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“Whatever he says, don’t listen to him!” Tarquin says, still struggling even though it’s clear he can’t break the magister’s spell-enhanced grip.
“We won’t,” Ashur promises and—before the man holding Tarquin has time to react—throws a force blast directly at his head, finely targeted to blow just past Tarquin’s ear with no more effect than a few dislodged hairs. You knew he was a powerful mage, but now you know he’s a skilled one as well.
Luckily, Mae is just as quick and just as good. She follows up Ashur’s spell with several of her own, rapid-fire, buying you time to slide in low and take the man out at the knees with your blade, toppling him ungracefully to the stony ground.
Tarquin is grinning when you shove the mage’s body off you and get to your feet—after all, it’s always nice not to be held hostage by an evil magister—but it doesn’t last long. He may be safe, but the unfortunate reality now is that you have no Neve, no leads, and no more time.
The Shadow Dragons have suffered losses before, though few as significant as Neve Gallus. You’ll survive, probably… but will the people of Dock Town be so lucky?