Outside:

Vell looked at the door. He couldn't go through it, not without leaving behind a lot of his own blood and flesh, which could easily lead back to him.

But, of course, he couldn't leave Sonder here.

After he heard a heavy grunt, Vell saw Bachram coming his way.

The simerian was covered from head to toe in blood.

"Finished already?" Vell asked.

"No, but as I saw you rushing off, I wondered what happened to my savior. You moved here as though you were guided."

Bachram looked at the door and the pink barriers between them.

"What is behind it?" he asked.

"An innocent young girl," the mage answered. "But I've not yet figured out a way to cross these barriers."

"Ah, and she is obviously what you've come here for. It seems that you are in need of help. Let me take the weight off-"

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"No," Vell said. "I know what you are thinking, but I wouldn't want you to. These walls are not just magical in nature; they would even hurt you. Maybe even kill you."

The two men looked at each other, seemingly at an impass.

"I insist," Bachram said after a moment. He didn't exactly know how to persuade Vell, but he had made up his mind.

Vell shook his head softly and said, "I can't ask you to do that."

"It was never your choice," the simerian said.

And the mage stepped aside, as it was clear that he wouldn't be able to talk the warrior out of it.

-

Inside:

Sonder sat in her cell. There was a bed made of straw and a few thin sheets.

It all looked very depressing. There was nothing to do except wait.

She had already tried to practice her magic and control of mana, but it didn't look like she would be able to do so.

The room seemed to dampen or outright forbid her to. She thought it was because of the pink glow the walls had.

She thought it was best not to touch them, as she didn't know what the glow was.

After not seeing Vell for a few days now, she hoped that he would come for her soon. She didn't like being alone.

Even if the irath had surrounded her, they were in no way friends. Instead, what they were was strange.

It was like a very thorough and unpleasant doctor's visit when she was examined by them.

She pulled her knees to her chest and held them, sitting in the dark as there was neither a lamp nor a window to light the room.

And she closed her eyes and tried to sleep, though it never came to her, until she heard a rumbling, which was strange.

When the pink glow came, she couldn't hear anything from the other side.

Then the hinges of her door came loose as the door itself was broken and flew inward into her room.