Chapter 55: One for many
Irwin sat in front of Daubutim, quietly waiting for the noble boy to continue.
"After we closed the second portal, we were down to four guards," Daubutim said, staring at his hand. "The rangers found another common portal, so we went there to get the common-handed group there safely. When we got to the place they called the Grinning Man's hilltop… we…"
Irwin watched as Daubutim's face turned slack, his eyes dull. Then a shiver ran through the boy as if he was slapped or shouted at. His back straightened, his eyes turned clear, and he looked through Irwin as if he didn't see him.
"There was a rare portal surrounded by the beginnings of a camp. Parts of the buildings were made of ice and snow, and I counted two thousand seventy-eight Frozir."
The way Daubutim spoke, clear as if he was handing out a report, made Irwin wonder who he was speaking to in his mind. Probably his father. Daubutims clear eyes stared straight at a spot behind him.
"The bodies of nine guards and three rangers were tied to the walls. Each was missing their hands. On the hillside below the top were four uncommon portals."
Irwin swallowed. Why would those demons tie them up and-
A rustling came from his pocket as Ambraz forced his way out. The Anvil flitted to the table and landed.
"One rare and four uncommon?" he snapped, his mouth-side turned to Daubutim. "Did you see any common portals?"
Daubutim closed his eyes, and when he reopened them, they were their regular dull as he looked at Ambraz.
"There were eight within three miles," he said.
"But none directly around the rare?"