Dreven could feel the weight of eyes on him, a predator's gaze, cold and calculating. It wasn’t the usual distrustful glances cast toward an elf. No, this was something far more personal—an unmistakable presence that any hunter would know. He tilted his head slightly, the golden glow of his eyes flickering in the dim alleyway light.

“Lisan,” he said, his voice low but sharp as a blade.

“Yeah?” she replied, distracted as she adjusted the satchel slung over her shoulder.

“We’re being followed.”

The words pulled her from her thoughts like a bucket of cold water. Lisan closed her eyes briefly, inhaling deeply as if to summon courage. "I’ll head back upstairs to gather the rest of our things. We leave now. We’ll head for Port Free—it’s our best chance. The Inquisition's grip is weak there, and the Adventurer’s Guild tolerates Outworlders, even if they deny it publicly."

Dreven gave a slight nod, his focus never straying from the twisting street behind them. Lisan vanished into the inn, leaving him alone to face the encroaching danger. He lingered in the alley, feigning nonchalance, but his senses were honed like a blade.

“Dreven,” a voice called, feminine yet with a commanding edge. It was smooth, almost sultry, but held a weight that demanded attention.

He hesitated, suppressing the urge to immediately turn toward the speaker. Whoever it was had no intention of hiding. Dreven finally glanced over, his expression unreadable, as his gaze settled on the woman.

She stood tall, her leather armor bearing the crest of the Inquisition, with a wide-brimmed hat casting shadows over her face. Dirty blonde hair framed her sharp features, and her lips curled into a smile that was both mocking and dangerous. Behind her were three others—one male, two female—dressed in the same black and crimson uniform. These weren’t rank amateurs.

“I’m sorry,” Dreven said smoothly, though his eyes betrayed nothing. “Are you speaking to me? I’m not familiar with that name.”

The woman chuckled softly, her cocky grin widening. “Clever, but unfortunately for you, I’m not some green cadet straight out of the academy. Dreven, you’ll come with us. Cooperate, and I promise you’ll get to keep your limbs.”

Dreven frowned, the glow of his eyes intensifying as his mana stirred within him. His claws itched to strike, but he knew better than to lunge blindly. They wanted him alive—that much was clear—or the conversation would have ended with steel already. His mind worked rapidly, calculating. Lisan needed time, and he needed leverage.

“I appreciate the offer,” he said with feigned politeness, “but I’ll have to decline. My plans don’t align with yours.”

Before they could respond, he moved. Mana surged through his veins as he lunged toward the pair flanking the Marshal, their eyes widening at his speed. The first—a young man—raised his blade too late. Dreven’s fist struck him in the ribs, sending him sprawling into the alley wall with a sickening thud.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

The second, a woman, had her guard up. Dreven didn’t hesitate, conjuring a thin, shimmering veil of blood in mid-air. Her blade slashed through it instinctively, obscuring her vision just long enough for him to step inside her guard and drive a knee into her stomach. She crumpled, gasping for breath.

“Stop!” the Marshal barked, her voice cutting through the chaos.

But Dreven was already moving. He seized the downed woman by her hair, pulling her upright with one clawed hand pressed to her neck. The street had emptied, onlookers peering cautiously from shuttered windows.

“I’m sorry, Marshal Allis,” Dreven said coldly, “but unless you want your cadet here to bleed out in the gutter, I suggest you consider negotiating.”

“Don’t listen to him, Marshal!” the girl rasped, defiance in her voice despite the sharp edge of Dreven’s claws. “I’m ready to die if I must!”

Allis’ jaw tightened. The recruits were fresh, and she hadn’t anticipated just how much stronger Dreven had grown since Markus’ report. The situation was spiraling, and she couldn’t afford to lose anyone else—not now.

“What is your proposal, Outworlder?” she asked, her tone carefully measured.

Dreven’s lips curled into a thin smile. “Simple. You let me walk out of here, and I’ll let your recruit live. In fact, I’ll even throw in a bonus. You can come with me as collateral.”

Allis’ eyes narrowed. “You expect me to trust you? After what you did to Lisan’s party?” Her gaze flicked to the red-haired mage who had emerged from the inn. “Lisan, did you forget so quickly? He killed them. And yet you help him?”

Lisan hesitated, her expression troubled. She avoided Allis’ eyes, her grip tightening on her staff. “It’s...complicated,” she muttered, the words ringing hollow.

Allis’ gaze burned into her for a moment before shifting back to Dreven. The tension between them was palpable, the air charged with unspoken threats.

“Fine,” Allis finally said, her voice steady. “Release the cadet, and I’ll go with you.”

“Good choice,” Dreven replied.

Lisan stepped forward, binding Allis’ hands with practiced efficiency. As she guided the Marshal toward him, Dreven released the trembling cadet, who stumbled back into the arms of her comrades.

Leaning close to Allis, he whispered, “Cooperate, and you’ll live. Defy me, and...well, you won’t.”

Allis’ glare was icy, but she nodded once, turning to address her subordinates. “Inform the High Marshal. I’ll handle this.”

The group moved through the city streets with deliberate speed, Dreven keeping Allis close while Lisan led the way. At the gates, guards moved to intercept them, but Allis barked an order to stand down. Their bewildered expressions betrayed their confusion, but none dared to disobey.

Once outside the city, the trio paused atop a hill, the walls of Perata shrinking behind them. The silence was broken only by the rustling of grass in the wind.

“We need a wagon,” Lisan said, her voice tight. “And horses. Traveling with her like this will draw too much attention.”

Dreven nodded, though his thoughts were elsewhere. His grip on Allis’ arm tightened briefly. She was leverage, yes, but she was also a liability. The question gnawed at him: Should he bond her, or do something...more permanent?

“K’rath,” he murmured under his breath, his eyes closing briefly. “Guide me.”

As the last light of the city faded, the trio continued onward, the horizon stretching endlessly ahead.