The projection from Clone Number Three displayed Crafty and his companions huddled together in a dingy hideout, their faces pale and drawn.
"I heard the wagon we used was destroyed by the dragon," Crafty muttered, his voice laced with tension.
"How could you possibly know that?" one of his companions asked, her expression incredulous.
"Word is spreading that we lured the dragon with some kind of bait," he replied, his tone defensive.
"That's absurd! We didn't do anything of the sort!" the second companion exclaimed, her voice tinged with panic.
Crafty's jaw tightened. It was clear the dragon was following their trail, likely drawn to their scent. The borrowed wagon must have carried enough of their trace for the dragon to pursue it instead of them directly. Still, the realization did little to ease their fear.
"We're next," Crafty said grimly. "We need to disappear until this blows over."
