Garm let out an icy penetrating wail; it gripped the air tightly, the Wraith spun round, away from the doorway and turned to face the beast. Charon's hound menacingly howled once more, this time his large protruding dagger like teeth clamped together and hissed. He threateningly hit the ground with those vicious claws that could so easily slash a man in two; in comparison the Wraith, as with most other creatures, were slow and deliberate and this angered him, especially when there was a task to be done, that his master considered all important. The Wraith turned and acknowledging that they could not afford any delay, and with Garm at their head, continued along the thoroughfare, his cold gaze searching any building for signs of life.
Germanicus crept over to where Merit and Adamous knelt, as he did so his trailing leg caught a stool that swung round precariously, tantalisingly it hovered on one leg, before falling, Thomas with great agility leapt forward slid across the floor and managed to catch it before it clattered to the ground. Adamous looked at Germanicus with a slow shake of the head and a deep sigh.
“Clumsy,” grated Adamous, “that certainly would have alarmed our enemy to our presence, so try to be more careful next time, if there is a next time.”
Germanicus patted Thomas on the back and quietly turned to Adamous, “Sorry, but if we are to open a portal, then we should do so now while they are distracted, it will not take them long to realise that someone has been searching among the charred remains of the church, and that there is a fresh scent in the air, which may lead them straight back here.”
“If it's charged enough to do it then by all means open a corridor near to the palace of Thebes, but not so close to it that are movements can be traced.”
Germanicus nodded and quietly gestured for everyone to withdraw to the rear apartment, before they left two Stratiotai fired the room so that none could interfere with their departure. When they were all inside the rear room they barricaded the door behind them. They frantically made ready the portal; thanks to Merit and the use of her amulet, its power had been restored enough for the short journey to Thebes. A location was hurriedly picked which was the wall that flanked the silk gardens of Thebes, where there were a beautiful array of flowers and trees that would have been the envy even of Constantinople and which afforded them protection from prying eyes.
As the portal throbbed with energy, a howl went up that sent a cold chill down their backs.
“Quick everyone into the portal, our enemy will soon be upon us,” cried Adamous.
Germanicus hurriedly ushered them through, “I’ve adjusted the Seal so that when it fades this side, it will automatically reappear on the other, but we have not got long to get through. The last one who enters presses this symbol here, it will give you a minute at most, if you’re not through by then you risk staying here.”
One by one they disappeared; as they did so there was a sudden urging of the door, they could hear on the other side their enemy fighting through the flames and smoke. Adamous who was last to leave, looked back, pressed the symbol and departed; the portal blinked a moment and was gone, the seal faded into the wall, as it did so the door shattered and the pile of furnishings, broken or otherwise that had been used to barricade them in burst upon the floor, in rushed the Wraith and at their head Garm, his fur coat smouldering, he gnashed his teeth together and gave out a howl of frustration, everyone quickly entered, behind them the room flared as the fire aggressively took hold.