It was mid-afternoon by the time Ian returned to his residence.
Just as he pushed open the courtyard gate, he saw a figure standing at the bottom of the steps to his house.
Malena.
She was dressed in a simple, dark blue Wizard Robe, but she looked unwell. She had dark circles under her eyes and looked exhausted.
"Ian," she said, her voice a little hoarse.
"Come in and sit."
Ian opened the door and led her into the living room.
The room was simple: a table, a few chairs, and a bookshelf against the wall piled high with notes and Scrolls.
Malena sat down, looking surprisingly reserved.
"I heard," she said, looking up at Ian. "About what happened in the Dark Hills."
Ian poured a glass of water and pushed it toward her. "Who did you hear it from?"
"It's all over the High Tower." Malena took the glass but didn't drink, just held it in her hands.
