[Later — High Mage Arkhazunn's Residence — Late Night]
The candles burned lower; outside, Zahryssar slept beneath moonlight. Inside the study...the maps had long been abandoned, the scrolls remained forgotten, and several empty wine bottles rested upon the table.
Varesh sat opposite Arkhazunn, a rare sight. The High Mage usually spent his evenings buried beneath records and politics, not sharing drinks with a captain. Yet tonight...neither seemed eager to leave.
Arkhazunn swirled the wine inside his cup; his eyes studied Varesh over the rim, thoughtful and curious.
Then suddenly, "Can I ask you something, Captain?"
"Sure, High Mage, if I am capable of answering, I will surely answer," Varesh replied.
"Tell me about your life," High Mage Arkhazunn asked.
Varesh blinked; the question clearly caught him off guard. "My life?"
Arkhazunn nodded. "Yes."
Silence.
Varesh looked genuinely confused. "But why, High Mage?"
