The elf struggled, then stilled, eyes wide.
A roar like a waterfall split the sky.
The beast from Oustinon swept overhead, its shadow swallowing the forest.
Viktor spread himself over the elf, arms wide to shield the glinting trim.
His gaze tracked the danger—
And then he saw her.
Amerei.
She stood rigid against a tree, as if stillness alone could erase her. Her arms crossed her chest, hiding the gold emblem as he had.
The monster’s screech tore through the forest like thunder from a cloudless sky.
Amerei’s eyes squeezed shut. A single tear traced her cheek.
Seconds stretched.
Then she opened them—slow, defiant—and turned to Viktor.
He lifted a hand.Wait.
His gaze stayed fixed on the canopy, following the dragon until it vanished into the light.
Only then did he nod, releasing the elf beneath him.
The elf scrambled to his knees, breath ragged.
“What did you do? How did you—”
He broke off, shaking his head.
“How?”
“We need to move.” Viktor extended a hand.
The elf slapped it away.
“We’ve been running from that beast since yesterday. What drove it off?”
Viktor slid his knife into its sheath and clipped the sling to his belt.
“Sling.”
He pulled his canteen and spilled water across the dirt.
“Cover anything that gleams,” he said, waving Amerei forward. “Especially gold.”
“I will not stain Casqadia’s emblem!” the elf snapped.
Viktor crouched, working mud between his palms.
“Then you’ll travel alone.”
“Evander…” Amerei’s voice softened as she knelt between them.
