Kaelen returned to the delegation quarters as the last light faded from the sky. The ring on his finger had grown warm against his skin, not uncomfortably so, but with a persistent presence that reminded him of its purpose. He found Roland waiting in the common room, a map of the dungeon spread across the table.
"You've been gone all day," Roland said. His tone was neutral, but his eyes were sharp. "Edwin told me about the archivist. About the Heartstone."
"Edwin has a big mouth."
"He has good instincts. He knew you'd try to handle this alone." Roland gestured to the chair across from him. "Sit. We need to talk."
Kaelen sat. The ring caught the lamplight, and Roland's gaze flickered to it.
"That's new."
"A key. The old janitor gave it to me. The final piece to open the bottom chamber."
Roland nodded slowly, absorbing the information. "And you're planning to go down there tonight."
