia…' they gasped in unison.
'Ulred?' she stammered weakly, coughing up blood. 'Had–Hadfarr? And Lodras too…'
'You're going to be alright. We'll get you somewhere safe to heal.'
They carefully lifted her, cautious not to aggravate her wounds.
Linry stared frozenly at the gaping hole left by the monster, her fear paralysing her.
'Linry!' Hadfarr's voice snapped her from her trance.
Her head turned quickly towards him, regaining her senses.
'We need to move. Staying here isn't safe,' he urged.
She moved hesitantly towards them. 'R–Right…'