Morning in the valley arrived draped in a thin veil of mist that clung to the base of the hills. The sun had only just begun to peek over the horizon, yet Rianor was already standing firm in front of the inn. He was busy calibrating his equipment. Whirr... the mana fluctuation gauge hummed softly as he activated it. He checked his crystal lantern, ensuring the fuel was topped off, before slipping a notebook into his coat pocket with an efficiency that was ingrained in his very soul.
Roland emerged from the inn, fumbling with the cuffs of his shirt. His eyes were slightly bloodshot—a side effect of last night's local ale, which turned out to have a much stronger kick than he had anticipated. Hah... he let out a long yawn, trying to shake off the lingering grogginess.
"You ready?" Roland asked, his voice raspy.
Rianor glanced at him briefly without pausing his work. "You should still be curled up in bed."
