As Misty Step activated, Renato teleported behind the robed female drow.
The runes along the spine of the Silent Lady glowed red. Its blade traced a black arc, cleanly severing the back of her neck.
Her head rolled to his feet, bounced twice, then spun through almost half a turn, revealing a bewildered face.
The pointed ears were too short, and the cheekbones were not prominent enough...
It was just an ordinary half-drow face. Her eyes were still half-open, her mouth slightly parted, as though she had died without ever realizing what had happened.
This wasn't Molantro!
In that split second, the half-drow guard with orc blood reacted with astonishing speed. Facing Renato's back, she drew her scimitar without hesitation and chopped down hard!
She had not panicked at the teleportation ambush. Clearly, she was a battle-hardened veteran.
The failed strike did not disrupt Renato's next move. Hearing the rush of air behind him, he immediately brought his sword behind his back and blocked the full-force chop with its spine.
A counterattack followed at once.
Renato spun with the impact, turning the momentum of his block into the force of his counterattack. Amplified by the magical field, his blade brutally tore through the half-drow warrior's chest and armor.
Ribs and armor rings snapped together with a teeth-grating crack.
Still, the female guard's death bought a precious moment.
The last "half-drow" did not draw a blade. Instead, she retreated two steps and pulled a yellowed magic scroll from inside her clothes.
As Renato stepped forward, she finished rapidly reciting the spell sealed within the scroll. Her form distorted, its outline dissolving into the air.
No, she wasn't a half-drow.
The instant the scroll's spell took effect, Renato caught the details revealed by the shifting light and shadow around her.
Her ears