Round 244

Jeane's consciousness returns in a rush, her mind flooded with fragmented memories of capture and interrogation. She lies still for a moment, assessing her situation through slitted eyes. The room is dimly lit by flickering oil lamps, revealing stone walls covered in arcane symbols and a heavy wooden door reinforced with iron bands. She's naked, her body marked with bruises and minor cuts—evidence of rough handling rather than torture. Her wrists ache, bound behind her back with coarse rope that chafes her skin. Across the room, a figure sits in shadow at a heavy wooden table, facing away from Jeane. The woman's long dark hair falls over her shoulders, catching what little light is available. "Finally awake," the figure says without turning around. Her voice is low and smooth, carrying an edge of amusement. "I was beginning to wonder if you'd sleep through the rest of the night."

Jeane's stomach twists with fear and anger. She opens her mouth to speak but stops herself—better to gather information before revealing too much. The woman at the table shifts in her seat, turning slightly to face Jeane. In the gloom, her features are indistinct, but her eyes seem to glow faintly. "You have something that belongs to me," she says, rising from her chair with fluid grace. "And I intend to reclaim it... one way or another."