“Will she be all right?” he asked.

“The arrow was cursed,” Qurrah said, his eyes looking not to his brother but to Haern. “They wished you to die of poison, and they wished death upon any that tried healing you. Aurelia saved your life.”

“Who did this to her,” Harruq said, the whole world turning red in his eyes. “Was it the Spider Guild?”

“Don’t do anything foolish,” Haern whispered. “They are many and powerful.”

“And they’ll soon be many and dead.”

Qurrah put his hand on his brother’s shoulder.

“I will await you at the tower. I will be of no use to you now. I have not the strength. If you wish any to speak, however, I will be ready.”

Harruq turned to Tarlak. “Can you get her to the tower?”

The wizard nodded. “I’ll open a portal. Haern and Brug’ll help me carry Aurelia and Delysia. What is it you plan on doing?”

Harruq’s grip tightened on his swords, and the rage in his eyes was visible fire.

“Killing everyone responsible,” he growled.

Tarlak glanced to his sister, weak and sleeping in his arms.

“Kill them twice for me,” he said.

With a nod, Harruq stormed out of the warehouse and into the dark streets of Veldaren.

H e did not get far before Haern fell from the top of a building and blocked his path.

“Out of my way, Haern. This is something I have to do.”

Haern’s cold voice showed no sign of backing down. “I will aid you. The Spider Guild is strong. You cannot do this alone.”

“I can, and I will.”

He tried to shove his way past. Haern hooked his foot behind Harruq’s ankle and kicked. The half-orc fell, Haern holding an arm so that his landing was not too painful.

“Do not be foolish,” Haern whispered into his ear. “They meant to kill me. Aurelia saved my life. I will repay such a debt.”

Harruq snorted, blowing dirt away from his face. “Fine. Do you know where we should start?”