John woke earlier than he expected.
For several seconds, he simply stared at the unfamiliar ceiling.
Then he remembered where he was.
Ravencross.
A new city.
A new place to explore.
He sat up and stretched.
The room was quiet.
Outside the window, the city was already awake.
Wagons moved along the streets.
Merchants shouted to one another.
Somewhere nearby, a bell rang several times.
John walked to the window and opened it.
The sounds immediately became louder.
Ravencross was nothing like Greenhollow.
Greenhollow had felt like a village that occasionally became lively.
Ravencross was lively all the time.
John smiled.
He liked it.
A knock came at the door.
"John?"
"Lythriel?"
"Yes."
He opened the door.
She stood outside, already dressed.
"Breakfast."
"Already?"
"You said you wanted to visit the guild early."
John blinked.
"Did I?"
"You did."
"Right."
She smiled.
"You forget things quickly."
"I don't forget."
"You forgot breakfast."
John paused.
