"Why did you take so long?" he said, passing by her as he exited the cell. "You know we don't have much time before the new guard shift returns."
"Once we destroy the power source of the anti-magic barrier, it won't be difficult to deal with them," she muttered, throwing him the cell keys. "Take care of freeing Prince Derkno and the witch. I'll handle the rest."
"Try not to kill them all; they'll serve well as cannon fodder."
With a demented smile on her beautiful face, Komram hurried to eliminate the few remaining guards. Although Vyrkon suggested not killing them all, she would try not to.
Vyrkon arrived at Derkno's cell. He was sitting on the floor with his legs drawn up and his eyes closed. When the door opened, Derkno opened his eyes and then smiled at the boy.
"It's time to begin," he said, standing up. Then an explosion shook the prison, stirring up dust. Seconds later, the doors of the sorcerers' cells exploded, freeing them. Komram had destroyed the power source of the anti-magic field, meaning nothing could stop them now. "It seems Komram has done her job. It's time for you to do yours."
Vyrkon nodded, turned, and approached the freed sorcerers.
"It's time to continue with the second part of the plan," he said, a small smile on his face.
The seven sorcerers exchanged glances, then one spoke, "We've thought it over and concluded that we don't need you to escape."
"We appreciate you getting rid of the barrier," another said.
Vyrkon watched the seven sorcerers equally, his gaze showing no annoyance at their words, rather amusement.
"In reality, no one said you would be of help to us," and with that, blood gushed uncontrollably from one of the sorcerers' throats. The others watched their companion's body turn into sparks of light before disappearing, and they didn't even have time to react to the next attacks that cost them their lives.
Vyrkon shook the blood dripping from his hands, especially from the rock he had shaped and sharpened into a knife. He looked over his right shoulder at the trail of blood left by the seven sorcerers on the ground, then glanced at Derkno and nodded.
"Let's continue with the third phase," he said without any expression on his face, continuing his way to the exit.
***
"Try not to kill every soldier who gets in our way. Every piece matters, and the most important thing is not to let the ships leave. They're our only transport off this disgusting island," Komram spoke to all the prisoners now free and ready to leave the island.
"The Garluts don't obey any Ekhronian," said one of the prisoners, a Garluts named Tror, his hoarse and unnatural voice showing threat. "We'll leave this prison, but you stay. As thanks for opening our cells, we'll let you live."
"I'm ecstatic with gratitude," Komram said, dragging the words slowly and boredly. "It was expected that the scum wouldn't keep their word. But the eternal loyalty oath you made to Prince Derkno must be fulfilled, whether you like it or not."
All the Garluts laughed at her words.
"The Garluts are stronger than all of you, including your fallen prince, and we never keep our oaths," they all laughed again.
"Of course not," she said in the same tone. "I know that very well."
She gave them a playful and excited look as they prepared to face her. Komram raised her sword and attacked the Garluts, striking the blade against the monster's hard skin. The sword couldn't pierce its tough skin, and it's known that the only weak point of a Garluts is its throat. That soft part of its body can be pierced by a sword or knife. So when Komram had the opportunity to stab her sword into the Garluts' throat, she did so with a swift and precise movement. No Garluts could see exactly when she made such a move.
Komram pulled the sword from the Garluts' throat and, with her left hand, grabbed the monster by the neck and squeezed tightly, absorbing the Garluts' mana.
When Komram had finished absorbing the Garluts' mana, its body began to rot until it disappeared, leaving the others watching the scene in horror.
"You are not..." Tror started, but he didn't finish speaking. Komram raised her blood-covered index finger to her lips, making a shushing gesture.
"I don't want to waste any more lives, as we will need all of you to escape the island," she said in a calculating voice. "You will serve Prince Derkno, whether you like it or not."
The presence of Derkno caused silence to fall. Komram stood tall, lifting her head high. After a few seconds, she turned to him, showing a sly smile.
"I see you've been having fun," he commented, noticing the dark blood dripping from her sword.
"I only killed one," she sheathed the sword, "to restore order."
"I see order has been restored," Derkno said, looking at the Garluts. "I supposed something like this would happen."
The Garluts fell to the ground, convulsing in terrible agony. Derkno, Komram, and Vyrkon watched them writhe in pain without showing any reaction. The final part of the plan was now complete.
When the convulsions ended, the Garluts stood up one by one, a deformed red mark appearing on their necks.
"The curse of eternal obedience," that was the meaning of the red mark on their necks. As Derkno predicted, they would now obey him without opposition.
Isayri emerged from the shadows along with the other prisoners and guards who had been enchanted with the curse of eternal obedience to stand beside Derkno. Komram glanced at her sideways.
"You took too long," she said in a venomous voice.
"I worked as fast as I could on the spell. Being without magic for ten years and then recovering it isn't easy," she explained, annoyance in her voice.
"Your excuses don't interest me. You're slow, you always have been."
"Oh, really?" the sorceress said, raising one of her hands. Derkno stopped her.
"I don't want unnecessary arguments," he said.
Both women nodded their heads and said nothing more. Derkno took a few steps forward and ordered the Garluts and the other prisoners to divide into eight groups, with each group taking a ship. Four of the groups were led by Derkno, Komram, Isayri, and Vyrkon.
When the anti-magic field was triggered, it alerted all the ships. The new guard shift was on its way when the field stopped functioning. They knew what it meant—that the prisoners had escaped their cells, and they were more than ready to stop them and prevent their escape.
When the attack happened, the soldiers were at a disadvantage. One by one, they fell to Isayri's curse. The prisoners facing the ship led by Vyrkon found it easy to take control. The soldiers, prepared to attack the prisoners with Blora(4) cannons, didn't notice the intruders boarding the ship and were taken by surprise, ultimately defeated. There were casualties among the former prisoners, but in the end, they emerged victorious.
Once they had seized the eight ships and set sail, all that remained was the anticipation of vengeance—sweet revenge for being imprisoned and left to rot on that cursed island.