Setting the Trap

Rockblaze glanced at the ruins in front of him, then turned back to Arran. "What aren't you telling me?"

Arran smirked. "You'll find out if you walk up to the wall."

A dark look appeared in Rockblaze's eyes. "I don't trust you. What are you planning?"

"The city contains the lingering Essence of the battle that destroyed it," Arran said. "Someone created a formation to contain it, but when you approach the city, it will overwhelm your Sense."

Although he was tempted to talk Rockblaze into approaching the city unprepared, he decided against it. It would only serve to further increase the tension between them, and worse, it would waste precious time.

"You expect such a cheap trick to work against a Master?" Rockblaze stared at him in disbelief.

"I do," Arran replied simply.

"You think some lingering Essence will harm a Master?" The adept scowled as he spoke, and there was a trace of anger in his voice. "And even if it could, how do you plan to draw him inside?"