“Themo is accompanied by Werander Grimpgrip, Bogart Copperbane, and Eltig Duskgranite,” Zahid reported.

“Good work, Zahid,” Malik said before launching into the air. He could easily see the four dwarves with his Nightvision. Themo and his crew were starting to climb between the peaks East of the fissure. There was no way that he would be able to overpower all four of them on his own, so he shot over to Charles’ camp.

Sam was outside, leaning against their odd wagon as if waiting for Malik, “I was hoping you had spotted them. Shall I wake up father?”

Malik appraised Sam. Perhaps he had been wrong about him. He couldn’t help but notice that Sam’s arm was completely healed from the herbal syrup his mother had given him. The injuries he sustained to lose the other arm must have been horrifying. Either way, Malik wanted some of Sigrid’s healing syrup for himself.

“Yes,” Malik paused for a moment, “and Elle too.”

Sam scoffed and went into the tent. The boy’s demeanor rubbed Malik the wrong way. It was a struggle for him to resist slashing the brat’s neck, regardless of the potential help he might provide.

After a very brief moment, Charles and Elle emerged. Charles in his bear form and Elle completely decked out in leathers and a bow.

“Sam warned us this might happen, so we stayed ready. Sigrid’s going to stay with Milly,” Charles rumbled.

“Good, I’ll fly ahead of them and cut them off while you catch up,” Malik said and propelled himself into the air again.

Malik noticed that Naveck emerged from the burrow as well, pickaxe in hand. He was accompanied by the remaining dwarves and their makeshift weapons. Malik had wondered if the dwarves would go against their own or not, but it appeared that they would. He didn’t stop to ask.

It didn’t take long for Malik to catch up to Themo by air. He picked a jutting peak ahead to land on and maintain the high ground.

“Did you really think you would escape so easily? That I wouldn’t come after my offspring?” Malik’s voice boomed from above, with an air of calm confidence to it.

The dwarves stopped and looked up at him surprised at first, quickly turning confident as they realized he was alone. Bogart held the egg and appeared to be the only one that was nervous. The rest of the dwarves carried packs and items that Malik assumed were pilfered from Charles’ wagon.

“Ah, it’s nothin personal, Malik,” Themo started, revealing a ball covered in glowing runes. “See, yer egg will make us rich enough to buy protection against Garok’s family.”

Malik eyed the ball. It appeared to be made of some kind of leather. “I can’t let you do that. Leave it on the ground. I’ll let you live,” Malik said, hoping to stall them.

Themo laughed at that, “Malik, yer nothin but a little whelp. Even us four simple Rune Crafters can take ye. Now, I don’t want to hurt ya, but the runes on this ball here will make ya look like one of those crispy sticks of beetle meat. Let us go. Tell everyone that we just got away and forget about this.”

Malik thought Themo was bluffing with the ball. If he had such powerful runes, why hadn’t he made more of these to fight against the beetles rather than risk his skin? Still, the ball could be dangerous if there were stun runes mixed in.

The others should be close by now. He needed to stall for just a bit longer and then call Themo’s bluff. Rather than respond to Themo, he turned his attention to the dwarf holding the egg, “Bogart, yes?”

The dwarf nodded nervously.

“I always got the sense that you were an honorable dwarf. Can you really look me in the eye and take one of my children from me?”

Bogart licked his lips, the shame on his face was clear, “I’m sorry, Malik. I have a family. They need me and I need them.”

“So you’re willing to needlessly harm mine? We have a plan to bring your families here, you know. This can all be avoided if you just return the egg to me. Don’t be a coward, Bogart.”

Bogart wore his conflicted emotions on his face. Darting his eyes between Malik and Themo.

Themo interrupted, “Their plan is risky at best. This will not only get us back in with the clan, but we’ll be rich. Think of the money, Bogart.”

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Malik saw Elle’s wiry shape stealthily position herself at the top of a peak behind them, bow drawn. Charles and Sam lumbered into view, drawing the attention of the dwarves. Malik took the opportunity to take flight.

“Surrender, Themo,” Malik called from above.

In response, Themo hurled the ball of glowing runes at the father and son Shape Shifters. The ball made a whirring sound, followed by snaps as it approached them. Charles reared an arm back, ready to swat the incoming ball away. Before reaching them, the air within a ten-foot radius around the ball made a smacking sound. Charles and Sam both collapsed, shaking.

