Morning light filtered through the curtains. Pale and soft.
Alaric's eyes opened slowly. He lay there for a moment. Just breathing. Letting awareness settle back in.
Then sat up. The sheets fell away. He swung his legs over the side of the bed. Feet found the cool floor.
Today. Start dismantling Valtair's operations.
He thought and moved to where his new purchases from yesterday sat folded on a chair.
The plain merchant clothes.
He dressed quickly. Pulled on the gray tunic. Then the black trousers. Sturdy boots he'd worn yesterday.
The wide-brimmed hat came next. He adjusted it. Let the brim shadow his features properly.
Then the scarf. Dark charcoal. He wrapped it loosely around his neck for now, could pull it up to cover his face when needed.
He checked his reflection in the mirror.
He fastened his cloak and moved to his door. Opened it.
The manor was just waking. Early morning sounds drifting through hallways. Servants beginning their routines.
