The elf had her bow raised and ready to fire at the first wrong move. Her eyes flicked between Kaelen and the old mage like she expected an attack at any moment.

  Kaelen shifted his stance and thought, ‘She recovered from my attacks so quickly. Are all elves like that?’

  The old mage seemed utterly unbothered. He stood calmly, leaning on his staff and said smoothly, “You’ve made your point. But we aren’t your enemies. We just came here to get something that would be very helpful to us.”

  “Oh?”, The elf frowned and asked coldly, “And what would that be?”

  Kaelen noticed the faint tapping of her fingers against her bow and thought, ‘Is that a habit, perhaps? Or is she just fighting the urge to strike again?’

  “We seek the Heart of the Three-Headed Twilight Wolf,” The old mage revealed.

  Suddenly, the elf became alarmed and tightened her grip on the bow, saying, “You’re either mad or you’ve come to die.”

  “What?”, Kaelen frowned and asked, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  However, the elf ignored him and asked the old mage, “Why do you want it?”

  “Sigh!”, The old mage sighed and answered, “That’s… not your concern.”

  A humorless smile formed on the elf’s face as she repeated, “Not my concern?”

  “You…”, She began, “Waltz into the Tainted Forest, acting like you own the place, and now you want one of the most dangerous artifacts in these woods. Do you think I’ll let you do as you please?”

  The old mage met her gaze and said, “Whether you allow it or not is irrelevant. We will find it ourselves.”

  Kaelen swallowed and thought, ‘Way to go, old man! Now, she will definitely try to kill us.’

  “Wow!”, The elf smiled and said, “Do you think I’m a fool?”

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  “I know, you’re hiding something,” She accused, “No one comes looking for the Heart without a reason. And especially not humans or elves.”

  Kaelen stepped forward and said, “Look, elf. We don’t mean any harm. We just came here for the Heart. If you know where it is-”

  The elf cut him off by saying, “I’m not telling you.”

  Kaelen sighed in frustration and asked, “Why not?”

  “Why not?”, She laughed bitterly and replied, “Because even if you could find it yourselves, you’d never survive. The Twilight Wolf will tear you apart.”

  “That’s none of your concern,” The old mage said coldly, “Whether it tear us apart or chew us or eat us—we’ll face it ourselves.”

  The elf smirked faintly and said, “Your funeral, then.”

  Kaelen softened his voice and said, “Look, if you know where it is, could you just tell us?”

  The elf smiled sinisterly and said, “Well, I do know where it is but I am not telling you.”

  “Please.”, Kaelen pleaded.

  However, the elf shot him a disgusted look and said, “Ew! Don’t do that ever again! And also, your answer is no.”

  Kaelen sighed in frustration, thinking, ‘I am running out of patience.’

  The old mage noticed a faint mark on neck and thought, ‘Oh? Is that the crest of the Valewind family? Hahaha! Never in my whole life I would’ve imagined to meet a member of that stubborn old fool’s family. This is perfect! I can use this to my advantage!’

  “Well, if you refuse,” He said, “I suppose I’ll have to speak to Lord Valewind about your attitude.”

  The name dropped like a stone.

  Suddenly, the elf froze and her lips parted in shock as she asked, “H-H-How do you know that name? W-Who are you?”

  “Hehe!”, The old mage grinned triumphantly and replied, “I have my ways. And if you don’t cooperate, I’ll make sure your family leader knows exactly how you’re being negligent on your duty.”

  Kaelen blinked in confusion and thought, ‘What? Oldy knows her family’s leader? Since when?’

  The elf glared at the old mage like she wanted to strangle him as she bit her lips in frustration. For some time, she stayed silent until she sighed in anger and lowered her bow.

  “You’re playing a very dangerous game, human,” She muttered.

  “Don’t worry,” The old mage said, “I’m very good at it.”

  “Hmph!”, The elf snapped, “Fine! I’ll take you there. But if you die, that’s on you. And, just so you know, I am praying that you do.”

  “Thank you.”, Kaelen said earnestly but the elf ignored him.

  “But let’s be clear,” She warned in a cold tone, “I still don’t trust either of you. One wrong move and you won’t see the next arrow coming.”

  “Understood,” the old mage said smoothly.

  Kaelen couldn’t resist muttering, “Charming.”

  The elf shot him a glare before turning sharply on her heel and ordered, “Follow me.”

  Kaelen lingered a moment as the old mage stepped beside him, still smiling faintly.

  “You knew her family this whole time?” Kaelen whispered to him.

  “I know more than I let on, boy.”, The old mage replied with a wide smile, “Best you remember that.”