General Karstly's Plan - Part 2

A groan escaped from Oliver's lips at the movement.

The surrounding men shared looks. Hopeful looks. "Commander?" Firyr said slowly.

An eye flickered open halfway. An eye golden enough to give a man's chills. Where Blackthorn should have felt warm relief, she felt cold dread, and unconsciously she took a step back from him.

"What a mess…" the young man said, his voice deeper than it normally was. "What a mess of incompetence."

The other eye flickered open. He freed himself from Firyr, and drew himself to his feet, cradling his head.

"You are quite right, my Lord," Verdant said, dipping his head. "We have failed you. But there is no time for admonitions. We must move, here and now, else we are liable to be trapped forever. The way is closing up, even as we speak."