The mist swirled at the cave entrance.
Kára was the first to hear it. Footsteps on stone. Coordinated. Light. Too silent to be human.
"They're coming," she murmured, hand on her hammer handle.
Varkas stood and drew his sword. Darian got up carefully, protecting the small dragon sleeping against his chest. The creature let out a faint whimper.
Aria positioned herself in the center of the forge. Bow in hand. The other free, ready to grab an arrow. Her face showed nothing.
Three figures emerged from the mist. Tall, slender, wrapped in dark cloaks. The one in front stopped at the threshold and pulled back their hood.
Angular features. Pale skin. Ice-colored eyes. Pointed ears.
"Aria Valen," they greeted, with a cold voice. "Your grandfather wants to see you. You've been away too long."
Aria stepped forward.
"My mother fled from him. They hunted her until they killed her. And now he wants to see me? For what?"
The newcomer didn't even blink.
"Lord Aelthas regrets what happened to your mother. It was a mistake by his men."
Aria let out a dry laugh.
"A mistake? That's all?"
He ignored the comment. His gaze swept the forge: Varkas with his sword ready, the dwarf with her hammer, the human protecting something against his chest.
"Your grandfather needs you. Elves and Dark Elves have been killing each other for centuries. Now there's an opportunity for peace."
Aria frowned.
"And what do I have to do with that?"
"A marriage. You will unite the two peoples. Your blood with that of a dark noble. It will seal the alliance."
Silence fell over the forge.
Darian felt the Void Dominion stir. The small dragon growled faintly and curled tighter.
Varkas tightened his grip on the hilt.
Kára watched, her eyes moving from the elf to Aria.
Aria stood still. Then she spoke, her voice frozen.
"My mother was hunted for loving who she wasn't supposed to. And now he wants to use me to marry whoever he decides."
"You will be the key to peace. Your name will be remembered."
Aria raised her bow.
"I'm not a key. I'm not a bridge. I'm not his property."
The elf sighed.
"This isn't a request. Lord Aelthas ordered us to bring you. Willingly or not."
Aria drew the string taut.
"Then it will be the hard way."
The other two uncovered themselves. Hands to their hilts. Curved swords that gleamed pale.
Varkas stepped forward, beside Aria.
"Three against four. Bad deal."
The elf smiled.
"Numbers don't matter."
Kára struck her hammer against the anvil. The boom filled the cave.
"You're in my house."
He looked at her with disdain.
"A clanless dwarf. An empty cave."
Kára showed her teeth.
"And you're inside it."
Darian set the small dragon beside the fire. The creature stirred without waking. He drew his swords. The resonant crystal blades glowed blue.
"Aria isn't going anywhere," he said.
The elf studied him. His eyes went to the weapons.
"Where did a human get swords like that?"
Darian didn't answer.
"That's none of your concern," the elf said. "Hand her over and we'll leave you in peace."
Darian held his gaze.
"She's one of ours. We don't hand over our own."
The elf looked at him in silence. Then nodded.
"Very well."
He drew his sword. The other two followed. Three elven blades gleamed in the dim light. The air grew dense.
Kára raised her hammer. Varkas planted himself like a rock. Aria aimed at the leader's chest.
And then, the small dragon opened its eyes.
A golden glow lit the forge for an instant. The creature sat up on its bed of cloth, still clumsy, and fixed its gaze on the intruders. From its throat came a roar. Small, sharp, almost a meow. But loaded with a promise.
The elves tensed.
The leader shifted his gaze to the creature. His eyes narrowed.
"So it's true. You travel with a dragon."
Darian stepped in front of the small one.
"Don't touch it."
The elf smiled. A thin, dangerous smile.
"Not today. But this isn't over, Aria Valen. We'll be back."
He signaled to his men. All three backed toward the mist without turning around. Their silhouettes faded into the fog. The footsteps retreated until they disappeared.
Aria didn't lower her bow until the silence was total. Then she let out her breath slowly.
"They're gone," Kára said, though her voice didn't sound relieved. "For now."
Darian knelt beside the small dragon. The creature looked at him with its golden eyes and rubbed its head against his hand.
Varkas sheathed his sword.
"They'll come back. And they'll bring more."
Aria put away her bow. Her face was still a mask.
"I know."
She turned toward Darian. For a moment, something broke in her expression. Fear. Rage. Exhaustion.
"I'm not going with them," she said. "But I don't want anyone else dying because of me."
Darian stood, the small dragon in his arms.
"No one is going to die. And you're not going anywhere."
Aria looked at him. She said nothing. But she nodded.
Outside, the mist remained thick. And somewhere, among the shadows, the elves waited.