“Are you sure you know where you’re going?” Dhurik asked as Ithan slashed through another net of webs.

“That thing went this way, I’m sure of it,” Ithan replied. His breathing had become frantic as he led Apostalite and Dhurik through the forest. In his panic, he had more than once gotten himself caught in the many webs surrounding the group, and some of them still clung to his fur.

“Worry not, dear Mor’lavan,” Apostalite said, “we are sure to find Fenvyre so long as we have Laht’s blessing.”

“Will you shut up about Laht for two seconds?” Ithan shouted as he stopped and turned to the ignan. “Your so-called god hasn’t ‘blessed’ me, and she certainly isn’t helping us now.”

“Why of course she is!” Apostalite exclaimed, grinning as they pointed behind Ithan. “Look there!” Ithan turned and squinted in that direction; there was a tower in the distance, beyond the thicket of webs.

“How about that,” Dhurik muttered. After cutting through more webbing, the group found themselves at the edge of another large clearing, with the tower at its center. It, too, was covered in webs. Underneath the webs, the stone walls of the tower were heavily eroded, and in some places near the top they had crumbled completely. A set of stairs leading up to a pair of wooden doors was guarded by two creatures similar to the one that had carried Fenvyre off. Their mandibles twitched as they stood on either side of the doors. “This’ll be easy,” Dhurik said as he readied his axe. Apostalite put out a hand in front of the minotaur.

“Surely there are not just the two,” Apostalite said. “We would be wise not to charge in.” Dhurik huffed in frustration.

“If we take care of them quietly, we’ll be fine,” Ithan said. He looked back at Apostalite. “Can you use magic at long range?” he asked.

“Of course!” they replied. “Which one shall I hit?”

“I’ll take the left one. You can take the right.” Ithan took aim at the creature closest to him and fired a blast of energy at it. Apostalite simultaneously fired their own magic at the other creature, and both blasts hit their marks. Unfortunately, the creatures were sturdier than Ithan anticipated. Instead of falling dead to the ground, the creatures tilted up their heads and began to shriek.

“Nice job,” Dhurik grunted. “No point in hiding now, is there?” He ran out into the clearing just as a group of giant spiders began climbing down from the top of the tower.

“I suppose not,” Apostalite said as they followed Dhurik. They fired another blast of magic at the creature they had targeted before as they ran. Ithan shook his head and followed suit, readying his glaive for combat. Dhurik rushed the creatures guarding the doors, slamming his axe into the one on his left. The creature shrieked again before collapsing on the ground. The other one tried to spit webs at Dhurik, but a blow from Apostalite’s magic caused it to miss. As the spiders finished their descent and made their way to the group, the doors to the tower flew open, throwing Dhurik and the remaining spider-like creature off the stairs.

“Stupid spiders,” Dhurik muttered as he picked himself up from the ground. He ran around to the foot of the stairs.

“Who are you trespassers?” a raspy voice cried from just inside the tower. The inside of the tower was completely dark, and the sunlight above did not reach the source of the voice. “Begone from here, or I will have you join the others.”

“Was it you who kidnapped the dragonkin?” Ithan called.

“They serve a greater purpose now,” the voice replied. “I have less use for you, but I am sure I can find something.”

“We demand that you release them at once!” Apostalite shouted as they joined Dhurik. Ithan kept his distance but began attempting to cast a spell centered at the entrance of the tower. However, before he could finish the spell, all went silent around him. He tried to call out to Dhurik and Apostalite, but his voice was gone. A large creature exited the tower into the sunlight. It had the body of a spider, but where its head would have been, there was instead the upper body of a male elf. The elf’s skin was a light gray, and his hair was long and black. He carried a staff made of twisted dark wood.

“I know that spell,” the creature said. “I will not have such noisy magic near my home.”

“Shut up already,” Dhurik retorted. He ran up the stairs and swung his axe at the creature. The creature deflected the attack, then retreated back into the tower. The doors closed forcefully behind it before Dhurik could follow. “Coward!” he shouted.

