Gorm met the four remaining contestants on the beach in the pouring rain. He passed out four spears, two heavy and two fairy-sized. "You may have noticed Dedrick’s absence. He has been the first sacrificed during this double elimination week. Because of the lack of numbers, the producers have decided to save the altar placement vote until after the Immunity Challenge is completed."

Ranzkin (gnome) sighed and snuggled closer to the side of Paige’s (zombie) leg, using it as a rain-break. William (werewolf) sheltered Kailen (fairy) under the cup of his hand. The rain tapered to a drizzle making it easier to hear each other.

"What’s the challenge?" William asked.

Gorm’s eyebrow rose and he smiled sarcastically. "The Immunity Challenge is called Water Hydra. A four-headed water hydra is on its way to this beach. The player who lands the killing blow will receive immunity this week."

"Sounds like fun," William said.

"You go right ahead," Ranzkin said. "You can be the first eaten."

DIARY CONFESSION – RANZKIN THE GNOME

"It’s strange when your goal stops being to win competitions and becomes 'don’t get eaten.’ I knew from the moment Gorm said, ‘Water Hydra’ that I didn’t have a chance of beating the monster, much less the game!

Interviewer: How did it feel to lose the Scavenger Hunt to Paige?

Gorm: Umm… I didn’t like it? I wouldn’t have been able to get myself off the altar even if Paige wasn’t freakishly lucky. William beat me back to the meadow.

Interviewer: You lasted longer than any of the other barbarians. Why do you think you survived as long as you did?

Gorm: I’m not sure it’s fair to say I lasted longer. The priest didn’t get on the show, and Lina and Eadric died. Not that they would be upset about it. Dying is an everyday thing in our culture. You expect it will happen sooner rather than later. We don’t shy away from conflict.

Interviewer: You lived but didn’t survive. Why do you think viewers chose Dedrick and over you.

Gorm: By Thaden, I’ve no idea. I’ve always done well in the competitions, unlike half-horse. Soldak must have been hit by a bunch of pony-loving tween Girl Scouts! And if that’s the case, one of the females will probably win the game.

Interviewer: Who do you think will win? Who would you like to see win?

Gorm: I’d like to see Kailen win. Go Tribe Kivi! Second choice would be William even though he has already been voted off once before, and third, Paige. I do not want Ranzkin or horse-face to win.

Interviewer: Is there anything you would’ve done differently?

Gorm: You mean besides win? Kidding! I think I played a tough game. I did my best and I’m proud of what I accomplished in my time on the island.

Comments Here

In the torchlight’s flicker, Lorimer the Sorcerer frowned at the contestants. "You may have noticed Gorm’s absence this morning. He has been sacrificed to the island and is out of the game. Dedrick was spared by viewers, this time. Five of you have survived the island, but that can’t last. This week two of you will be sacrificed."

The players gasped.

DIARY CONFESSION – WILLIAM THE WEREWOLF

"I am very happy being back on the show, especially since I was the first off the island. Now I can redeem myself, if I survive. It’s incredible how dangerous this island really is. I was shocked and upset when Nessa died. Stranger yet, why didn’t the sandman try to kill her? They eat people as well as animals.

"Not that Nessa didn’t have skill. She did. She was more capable of surviving than most. The island took her, really took her.

"I’m going to do everything I can to stay off the altar. Maybe with Christina out of the picture, I’ll have a better chance. Last time I poured 100% into the game. This time, I’m going to go until I break, but I won’t leave without a fight. I’m going to win this thing."

BACK TO THE SHOW

Amber the Unicorn-Girl and William the Werewolf walked side by side down a winding path to meet the contestants in a meadow. "You may be wondering which of us is returning," Amber said. "It’s William."

The remnants of Tribe Depths, Dedrick (centaur), Ranzkin (gnome) and Paige (zombie), cheered.

"Just great," Gorm (mage) mumbled sarcastically to Kailen (fairy). "Four from Depths against the two of us."

"Before we begin, I need your votes for who goes on the altar. Two of you will be in danger of leaving the island this week."

Ranzkin voted for Gorm.

Dedrick voted for Kailen.

Paige voted for Gorm.

William voted for Paige.

Gorm voted for William.

Kailen voted for Dedrick.

"Wow," Amber said reviewing the results. "We’ll need an eagle name-drop for the second contestant again." After the eagle dropped stones with missives attached, Amber untied the first one. "Nope, this guy’s already on the altar." She opened the next and nodded. "The two contestants on the altar, one of which will be sacrificed by the viewers this week, are Gorm and Dedrick."

"This weeks Immunity Challenge is called Scavenger Hunt," Amber continued. "You’ll each be given a random list with three items you must find and bring back here." She passed out the lists. "You can begin now!"

Gorm glanced at his list. "Oh this is going to be easy."

"You said it," Kailen replied, refolding his slip of paper.

Ranzkin smiled and winked at Dedrick. The players ran for the woods, shoving each other to take the lead. Something moved in the brush ahead.

William stopped and smelled the air. "What’s that?"

The others slowed as an animal growled. "Woolss?" Paige asked.