Reaching the island required a cautious approach. Swimming was out of the question; the frigid water and the unknown depths posed too great a risk.
"We need to find a boat," William declared, scanning the shoreline. "There has to be a way for them to have reached the island."
His words sparked a renewed sense of purpose. The students spread out, searching for any sign of a vessel. They soon discovered a hidden dock, several small boats bobbing gently in the water. Relief washed over them; there were enough boats to accommodate all twelve survivors.
"Divide into groups and take a boat each," William instructed, his voice steady despite the urgency of their situation. The students, their fear momentarily forgotten, scrambled towards the vessels.
As they rowed towards the island, they strained to hear any indication of the battle's progress. The sounds of clashing magic still echoed through the cavern, offering a glimmer of hope that James and Martha were holding their own.
