They arrived in Vargorath moments later, stepping out of the portal into the cool night air of the castle courtyard.
Before the magic even faded, heavy footfalls echoed across the stone. Marcellus came rushing out, his face pale with worry until his eyes fell on his grandson.
"Thornak!" the old man called out looking relieved.
He hurried forward and threw his arms around him, gripping his shoulders tight.
"By the gods, my boy... you're alive. When we didn't hear anything, I feared the worst."
Thornak wrapped an arm around his grandfather, a rare, soft smile touching his lips.
"It's going to take a lot more than some poison to end me, Grandfather," he said laughing.
Marcellus pulled back, checking him over before turning his warm gaze to Lara. "And you brought your mate back safely," he said. "Welcome back, Moonguard."
That same night...
Thornak lifted Lara from the floor as if she weighed nothing and set her gently on the edge of his bed.
