"No!" Kaerith responds with absolute authority. "Together we might survive. Separated we're guaranteed casualties."
The tactical debate continues while precious energy flows into argument rather than escape. Strategic thinking versus survival instinct, careful planning opposed by desperate improvisation.
I focus on maintaining pace while avoiding roots and fallen branches that could end flight through simple carelessness. One stumble means capture. One mistake means whatever fate Saulo has been programmed to deliver.
But concentration on immediate terrain betrays awareness of larger dangers.
My foot catches twisted root hidden beneath winter leaves, sending me sprawling across frozen ground with impact that drives breath from lungs in explosive gasp.
Pain flares bright and sharp through ankle that twisted wrong during fall, but worse than injury is realization that pursuit has stopped. Forest falls silent except for my own labored breathing and distant sounds of my friends continuing their flight without awareness that I'm no longer following.
"Finally," Saulo says conversationally from position directly above me.
I roll onto my back to find him standing with casual confidence that speaks of hunt concluded successfully. His armor gleams with reflected sunlight while the spiked club rests easily in grip that shows no strain from extended chase.
"They'll come back for me," I manage through pain and terror that makes my voice sound like stranger's.
"Will they?" His smile carries genuine curiosity. "Or will survival instinct override sentiment when they realize pursuit has ended? Interesting test of bond-strength versus self-preservation."
Before I can respond, his free hand begins gathering dark energy that builds with malevolent purpose. Not lethal magic—something else. Something that makes reality itself seem malleable around gathering power.
"Time to discover what mistress has planned for corrupted female who spreads bond-sickness through example." His voice carries anticipation that transforms capture into entertainment. "She has such creative approaches to purification."
The magic reaches critical mass with sound like tearing silk amplified beyond endurance. World tilts sideways as supernatural forces grip my consciousness while physical reality blurs into incomprehensible patterns.
When darkness claims me, his laughter follows into void that swallows awareness completely.
I wake in restraints that hold me immobile while unfamiliar voices discuss my future in clinical terms that reduce me to experimental subject rather than human being.
Whatever education awaits, it begins now.
And my friends have no idea where this creature has taken me.
