The governor's estate stood quieter than usual. No clang of steel in the courtyard, no shouts from sparring soldiers, no scent of fresh-burnt alchemical herbs drifting from Seraphine's chambers.
The day was still. Cold. Waiting.
Inside the central hall, Lan stood before an open window, long dark robes rustling faintly in the wind that whistled through the broken shutters.
His eyes followed the distant hills to the south—the path to the mines.
They were to visit it today, but he knew it would be a worthless endeavor. There was only one way to get what they wanted from it.
Reports from recent expeditions had barely scratched the surface of what lay beneath. Already, they'd encountered strange crystals and violent reactions to mana presence. Going deeper without preparation would be suicide.
He raised a hand and summoned the panel.
[Spiritual Will: Ascendant (Locked)]
His eyes narrowed.
That was the first chain.
The second?
Talisman paper.
