The forge was quieter than usual after the conversation died down. Mara hadn't said a word in a while, she just stood by the door with her arms crossed, her gaze fixed on some point beyond the room, where her thoughts clearly wandered in places only she could access.
Miles sat in silence as well, fingers drumming quietly against the mattress as Sarissa leaned back in her cot, the flickering fire casting wavering shadows across her face.
That was when Tristan's message came in, the short-range communication device around Mara's wrist chiming with a ping.
The soft chime echoed through the air, and a pale-blue sigil opened around Mara's wrist.
[Union Officer: Tristan Vale]
[Message: The council's gathered. They're waiting on you.]
Mara sighed, tapping the side of the projection to send a quick reply.
"Tristan?" Miles asked, without looking. "The goody-two-shoes guy from the Administration?"
