From Iron and Ruin

Dawn.

Chapter 44 : Dawn.

"I spotted a kiss?" Matthaeus strolled towards Taelan, Gwen and I. A cluster of Magins were gathering as they finished slinging up what shields they could. "I said there would be a romantic encounter on the battlefield."

"I can't believe you were betting on my love-life all this time," I growled.

"Now, now Shiny. You were quick to bet on Fyr." Gwen laughed.

"I will have words with her as well." I said, smiling begrudgingly. How had I been so blind to that?

"Has he said the words?" Matthaeus asked me. "The oh so magical words."

Asha'da. "There isn't time for words."

"Well, we all seem to be speaking a great deal." Taelan said condemningly. "You would think our time wasn't running out."

"Ah," Gwen waved a hand dismissively. "What is a battle without laughter? Boring."

The High-Elf gave her a sharp look. "Boring? Death and gore and ... how is that boring?"

"You have lived through hundreds?" Gwen knocked his shoulder. "Surely you don't find them stagnant now?"

Taelan drew himself up. "A little repetitious in some elements."

Matthaeus addressed me. "Have you said the words?"

At my levelled glare, he grinned. "That is a no then."

Gwen caught that, clucking her tongue. "Well, that's twenty silver pieces gone. Damn you, Matthaeus."

"You cannot damn the damned." The vampire grinned salaciously. "Give it to me later, Gwen. And don't dare think about dying to get out of the debt."

"There's a brisket with my name on it, waiting in Adotlan. I wouldn't dream of missing that." Gwen sniffed.

"This is the wrong time to talk about all of this." I groaned.

"Well, it was either that we discuss our bet on you and Mahon, or contemplate our upcoming death." Matthaeus slung a heavy arm around my shoulder. "How could you deny us this enjoyment?"

"You think you're being slick," I snorted, knocking him away. "Now. We are talking about a door."

My plan was forming into clear-cut clarity. Something I had trained with Taelan for. Not on this scale, but... it could be done. I would do it. One last push.

"Yes, explain your door?" Taelan asked.

"Into the Abyss," I said breathlessly. "A trap for them to run straight through."

His brows arched. "That could be brilliant."

"I am grateful for your confidence." I said. "We need to move fast." Mind whirling, I pointed to the last barricaded street. "It will have to be there. If we even cut down some of them, it will help. "

"We will need these Magins," Taelan advised. "Your stores of energy have nearly been depleted, and this door needs to remain stable. Un-checked, it could do more harm."

"That sounds just right." I groaned. "We couldn't just have a nice, safe solution to all of this."

"That doesn't sound like you, Shiny." Gwen laughed. "Is there salt-water drowning you brain?"

I hoped my smile hid my anger. Knowing them, they would try and convince me from going after Vanya. It was a completely selfish reason now. Not because the Burned One needed to be stopped, but because she would harm them given the chance.