Forging

At the Lich's command, Little Anvina was lifted into the air by a mysterious force. The blue glow that had just flickered around her was drawn out of her body and into the transparent crystal. As the light flowed in, the crystal gradually turned blue. The bluer it became, the weaker Little Anvina's struggles grew. Even her breathing grew faint and shallow.

"Da—Dal—Dahl—"

Little Anvina's consciousness was fading, but she still called out for Dahl in broken whispers. Even with her life nearing its end, she was still worried about his safety.

"LaguzUruz, WunjoAnsuz, Tyr, UruzWunjo, World-Stars!"

Perhaps Little Anvina's final plea had done the trick. Just as the last of the energy within her was about to be drained, a faint voice quietly completed the spell. Dahl, who had been lying on the ground, sprang up. He swept Little Anvina into one arm and snatched up the crystal with the other, then retreated through the open portal. His movements were so fluid that the Lich had no chance to react. Only after Dahl had grabbed the girl and the crystal and retreated through the portal did the Lich reach out to seize him. But the portal vanished halfway through the Lich's reach—and so did one of his arms.

"Bastard! Bastard! Bastard!"

A piercing howl split the sky, but Dahl could no longer hear it.

The portal led to a tavern in the Alterac Mountains. Dahl had rented a room there for ten years. Fortunately, the owner was a man of his word and hadn't given the room to anyone else. Otherwise, Dahl might truly have died this time.

Even after returning to the Alterac Mountains, however, Dahl was in dire straits. The bone arrow was still lodged in his chest, and Little Anvina was barely breathing. Dahl had