Altus Plateau, on a hill near the Erdtree.
Moonlight spilled over the shattered walls, bathing the ancient battlefield in silver.
Lansseax stood atop the highest point of the ruins, her silvery hair flowing in the night wind. She had changed from her dragon form into a human-a woman clad in silver-white scale armor, her features as sharp as blades. The distinctive eyebrows of an Ancient Dragon swept toward her temples like two rising crescents, lending her already cold beauty an inhuman edge. Her armor hugged her curves, outlining her breathtaking proportions, yet her golden slit pupils held an anxiety that belied her appearance.
In her hand, she held Ansbach, bound by Dragon Lightning. Even unconscious, the veteran gripped his weapon tightly, maintaining a fighting stance despite his captivity.
"I've ruined everything," Lansseax murmured, her voice as clear and cold as clashing ice crystals. "I let Leda escape and brought back only one prisoner... how does that make up for anything?"
Her pride as an Ancient Dragon made it difficult to forgive her own mistake. Leda had been too cunning, pinpointing her weakness-Vyke. When the Gold Needle Knight had said, "I know where Vyke is imprisoned," a crack had opened in Lansseax's defenses. A century of searching, a century of waiting-she could not turn down that information.
"But that's no excuse." She clenched her fist, her armor scraping softly. "I'm an Ancient Dragon, a comrade-in-arms, yet I compromised the battle for personal feelings."
Footsteps sounded in the distance.
Lansseax turned and saw Tarnished approaching alone, without guards or even a sword. He simply walked toward a guilt-ridden Ancient Dragon, utterly defenseless.
"Lansseax." Tarnished looked up at her with his usual smile. "I heard you captured Ansbach. Impressive."
Lansseax froze. She had imagined countless possibilities-reproach, punishment, an end to their agreement, even