As they stepped out of the building, they immediately ran into Soulmancer Meribelle. She was leaning against a wall with her arms crossed, a look of sheer boredom etched on her face. Hearing their footsteps, she turned her head toward them and nodded approvingly.
"Now, you finally look like a proper squad," she commented, her faint smile not reaching her eyes.
"You've been waiting long?" Jake frowned. "Why didn't you come inside?"
"I just got here," she tersely replied, then ominously ordered the group, "Follow me. The situation has shifted quite a bit during my absence. This isn't the place to discuss it."
Jake and Hephais exchanged a solemn glance, then agreed to follow her in silence. The rest of the recruits fell in line without a word.
