Summoned with an SSS-Rank Portal Skill

"We'll depart tomorrow," Amber announced, her voice a low rumble that echoed through the small cabin. "It's getting late, and while I have no fear of the dark, it's not exactly a safe environment for a human like you."

William, his mind still reeling from the day's revelations, realized he had lost track of time completely. The sun had already dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the snow-covered landscape. He sighed, accepting the delay.

"Alright," he agreed, a hint of worry creeping into his voice. "But what if you...fall asleep again?"

"I won't," Amber assured him, her tone firm.

"Are you sure?" William pressed, his anxiety evident.

"Absolutely," Amber replied, a hint of amusement in her voice.

"But what if you do?" William persisted. "What should I do then?"

"Wake me up," Amber said, rolling her eyes. "It's not complicated."

"But what if I can't?" William argued. "What if—"

"Enough with the 'what ifs'!" Amber interrupted, her voice laced with a playful exasperation. "Just get some sleep."

William, exhausted from his ordeal, readily obeyed. He collapsed onto the bed, his body sinking into the surprisingly soft mattress. Sleep claimed him almost instantly.

Amber, however, remained awake. She settled into a worn armchair by the fireplace, her dragon eyes gleaming in the firelight, a silent guardian watching over the slumbering mage.

When William awoke, the smell of roasted fish filled the air. He emerged from the cabin to find Amber tending a small campfire by the lake, a freshly caught fish sizzling over the flames.

"Good morning," he mumbled, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

Amber glanced at him briefly, then returned her attention to the fish. "Morning," she replied. "There's food if you're hungry."

William, his stomach growling in agreement, grinned. "I definitely am."

He settled on the grassy bank, savoring the warm, flaky fish.

"How far is the civilization?" William asked.

"Far," Amber replied, her voice a low rumble. "And I won't be flying you there, if that's what you're hoping for. I can't risk exposure."

William understood. Dragons had lived in hiding for centuries, their existence a secret known only to a select few. Amber's willingness to help him at all was a testament to her kindness, or perhaps her curiosity.

"No problem," William assured her. "I appreciate your help regardless. But do you think those... 'students' who kidnapped me are still in the area?" He remembered the stolen spell books, a valuable resource he couldn't afford to lose.

Amber's lips curled into a sly smile. "I can't say for sure," she replied, "but I'll keep my senses alert. Dragons have an exceptional sense of smell, you know. I might be able to catch their scent."

With a newfound determination, they set off, their footsteps crunching in the snow. The journey ahead was long and uncertain, but William, with Amber by his side, felt a flicker of hope ignite within him. He would return to Snowpeak Academy, reclaim his stolen tomes, and warn his friends of the impending danger.

They descended the mountain, the journey less arduous now that William's strength had returned. The sun beat down upon them, the snow glistening under its rays.

"Do you think we could find those 'students' and use their teleportation device to return to the academy?" William asked, a hopeful note in his voice. He still clung to the idea of reaching Snowpeak before it was too late.

"It's possible," Amber conceded, "but unlikely. If they were truly determined to bring you here, they wouldn't risk leaving such a valuable tool behind. They're probably long gone by now."

William sighed, his shoulders slumping. He knew Amber was right, but the thought of spending months traversing this vast wilderness was disheartening. He had to find a way to accelerate his journey, to reach the academy before the attackers could execute their plan.

William's gaze swept across the desolate landscape, a sea of white stretching to the horizon. He couldn't deny the logic in Amber's words. Even in this remote wilderness, danger lurked. He had already encountered necromancers and their undead minions. Who knew what other threats might be hidden amongst the snow-covered peaks?

Amber, her senses attuned to the subtle shifts in the environment, led the way, her path winding through treacherous ravines and icy streams.

"We should reach civilization in twelve to thirteen days," she estimated, her voice a low rumble. "This winter weather slows our progress."

