The Silver Rest's common room at this hour had the specific texture of a morning that was between the last guests finishing their breakfast and the first preparations for the midday service, and it was in that particular gap that Rex came downstairs to find that he was not alone.
Diana was at the eastern table.
Lily was beside her.
When he came down the stairs, both of them looked up. Their expressions suggested they had devised a plan and were eager to see how it unfolded.
"Good morning, Rex." Lily smiled with her eyes closed at him. "I hope you're ready to start the morning before your expedition."
"That expression... I know that he didn't get enough sleep last night," Diana said.
Rex looked at them.
"Breakfast," he said.
"We have it," Lily said, pointing to the table, where two plates were already steaming and a third was set up in case someone knew where they were going.
Rex sat down.
