464 Questionable Alliance

The rays of an early-morning sun touched upon a nearly-born clearing wherein lay the biggest tree in the forest, its brittle, outstretched branches crumbling into the passing breeze, blowing into bushes where the forest critters had fearfully scurried into. They watched from the foliage, wondering if it was safe to return to their former home, when a white light suddenly bloomed, a magic circle with countless intricate designs rotating on top of one another with clock-work precision. They watched in wonder for a few moments before turning tail and running.

The magic circle faded to reveal three beaten figures. Merlin sat, clamping gauze around the thumb-sized hole in his left leg. Wilhelm had kindly left it behind before rushing after Ver Dilen.

Sindre lay unconscious a few feet to Merlin's right.