"Oh, look at them go. Busy as a squirrel on espresso."
The world beyond the balcony glass door had, quite rudely, transformed overnight. Cherion stood there, squinting against the harsh Northern sun, clutching a cup of tea that was now just a sad, lukewarm reminder of what it once was.
Below, the Duchy's usual peace had been replaced with a frenetic energy that could power a small city. Wagons were stacked so high with crates and barrels, they looked like they might just explode if someone sneezed too hard.
"They're moving like they've all got bees in their breeches today, aren't they?" a bright voice chirped from his elbow.
Cherion didn't even jump. He'd already grown accustomed to Reiner's habit of appearing out of thin air, standing there glued to the spot, vibrating the loyalty of a golden retriever puppy. The boy was leaning against the railing, looking entirely too chipper for a man witnessing a logistical nightmare.
