Sam and Emma were walking shoulder to shoulder as they made their way away from the Vikings' camp. They had tried to find Taurtis and Isabella, figuring that they would be somewhere prowling on the outside of the base, but they were nowhere to be found.

  Now, it was just the two of them.

  There was obviously some tension going on between them. Emma's primary focus at the moment was her brother, but Sam was more focused on staying alive. Really, he didn't care as much about Grian as he let on. Sam had trouble connecting with anyone on an emotional level. That is, anyone except Emma. Something had changed when he met her. Maybe it was because of her strive to be loner despite her motherly instincts toward the rest of the group. He didn't know.

  "So," said Sam, trying to break the ice, "this friend you were talking about earlier, you said he'd meet us outside the catacombs?"

  "Correct," Emma replied, twirling the Messenger stone in her right hand. "He knows his way through that old place, he can help. And maybe he can find a way to trick the Vikings so we don't give them the artifact, but we get Grian anyway."

  "So, how long have you known him?" Sam's lips were stretched into a thin line, and his eyes looked distant. Jealousy, maybe?

  "Oh, we go way back. Ever since I started training as a mage. Although, that's when he was still alive."

  Sam twisted his eyebrows together. "What?"

  "He's a sort-of spirit, but not really. He is a physical form, and can move and talk and feel, but he's not alive. I think it was a curse that was put over the place where he died. He was killed in a massacre at the chapel."

  Sam's eyes widened. "Is name Thanatos?"

  Emma looked over at him. "Yeah, actually. How'd you know?"

  "We came across the chapel heading back to the castle. He helped us get out of this extremely thick fog. We couldn't see anything, even though the castle was just a mile or so away. He was...nice."

  Emma smiled. "See? He's not a bad guy."

  They continued on, making their way across a stone bridge that appeared to be falling apart. It had, indeed, had a few loose stones, but nothing interesting happened.

  Finally, they reached the old chapel and headed into the graveyard. There was a particular head stone, marked with the statue of an angel, that lead to the catacombs. The two stood there and waited for Thanatos to appear.

  Just in case he hadn't noticed their arrival, Emma sent him a message.

  We're here.

  "Good. I'll be there shortly."

€£¥

  "Stop, Taurtis! You're going to get us caught!"

  Isabella slapped her companion's arm as she peered through the bush. Her and Taurtis had decided to go into the forest to gather materials and essentials. They were running out of food.

  Luckily, they caught sight of a small merchant's cart that was going to head around the path corner in any moment. They had already set their trap and were just waiting for it to spring.

  Isabella pulled out her dagger — not Sacrifice, mind you — and held it steady as the sound of hooves galloping across the earth grew closer.

  It happened so fast. The cart turned around the corner, the two right wheels were caught in the trap, and the whole cart came crashing down. Isabella and Taurtis jumped out and started to grab bags full of food and supplies before jumping back out into the darkness of the trees. They had masks covering their faces, so the merchant wouldn't recognize them. They had no doubt the king had put them out as wanted traitors.

  Jumping up into the trees and climbing along the branches, the two thieves settled on a particularly large limb and ate a small meal. Then they stuffed away the rest of the food in their traveling bags.

  "Come on," Isabella said, hopping over to the next branch. "Let's go check on the others."

  The two made their way across the trees to the open field where the Vikings' camp lay. The sun was falling below the vast plains that lay before them, shining light on the west side of the camp. Torches were lit, and the Viking patrols started their rounds.

  But there was something different about this scene...

  Taurtis gasped as he noticed it. "Look above the fire! Sam's gone!"

  Isabella followed his finger as he pointed. "Do you—Do you think they killed him?" she whispered, voice filled with unbelief.

  "No," Taurtis protested, looking pale. "No, they were going to use him as a bargaining chip. They wouldn't get rid of him unless they knew Emma wouldn't work with them. But she would save him, right?" He turned to Isabella. "She wouldn't let him die, right?"

  The rogue's hand flew to her companion's shoulder. "Sam's not dead, trust me. Emma wouldn't let him die." She turned her gaze to the other cage in the Vikings' camp. "We know Grian's alive. And he doesn't appear to be mourning. There's your proof."

  Taurtis followed her line of sight. His eyes narrowed. "We have to get him out of there."

  "Excuse me?"

  "Emma and Sam are M.I.A. We have to save Grian before Olaf decides he's useless."

  Isabella purses her lips. "But how?"

  The ninja gave her a sly grin. "How tough is that dagger of yours?"

  Realization spread across her face. "I don't know," she replied, returning the grin. "Let's see what Sacrifice can do."