Dawn came too quickly, painting Mount Hua's peaks in hues of gold and amber. I found Seraphina already gone from my chambers when I woke, the only evidence of her presence a faint scent of jasmine lingering on the pillow beside mine.
The courtyard buzzed with activity by the time I arrived. Twenty disciples stood in perfect formation, each wearing the distinctive pale blue robes of Mount Hua with silver cloud patterns at the hems.
Three elders stood at the head of the formation: Elder Lin with her trademark silver hairpins that doubled as throwing weapons; Elder Zhao, whose seemingly frail appearance belied his mastery of the Mount Hua Sword Technique; and Elder Wei, a taciturn man with a perpetual frown who specialized in barrier formations.
Li stood with them, issuing final instructions. His eyes flicked to me briefly, the smallest nod acknowledging my presence.
