The soft golden hue of morning poured through the windowpane, spilling across the wooden floor and warming the modest inn room.
Kai stirred beneath the thin covers, one arm tossed over his eyes as the city slowly rumbled to life beyond the glass.
Yawn!
A faint yawn escaped him.
"Mmnn..."
He blinked up at the ceiling, then finally sat up with a stretch, spine cracking as he arched his back.
Outside, the muffled sounds of merchants calling, wagon wheels clattering, and early birds chirping in alleyway nests signaled the start of another day in Auralian City.
Kai pushed off the bed and padded barefoot to the window.
As he reached it, the faint rustle of feathers greeted him.
Vael, his Windsight Falcon, glided down from a ceiling beam and landed neatly on his shoulder, head tilting with its usual predatory grace.
Kai raised a hand to gently scratch beneath his beak.
"Mornin'."
