Days. That’s how long it felt like they had been walking for, endless days and nights. Azareth could feel herself getting weaker with every passing day. The men had been giving them just enough food and water to keep them from the brink of death. Jurah was putting on a brave act, but Azareth knew that his side wasn’t healing the way it should. As the group stopped alone on a small mountain stream, Azareth and Jurah both fell to the ground exhausted. They had begun the steady uphill climb as they were nearing the foot of Mount Aork.

Mount Aork housed the kingdom of Warsak, which the orcs ran poorly. Knowing that that's where they were headed, Azareth knew they didn’t have much time to plan out their escape. She had been watching and observing everything she could. She realized that the men looked to Dorzic and Artibain for directions, which gave her a few ideas. The main problem would be Dorzic, he rarely took his good eye off Artibain. It seemed like he didn’t fully trust his own son to watch their prisoners. Azareth knew that if she was going to save them, she needed someone’s help. She knew that she was going to have to convince Artibain to help them.

The air around them was growing colder as they neared the edge of the Orc’s territory. Jurah was shivering next to Azareth, she couldn’t understand why she wasn’t freezing. Jurah took deep breaths as he leaned against Azareth’s shoulder. He could feel the warmth emanating off of her. He told her he believed it was her dragon lord blood keeping her warm in the cold morning air.

“Jurah, I think I have a plan,” Azareth said.

“Azareth, please don’t try anything stupid.” Jurah was getting weaker, his injury was getting worse. They both knew it, which only made it more urgent for them to escape.

“I think if I can convince Artibain to help us, we can potentially escape. His father doesn’t seem to trust him.”

“You’ve noticed that too,” Jurah whispered. “Dorzic never takes his eye off him.”

“Exactly my point, what if we can turn him? Convince him that we are the good guys?”

“It could be worth a try, just don’t push it too hard.” Jurah looked up at Azareth’s face and saw her eyes scanning over the group of men. “I wouldn’t put it past him not to try to hurt you.”

“Alright, then there’s no time to waste,” Azareth said. She managed to stand up, forcing Jurah to sit up on his own. Azareth looked around at all the men. “Excuse me.” She cleared her throat.

“Do you ever not talk?” Dorzic asked. They all turned to stare at her, annoyed.

“I need to relieve myself,” Azareth said. All the men laughed at her, giving her creepy smiles. “If you don’t take me away from the group, I’ll scream. Attracting everything and everyone from miles around.”

“Art, take this bitch away please,” Dorzic said. Azareth felt her jaw drop. Artibain stood and muttered to himself as he grabbed Azareth’s arm. He led her away from the group, almost dragging her through the woods. There weren't many places out of sight from the group, making it hard to get any privacy. They did see a large rock formation, Artibain led her around the back of the formation. Azareth stopped when they were out of view and looked at Artibain. He stared at her, waiting for her to do what she needed to do.

“Well?” he asked her. “Do your thing, we have to move on soon.”

“Artibain, listen you don’t have to do this,” Azareth said. She took one step forward, causing Artibain to take a step back.

“What are you talking about?” Artibain asked. He was scanning her face, confused about what she was saying.

“You don’t have to do everything your father says. Artibain, he doesn’t care about you. I’ve seen how he treats you.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Please, help me and my friend escape, please,” Azareth pleaded. “If we go to Worsak, Jurah and I will be killed, you know that.”

“Shut up,” Artibain said. Azareth took a step forward again. Artibain was pressed against the large boulder behind him. “You have no idea what we’ve been through.”

“Artibain, please, we can’t do it without you.”

“Enough,” Artibain said. Azareth stopped as Artibain took a step forward and leaned towards her. He was inches away from her face, Azareth clearly saw how deep of a golden brown his eyes were. “I will never help you.” Artibain grabbed Azareth’s arm and dragged her back in the direction of the others. Once they rejoined the group, Aritibain threw Azareth to the side and walked away. Jurah looked over Azareth, making sure she was unharmed.

“What happened? Are you hurt?” He asked her. She shook her head, readjusting in her spot next to Jurah.

