“No.” Lilax shook her head after pondering the issue. “Damn, I thought becoming rich would be easier.”

“What’s wrong with this place?” Aryk asked. “This isn’t how I pictured the house of a powerful evil mage. This looks like the wet dream of a compulsive hoarder. Where are the beautiful women, the tasty food, and the fine clothes?”

They had just entered a wide space with piles of books arranged along the walls and dozens of empty alembics and crystal containers forming a path leading from one door to the other.

“I told you. I forced Azith to abandon his lair just two days ago.” Leegaain replied. “Dimensional amulets make storing your possessions easy, but arranging them after you get yourself a new place takes time.

“Also, my son has turned into one of those shadow creatures we met before. He has no need for women, food, or clothes. He only craves the lives of others and power. It’s why he brought you two and the other prisoners here.”

Aryk and Lilax shuddered at the thought. The mere sight of Balagh the Corpseweaver had given them the fright of their lives. Everything about him screamed of death and danger. If a creature like that was just a foot soldier, Azith was bound to be much, much worse.

On the one hand, the two youths wanted to run away and keep themselves as far away from such a monster as possible. On the other hand, there was no place safer than a Dragon’s back, and they stood beside the Father of All Dragons.