Page 41 of The Last Dragon

He eventually cleared his throat, weighing his words carefully.

“Cassian and I crossed paths during our respective journeys, just a few weeks ago. After traveling together through the lands of Morgraves for a while, we ran into… Phineas Morgraves and his army. A confrontation ensued. Apparently, that man wanted Cassian’s powers—I guess he wanted… an alliance? Some sort of collaboration. As for me…”

The elf paused, nervously bringing a hand to his ear, before continuing, choosing to omit certain details.

“Anywho, Cassian was weakened by a poison and we got locked away in a creepy dungeon. We managed to escape, barely, but he was still weakened, and all of this took place, um… very recently. Today, we’re on the run. They found us one day—or maybe two days?—ago, and we had to fight. While the poison is now out of his system, he wasn’t in any condition to expend that much energy, but…”

Tariel hesitated before blurting out, consumed by guilt, “It was necessary to get to you in one piece.”

When he had finished speaking, the elf looked up at Rhazek, gazing at him with a determination that outweighed the fear visible in his eyes.

“I don’t want to be separated from Cassian. If you’ll allow it, I’d like to go with him.”

The warrior, imposing in stature, listened to him intently before casting a worried glance at his unconscious friend.

“I had no intention of separating you. Cassian is at home, with the clan… Are you injured? We have a camp a little further up the hill. It’s only a few minutes away. You need to rest, eat, and freshen up.”

As he spoke, Rhazek hoisted Cassian onto his own mount with the help of another man with bronze-colored skin before mounting his own horse, continuing as he did so. “Judging by the look on your faces, a good night’s sleep wouldn’t hurt—we’re on the border between Morgraves and Veylaris, but you’re safe here.”

He then addressed his men in a foreign language, in a commanding but non-aggressive tone. The mercenary, whose build was so different from Rhazek’s, seemed almost lifeless. His exhausted appearance was worrisome.

“Follow us.”

Well, that wasn’t scary at all.

Pfft. Yeah, right.

He heard a whistle, and the horses set off at a gallop toward the camp, the horde surrounding the elf. In the distance, the storm rumbled.

“Let’s hurry. We need to find shelter as soon as possible.”

Tariel nodded, without saying a word to the… clan leader? King? General? He had no idea. And to tell the truth, he didn’t care. For now, it was Cassian’s condition that worried him. That, and…

“Brynjar,” he said mentally, “I have a question for you. It’s very important. Take your time answering. Do you understand?”

“Of course, my Master,” replied the golem’s voice in his mind.

“Brynjar… Among the soldiers who captured us yesterday, and those who attacked us today… did you, too, sense the Shadow?”

A long silence followed his question as Tariel galloped toward the camp.

He hadn’t told anyone about his suspicions. He hadn’t even had time to dwell on it himself, amid all the other urgent matters.

But he knew.

He knew that something was wrong. He was almost certain that a Shadow of Nythral had been following him since he left. Their illusions were perfect, except to mages powerful enough… or capable of replicating them, and he had sensed that magic, so close to him, during the first clash with the Morgraves.

Was he being spied on by his own kingdom? Or was he simply paranoid?

He hoped Brynjar had an answer for him.

The horde’s increased pace brought them to their destination sooner than expected, where a few women had come out of the camps, watching them with a mixture of curiosity and caution. The horses slowed down on their own, as if they already knew the place.

Tariel dismounted, hoping it would be for the last time that day. He thanked the mare with a kiss on the snout, then let her dissipate into the air to join his other familiars.

The Olyar camp had a rugged charm, resembling a small nomadic village… which was probably exactly what it was. Perhaps he should have paid more attention in his history and geography classes.

Rhazek’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts.