“Well, then be sure I am with you before you amble about,” Cassiel replied, his words much softer compared to how he had spoken to her before. He hooked a finger around her satchel’s strap and pulled her close, too close. She had to raise her head to look in his eyes.
“It’s a treacherous world,” he murmured, “and if you’re not careful it will devour you, Dynalya.”
Seeming to catch himself, Cassiel quickly stepped back from her. They were unmoving and quiet for a moment until she gasped. Dyna spun him around and patted all over his back.
He whirled away. “What are you doing?”
“Where are they?” she asked in confusion. “Where did they go?”
“Nowhere.” He strode away.
“I don’t understand.” She rushed after him. “What did you do with them?”
Their voices faded as they made their way down the road leading out of Landcaster. Von left the alley and stared after Dyna, watching her walk away into the twilight with her prince.
Elon appeared from the shadows. “She is the Maiden, Commander.”
“Yes, I gathered that. Thank you,” Von snapped. The incredulity of it was agitating him. Her existence gave substance to his greatest fear.
“Shall I follow?”
To capture Dyna now would be easy. The werewolf had left, and the other would be no match for them. If there was any chance, it was right then.
“No,” Von said. “We need to proceed with caution. Return to camp while I report this.”
Elon didn’t leave and Von tensed. The elf was under his command, but he ultimately served Tarn’s best interest and was paid well to do so.
“Commander,” Elon warned, looking past him to the road.
He heard the rapid rhythm of hooves beating on the road as an assembly of Rangers in navy frock coats raced toward them on horses. Brass badges with the insignia of Azure shone on their lapels.
“Shite.” Von slipped back into the dark alleyway, cursing the fates under his breath.
“Search every building and alley!” a Ranger shouted as their horses galloped into the pub street. “Bar the exits! The merchant said he would be here!”
Von glared at the dead merchant at their feet. This had been a trap after all. How had he managed to lie?
“Deniability,” Elon answered his unspoken question. “By not being aware of the plans for the ambush, he could deny it was not one.”
Von cursed. He used truth spells to avoid unnecessary bloodshed but he may have to rely on other methods from now on.
He took out another knife. Elon drew his sword, the blade soundless as it left the sheath. Von took point, sprinting down the alleyway. Three Rangers charged through the adjacent alley of the Big Valley pub.
“Halt in the name of the King!”
Von flung a knife, impaling a target in the heart. He leaped over the body and stabbed through the stomach of the second. The third Ranger whipped out his rapier. Von ducked under the whizzing edge, coming out behind the Ranger and slashed through his gullet. The man gurgled, blood spurting from his mouth before he crumbled in a heap.
Another five Rangers came running.
Elon shrugged off his cloak. “Go, Commander. You have somewhere to be.”
Von hesitated to leave him behind, but the elf readily faced the men with rare elation. The Rangers took out their rapiers, calling out orders of surrender, but there would be none this day.
Elon streaked between the men like a black spirit, parrying and evading attacks at incredible speed. His sword glittered between bodies in flashes of steel and blood, taking down opponents as quickly as they came. Their cries drew more men, and they swarmed into the alley from all directions.
Von felt more than saw the elf draw Essence from the surrounding atmosphere.
Elon raised his sword straight in alignment with his face and murmured,“Ogap’maler.”
