Hael arrived the following afternoon, road-worn and grim-faced, trailing behind him a stranger cloaked in dark traveling robes marked with unfamiliar Zhipherian sigils.
"This is Kess," Hael said, gesturing to the mage as introductions were hastily made in the main hall. "One of the few mages left in Zhipher willing to help with us out, given the war. She's the reason we made it back as fast as we did."
Hael held Stella's hand tight as they made their way to the living room of the Lancaster mansion. Kess was looking around observing the mansion. Sensing something, looking around, and then turning calm. She didn't let anything build up on her face.
Caelestis called for a maid, and asked her to bring Eleanore. As they sat in the living room waiting for Eleanore, a maid came with tea for everyone. Kess, however, did not touch it. Her face carried no reaction from the moment she entered the mansion until Eleanore entered the room. A furrow appeared on her face.
