The briefing room was quiet without Valerie's presence. Her TUFF GRANNY mug was absent, Boris the Yeti's snore was missing, and the room felt smaller without her gruff warmth. In her place, Professor Helena stood at the head of the table, a dossier open before her.
"Valerie's dealing with some... guild politics," Helena said, her tone making it clear she'd rather be doing anything else. "She sends her apologies and a reminder that if any of you die, she'll be very annoyed."
Nathan almost smiled. That sounded like Valerie, he had become fond of her way of shenanigans.
Helena slid the dossier across the table. "The Hollow Barrow. A mid Class Tower in the eastern moorlands. Originally a burial mound of one of the many cities that fell two centuries ago. Five floors. Undead enemies. Cursed ground."
She tapped a section.
