The council was paused for a few minutes at Roland's request for some time to himself.
No one argued, and the hero stepped out into the corridor, finding a tall window that overlooked the fortress walls. He rested his hands on the stone sill, gazing out at the fading light.
Perfect time for me to bother you, Norelli's voice murmured in his mind.
Roland exhaled slowly. "I had a feeling you'd show up."
A small bat suddenly fluttered out from behind his back, where it had been hidden the entire meeting, and landed on the window frame beside him. It began folding its wings like someone setting aside a cloak before bowing.
When the voice came again, it was sharper, almost eager.
[I've been busy… terribly busy. I'm enjoying all I learned from the volcano… but that's not the talk we need to be having right now. I need you to cause more chaos, bring more destruction. I hide as a scientist here, but I want this place empty again…]
"Busy how?" Roland asked, crossing his arms.
