The mission parchment was old and crisp. It had been sealed with red wax and stamped with the symbol of the Adventurer's Guild—a sword and shield crossed behind a dragon's skull. Alex broke the seal and read the words inside.
Urgent. Threat Level: Disaster.
Location: The Jagged Spire.
Target: Enraged Frost Wyvern.
Notes: Creature has lost its mate to poachers. Now attacks all who enter its territory. Entire mountain pass is closed. No survivors from three previous attempts.
The guild master, a tired old man with one eye and a wooden leg, looked at them from behind his counter.
"I wouldn't ask if it wasn't desperate," he said quietly. "But you are the best. The only one who might come back."
Alex folded the paper and tucked it into his cloak. He looked at Saeko.
She gave one small nod.
They left at dawn.
