The granary doors slam wide, and General Magnus strides in, armor ringing like hammered iron. He stops short at the frost-sealed scar, his gaze snagging on the pale thrum beneath it.
General Magnus
That is no ordinary crack in the floor. Who laid the ward, and why does it smell of the Dark Keep?
The Bandit Captain stiffens near the grain sacks, one hand half-raised as if to surrender before he is accused. Rell keeps still, eyes on Magnus, the cold residue still clinging to his boots.
Rell
I found it and called for help. The seam was answering something on the other side.
General Magnus
Then you were wise to stop it. I came because the tower guards felt a tremor in the storehouse. I did not expect wizardry and a sign from old shadows.
Magnus lowers one gauntleted hand toward the frozen scar, but does not touch it. The air around the ward stays taut and cold, waiting.
Evade General Magnus's notice
Learn what the Dark Keep wants from the seam