The scream hit Miles like a gunshot.
He was already sprinting before Mara could react. The hall between the forge's main floor and the infirmary was short, but in that moment, it felt endless. His boots slammed against enchanted tile, and the blue runes lining the corridor pulsed in recognition, letting him pass unimpeded.
He kicked the door open. The scent of burning incense and bitter herbs hit him immediately, but that was a background note compared to what he saw.
Sarissa was sitting up in the cot, sweat pouring down her face, one hand clutched to her chest, the other reaching towards something he was not able to see or sense. Her eyes were wide, unfocused, flicking around the room like a caged animal.
The runes etched into the walls trembled with residual mana, reacting to the violence of her scream like a child reacts to their mother's sudden yell. Almost as if flinching in intimidation.
