It would take trust, but whether the women trusted them or not, they had no other choice.
Big had the best chance of making it safely back to the surface through the Underground River. The best plan was for him to carry word back while Annan and the others stayed here, gathered the survivors, and waited for rescue.
But Annan could not fully trust the Three Archmages. What if Big got out and said nothing?
The Devil Contract only barred them from betraying or harming Annan. It said nothing about leaving him to die...
"I'm going with you!" Durakan's daughter suddenly said.
"You'll be safer here."
That was Annan's answer, but Black Widow objected. "She witnessed the Demon Gate. We need to take her out to prove our story."
"Then I'm going, along with Big and her. Anyone else?"
"Me."
"I'm coming with you."
Black Widow and Brino Jana spoke in unison.
"You're both injured."
Brino Jana's condition was not getting worse, but another stretch in the freezing Underground River might change that...
"It's nothing."
"Trust me. Even injured, I'm stronger than anyone else."
They spoke at the same time.
Annan was uneasy, but neither woman would budge. In the end, he tied the two of them together with Hemp Rope and said earnestly:
"You both matter to me. Work together and make it out alive."
Black Widow's lips curved into a smile. "Now I believe your promise."
Annan blinked. "What promise?"
"To take us to Free City and start a new life."
Annan chuckled. "Only an idiot like Lloyd would doubt my sincerity."
Annan even suspected Lloyd was avoiding him on purpose. Why else were Black Widow and Big nearby while Lloyd was nowhere to be found?
With Annan, Big, Durakan's daughter, Black Widow, and Brino Jana, there were