Chapter 23.2: Back against the wall
"If we leave, there will be a surge, and lots of people will die," Daubutim said, turning to look at them one at a time.
Irwin wanted to say he was wrong, even wished for it, but the faces of his mother and brother appeared in his mind's eye. If portals like this remained open, they would also die eventually. Maybe not from this surge, as it was too far away, but… if they closed it, they might find a card or likely get at least one card, maybe more from the sorcerers.
He recalled Tanya's words and sighed, knowing what they had to do.
"I don't want to stay here," Twintin whispered.
Irwin didn't respond to her and looked at Greldo. The same resolve he felt was in his friend's eyes. To his surprise, Rachel moved to Twintin, putting an arm around the smaller girl.
"With your power, we have a chance. We can't leave this portal to surge… it might overflow Wignut. You remember what Sorceress Tanya said, right?"
Twintin hesitated, staring at her hand, then at the now wilted section of plants. "I remember," she whispered.
"So we all agree?" Irwin said, swallowing. "We have enough rations for a few days and, with Twintin, enough water for a long time. We are going to try to find the Linchpin... Well, unless this world evolves."
"Yes," Daubutum rumbled, an uncommon smile on his face.
"Definitely," Greldo said with an almost believable grin on his face. "We need to get more cards."
Rachel and Twintin nodded, though the latter reluctantly.
"Then I think we should head back to the original building we came from," Irwin said.