“You are too unsightly for my needs,” the creature called from inside the tower. “You will serve as food instead.” The spiders that had descended from the tower and the remaining spider-like creature then began to move in on the group, spitting webs and trying to grab at them. Still unable to speak, Ithan slashed at the spiders attacking him. Dhurik made quick work of the other creature, cutting its head clean off and kicking at another spider. Apostalite continued firing magical blasts at the spiders surrounding the group, only once stopping to treat their wounds after a spider bit them. Eventually, the group managed to kill the spiders assaulting them, and they made their way up to the doors. Dhurik tried to pry them open but could not get them to budge. He then tried to break down the door, both with his axe and his own horns, but the door remained unscathed.

“He must have used magic to seal the door,” Apostalite said. “We will not be able to get in if he does not open it for us.” Ithan’s blood began to boil. He motioned for Apostalite and Dhurik to step away from the doors. He mouthed the words to the spell he had attempted earlier and held out his hand, and to his surprise, the doors opened once more.

“How did you do that?” Dhurik asked.

“I don’t know,” Ithan replied as he turned to the minotaur. “Oh! I can talk again!”

“He didn’t,” a voice called from the foot of the stairs. Standing there, covered in webs, were Taer’inar, Storm, and Bimpnottin. Taer’inar’s owl rested on his shoulder.

“It was I!” Bimpnottin shouted. “You see? I am the greatest wizard‍—”

“You left us back in town, you know,” Taer’inar interrupted.

“You were drunk,” Ithan replied. “What use are a swordsman and an archer if they can’t see straight?”

“That… is entirely fair,” Taer’inar said. “But we are here now. Let us press on before something happens to Fenvyre.”

“Do you know what we’re fighting?” Ithan asked. “The creature we face is an elf but has a spider’s body instead of legs. Taer’inar lifted an eyebrow, his eyes glimmering with curiosity.

“There is another elf here?” he asked. “Now this I must see.”

“That’s not our goal here,” Storm sighed. “Let’s get Fenvyre and get out.” He ascended the staircase with Taer’inar and Bimpnottin, and the group stepped inside. Other than a few bones scattered across the floor, the inside of the tower was completely bare. There were two sets of stairs on the far side of the room, one leading up and the other leading down.

“I’ll send Nyctea up to see if there is anything up there,” Taer’inar said quietly. The owl flew off of his shoulder, carefully avoiding the webs strewn around the room, and disappeared up the staircase. “There is nothing in the room above us,” Taer’inar muttered, “but I do see the elf on the third story. Oh my, so that’s what they look like? How fascinating‍—”

“What about Fenvyre?” Ithan growled. “And the other dragonkin?”

“I see a number of things wrapped in webs with the elf,” Taer’inar replied. “They’re roughly dragonkin-sized, but they’re not moving.” Ithan rushed past Taer’inar onto the staircase leading up to the second floor. It was as Taer’inar said; the second floor was just as empty as the first. He started making his way to the third floor when he felt a hand grab his leg. Taer’inar and Apostalite had followed him up, and Taer’inar was now holding him back.

“We should think about this for a moment,” Apostalite whispered. “Do we have a plan for dealing with this creature?”

“I don’t need a plan,” Ithan said. “I’m going to kill him.”

“That’s foolish,” Taer’inar replied. “He can clearly use strong magic. Do you really think he’ll let you walk up to him and kill him?”

“I won’t give him a chance to fight back,” Ithan growled. “Now let go of me.” He kicked at Taer’inar, who released his grip on Ithan’s leg just in time to avoid being hit in the face by his hoof. Ithan sprang up the stairs onto the third floor and was immediately met by a spray of web that stuck him to the wall.

“You’re not very smart, are you?” the spider-elf croaked from the other side of the room. He stood behind what appeared to be an altar stained with blood. A dagger lay on top of the altar.

“What are you trying to do?” Ithan grunted as he tried to break free. As he struggled, Taer’inar and Apostalite silently crept up the stairs below him.

“I don’t believe I need to explain myself to you,” the spider-elf replied. He tapped his staff on the floor twice. “You’ll all be dead soon, anyway.” A few moments passed, Ithan still struggling and Taer’inar and Apostalite remaining out of the creature’s sight, before Bimpnottin began shouting from below.

“Begone, foul creatures!” he cried. A loud boom sounded, and the tower began to shake.

