Racheal's eyes lingered on the blazing fireball hovering before James, its glow painting her face in shifting orange light. His voice cut sharp through the silence.
"Who are you?"
Unperturbed, she straightened, her bow still loose at her side. "I am Racheal Morningstar, candidate for the ruler of the Great Tree Yggdrasil… and warrior of the Elven Path."
James faltered, the weight of her words leaving him more confused than reassured. Great Tree? Candidate? None of it made sense, but the conviction in her tone kept him from dismissing it outright.
Racheal didn't grant him time to unravel it. "Now that I have answered your question," she said evenly, "will you deactivate your spell?"
James' gaze flicked between her and the figure lying unconscious on the bed. His brow furrowed. "And what of him? Who is he?"
"I don't know," Racheal replied without hesitation, "but I believe he can tell us the whereabouts of your lord."
