Darion woke early, the sky still dark outside his window.
The room was cold, the fire having died down to embers during the night.
He lay in bed for a moment, staring at the ceiling, thinking about the day ahead.
Today they traveled to Jiopk to buy livestock. He hadn't fully planned their journey, but they could do that this morning.
The pens were finished. The money was ready. The carpenters had done their work, and now it was time to fill the structures with animals that would grow, breed, and feed the barony for years to come.
He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood, his joints protesting slightly. The hunt had taken more out of him than he had realized.
He could have taken today to rest But there was no time to rest. There was always more work to be done.
He got dressed quickly, pulling on his traveling clothes, and headed downstairs.
The great hall was already lit, the fire crackling in the hearth.
