The first rays of dawn filtered through the wooden shutters, casting long stripes of golden light across the inn room floor.
Liora stirred first.
She shifted carefully from under Aria's small frame, who had climbed into her bed again sometime in the night. The little girl was curled up against her, clutching her cloth doll. She looked peaceful, dreaming softly.
Liora sat up with a stretch, yawning silently. Across the room, Tessa was still asleep, tangled halfway in her blanket, one arm hanging off the side of her bed.
For a brief moment, Liora just… watched them.
This wasn't what she imagined when she became an adventurer, but it felt more right than anything she'd done in years.
By the time the smell of warm bread filled the room, both Aria and Tessa had woken up. Liora had already been down to the kitchen to buy a few fresh rolls from Marna, who had started baking early. Alongside it, she'd managed to trade for a bit of cheese and a small jar of berry jam.
The three of them sat together on the floor near the low table, eating casually, sunlight pouring in around them.
Aria smeared far too much jam on her roll, giggling as some got on her nose.
"You look like a berry goblin," Tessa teased.
"Nuh-uh!" Aria insisted, pointing her sticky fingers at Liora. "Mommy, tell her I'm not a goblin!"
Liora bit back a laugh. "You're much cuter than a goblin. But you might still need a wipe."
Aria pouted. "Hmph."
After breakfast, they divided up the small morning chores. Tessa volunteered to sweep the room, while Liora took care of washing up and refilling their water pouches. Aria, armed with a clean rag, was assigned the very important duty of "dusting things that look dusty."
"Even this window?" she asked seriously, standing on a chair to reach the sill.
"Especially that window," Liora said, smiling.
Outside, the sounds of the village slowly grew: blacksmith hammers clanging, chatter from the market square, and the occasional cart creaking. It was a warm, windless morning, the kind that made life feel simple.
Tessa paused mid-sweep. "It's kind of nice… having a slow day like this."
Liora looked up from the water basin. "It really is."
"Have you ever thought about taking a break from adventuring long-term?"
Liora tilted her head, considering.
"Sometimes," she admitted. "But I still need to earn coin. And… I think I like it better now that I'm not doing it alone."
Tessa smiled faintly. "Me too."
With chores done, they decided to take a quick walk to the market square. Aria insisted on wearing the little cloth bonnet she'd gotten on their last outing.
The village market bustled with life, merchants calling out their wares, children chasing chickens, and the occasional bard strumming a tune near the fountain. People greeted Liora with familiarity now, a few even smiling warmly at Aria as she skipped alongside them.
"Back from the woods already?" a baker asked. "Didn't think you'd come home in one piece when I saw that rookie tagging along."
"She held her own," Liora said without pause, glancing at Tessa. "We made a good team."
The vendor chuckled. "Good to hear. Better than some of the hot-headed lads we've seen lately."
They bartered a few small coins for a basket of late-summer produce, with Aria picking out the reddest apples.
"This one looks like a heart!" she said, holding it up proudly.
Tessa leaned down. "Then that one's yours."
By the time they returned to the inn, the sun was climbing high, and Aria had begun to yawn.
"Nap time?" Liora asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nooo," Aria whined. "But… maybe a little rest."
Tessa carried the market basket as Liora scooped Aria up, her small arms winding around Liora's neck like it was the most natural place in the world.
Back in their room, the trio settled in again. No monsters. No guild stress. Just a quiet moment at home.
Liora tucked Aria in with her doll and turned to see Tessa peeling an apple at the table.
"Thanks for being here," Liora said quietly.
Tessa looked up, surprised, but smiled.
"You're welcome."