Darion turned back to the castle, his footsteps echoing against the stone.
The courtyard was empty, the knights having dispersed after the feast, definitely tired from all the fun, the servants busy with their morning routines.
He walked through the great hall, his eyes scanning the familiar space. The fire crackled in the hearth, casting warm light across the room. But there was no one there to share it with.
He met no one except the distant sounds of Maret in the kitchen, the clatter of pots and pans as she prepared the day's meals.
Aldra was somewhere nearby, dusting the shelves in the corridor, her movements quiet.
Other than that, the castle was still. Quiet. Empty!
Darion stood in the middle of the great hall, feeling the weight of the silence settle around him.
