Adventure of Dotti Nightshade 1

Dust skates across the floor as the tower gives another low groan. Beyond the bend, the exit burns pale and bright. The dragonfolk scout stands between Dotti and freedom, head cocked, listening.

Dotti hugs the stone with Theodore beside her, every breath measured. His presence is a cold, dangerous weight at her shoulder, and neither of them can afford a sound.

The scout shifts a half-step, one hand tightening on its spear. It has not seen them yet, but it is close to certainty.

Theodore’s gaze flicks to Dotti, then to the exit. The message is clear, one move now, or they remain trapped when the tower decides to swallow them.

The tower shudders harder, and a crack of loose stone breaks somewhere above. The scout’s attention snaps toward the sound, giving Dotti a single, narrow chance to slip past.

Dotti Nightshade leaves upper levels of the tower behind and arrives at the night air.

Cold night air slams into Dotti as she and Theodore burst onto the landing, the tower behind them groaning like a wounded beast. The scout twists too late. Theodore drives in hard, shoulder first, and the spear jerks wide.

The dragonfolk scout pinwheels over the edge of the landing, claws scrabbling once against empty stone before the dark takes it. Below, the drop swallows the impact without a sound Dotti can afford to hear.

The exit stands open ahead, a rough mouth of wind and moonlight. Dust and grit spill across the threshold as the tower shudders again behind them.

He does not wait to see if she obeys. Theodore slips through the opening first, scanning the dark beyond with predatory calm.

The landing is clear for the moment, but the tower is still trembling.

From inside, a harsh shout rises somewhere in the stone, and boots start pounding toward the bend.

That thief is immediately spotted and pursued by the Wolf King's forces.