The crane gave a long-suffering croak as Yuxin and Tian Lei approached the courtyard again, packs in hand. Its feathers gleamed like polished ivory in the morning sun, and it looked—if a bird could look anything—mildly exasperated.
Yuxin patted its neck. "Don't worry, no giant murder-worms this time. Just flowers."
The crane side-eyed her with all the dignity of an ancient immortal creature who had been lied to before.
Tian Lei mounted first, checking the strap on his sword. "Departure."
"Departure," Yuxin echoed, springing up behind him with effortless grace. She settled in with her arms draped lazily around the saddle rail. "Destination: nap with scenic herbal overtones."
The crane leapt skyward, wings beating once, twice—then they were gliding high over Cloudveil City, the wind slicing cool and clean around them. The city terraces fell away below like ripples on a jade lake. Sunlight caught the bronze windchimes atop the Mission Hall, scattering sparks into the breeze.
