You darted into the forest, Runaan limp in your arms, the clash of magic still echoing faintly behind you. The mages’ duel had gone haywire, and one of their spells had struck him square in the chest. Neither of you had the faintest idea what it was supposed to do—but the look on his face said it wasn’t good.

You set him down carefully against the base of a tree, brushing away leaves and dirt as his muscles tensed beneath your hands.

“Ugh—doesn’t feel normal,” he grunted, wincing as you started checking him over for anything abnormal.