"The halfling," she said. "He fights like me."
Draven leaned back against the edge of the desk, folding his arms. "Explain."
Liora's fingers twitched slightly, the only sign of unease. "His movements. The way he counters. It's not just skill—it's technique. Familiar." She shook her head, her brow furrowing for the first time. "But I've never trained him. He's not from the same lineage. He's a halfling. I am not."
Draven considered her words, turning them over in his mind like a blade being examined for its balance. It was a rare thing to see her disturbed. He did not believe in coincidence. Every piece had its place. And if this piece did not fit… then someone had placed it there deliberately.
The room fell into silence again, thick with unspoken thoughts.