“What are those pests doing to my home?!” the spider-elf yelled. He picked up the dagger and moved one of the dragonkin-sized webbed figures on top of the altar. Then, just as he was about to plunge the dagger down, Nyctea flew down from one of the rafters and begin attacking the spider-elf. “Get out of my face, you disgusting vermin!” he cried, trying to swat at the owl with the dagger as it scratched at him with its talons. Now that he was distracted, Taer’inar and Apostalite hurried up from the stairs and began a magical assault. Each of them fired their own magical energies at him, causing him to drop the dagger as he tried to deflect the blasts.

“Apostalite, keep him busy!” Taer’inar shouted as he unsheathed his swords. As Apostalite continued their torrent of magical blasts, Taer’inar widened his stance and held his swords out at his sides. For a moment as he stood there, a faint humming emanated from around him. Then, blades in hand, Taer’inar dashed to the spider-elf unnaturally quickly and sliced into him before he could react. In a cry of agony, the creature fell to the ground, black blood spilling out of it onto the floor.

“H-have mercy,” he pleaded weakly. Taer’inar wasted no time stabbing the creature through the chest. As it lay there, its legs twitching, Taer’inar turned and walked back over to Ithan.

“To think one of my own would turn to such dark magic,” Taer’inar muttered. The words stung Ithan like wasps. Taer’inar then quickly cut Ithan free from the webs. “You really are a piece of work. Think before you act.”

“Not really my strong suit,” Ithan replied as the tower shook again. “Let’s get these people out of here before the tower comes down on us.”

“There’s too many bodies here to carry out,” Taer’inar muttered. As he said this, the body on the altar wiggled. “Oh good, they’re not all dead.” Ithan walked over to the altar and cut open the webbing around the body. Inside was a male dragonkin.

“Don’t eat me!” the dragonkin cried as he looked at Ithan in terror. “You’ll get indigestion!”

“I’m not here to eat you,” Ithan said as he continued cutting the webbing around the dragonkin. “Do I look like a spider to you?”

“Well, no, I suppose not.” After enough webbing had been cut away from the dragonkin’s scales, he was able to move around enough to sit up. “So, you came to help me?”

“That’s right,” Taer’inar said as began cutting the webbing around another of the bodies.

“Are you Sonys’s father, by chance?” Ithan asked.

“You know Sonys?!” the dragonkin replied, grabbing Ithan’s shoulders. “Is she all right? Did she get away? What about the rest of my family?” His eyes were filled with panic.

“Please, sir, do settle down,” Apostalite interrupted. They smiled warmly at the dragonkin. “Dear Sonys is safe in Greenreach, and we are helping the rest of your family now.” The dragonkin let out a sigh of relief and let go of Ithan.

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“I found Fenvyre,” Taer’inar called. Ithan looked quickly in his direction to see him standing over the unconscious Fenvyre. No, unconscious was not quite right; her eyes were wide open.

“Paralysis?” he asked.

“It should wear off soon,” Taer’inar said. He finished clearing the webbing from around Fenvyre, then proceeded to do the same with the other bodies. Among them were another dragonkin woman and two smaller dragonkin.

“Oh, thank the gods!” the male dragonkin exclaimed.

“Hey, Birdbrain!” Dhurik called from below. “How’s it going up there?”

“We need some muscle up here!” Taer’inar called back. “Help us carry out these dragonkin!” Dhurik’s hooves clopped against the stone, and soon he appeared from the stairs. “Take Fenvyre out of here,” he said. Dhurik lifted her up over his shoulder and carried her down the stairs.

“I’ll carry my wife out,” the dragonkin said. He took the woman into his arms. “You look pretty sturdy,” he said to Ithan. “Could you take my children for me, please?”

“Uh, sure,” Ithan replied. He made his glaive disappear, picked up one of the children in each arm, then carried them down behind the dragonkin. A number of spider creatures on the first floor had been dispatched by the rest of his companions as Taer’inar and Apostalite fought the spider-elf. Ithan was useless; he had come to save these people, but all he had done was get caught in webs.

Bimpnottin and Storm were waiting outside of the tower.

“Took you long enough,” Storm muttered. “Are they all okay?”