Malik couldn’t tell what happened at first until he noticed the icy breath coming from the two bears. Did Themo know some kind of cold spell? He might not ever find out. Two arrows in rapid succession thunked into Themo’s belly. The dwarf doubled over, cursing Dargun’s name.

Malik didn’t dare activate Gargoyle’s Decent for fear of damaging the egg. Instead, he merely swooped down, clawing the panicked Bogart in the arm and grabbing the egg with the other, precariously cradling it as he regained altitude.

Naveck and the other dwarves had finally caught up and rushed towards the traitors. Eltig tried to make a run for it, only to be struck by an arrow in the arm by Elle.

“Surrender you fools!” Naveck’s voice cracked as he shouted.

Werander, Bogart, and Eltig quickly conceded. Either unable to fight against their brethren, or simply understood that it was a losing battle and failed escape attempt. They hung their heads in shame as the others tied them up. Themo lay face down on the ground, groaning in pain.

Charles and Sam were slowly getting up.

Malik landed next to Naveck, “What runes were on that ball?”

“Expel heat runes. Useful to activate in tunnels once in a while, but everyone knows yer not supposed to be in the area when it goes off. Probably took the air right out of their lungs when it went off as well as any warmth in the air around them. They’ll be ok, but they’ll need to sit by a warm fire tonight,” Naveck explained.

“Looks like the bastards snatched our gear too, didn’t ya?” Charles seethed as he lumbered up to the group.

The shamed dwarves didn’t make eye contact or reply.

“Charles, are you fit enough to tie up Themo and drag him back to Stone Wing Spire?” Malik asked.

Charles’ aura was dripping with anger, “It would be my pleasure. ‘Twas nothin’ but a cheap parlor trick.”

“Good, take him to my unfinished personal quarters. Everyone will witness what happens when you threaten my children.”

A heavy silence descended upon everyone present. They all knew too well what they would do in Malik’s position.

Naveck cleared his throat, “Ah, surely we can find a more peaceful solution?”

Malik’s yellow eyes bore into Naveck’s daring him to continue.

Naveck nodded sadly, “Yes, of course. But these three were persuaded by Themo, right? Please, have mercy on them.”

Malik considered Naveck’s words. The others weren’t so eager as Themo had been. “Fine. They are hereby exiled from Stone Wing Spire. We will keep them as prisoners until Sigrid makes contact with your clan. I want her to arrive before these traitors do. They can try their luck in the beetle-infested forest once she has left.”

Werander finally spoke, “Sir Malik, please.”

“What happened to, ‘Lord’?” Malik asked rhetorically, then turned his attention back to Naveck and Charles. “Thank you for assisting me. I’ll be returning the egg to the Incubation Chamber now. See you back there,” he said, taking flight.

All of the dwarves wore grim expressions. Ashamed, yet conflicted with taking orders from Malik. Charles, now in his human form, unceremoniously tied the moaning Themo’s hands behind his back and lifted him onto a shoulder.

----------------------------------------

Malik arrived at the Incubation Chamber, finding a distraught Aisha. She nearly fainted in relief at the sight of the egg.

“Thank you, Malik,” she said as she gently took the yellow egg, cradling it.

The mixture of Sam and Malik’s blood had changed the complexion of the fleshy bowl, but not enough to notice unless one was looking for it. Aisha carefully placed the egg on top of it. Malik held his breath hoping the bowl would take it back and it would grow. To his relief, it appeared to suction back onto the egg.

“I must deal with the perpetrator. Do you wish to watch? It will not be pleasant.”

Aisha shook her head, “No, I will not leave these eggs unprotected.”

“Aisha, I won’t force you to watch, but you will need to leave this place eventually.”

Aisha nodded, not taking her eyes off of the egg. Malik sighed, leaving her be and making his way out to meet everyone else by his unfinished building.

He read his Founder’s Imprint skill again while he waited.

Founder's Imprint

Directly contribute to the construction of buildings. Add blood sacrifice for a chance at a unique building characteristic before construction is complete

His stomach fluttered. He had no desire to be an executioner. But there was no coming back for Themo after the arrows struck his belly. This would merely be a formality.

The others finally made it over, all wearing gloomy faces. Except for Elle, who opted to go back to her tent rather than watch the proceedings. Themo, barely conscious, begged for his life. Zahid watched from a distance, near the Altar, smiling.