Page 40 of The Last Dragon

“May the heavens bear witness… The oracles had foretold the return of a stormbird! My brother… Welcome back to our lands. Who is this elf accompanying you?”

“I’m glad to see you again, Rhazek, my brother.”

Cassian smiled as he dismounted, which the man named Rhazek was observing with curiosity before turning his gaze to Tariel, who felt strangely alone on his horse. The two men embraced briefly, before the mercenary added, “I knew I’d find you thanks to your gift. Let me introduce you to Tariel. As for the reason I’ve come to your territory… Phineas Morgraves.”

Rhazek’s expression darkened with a mix of intrigue and concern, which unsettled the elf.

“Cassian, what have you done? Did you provoke him?”

“Let’s just say we had a few… disagreements. And I reduced part of his army to ashes with my… traveling companion. Tariel, right here.”

“You… what?”

The elf swallowed slowly, wincing as his throat clicked loudly, then dismounted. However, he didn’t move far from his mount, ready to flee if necessary, while casting an uncertain glance at Rhazek.

His skin was the color of lively, sunbaked earth. Tall, with a lean and wiry build, he did not possess the Guards of the Star’s massive frame, but rather lean muscles that seemed sculpted for endurance. His features were angular, dominated by high cheekbones and an aquiline nose that gave him the air of a nocturnal bird of prey, and his eyes—black and piercing as obsidian—shone with an intimidating intelligence. Long, jet-black hair—smooth and thick—fell to his shoulder blades. It was partially gathered into a few thin braids at the sides, adorned with carved bone beads and small stormbird feathers that fluttered at the slightest breeze.

Tariel felt uneasy—it was written all over his face and in the way he twisted the hem of his sleeves, betraying a fear that oozed from every pore of his skin. Slowly, his gaze drifted downward, continuing his silent inspection, two men’s voices fading into a distant murmur as his heart pounded in his ears.

The man—Rhazek—wore a tunic of supple hide that looked weathered by years of travel, and braided leather armbands engraved with symbols the elf did not recognize, much to his displeasure. Hanging from his braided rope belt were pouches and two light daggers with bone hilts, which made him wince.

It was too much. Too many people, too many strangers… There was no way for him to know if this Rhazek—so tall and intimidating—was going to attack him, just as the Morgraves had. He, who knew so much about everything, had never in his life heard of such a people. “Savage” was the word that came to mind at that moment… but were they really savage, if they knew Cassian?

And besides—since when had Cassian become a point of reference for Tariel?!

He was only half-listening to what was being said, too busy staring at Rhazek, when the mercenary’s muttered words prompted him to look up.

“I’m… I’m going to fall…”

“What? My brother?!”

Cassian collapsed suddenly, caught just in time by Rhazek, who was clearly leading this group.

“A healer! He needs a healer, now!”

Cassian had lost consciousness.

Again.

Tariel’s heart was pounding against his chest, and yet he stood frozen, overcome with distress. His thoughts were spiraling as he stared at his companion’s motionless body.

By the stars, Cassian… Why keep doing this to me? Can’t you stay awake for more than two seconds?!

Once again, he didn’t know what to do. He felt helpless.

His lips parted slightly, his breath trembling; his face was so tense that one might have thought he was holding his breath.

They hurriedly lifted Cassian’s body and hoisted him onto a mount. Rhazek then turned to the elf, his eyes full of tension. This time, the mercenary’s friend addressed him directly.

“What happened?!”

He didn’t want to.

He didn’t want to be alone, nor did he want to speak to this man he didn’t know—a man who, at the slightest misstep, could potentially lock him up.

Again.

A silence fell as Tariel tried to compose himself, seeking comfort from his horse by caressing its soft fur.