“They’re all alive,” Taer’inar replied from behind Ithan. “Let’s just get them back to Greenreach.”

“Huzzah!” Bimpnottin shouted, striking a triumphant pose. “I have saved the day once again!” Ithan narrowed his eyes and shook his head.

“You didn’t do anything,” Storm argued as Ithan descended the stairs. “You hid behind the stairs while Dhurik and I killed everything.”

“I was waiting for the opportune moment!” Bimpnottin continued. “But alas, you were too quick for me!”

“That’s still not doing anything,” Storm grumbled. “You didn’t even go up to help the dragonkin escape.”

“My good friends there had everything covered!” Bimpnottin exclaimed, gesturing at Ithan and Taer’inar.

“Might I interject?” Apostalite asked as they exited the tower. They stepped past Ithan and Taer’inar and walked up to Bimpnottin. “I do believe our lovely friend here was the one who returned to Greenreach to fetch reinforcements. And so, without him, all surely would have been lost.”

“Yes, yes!” Bimpnottin shouted. “It was I, the great Bimpnottin Bafflestone, who made all of this possible!”

“Ridiculous,” Ithan growled.

“They have a point, though,” Taer’inar said. Ithan glared at the elf. “What? If it had just been the three of you, do you really think you would have fared well?” Ithan hated to admit it, but Taer’inar was right. The three of them could not possibly have handled all of those creatures by themselves after having battled the spiders outside.

“Fine,” Ithan grumbled. He looked over at Bimpnottin. “Thank you‍—”

“Of course, of course!” Bimpnottin interrupted. “Anything for someone in need! Now, let us be rid of this place before more spiders come along!” He turned to the hole in the webbing that the group had made earlier and ran toward it. Dhurik grasped his axe in his free hand and followed behind the gnome. The others followed soon after, conversing amongst themselves as they made their way back into the forest.

“My name is Alicrath, by the way,” the dragonkin said as they walked. “My wife, Yariel,” he continued as he looked down at the dragonkin he carried.

“So, these are Hisashi and Nazita?” Ithan asked of the dragonkin he was carrying.

“Yes, those are my twins,” Alicrath replied. “Hisashi’s quite the fighter. He beat up one of those arachkin something fierce before we were taken.” He smiled warmly as he looked at the dragonkin in Ithan’s left arm. “He just wanted to protect his sisters.”

“There was quite a mess in your home when we went there to investigate,” Ithan said. “I’d be happy to help clean it up.”

“Nonsense!” Alicrath exclaimed. “You’ve all done plenty already! Besides, I think it’s time we moved into the city proper. Less risk of this happening again, you know.”

“Oh my, but what about your farm?” Apostalite asked.

“It’s wintertime,” Alicrath shrugged. “Now’s as good a time as any to start over. I have a good month or so to get ready for planting new crops.”

“If there’s anything you need, just ask,” Ithan offered.

“I think you’re better suited to fighting than farming, kid,” Alicrath said. “I appreciate the offer, of course, but I’m sure I can manage. We dragonkin are pretty durable.”

“Will you be staying at the inn until you have your affairs in order, then?” Taer’inar asked.

“I suppose I’ll have to chat with Briryn about that, won’t I?” the dragonkin pondered. “I don’t know if he has the room with all of you staying there‍—”

“You can take my room,” Ithan interrupted. “You and your wife, I mean. Sonys has a room already, so maybe Hisashi and Nazita can stay in there, too.”

“Where are you going to sleep, then?” Taer’inar questioned. “You’re not much of an outside dog.” Ithan bared his teeth at the elf. “You know you don’t help your case when you do that, right?”

“If Sonys is already staying in a room, I can have the children all stay in there,” Alicrath thought out loud, “but I’ll talk with Briryn to see if he has one more spare room for the missus and me. I wouldn’t want to see you without a bed.”

The group continued on through the forest, making small conversation until they finally found themselves at the forest’s edge, near the road once more. They followed it past Alicrath’s farm toward Greenreach. When they drew near to the gate, the guard ran up to them in excitement.

“Alicrath!” he shouted. “You’re all okay! This is terrific! Oh, but what happened to them?” he asked as he took notice of the other unconscious dragonkin.