“I’m alright, he didn’t hurt me,” she told him. “But Jurah, I think I got in his head a little.” Azareth looked at Jurah, a small smile on her face. Jurah looked to see Artibain was pacing the edge of the river, looking distraught.

“Maybe you did.”

Artibain was falling behind the rest of the group. He could hear all the men talking about what was happening. He knew his father was leading them further into orc territory. He couldn’t help repeating in his head what that stupid girl said. How she could be so brazen to say those things about his father, about him. Artibain looked up at his father and saw he was staring back at him. Artibain looked down at the ground, not making eye contact with anyone. He punched his fist into his hip, something he did every time his father looked at him with that expression of disgust.

Artibain glanced over at the prisoners. The man was looking weaker than before, forcing the girl to hold him up. Artibain sighed as he quickened his pace. It wouldn’t do them any good if the man died before they reached their goal. As he caught up to the prisoners, he rummaged through his satchel. He found the salve he was looking for. Artibain grabbed the girl’s arm, causing the two to stop in their tracks.

“Listen, if anyone catches you with this you’ll be beaten,” Artibain said. He held out the salve for Azareth to take. “Though, I can not in good conscience let this man die before we’ve reached our destination.”

“What?” Azareth asked him. Artibain shoved the salve into her hand.

“Thank you,” Jurah said. Artibain gave a quick nod and walked away from them. Once he was out of hearing range, Azareth smiled up at Jurah. He lifted his shirt for her, as she opened the small canister of salve.

“I’m going to take this as a good sign,” she said. She gently rubbed the medicine onto Jurah’s side. It was red and swollen, as some drops of pus leaked from the stitches. Jurah winced but took deep breaths. “How does it feel?”

“Soothing, like the pain, is melting away,” Jurah said, he looked pleased and relaxed. Azareth stuffed the small jar into her pocket, praying to the gods that no one would find it.

“It’s getting dark, we’ll rest here for the night,” Dorzic yelled at everyone ahead of them. Azareth looked around and saw that they were a few yards away from the group.

“Jurah, can you run?” Azareth asked.

“What?”

“Look, we’re yards away from the group. This could be our only chance to escape, we need to take it.”

“Azareth, we can’t leave the horses,” Jurah said. He looked at her sadly. “I can’t run, we need to ride the rest of the way.” He took a step forward and joined the men on the edge of the trail. Azareth took a deep breath, feeling her fists clench. She knew he was right. She walked over, sitting down next to Jurah. They both looked over, seeing their horses tied to trees on the far side of the small camp.

“We’ll get them back,” Azareth said hopefully.

“Sure you will,” Artibain said. He walked past them. “And I’ll one day be free to live my life.” Artibain dropped his satchel on the ground and sat down a few feet away from them.

“What do you want?” Azareth asked him.

“Listen, I understand you don’t like me, but I did save your friend’s life today. I didn’t have to do that, I could’ve just left him to rot in the bush.”

“But you didn’t, why?” Jurah asked him.

“Who even are you? Two elves who haven’t even tried to escape on their own. What are you powerless?” Jurah and Azareth looked at each other, then at the ground. “Oh, I see.”

“I am not powerless,” Azareth said.

“Azareth, no,” Jurah said. He warned her before. They didn’t know what would happen to her if they found out she was a dragon lord. Artibain looked between them, a small grin appearing on his lips.

“What are you then?” Artibain asked Azareth. She looked at him, locking eyes. The sunset casting an orange glow around them. Artibain felt his breath catch in his through, as the sun caused Azareth’s long brown hair to shimmer in the light.

“I am a dragon lord,” Azareth said. She was quiet, praying only Artibain heard her. Artibain’s eyes grew wider, but he shook his head gently.

“I don’t believe you. Dragon lords haven’t been seen outside of Berlar in decades.”

“I’m telling the truth,” Azareth said. “If you don’t believe me, I can prove it.” JUrah grabbed her hand and she turned to look at him.

“Stop this,” Jurah begged her. Azareth looked down at Jurah’s hand. She watched as he gripped tighter onto her arm. “Please.”

“Burn me,” Azareth said, looking into Jurah’s eyes. She turned to face Artibain, his eyes wide and his mouth agape.

