The Silver Rest's common room was empty at this hour, which was the specific emptiness of a space that had been occupied until recently and would be occupied again shortly. The morning service didn't start for another three or four hours.
Rex located the lamp behind the bar and lit it. The room exuded the atmosphere of a well-run inn during a quiet hour.
Elaris sat at the eastern table, which Rex usually sat at, and took off the hood of her outer layer like someone who was changing from one situation to another.
She looked at Rex from across the table.
"The expedition..." she said.
Rex was sitting across from her.
"Iris is going in." Elaris said, "And Aurelia has been in the system with five other people for two days now."
She held his gaze with the warmth and steadiness that had been growing since they were on the training ground.
"I know what you're capable of," she said. "I've seen them..."
