Round 125

Varrika yanked Merrin forward onto the narrow ledge hard enough that the smaller woman stumbled, barely keeping her feet as rock and dust exploded behind them from a massive boulder crashing down where they'd been moments before. The ground still rumbled under their boots as both women caught their balance, the sound of more distant collapse echoing ominously across the ruined courtyard beyond the tower's reflection. Varrika's scarred face twisted with barely contained panic and frustration, her grip on Merrin's arm bruising as she snarled, "You're not going to let me have that book, are you?" Her voice was low and urgent, a desperate growl. The dwarf woman hauled Merrin closer, their faces inches apart now in the swirling dust. "We can't afford to waste any more time."