As the first blush of dawn crept over the horizon, painting the sky in soft amber and violet hues, Luke and Ilyrana were already at the stable. The streets of the town still slept, the chill of early morning lingering in the quiet, but the two were anything but idle. Wrapped in travel-worn cloaks, their breath faintly misting in the air, they moved with silent purpose—no words needed to be exchanged.
The stablehand, already informed of their early departure, gave them a nod of recognition and went to unlatch the stall door. Vartha, the proud tiger who had pulled their carriage all this while, stood ready. She stirred awake with a slow stretch and a yawn, her piercing eyes already alert. She seemed to know, somehow, that today was different.
Once the reins were clipped and the harness secured, Luke gave Vartha a reassuring pat and turned to Ilyrana, who had already placed their bags back into the carriage.
"All set?"
Ilyrana nodded.
"Let's go."
