The next morning, Riku and the others gathered in the smoky common room of the Stonefall inn. The air smelled of stale ale and woodsmoke. It was a stark contrast to the perfect, clean atmosphere of Riku's private world.
They sat at a rough-hewn wooden table in the corner. They ate a simple breakfast of hard bread and cheese. The mood was one of quiet anticipation.
Finally, Riku set his mug down. He looked at the silver-haired boy sitting opposite him.
"Alright, Caelus," Riku began, his tone all business. "You're our guide. What's the plan? Where do we go from here?"
The girls all turned to look at the boy. They awaited his expert guidance.
Caelus blinked. He took a slow, deliberate bite of his bread. He chewed thoughtfully. He swallowed.
"Plan?" he finally asked, his expression one of pure, innocent confusion.
Riku stared at him. "Yes. The plan. You said you knew the cities. The noble houses. Where the powerful people gather. Where should we start?"
