War realm [8]

Night cloaked the ravine in stillness, the fire Vaelin had managed to conjure flickering low in the ring of stone.

Garrick sat near it, sharpening his blade with steady strokes, though his muscles remained coiled, ever ready. Vaelin stood nearby, arms crossed, gazing into the shadows beyond the ridge as though expecting monsters to crawl free of the dark.

When Clinton returned, neither man stirred, but both took notice.

He stepped into the firelight, quiet as ever, though something about his presence had changed.

His gait wasn’t rushed or cautious. Rather, it was exposed, like someone who had walked through fire and returned with answers.

“You’re alive,” Garrick said flatly, glancing up from his blade. “That’s a good start”.

Vaelin’s eyes narrowed. “What did they say?”

Clinton sat down beside the fire, letting the flickering warmth lick at his bones. “The chieftain, Grumak Skullspliter, knows I’m from another level”.

The Human and Elf looked at him sharply.