Kai woke up at three.
Not for any specific reason.
Serah slept beside him with her head on his shoulder.
Kai got up without moving her.
The common room was empty.
Lira's chair was empty too.
Kai looked at the inn door.
It was ajar.
---
Lira was on the north road.
Outside, on the dirt road leaving Valdris to the north, standing with her gaze fixed on a specific part of the horizon.
Kai watched her a moment before approaching: the leather jacket, the posture, her black hair moving slightly in the early morning air.
He walked up to her.
He didn't ask what she was doing there.
He sat down on the edge of the road, beside where she stood, and looked at the same horizon she was looking at.
Lira said nothing.
Neither did Kai.
---
In the ring, twelve years ago, Kai had learned that there were moments when speaking first was the mistake.
That some things needed silence to last until the other person decided it had lasted long enough.
This was one of those moments.
