They waited, the hall's silence broken only by the occasional creak of armor or muffled conversation. Kael's senses stayed sharp, tracking every movement and every new arrival.
A cheerful voice suddenly cut through the quiet. "Sera! You made it!" Kael turned, his hand resting on his dagger.
Two familiar figures approached them—Reiner, broad-shouldered with a scarred face, and Luthen, lean and sharp-eyed, his staff glowing faintly.
Their steps slowed as they neared, their smiles fading. Reiner's eyes flicked to Sera, then to Kael, searching. "Where's Mira?" he asked, his voice tight.
Sera's hands trembled, her bow creaking under her grip. Tears welled in her eyes, spilling silently down her cheeks. She didn't speak nor did she look at them.
Reiner's face fell, understanding dawning on him. Luthen's jaw tightened, his staff dimming.
