The morning air was cold enough to bite, but the sky was clear, and the wind gentle.
Snow still clung to the edges of Ur, but the mountain paths ahead were open, leading out of the mountain and into the rest of the Arondale mountain range.
The sun hadn't risen fully yet, casting a pale silver light over the landscape. It was quiet.
Ren, Thorn, and Lilith walked just outside the town, bundled against the chill.
Ren had his bracers secured tightly over his sleeves, Lilith was busy testing the edges on her throwing knives, and Thorn yawned loudly, sipping from a steaming cup of herbal tea that smelled faintly of lemon and mint.
"Where did you get that?" Ren asked with a frown.
Thorn took another sip of his tea before answering. "Traded it with a secret."
"What the hell…"
Dario was already waiting for them, seated on a smooth rock just a few feet ahead. He waved as they approached, his straw hat angled low over his eyes, a small bundle resting beside him.
