Page 47 of Rogue Elves of Ardani

“What?”

“I never had nightmares before I met you,” he said, sitting up. “You went inside my head and found what I’m afraid of, and you’re making me dream about it.”

She leaned back on her elbows, offended by the accusation. “Why would I do that?”

He threw his arms up. “To control me? To torment me? You tell me.”

“It’s not me.”

He glared at her.

“It’s not unheard of for people who have suffered like you to have... after effects.”

He shook his head, turning away from her.

“If you want, I could try to help,” she said tentatively. “Maybe with empathy, I—”

“No. You’ve done enough. Keep your hands away from me.” He lay down again, watching her warily.

“Fine. Enjoy your nightmares,” she said tightly.

When Crow awoke again several hours later, Vaara was already up and keeping watch by the door.

She raised her eyebrows at him. “Did you sleep?”

The dirty look he gave her had less impact than usual due the obvious exhaustion in his face. “No.”

She resisted the urge to remind him that she’d offered to try to help, and he’d declined. She guessed that wouldn’t improve his mood.

He continued to glare at her as she got up. “Are we getting close to Valtos?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s get on with it.”

* * *

They nearedValtos in the very early morning, when it was still dark. As the villages and farms on the outskirts of the city grew closer together, they moved from the busy road to the hills, where no one except shepherds and the occasional hunter went.

A few times, they passed too near a farmhouse and dogs barked, setting them both on edge, but there was no sign of Alexei or his guards.

“They will know we’re going to Valtos,” Vaara said. Crow didn’t have to ask who he meant.

“Maybe. But it’s not hard to hide in this city. If they find us, we’ll run. Just stick close to me so you don’t get lost.” Gods, that would be a disaster. A night elf alone in the capital of Ardani? He wouldn’t last an hour.

“Do you know the city well?” he asked.

“Far too well.”

The city walls loomed in the distance. Behind them, arranged in tiered layers on the foothills of the mountains, was the city itself: a massive collection of structures both humble and grand, modern and ancient, a thousand years in the making. It was the home of beggars and queens, wanderers and refugees, priests and lawbreakers. The center of all life in Ardani. The hub of the continent of Heilune.

Regardless of whatever else you thought of Valtos, no one could deny that it was visually impressive. The array of snow-covered roofs stretched impossibly high and wide across the land. In the dark, the sea of buildings was dotted with lights peering out of windows.

“I’ve never seen so many buildings in one place,” Vaara said quietly, staring.

“Indeed. Full of nosy humans and overzealous city watchmen. Stay close.”

She did not try to take them through the front gate. They might have gotten through undetected with Vaara’s shadow magic, but the gate was so well-guarded that the risk didn’t seem worth it.

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