Morning came without Sonder noticing it much.
The stars had disappeared one by one, the sky had turned from black to gray to a pale washed-out blue.
She had not slept. If she felt tired, it did not show much.
After some time, and the sun had risen just above the horizon, the first passengers began to emerge onto the deck of the ship from the quarters.
A man in fine clothes was the first. He adjusted his coat as he looked around with mild discomfort, breathing in long and hard as if the open air was a welcome change of pace.
A woman followed shortly after, her dress too elaborate for travel at sea. One hand was gripping the railing hard as she tested her balance.
More came after them.
A small group, speaking softly among themselves. A couple who stayed close together. A younger boy rushed to the railing only to be quickly pulled back by an older figure, likely a parent.
They all shared something.
None of them looked poor.
Their clothes were clean and well-made. Their hands uncalloused. Their posture carried a kind of expectation that this journey would be completed without much trouble, because that was simply how things worked.
Some of them glanced at her in return.
It was difficult not to.
She stood apart from them in almost every way.
Her clothes, though once fine, were worn from travel. Her pale complexion stood out in the morning light. The staff at her side. The faint.
And, if they looked long enough, the sword.
Most people didn't stare long enough.
But some did.
And when they noticed, they looked away quickly.
Then she looked to the sailors who were already up and working on the ship, checking and adjusting what needed to be checked and adjusted.
If there was anyone on this ship who might be considered poor, it would be them.
But they looked far more comfortable on the ship than the passengers did, which wasn't surprising.
Her gaze returned to them.
They talked. They observed the sea. Some pointed out into the distance as if expecting something to appear.
But there was nothing.
Just water.
Sireacht floated around through the air.
Sonder lifted a hand slightly, and the small dragon settled again.
"Two weeks," she said.
She tilted her head slightly.
What would the island be like? Who could she ask about it?
About the land itself and the people who lived there.
The passengers were well-dressed, but that didn't tell her what the destination would be like.
If the island was not a trade hub, not particularly important, then why were people like this traveling to it?
She watched as one man brushed invisible dust from his sleeve, frowning slightly at the sea air.
Another adjusted a ring on his finger, glancing around as if measuring the people near him.
They didn't look like travelers heading somewhere insignificant.