[High Mage's Manor — Night — Arkhazunn's Chamber]
The manor had long since fallen quiet.
Moonlight spilled through the tall windows, silvering the polished stone floors and the shelves lined with ancient scrolls. The servants had already retired, leaving only the distant crackle of lanterns burning in the corridors.
Varesh walked through the familiar halls, every attendant bowing respectfully as he passed. "Good evening, Captain."
He acknowledged them with a nod before stopping outside the High Mage's chamber.
Knock! knock!
No answer; he knocked again.
Silence.
Varesh frowned slightly before pushing the doors open. The chamber was empty.
"High Mage?"
His voice echoed softly through the spacious room; wine goblets and books lay open across the desk. A few scrolls had been left half-unrolled, and a candle still burned near the window, but there was no sign of the High Mage.
Varesh stepped farther inside, looking around. "Where did he—"