“They all just need some rest,” Alicrath explained. “These fine folks have been a tremendous help.”

“I knew it, I knew it all along!” the guard exclaimed. He looked over at Ithan. “You’re a hero, Mor’lavan! You and your friends!”

“I really didn’t do much,” Ithan muttered, his face beginning to burn. “In fact, I’m pretty sure Briryn’s going to have my head when he sees the state Fenvyre’s in.”

“Oh… Hm…” Taer’inar said quietly as he heard Ithan speak.

“I am sure he will understand,” Alicrath said. “He knows Fenvyre well. She gets herself into trouble all the time. The fact that she didn’t get eaten should satisfy him.”

“Exactly,” the guard said. “Now go on, get them somewhere comfortable so they can rest!” He waved at the group as they walked past, exchanging hand gestures with Apostalite.

The dragonkin the group passed along the way to the inn whispered amongst themselves.

“…survived the wilds twice…”

“…saved Alicrath from arachkin…”

“…looks cute carrying those kids…”

Ithan’s face grew ever warmer as the group approached the square.

“Don’t be embarrassed, my dear,” Apostalite whispered to Ithan. “They’re complimenting you on a job well done!”

“I literally didn’t do anything,” Ithan murmured back. “I was stuck to a wall while you and Taer’inar took care of the spider-elf.”

“Well, they don’t know that,” Apostalite replied. “And besides, if it weren’t for you, we might not have gone to help in the first place.”

“I suppose…”

“Don’t doubt yourself,” they said, stopping in front of the fountain. “Laht shines upon you!” they exclaimed. They turned away from the group and began shouting to the dragonkin that walked about. “Come, friends, and listen to the teachings of Laht!”

“Well, I’ll be,” Briryn said as the group entered the tavern. “You all made it back alive.” His eyes narrowed when he saw Dhurik carrying Fenvyre. “She better just be sleeping,” he grumbled at Ithan.

“Yes, that’s right,” Taer’inar said. “She was exhausted, so Dhurik here carried her back. She must have fallen asleep on the way.” He looked at the minotaur. “Could you carry her up to her room?”

“Yeah, sure,” Dhurik replied. “Which room is hers?”

“Room four,” Ithan said. “Oh wait, it might be locked…”

“Here,” Briryn said as he stepped out from behind the bar. “I’ll unlock it. Bring the others up, too.” Alicrath, Ithan, and Dhurik followed Briryn up the stairs. Briryn unlocked Fenvyre’s room and walked down the hall to the room where Sonys was staying. Dhurik set Fenvyre down on her bed, then left the room and closed the door behind him. Briryn knocked on the door to Sonys’s room gently.

“Sonys? Come on out,” Briryn called. “She’s been worried sick about all of you,” he said to Alicrath. “Hasn’t eaten all day.” After a moment, the lock of the door clicked, and the door swung open. Sonys appeared just beyond the door, her face beaming. She burst out of the room and threw herself at Alicrath.

“Papa!” she cried. “I knew you’d be okay! Mor’lavan promised he’d bring everyone back safe!”

“Yes, we’re all just fine,” Alicrath said as he wrapped his free arm tenderly around his daughter. “But Mama and your brother and sister need some rest. I could use some myself.”

“Oh! I’m sorry!” Sonys exclaimed as she let go of Alicrath. “Are we staying here for a while longer?”

“Yes, I think that would be best,” Alicrath replied. “I’ve decided that it’s time to move closer to town.”

“You take as long as you need, Ali,” Briryn said. “This room behind me’s empty, so you and Yariel can sleep in there.”

“I was just about to ask about that,” Alicrath said as he smiled at Briryn. Briryn handed him a key and walked back toward the stairs. “Thank you!” he called as Briryn walked down the stairs. He turned back to Sonys and Ithan. “I’m going to rest for a while. Why don’t you take care of your siblings, Sonys?” He turned around, unlocked the room across from Sonys’s, and entered the room, closing the door behind him.

“I’ll take them,” Sonys said to Ithan, who was left still holding the twins. He gently passed them over to her. “Would you mind doing me one more favor?” she asked.