“You’re insane,” Artibain said. He had the slightest nervous laughter in his voice. The three of them sat in silence. Azareth wanted to let Artibain process the information. “Enough of this foolishness, rest now or you’ll be sorry.”

“Artibain-”

“Azareth, leave him be,” Jurah said. He leaned his back against the tree, shutting his eyes. Azareth leaned on him, hoping to keep him warm in the cold evening air. We’re lucky he didn’t believe you.”

The camp was dark and quiet. Everyone was asleep as the dawn crept closer. The air was nipping at their fingers and noses, causing shivers in a couple of the men. Azareth laid next to Jurah, glad she could give him warmth even though she didn’t understand how it worked. Jurah was huddled against her back absorbing all the heat he could from her. As prisoners, they didn’t get the luxury or bedding to keep them warm and off the frozen ground. Azareth slowly blinked her eyes. She hadn’t been able to fully fall asleep since they were captured. She glanced around, seeing everyone and everything was silent. Azareth shut her eyes again in hopes to fall asleep. It wasn’t long before she was pulled away from any hope of sleeping. A scent hit her nose, it was all too familiar. Smoke. Sitting up quickly, she pushed Jurah awake and looked around to see Artibain was lighting a small fire. Artibain was poking at the fire, holding the end of a stick in the flames.

“Good, you’re awake,” Artibain said. He sighed and pulled the smoking stick from the fire. “I can’t seem to sleep, or stop thinking about what you told me.”

“Is that so,” Azareth said under her breath. Artibain nodded his head and stood up. He sauntered over to them, pointing the orange glowing stick at Azareth.

“Why would you put all your trust in me? Why would you tell me all those things? Why reveal yourself to me?”

“Because, I believe that you don’t want this kind of life,” Azareth said. “I believe that you have grown tired of taking orders and constantly living on the run.”

Artibain watched Azareth’s face. He was hoping to find a little bit of doubt in her expression. Of course, he was tired of living on the run. Humans were considered insignificant, worthless dogs. Only being able to find works for the orcs, always being on the run from the other more powerful kingdoms. It was extremely hard to grow up, to live. Jurah looked between Artibain and Azareth. The two of them locked in a staring contest.

“Why are you asking these questions?” Jurah asked, breaking the long silence. Artibain cleared his throat and moved the burning stick closer to Azareth’s bare arm.

“This one here got inside my head. Honestly, I can’t figure out why, but she has. I want to know if she is what she tells me.”

“Then touch me with that stick,” Azareth said in full confidence. “The fire is my friend.”

Artibain raised his eyebrow, he nearly enjoyed this girl’s confidence. He pressed the smouldering stick to her light skin and prepared himself for her cries of pain. After a moment there wasn’t a single cry for him to stop. He looked up and saw Azareth was looking at him stoned-faced. Artibain moved the stick and pulled her arm into the light.

“Hey, watch it,” Azareth complained. Artibain exclaimed the spot he burned her. There was nothing. Not a mark, not even a red spot from heat. The only evidence was some ash that had rubbed off from the stick.

“I don’t believe it.”

“You have to believe it, it’s our only way to safety,” Azareth told Artibain.

“Will you help us?” Jurah asked. Artibian was frozen, his eyes wide and his hand still tightly wrapped around Azareth’s arm. The sun began to peek over the horizon, creating a pinkish hue around them.

“What happened, Artibain finally spoke. “What happens after I help you?” He looked into Azareth’s eyes and saw how brightly yell they looked in the early morning sunrise.

“You can either join us to Berlar or go your own way,” Jurah told him. “Honestly, I could use the extra hand getting her to the Island of Doth. She’s a handful.” The three of them laughed gently.

“I think I could get us out of here, but it will have to be tonight.”

“Tonight?” Jurah asked. “Every day we waste not leaving here, the closer we are to Worsak.”

“I know, but trust me, even just a little,” Artibain said. “I can figure this out and make sure when we do get out of here, we have all we need. Supplies, weapons, your horses.”

“Jurah, I trust him,” Azareth said. Jurah turned his gaze to Azareth and saw how serious she was. “We need his help.”

“Alright, we’ll wait until tonight.”