Chapter 71: The Queen’s Gambit
"That’s not a good sign," Robert muttered, eyes narrowed as he cradled Auren in his arms. Sweat trickled down his temple, mixing with the fine ash already coating his skin. The air around them was thick with the stench of smoke and magic gone wild. "Looks like they’ve got their own chaos to deal with... probably thanks to those two oversized monsters going at it."
Then, something shifted—subtle, but enough. Auren’s lips moved.
Robert felt it immediately.
"Hey—what is it, kid?" he asked, his voice gentler now. He leaned in close, trying to catch whatever words the boy might be clinging to.
"M-more..." Auren whispered, his voice dry and fragile, like the last breath of a dying flame.
That single word was all Robert needed.
He glanced down at the empty vial still clutched in his hand—the last of their healing stock. His expression hardened, jaw clenched with quiet resolve.
"Don’t worry, kid," he said, brushing some ash off Auren’s forehead. "I’ll get you more. Just stay with me, alright? You’ve come too far to fall now. Trust this old man a little longer."
Auren didn’t speak again, but the faintest smile tugged at his lips. And that small gesture, so simple yet so full of trust, struck Robert deep.
He was proud of the boy. After all the wounds, the pain, the madness they’d survived... Auren was still here, still fighting. And if the kid wasn’t giving up, neither was he.
"I swear I’ll get those potions," Robert whispered, more to himself now than anyone else.
He knew where they were—still tucked away in their old home nestled along the western edge of the Runewood. That place used to be their quiet retreat... now, it might be the only hope left.