That cloud of cherry musk swirling toward Jakon. Only paces away. From on top of a low boulder. Where Scarlet had been.

Scarlet went back to her card form. And into his deck?

By herself?

His breathe was ragged but still steady. His strength still there. Like dwarven steel. It wouldn’t give in. He wouldn’t shatter like less human steel. Not until the job was done and his home safe again.

But now for the final enemy.

The snow vixen in snake-bone armor loomed over him. On top of a ring of tall boulders. She glared down at him.

Her bone claw extender crackled with blue lightning.

Yet … she really did look too much like Azura—except for the color of her long blonde hair.

“I see,” the snow vixen said, “Zhat blade is troublesome. But I’ll spare your measly life if you let me card Rubica and give me back Saphira. A good deal, no?”

That first scarlet fox girl must of been Rubica.

“So the fox guy …” Jakon said.

“Already dead,” the snow vixen said, “so he cannot be carded, no?”

True. Good. He didn’t want to spare any of them. Saphira just got lucky by having sisters he already carded. More like received as cards.

“Call off the orcs too,” Jakon said, “and I’ll consider it … Ms …”

“Frostine,” she said, “but zee orcs cannot be recalled. They seek vengeance for their deaths and vill fight until no dwarves remain—or they themselves die again.”

Jakon huffed, and glared back at Frostine. Either she was a necromancer or a monster card deck wielder. Either way defeating her should end the orc menace too.

“I’ll let you card Rubica,” he said, “but when I defeat you, you let me card you too—and keep Rubica as well.”

That got him a very sour grimace back. But vixen witch cards were valuable. Especially living ones.

“When?” Frostine said, “Big talk for a little dwarf, no?”

“Big request for a little furball,” Jakon said.

“Ooo,” Frostine said, “Not fleabag? Interesting. Fine, I accept your terms—as long as when I defeat you, you accept my request.”

“Request?” he said, “What?”

“You’ll see,” she said, “Soon enough, no?”

Jakon almost pressed her, but no. She’d refuse, and maybe refuse to come closer.

Getting her down from on top of the boulder was the first priority. Getting her within reach of his blade. And with honorable dwarven means.

That meant letting her to card that first scarlet fox girl Rubica before she finished dying.

“Alright,” Jakon said, and backed away from the small-chest fox girl.

Frostine hopped down. Landed right beside Rubica.

“You vill not strike me while I card her?” Frostine said, and she even already had another empty card out. A card she transformed into a dagger.

“Of course not,” Jakon said, “A deal is a deal.”

“Zhen lower your blade,” Frostine said.

“Dwarf’s honor,” Jakon said, “I—”

“But half dwarf,” Frostine said, “means half the honor, no?”

That got a snarl from Jakon.

“No, a dwarf is a dwarf,” Jakon said, “Card Rubica now, or let her die. Your choice, Frostine. I won’t attack until you’re done and ready.”

Frostine let out what sounded like … a la-sigh?

“Fine,” Frostine said, “When I card you, I vill expect much.”

“Right back at you,” Jakon said.

Frostine la-sighed again. While facing him, she slipped beside Rubica and, right as Rubica gurgled a wait, Frostine stabbed her.

“Zorry, Rubica,” Frostine said, “Vee serve in life and death, no?”

Rubica gasped, nodded, and exploded into a scarlet cloud of smoke and transformed into a card, which Frostine slipped into a deck … between her big breasts.

Jakon growled. “Ready?”

“Almost,” Frostine said, “Zee carding is almost … saddening, no?”

“Enough chit chat,” Jakon said, “Time to die.”

“But I am not ready,” Frostine said, “and you promised to vait until I vas, no?”

“I …” Jakon said, gnashed his teeth, and nodded. “Hurry up.”

“Give me a few moments,” Frostine said, and took a deep breath, “Such a fierce dwarf boy. Fighting you is so thrilling. I must calm myself.”

Uh huh. She meant recover some strength.

“I didn’t say you could rest up before our fight,” Jakon said.

“You never said I couldn’t,” Frostine said, “In fact, on your honor, I might as vell recover. It looks like you could use a rest too, no?”

“My home—” Jakon said.

“No different than mine,” Frostine said, “after you dwarves raided it. Took my cute little sister. If it were not for my beloved Dragon Lord I vould of shared zee same fate.”

“A dragon that—” Jakon said,

When a fierce overwhelming roar came from on top of the mountain.