William, his impatience growing, pressed her again. "Are you absolutely certain you can't fly us there? Even at a high altitude?"
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"It's too risky," Amber insisted. "Even in this remote region, there's always the chance of being spotted. And those who dwell in the Shadowlands... they tend to possess keen eyes and powerful magic."

Resigned, William trudged onward, the monotony of the journey broken only by the occasional flurry of snow and the comforting warmth of Amber's fire magic. She conjured small flames to ward off the chill and ignited their campfires with a flick of her wrist. William, observing her effortless control over the element, added fire magic to his growing list of spells to master.

Three days passed in a blur of snow-covered landscapes and silent nights. They encountered no monsters, no other humans, only the vast emptiness of the Shadowlands. Then, as they crested a ridge, Amber paused, her nostrils flaring.

"I smell something," she announced, her voice low and alert. "It could be those 'students' you mentioned."

William's heart leaped with a mix of hope and apprehension. "Are you sure?"

"Ninety-nine percent," Amber confirmed. "I detect the scent of three griffins. And you said your attackers had griffins, yes? Wild griffins are solitary creatures. This is likely them."

Hope surged through William, a potent antidote to the weariness that had settled in his bones. The prospect of confronting his captors, of reclaiming his stolen possessions and potentially utilizing their teleportation device, ignited a fire within him. He yearned to understand their motives, to unravel the mystery behind their attack.

Amber, her senses guiding them, led the way through the snow-covered wilderness. The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth, making it challenging to isolate the specific trail she sought. She paused frequently, her nostrils flaring, her brow furrowed in concentration. William, patient and observant, followed closely behind, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

Two days passed, the monotony of the journey broken only by Amber's occasional updates.

"They're moving," she announced, her voice low and alert. "But they're not using their griffins for long-distance travel. It seems they're searching for something in this area."

Intrigue mingled with William's determination. What were they seeking in this desolate land? Could it be related to the reason they had kidnapped him? The questions fueled his resolve.

Finally, as they traversed a dense thicket of snow-laden pines, a sight emerged that quickened William's pulse. A small encampment, nestled amongst the trees, its tents flapping gently in the wind. He recognized the distinctive blue canvas, the same tents they had used during the ill-fated expedition.

"It's them!" he hissed, his grip tightening on his sword. The moment of confrontation had arrived.

The griffins were there, too. All three were tied to nearby trees close to the tents. But at first glance, they didn't spot the people who had kidnapped William.

"Let's go," Amber said. "Don't be scared. I am here."

With a powerful dragon by his side, William wasn't afraid of the mysterious people who had done this to him. Even if they were powerful mages, he doubted they would be anywhere near as strong as Amber.

They slowly walked over to the camp. When the griffins saw them, they started to make noises, but Amber commanded them to be silent. All it took was a single word from her.

They cautiously surveyed the campsite. William's eyes lit up as he spotted his familiar backpack tucked inside one of the tents. He retrieved it, relief washing over him as he confirmed the presence of his precious spell books.

"Finally," he muttered, a grin spreading across his face.

"They're coming," Amber warned, her voice low and alert. Her keen sense of smell had detected their approach.

Moments later, three figures emerged from the trees. They were older than the 'students' William remembered, their faces weathered, their attire more befitting seasoned adventurers. The disguises had been convincing, but their identities were undeniable.

"William?" one of them exclaimed, their surprise evident. "What are you doing here? You were supposed to be..." He trailed off, unable to voice the word 'dead'.

William's lips curled into a smirk. "Dead?" he echoed, his voice laced with a newfound confidence. "Not before I get some answers."

"Answers?" the man scoffed. "You're entitled to nothing. Damn it!" he cursed, his frustration evident. "Those necromancers were useless. They couldn't even handle a single student."

"Oh, you mean the necromancers I killed?" William countered, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Amber leaned closer, her voice a barely audible whisper. "You mean the necromancers I killed, right?"

"I know, I know," William whispered back. "But let me handle this." He stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the three figures.