The last rays of sunlight dipped beneath the horizon, and with them the Rainfelt Empire outside transformed. Daylight surrendered to twilight, and twilight to night. The vast plains they had crossed were now cloaked in indigo shadows, dotted with the first glimmers of lanterns from distant villages. Rivers reflected the pale light of the moon, silver ribbons weaving through the darkness.
Inside the cabin, the mood shifted as well.
The laughter of dice and cards had softened. Adam lounged back in his seat, boots propped carelessly on the table despite Lux's pointed glance of disapproval. Lux himself had taken out a small pocketbook, flipping through its pages under the gentle glow of the train's enchanted lamps. Nero sat by the window, glass in hand, his crimson eyes fixed on the world outside.
The whiskey was nearly gone, the amber liquid reduced to its last lingering sips. Adam swirled his glass idly, breaking the silence first.
