Solhaven awoke with the first light of the sun peeking over the horizon. Ryu stood at his window, watching the bustle at the docks far in the distance. Fishermen prepared their boats, merchants set up their stalls, and adventurers prepared for another day of battle. It was an image of normalcy, but below the surface lay the shadow of the Abyss.
A gentle rap on the door jolted him out of his reverie.
"Good morning," he said, walking inside. Though Aris did look rather revitalized, that mischievous grin gave his mood away. "Ready?"
Ryu nodded, buckling Voidfang over his back. "Let's find the others.
They convened in the inn's common room, an atmosphere of tension and restraint hanging about them. Kaelith had taken the time to prepare ahead; she'd even marked up her map, charting an unambiguous course through the impenetrable woods that ringed the fortress.
"Food and potions?" Ryu asked, assembling around the table.
