21 Escape (1/2)

”How did you do it?” I blurt out hoping to draw his attention long enough to figure a way out.

”That simpering child,” nodding at Monna, ”was kind enough to give me a book. I can use Asura of Land, and using Land Asura with verza increased my power tenfold. Letting me summon creatures from the Dark Realm.”

Asura of Land, one of the six forms of asura, allows mages to tame as well as summon various creatures. Depending on the summoner, they'll have limited control over what they call and judging from the increase in their jerky movement he won't have control over them much longer. The idiot thinks he is untouchable. Poor bastard doesn't know verza costs the soul, and it always collects. I don't know much, just what I picked up from other mages, but I know it corrupts, tainting the spirit the longer it's used. He is still gloating, but I tune him out.

A thin window to the left catches my eye. I toss the idea, too small for us to fit. But there's a little lip sticking from under it. A couple of feet long jutting out far enough for my toes to rest. Seeing no other options. I place my hopes on the crumbling sill. Shooting a glance to the drunkard, who is still prattling on. Focused more on his speech than us. I use the chance to get the attention of Ivo and Daric.

Speaking low and moving my mouth as little as possible I say, ”the window to the left.”

”Too small,” comes Ivo's voice equally low.

”I know, use the ledge to get to the roof.”

”Can it hold you?” came Daric's whisper. If it wouldn't give us away and I wasn't thinking the same thing, I'd have slapped him.

”Let's hope so.”

The zombies jerked forward a step. I'm a bit ashamed to admit a whimper slipped through.

”Don't go getting any ideas,” the drunkard shouted.

A sheen of sweat covers his face shining in the moonlight; he is reaching the end of his control. They jerk forward a step at a time. He clenches his fists trying to get them back under his sway. He suddenly pitches forward. Time slows, I stare confused until a tear-stained Monna is revealed. Using his distraction to knock him over. The aging old man and the skinny guy are too slow to stop her.

I seize the chance to shove Daric and Ivo toward the window. We have precious seconds of the drunkard still in control before he hits the horde and loses it. Ivo without pausing, leaps from the sill stretching his arms up to the roof. Reaching it with his fingertips and hauling himself up. Daric tries to mimic him and falls short, thankfully Ivo is there to take his hand. I speed up. We're out of time. Screams rend through the air, and the draugr are on the move. I don't look, or else I wouldn't make the jump. But, I see them reaching for me from the corner of my eye. I leap letting my toes touch the lip and using it as leverage to propel myself up. Unfortunately, my weight turns out to be too much. I'm mid-leap when the sill collapses under me. Arms stretch out. I desperately reach as I go down.

Two sets of hands latch onto my arms. Both Ivo and Daric have a grip on me hanging halfway over the side, pulling out strength I didn't know they had in them. They drag me up far enough for me to grab onto the edge. I'm halfway onto the roof when I feel an alarming grip on my thigh. I scramble for purchase. If I take too long, it gives more of the draugr time to grab me as well. Frantic to get away, I ignore the pain that scores along my leg as I pull from the bony grasp. Feeling the dampness as I stand. I don't slow down, pain shooting through my leg with every step.