Return of the Legendary Runesmith

"How did you know?" Adrian asked, sitting on a small piece of broken stone, both hands wrapped around a warm cup of tea.

The others were still on the far side of the site, deep in conversation.

Ruby shrugged lightly. "It was clear you didn’t want them to dig any deeper. Your eyes kept darting around, and you bit your lip—I could tell you were worried. That’s why I stepped in."

Adrian let out a quiet sigh. She really was more perceptive than he gave her credit for.

As she took a seat beside him, he said, "Thanks for that. You probably saved them from walking into something dangerous. Knowing how people are... they might’ve triggered something without even realizing it."

Ruby chuckled. "Well, I wouldn’t say we’re out of danger yet. Once Uncle Alfred shows up, he’ll either try to break the relic or take it for himself."

Adrian raised a brow. "You know Alfred Agatha well?"

She nodded with a small smile. "His father was close friends with my grandfather. Our families go way back. And when I was twelve, I trained under him for a few years."

"No wonder your basics are so solid," Adrian said with a genuine smile.

Ruby just smiled back and turned her gaze toward the distant crater, her expression softening.

After a short pause, Adrian spoke again, his voice quiet. "Aren’t you curious about what I saw? Or why I didn’t want them digging here?"