Chapter 104: This Time The Rift
The next morning came with a sharp chill in the air.
Elandra stirred slowly beneath the gray dawn, clouds hanging low over the rooftops like a heavy blanket. Inigo stood by the outer gates of the Guild, checking the straps on his gear. His longcoat was cinched tight, weapons holstered, and a fresh utility belt hung at his side. He wasn’t nervous. Not exactly. But there was something about a rift appearing this close to home that unsettled him more than Hollowmere ever did.
Lyra joined him shortly after, tightening her bowstring while chewing on a bit of dried jerky.
"You ready?" she asked, eyes flicking briefly to the west where the cliffs waited.
"As I’ll ever be." He gave a glance toward the Guild. "They’re coming."
Sure enough, a few minutes later, Arienne arrived, coat buttoned up and eyes sharp. No trace of fatigue remained from the night before. She adjusted the strap on her satchel and gave a curt nod.
"Thorne packed us supplies. Antitoxin, burst stones, and another beacon."
And then Korrik appeared, stomping up the steps with a greatsword slung across his back and a full loaf of bread in one hand.
"I’m here, I’m armed, and I’m fed," he said around a mouthful. "Let’s go kill some nightmares."
They left through the western gate just as the bells of morning rang out across the city.
The journey to Windspire was short. Too short. Normally, their missions took them days out, far beyond the civilized lands. But this? This was practically in their backyard.