​     "Shawnacy will fly us up​ and over the lip of the cauldron as soon as she can," Noel said. "Until then, no one gets hurt as long as they stick with me."​

​     But it wasn't going to be that easy. 

​     Suddenly, it was like someone had opened an invisible door to another dimension.

​     A barn door. 

​     Fifty algrim soldiers filled the cavern. Some stayed on the ground. Others rose in the air to defend the cauldron from every possible angle. 

​     Egoneg licked his lips. 

     "I'm going to love to watch the algrim slaughter those Valids," he said.

     Valtair had no reply.

​     "What, you don't agree?"

​     Valtair harrumphed. "I haven't been particularly impressed with the algrim so far," he said. "Hired help. Elite troops? I don't think so."

     "Yeah, but now there are dozens of them."

​     Valtair yawned. "Let's get out of here," he said. He touched Egoneg's shoulder. Poof! They both disappeared. 

CONTINUE