Rothwind's exclamation hung in the air, charged with intensity as he stared at Alex.
His gaze itself was searching for answers.
The usual gruffness in his tone had given way to something raw and unguarded — disbelief.
Alex swallowed, forcing himself to meet the dwarf's penetrating stare without flinching.
"I told you."
Alex began, keeping his voice as steady as possible.
"I found it in some ancient ruins a while back. I didn't know what it was back then, and that fact still remains to this day."
He then glanced briefly at Mira, then back to Rothwind.
"I'm only bringing it out now because I thought you might know something about it, with all your centuries of experience."
Rothwind blinked, his brows furrowing in suspicion, though the intensity in his gaze didn't waver.
He studied Alex, even Mira a little bit, as if weighing his words, then shifted his focus back to the soul orb in his hand.
