Aedric's eyes snapped open.
A woman sat in the chair by the fire, fast asleep. She looked as though she had been waiting for him. The flames dancing across her face.
"Rell," Aedric called softly.
He stepped closer, brushing his hand over her shoulder. She stirred, blinking, momentarily confused. Neither spoke.
"You look like you've seen a ghost," Rell whispered finally.
Aedric frowned.
"What are you doing in my room?" he asked, his voice low.
Rell leaned back. The firelight flickered in her eyes.
"I was waiting for you to get up," she said simply. "But I fell asleep. I need to talk to you about something important. It can't wait."
....
The clang of sticks echoed across the training yard. Thornak stood with Dain and Ruvan near the sparring pit, their voices low, discussing the trip to Silverfen. A map lay stretched across a rough-hewn table, weighted down with daggers.
