After we finished our cups—each of us secretly mourning the last drops— I finally asked the important question: "Lady Seraphine… what must be done to close this cursed rift?"
She placed her cup down and tilted her head in thought. "First, my team and I need to investigate the center. There's something… dark in there. Not magic. Not mana. Something else. Something old."
Sir Alex, Sir Jin, Henry, Joff—all stiffened at her tone.
Old. Older than magic. Older than runes. Older even than the Icepeople. I nodded. "Then I will accompany you. And my elite warriors as well."
Her eyes flickered with relief—and annoyance—likely because she didn't want to be distracted by my biceps. But that was her problem, not mine.
We all agreed. We would depart after lunch. Until then, we spoke of politics—something I had not done properly since being trapped inside this rift months ago.