“Of course,” Ithan replied without much thought.

“Could you get some food from the kitchen for me? I haven’t eaten all day.”

“I’ll see what I can scrounge up.” Sonys smiled as she closed the door. Ithan headed downstairs to ask Briryn about food, but the dragonkin already had a plate ready and waiting.

“Take this upstairs, then get yourself cleaned up and come back down for yours,” he said. “And don’t worry about chores tonight, you’ve done enough work for the day.”

“Oh,” Ithan muttered. “Well, thank you.” He took the plate and made his way back up the stairs. The food looked and smelled delicious. It looked to be a kind of meat pie, served with a side of cooked peas. His mouth watered with anticipation, but he restrained himself from eating the food that was meant for Sonys. When he knocked on Sonys’s door, she opened it and took the plate with delight. Ithan peered into the room past her. The twin dragonkin were resting on the bed. Before he could say anything, Sonys grabbed him and hugged him tightly.

“Thank you so much, Mor’lavan,” she whispered. When she pulled away, she brought some bits of webbing that still clung to Ithan’s fur with her. “I hope you stick around for a while,” she giggled. Ithan groaned internally but smiled at her as she closed the door again. He went to his own room to pick off the rest of the webs, then went back downstairs to enjoy his meal. Storm, Bimpnottin, Taer’inar, and Dhurik were all seated at the same table as earlier that day; he joined them after taking his food from Briryn. They were having a lively conversation about the day’s events.

“Couldn’t wait for me, could you?” he joked as he sat down between Taer’inar and Dhurik.

“We figured you would be eating with that dragonkin girl,” Taer’inar replied as he nudged Ithan with his elbow.

“Shut up,” Ithan muttered.

“Let me tell you something about girls, Dogboy,” Dhurik said as he put his arm over Ithan’s shoulders. “They like boys.”

“And they like dogs,” Taer’inar continued.

“And they like heroes!” Bimpnottin added enthusiastically.

“Shut up!” Ithan shouted angrily as he pounded his fists into the table. The group went silent. Ithan let out a sigh. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled.

“We were only joking, Mor’lavan,” Taer’inar said quietly. “Don’t take it so seriously. We were just having fun.”

“I know, I know,” Ithan said.

“You’re a good sport, Dogboy,” Dhurik said, clapping Ithan on the back before going back to eating his food. Ithan picked up his fork and looked hungrily at his plate. He took a bite out of his food and smiled; it was a steak and kidney pie, like the ones his mother used to make. The crust of the pie was flaky and buttery, while the meaty filling was tender and savory. Ithan closed his eyes after that first bite and thought of home.

“You okay over there, Mor’lavan?” Storm asked.

“Hm?” Ithan as he opened his eyes to look at Storm. “Oh, yeah, I’m fine. Just… thinking.” As he dined with his friends, he continued to think about home. About how his mother taught him to cook all kinds of foods, and how they cooked together every evening before enjoying dinner.

And then he thought about how long it had been since the last time they cooked together.

“Excuse me,” he muttered as he stood up from the table. He took his plate over to Briryn, thanked him for the food, and walked up to his room. After locking his door and falling onto his bed, he let himself cry for a short while before Kiraan’s voice rumbled in his mind.

You will never get stronger if you continue on this path. You care too much for these simple creatures.

I’m not going to turn a blind eye to those in need. I thought you were going to show me how to get stronger without hurting innocents.

I did say that. But you cannot limit yourself if you want true power. You will need to put others in harm’s way to achieve your goals.

Just tell me what I have to do.

There is an ancient city to the far west of here. It is known now as the City of Living Trees. Go there and find the Crypt of Kings. There you will find an artifact of immense power. Claim it, and you will be that much closer to fighting Varian.

The City of Living Trees… That sounds elven.

It was once an elven city, yes. But the elves abandoned it centuries ago, in the wake of the Gods’ War.

You’ve mentioned this war before. Was it really so great that the whole of Averion was nearly destroyed?

Indeed. The gods clashed for nearly a century here, leaving nothing behind but ruin and despair. It was a great war. It did not last nearly long enough.

That’s too bad.

Oh, do not worry. I expect the next great war will begin very soon. It just needs the right spark.