No way out

Sicbur shook his head as he rejoined the weary group. “There’s no way out,” he said softly to Elora, “at least not up there.”

“Shadow, how are we for going back?” Elora asked.

“They have just passed the fork, heading our way, we can’t get back that way.”

“They may be civilians but they could fight…” Sicbur started, looking at the huddled people. Fear was the only thing keeping most of them upright.

“I still have enough strength to open a short portal. Only to the fork, but it should be enough,” Elora said.

“If you do that you’ll be stuck here.”

“I know. They are the mission, not me.”

“It’s suicide,” Sicbur said.

“Not for an immortal, old friend, for us it is just painful, messy and irksome.”

“We’ll stay.”

“That would be suicide, besides I need you to go with them, let them see it is safe to use it, to make sure they stay safe after it,” Elora said, already forming the complex pattern needed to cast the spell. She felt her strength drain as the casting was completed. “Go, I’ll find you when I can,” She added.

Sicbur went last, pushing the stragglers through. He was about to offer one last protest but the strain in her eyes silenced him.

Elora almost fell as the spell expired, closing the portal. She turned, drew her sword and allowed a smile to creep across her face, as she went to fight an army.

(word count 250 (ish) )