Morning came too soon, the pale light of dawn filtering through the trees. The camp was already a flurry of activity as knights prepared the carriages for the day's journey. I shook off the remnants of sleep and joined the others.
Jem greeted me with her usual energy, her cheeks pink from the cold. "Good morning, Milo! Did you see the sunrise? It's beautiful!"
"I missed it," I said, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
She grabbed my arm, pulling me toward the tree line. "You can still catch the colors if we hurry!"
I let her drag me along, her enthusiasm infectious despite my fatigue. The sky above was painted in hues of gold and pink, the kind of beauty that made you forget the harshness of the world.
For a moment, I allowed myself to enjoy it.
Natasha called out to us, her voice carrying an edge. "Lord Milo, Jem, it's time to go!"
We returned to the carriages, the fleeting peace of the sunrise fading as the journey resumed.
