The iron beams above and the dark wood ceiling made me momentarily disoriented as I woke, blinking at the unfamiliar surroundings. Then it hit me—I was in Ironwatch. My eyes drifted to the window, where sunlight streamed through in warm golden streaks. It was unexpected, how beautiful the sun looked from this side of town, especially after days of gloom.
I lay back in bed for a moment but then shot up. "The sun's up?" I muttered, moving to the window and pulling it open. The barren soil outside stretched endlessly, not a blade of grass in sight. It didn't help my mood—nothing about this landscape screamed 'good morning.'
"Xavion didn't even wake me," I grumbled, splashing water on my face as I glared at my reflection in the mirror. "Probably with Elara," I added under my breath, a little sharper than I intended. Tying my hair into a quick braid, I recalled we had morning practice today.
