The pale morning light filtered gently through the dormitory window, soft and cool as it brushed across the wooden floorboards. Dust motes floated lazily in the air, caught in the sun’s gentle reach, and the world beyond the small panes of glass felt muted and motionless, as though it had not quite remembered how to wake up yet.

Elynara lay on her side for a while, letting the warmth of the blankets cocoon her just a little longer. Her limbs ached faintly, the ghost of yesterday’s tension still clinging to her muscles, but it was the good kind of ache. The kind that came after getting something done.

Eventually, she stirred, pulling herself upright and swinging her legs over the edge of the bed. Her fingers curled in the worn linen of the sheet, grounding herself in the morning quiet.

She reached for her notebook, tucked safely under her folded tunic on the small table beside the bed.