A chilling dread gripped Ragnar's heart, threatening to consume him. He felt Sophia and their son slipping away, their life force dissipating, like mist evaporating in the morning sun.
==============================
The ground seemed to tremble beneath the weight of their charge. The sight sent a surge of panic through Reeve's veins, and he urgently patted Qedren's neck.
"Qedren, retreat! Let's turn back quickly. We need to return to Citadel Hartington."
Reeve cast one last look at Elder Cryica's departure; the figure grew smaller and smaller until it appeared as a tiny dot in Reeve's eyes, disappearing into the horizon.
Qedren soared into the sky, his powerful wings carrying them away from the rapidly approaching horde of Ostril Kingdom's troops.
Reeve's gaze remained fixed on the horizon, his mind heavy with regret.
He couldn't risk pursuing Elder Cryica further, not with such overwhelming numbers closing in on them.
