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Dalhu joined him, unstrapped his water canteen, and took a long swig.
"These gods are such show-offs," Kalugal murmured as he pulled out his own canteen. "They act so superior."
"They are superior." Dalhu grimaced. "Therefore, it doesn't count as showing off."
Kalugal took a sip of water, his gaze still fixed on the spot where Dagor and Negal had disappeared. "I know, I know. It's just hard to accept that they are better than us. We're supposed to be the elite, the best of the best. And then these gods come along, and suddenly, we're playing catch-up. When it was only Annani and Toven, it was okay. They are our royalty. But these are simple guys. Commoners."
Dalhu cast Kalugal a sidelong glance. "I'm a commoner compared to you, but I can still beat you on the sparring mat. You are a commoner compared to the Clan Mother and Toven, but you are a powerful compeller and a successful businessman. Each of us brings our own strengths to the table."
A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of Kalugal's mouth. "You're right, of course. I'm a prideful, competitive guy, but I admit that I'm grateful for their help."
Dagor
"Just as Dalhu anticipated, there were four sentry pairs," Dagor reported. "Each one seems to have one immortal and one human. The Doomers stationed them about a mile away from the meeting place, though, not two. They are covering all the accessible pathways."
Kalugal nodded. "What about surveillance equipment? Did you detect any?"
Negal shook his head. "Unless it was very well hidden, we didn't see or hear anything, but that doesn't mean there isn't any. We are good, but without our equipment, we can't be sure." He sighed. "We shouldn't have left it behind."
"It was supposed to be a vacation," Dagor reminded him.
Now that they knew where the sentries were located, there was no reason to keep whispering.
"Are they within shouting distance of each other?" Kalugal asked.
"They are about an hour's walk away." Negal smirked. "At your speed, not ours. When we are within earshot of them, we will stop. Dagor and I will go first, subdue and gag the first pair, and only then will you and Dalhu emerge. After you compel them, we will remove the gags. We will do the same with the other three pairs."
Kalugal nodded. "Good plan."
"Let's do it." Dalhu strapped his rifle over his chest.
As the group set out, moving quietly through the dense underbrush, Dagor's senses were on full alert.
When they were close to the first sentry pair, Dagor held up his hand, signaling everyone to stop.
The forest around them was a symphony of sounds, but Dagor and Negal were as silent as shadows, their footsteps muffled by the thick undergrowth.
It was possible to shroud sounds as well, but Dagor had found that he couldn't make himself perfectly invisible and soundless at the same time. Perhaps as he grew older he would develop the ability to do both, but for now, he had to rely on his training for the silent approach.
Evidently, he and Negal were doing a good enough job because both the human and the immortal seemed oblivious to them. The two spoke in low tones, and then the immortal laughed at a crude remark made by the human.
Dagor's stomach turned over at the blatant disregard for human life and dignity evident in their conversation. He focused on the immortal and motioned for Negal to aim at the human.
Negal wasn't happy about getting the easier target, but they could switch targets with the next sentry pair.
With another hand signal, Dagor initiated the attack, and they struck in perfect coordination. Dagor lunged at the immortal, clamping a hand over his mouth to stifle his scream and twisting his arm behind his back to immobilize him.
Negal tackled the human sentry just as swiftly, with a hand covering the man's mouth while his other arm secured a firm grip.
The human's eyes widened in shock and fear.
It was satisfying to watch the two freak out because they couldn't see their assailants, only hear and feel them. The immortal was most likely aware of shrouding, but since most of the immortals couldn't manipulate the minds of other immortals, he had no idea what was happening to him.
Working quickly, they gagged their captives using strips of cloth they had brought along, tying them securely around the mouths of the sentries. Next, they hogtied their limbs, using fortified rope they’d brought from the ship to use on the immortals. With that done, he and Negal released their shrouds.
As fun as it was terrorizing the two, it was a waste of energy to keep up the shroud for any longer than necessary.
"Nice job." He high-fived Negal.
