Renald led the way. His hand in Valentius'.
Albert was lagging.
He wasn't Marek, who would agree to share Valentius. He wasn't Amos, who didn't care.
It hurt. It hurt that Albert was not enough. It hurt that he was still considered weak. The healer couldn't even heal anymore. His mana was acidic.
They passed through the dwarven gates. The sentries, taking one look at Renald, left them be.
"I am this city's dragon," Renald began. He wanted Valentius to see that his leaving was not going to be easy.
"Do you love your home?" Marek asked.
There was no way he would let the dragon slip through his fingers.
"They pay me. Why should I love it?" Renald asked as he pulled Valentius closer to himself. "We should go and ask the king for permission. I don't want to be hunted by dwarves."
Valentius nodded. For all that the humanoids were short, they were fearsome fighters.
