The sun hadn't even shown its yellow face over the horizon. It hadn't begun to cake the stone halls in its morning light nor paint the skin in anything less faint than the pale reds that hung on the sky. Risa was a little tired, and her head hurt from drinking the night before. Risa rushed through the halls, missing Fala. She regretted sending him away the night before, her thoughts still thinking about the strange night she spent in the bed of a man she barely knew. But he was so...
Risa pushed Tavaltia out of her mind. She had almost forgotten about the expedition already, almost stayed wrapped in the arms of the warm... Again the fresh memories distracted her. Risa wasn't wearing the most practical clothes, a long flowing skirt and her favorite corset shirt. But she had pants and a short sleeved shirt in her bag, if she ever found the time to change.
As she moved Risa heard a familiar whistle. Fala! Risa looked around, but didn't see his sleek form. The sound of feathers whizzing through the air or wings flapping didn't reach her either. Risa sighed. Perhaps the headache that was getting stronger had been playing tricks on her. She wasn't looking forward to going without him.
Risa finally arrived at the Courtyard in the Sky, not nearly as ready for her expedition as she planned. At least she had bag of coins at her side, ready to go. A few miza's and a lot of pinions, but 20 total. Risa hoped that would be alright. She turned the corner and entered the Courtyard.
