Erend stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Adrius's shoulder.
"It's alright," he said with calm voice. "At least we didn't alarm any of the dwarves. The forging process can continue without interruption."
Billy nodded, his expression serious but understanding. "We did what we could. We managed to prevent immediate sabotage, and that's a win in itself."
"And we learned something important. We know there's a threat, and we can take steps to counter it," Adrien added.
"The impostor mentioned something crucial. We need to discuss it and decide our next move carefully," Saeldir said.
Adrius, still frustrated but composed, nodded in agreement. "Let's talk about what he said."
The group moved to a quieter area where they could converse without the noise of the forge in the background. Erend, Adrien, Billy, Saeldir, and Adrius formed a tight circle, their expressions serious and contemplative.
"The figure warned us about the Dragon," Adrius began. "He implied that Erend could become dangerous. What do you think he meant by that?"
Billy glanced at Erend. "It sounded like he knows something about you that we don't."
"I don't know what he meant either. But if there's a chance that I could become a threat, we need to understand why and how," Erend said.
Saeldir's brow furrowed. "We can't afford to ignore this warning, even if it came from an enemy. We need to investigate further and uncover the truth."
Adrien nodded. "And we need to ensure the impostor doesn't escape. If he can cause this much trouble, he must be dealt with."
"We need to speak with the king. He must know about the threat and take action to secure the kingdom," Adrius concluded.
The group agreed and made their way through the bustling forge, heading toward the royal chambers. As they approached the king's hall, the guards recognized them and allowed them entry without hesitation.
"Damn it," she muttered under her breath, her voice tinged with both annoyance and anger. "That human Mage was far stronger than I expected. I barely escaped his barrier with my life."
She moved through the labyrinthine tunnels, her steps faltering occasionally as the effects of her rapid transport spell took their toll. The Magic she had used to break free of Adrius's barrier and transport herself had drained her almost completely. She could feel the residual aches in her bones and the dull throb of a headache starting to form.
"All this trouble, and I'm still not out of this cursed place," she grumbled, her frustration mounting with each step. Her mind raced with thoughts of the failed sabotage and the near capture. "I should have been more careful. Underestimated them, I did."
The impostor's path was well-practiced, each turn and hidden passage ingrained in her memory. She had prepared this escape route meticulously, knowing the risk of her mission. Now, as she navigated the familiar yet oppressive tunnels, her determination to reach safety only grew stronger.
She reached into her cloak, feeling the remaining vials and tools that had once seemed like instruments of victory but now felt like the burden of a narrow escape. Her fingers brushed against a small, hidden dagger, a last resort if needed.
"I just need to reach the exit," she reassured herself. "Once I'm out, I can regroup and plan my next move. This isn't over."
With renewed resolve, the impostor continued her journey through the kingdom, her eyes scanning for any signs of pursuit.
She knew the dwarves would soon lock down the area, and time was of the essence. Each step brought her closer to the secret exit she had painstakingly prepared, a small glimmer of hope in the otherwise grim situation.
Her thoughts briefly turned to the mission's failure and the repercussions she would face from her allies. But there was no time for regret now. Survival was her primary goal for now.
She could feel the weight of her choices pressing down on her, but she pushed forward, driven by the need to escape and fight another day. This is not the end and she still able to finish this task later.
As she neared the hidden exit, she allowed herself a small, grim smile.
"Almost there," she whispered, steeling herself for the final push. The air around her grew cooler, a sign that she was getting closer to the outside world.
But a pair of crimson reptilian eyes had already locked on her from behind the shadow.
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