104
Dorian immediately activates a barrier, pressing outward against the lightning cage to fend off its collapse as long as possible. “Help me!” he hisses at Neve and Ashur, who add their efforts to his own. There’s not a lot you and Tarquin can do to help, but you push against the cage, ignoring the sharp crackle of electricity on your skin. Tarquin shouts rude things, as much to vent his frustration as to make it harder for him to smuggle you all out of here unnoticed.
The mage slaver may not be able to collapse the cage fully, but he nonetheless manages to get it to the edge of the Proving Grounds. You’re almost through the exit when, suddenly, there’s shouting behind you and a spell sizzles past your ear.
The Shadow Dragons have come out in force.
With your suddenly superior numbers and no small amount of skill, the battle is short and the mage slaver is quickly imprisoned in a static cage not unlike his own.
“Good call with the sending crystal, Dorian,” Mae says approvingly.
He grins. “You mean the magic detonator.”
It earns him a laugh. “Let’s get this snake back to headquarters,” she says. “I want to know all about his extracurricular activities.”