章 74: A powerful glow

Garmond's sudden halt sent a ripple of confusion through Minna. Her eyes narrowed as she watched him, frozen in place, the faint glow of his staff casting strange shadows across his face.

*Why'd he stop?* The question echoed in her mind, but relief tempered her anxiety when she saw the staff still firmly in his grip, glowing brighter with each passing moment. At least they had what they came for. 

"Garmond!" she hissed, her voice sharp and urgent. "What's holding you? Get the staff and let's get out of here. We've lost too many already. If we stay any longer, we'll lose even more."

The weight of her words lingered between them. This mission had been one surprise after another—the Hounts' ambush, the empire's defenses, all of it unexpected and far more dangerous than they'd prepared for. Now, with the staff in hand, all that mattered was escape.