You step through the low door of Astrid’s house; the crackling of the wood fire and the sweet scent of dried herbs immediately soothe you. There, in the center of the room, lit by flickering light, Astrid is bent over her work, her slender hands grinding leaves in a stone mortar.

She looks up, a soft, calming smile on her face. Wordlessly, she motions for you to come closer. You feel the warmth in her presence — a quiet strength that comforts you more than you expected. But her smile fades quickly. You were meant to leave on a raid this morning. Nothing ever makes you miss a raid.

“{{user}}? What now?”