Kyrian woke an instant before the first ray of light furrowed the horizon.
His senses registered the quietness of the pavilion. He rose, put on the crimson robe, and opened the door.
The five were already standing in the common room, arranged and ready. The five were now wearing garments of the main branch instead of those of their own branches. But they were of a quality one tier inferior to Kyrian's.
Bai Zhu was standing in front of the first door with his habitual morning scowl, but without the fire of shame from the previous night.
Yan Ling was standing still, her eyes analyzing a small map that she must have acquired in the city.
Kai, with his expression detached from everything. Li Fen, another silent statue. And finally, Mei Li, with a polished and ready smile, greeted Kyrian before anyone else.
The rest did not speak. They merely nodded in acknowledgment when Kyrian appeared.
He was about to give the order to depart when the main door of the pavilion opened.
