Mantle of the Gods

There were three in the next room.

Two men were struggling, while the red-haired woman was out.

“Artemis Hortle.” Rix was propped up against the wall, waiting for us. “Level twenty-eight Healer.” She clicked her tongue as we entered the room, “You took a while.”

“We can’t just run past everything like you can.” I knelt down next to the older woman. “What’s she doing here?”

“Probably one of the researchers working on whatever they are doing here.” Rix motioned at a pair of pots like the ones in the other room. Except one of the pots was empty. She pulled the woman over her shoulders, then faded from view. “There is a pair in the last room. They’re already out and restrained. I’ll stay with you the rest of the way in case there are more.”

That gave me an idea.”On our way back there was a blonde-haired, green eyed woman in her mid thirties that looked like she was pretty mad that we were rounding up the Mundane in here.” I looked at the space where Rix had been, “Do you think she might be a Cultist?”

“Jacquel Krisa.” Rix’s voice came from the other side of me, “She works as a bartender at night for Aryne. And it’s possible, but I haven’t been able to find anything on any of the Adventurers that I've followed around here.”

“Right, well, let’s get these in and maybe we’ll be able to get done before Trent gets back.” I helped Ren get her person on their feet. Aelin had already charmed hers, which allowed her to move a lot easier. “Ether, we’ll follow you.”

The white-haired woman led the charge back through the dungeon to the gate. Once we got there, we were able to stop to catch our breath while the invisible Rix set the destination back to the surface.

“I don’t get it.” Ether grabbed the other side of the guy that Ren was trying to hold on to, “Why are they using Mundane to grow these seeds in the dungeon?’

The man said something under his gag as he glared at Ether. He repeated the same noise again.

“I think he wants us to take the gag off.” Ren looked at me.

“Rix, do we have time?” I looked at the gate.

“A little bit, but I doubt he tells you anything.” The invisible voice seemed way too close to be by the gate.

“Go ahead.” I nodded to the blonde.

Ren pulled the gag down.

“You have done nothing!” The black-haired man spit at us, “Wurn will smite you all!”

“See? Nothing useful.”

“What are you doing here?” I kept an eye on the gate as I looked at the man.

He turned up his head, “I don’t have anything to say to the non-believers.”

“Then convince me.” I pointed at the gate, “You’ve got until that thing connects to convince me why I should let you go.”

He sneered at me, “Why should I try to convince someone beneath me of anything?”

“Hey!” Aelin shook the guy she was holding, “You’re the one restrained here. That doesn’t look like we’re beneath you to me.”

“When Wurn grants me a Mantle, you will be,” He tried to lunge at her, but Ren and Ether held him too tightly.

“Wurn is Desolated.” I shook my head, “And people don’t get Mantles outside of the Mantle Trial.”

“You will all burn for that blas..!”

Ether pulled the gag back over his mouth. “So he’s crazy.”

I shook my head as the gate connected. He sounded crazy, but if anything he was talking about was true… I tried not to think about what Trent and the others might have walked into. Hopefully, they’d be able to handle whatever they found down there.