Snippet #1430476

If we have to do something like this, we should make the best of it thought Xanti. “Then how about this:” He continued the discussion, “We teleport the team near his base, there we split up. You get Mous and do whatever you need to do, and the rest will defend the open portal until you get back. So we drop in, and get out as quick as possible”. He actually felt nothing for such a risky operation, but he probably couldn't get out of it.

“Yes Xanti, that's a great idea. I can take the most fierce and aggressive among our warriors with me to try to reach Mouse” Zhao replied. Then he looked around the table, searching for the wizards. “Do you think you are capable of making and holding this gate? It's vital that it stands where I left it once we arrive. It's our only way back.” Zhao said, looking all wizards straight in the eye one by one.

“But I still think we should send a scout, to know what is out there”, Xanti noted. He didn't trust Zhao. If he doesn't really know where we will teleport to, we could end up anywhere. By that thought he shifted in his chair. “What if we end up in a volcano, or something?” he thought out loud.

“Nahh, a volcano? That won't happen, trust me. Everything will be as planned” Zhao said with a smile on his face. He really didn't know how things would end, but he trusted his own plans. “This is how we'll proceed, like it or not I don't care. I will go first through the portal to make my point, I trust my coördinates.”

“But what if you end up in a volcano, how will we know if you arrived save, or not?” Xanti asked. He knew now that he couldn't get out of this operation, but he still didn't want to fuse with a rock. Or maybe that is a less painful way to die than in battle? No I shouldn’t give up now.

“Point taken Xanti, I will come back through the gate within 10 seconds. If not, then you follow. If you would otherwise not return as well... I guess things don't matter anymore by then. I might not return indeed, so I will give orders to the rest if this happens: close the gate. Your new objective will be to protect the prince and the castle, don't let Allister use the gate against us.” Zhao explained as if this was a reasonable solution.

That doesn't make any sense screamed it in Xanti's head and he let a deep sigh of frustration. “Alright, whatever, you go first” Xanti said, now with a headache. He didn't care about it anymore. I won't follow him if he doesn’t return. Maybe some of the more loyal guards will go after him, but not me.

“Ok that's set then. Hereby this meeting ends. We will wait a little longer for the last guys to arrive. In the meantime I want the magic users to start creating this gate, I will give some instructions about where to place it. The rest of you are expected at the teleport facility over two hours.” Zhao said while lowering his voice. “You are dismissed.”

Xanti left the room, and went back to the library to do some preparation, and to finish perhaps his last book he will ever read.