Preparation For The Next Attempt

The sun barely touched the horizon, a faint glow over the City of Peace, as I found myself sitting at a wooden table in the inn's common room. Aurelia, Lyan, and Anastasia sat across from me. It was early, far earlier than I cared to be awake, but there was no point in delaying this any longer. The sooner we handled the preparations, the sooner we'd have a chance at surviving what awaited us at the altar.

Aurelia yawned dramatically, her hair tousled and her expression one of thinly-veiled irritation. She looked like she'd rather be anywhere else, preferably in bed, but there was a glint of focus in her eyes. That fiery temper of hers simmered just below the surface, waiting for a reason to ignite. Lyan, beside her, looked far more awake, his usual smirk playing on his lips as he watched Aurelia yawn again, his amusement barely hidden.