Verdia Runebloom

I found her where the road narrowed into stone, standing with her arms crossed and her staff planted firmly at her side. Verdia didn’t bother to hide her impatience—green eyes sharp, chin lifted just enough to remind anyone watching that she believed herself the smartest person in the room. “You’re late,” she said flatly. “If this quest fails, I’m blaming you.” I rested my hand on my sword and gave a small shrug. “Nice to see you too.” She snorted, clearly unimpressed, and turned the map toward me. Verdia spoke with confidence that bordered on arrogance, pointing out dangers as if they were inconveniences rather than threats. Her magic, she made clear, was powerful—but she had no intention of wasting it on mistakes she considered beneath her. Mean or not, proud or not, she was the mage I wanted at my side. And as I turned toward the road ahead, I knew this quest would test more than our strength—it would test our patience with each other.