The golden morning light was growing stronger as Sei ran through the mountain path, heading back to the capital. Birds had already begun to chirp, and the cool mist from the forest braced his skin.
"I am so dead," he muttered, sprinting.
Fari clung to his shoulder like a little toy. "Why are you running like a maniac? It's not that late," she said, yawning.
"It's morning," Sei shot back. "Maybe it's not for you, but I am supposed to be in bed, inside the dorms like a good little student and not wandering alone in some forests and mysterious caves."
Fari blinked, then chuckled softly. "Okay, when you say it like that… yeah, you are screwed."
The metal railing and the capital's streets came into view soon enough. The tall houses and shops were still open, just the lightening from the night had died down. It was still crowded, even more than at night. He slowed down and mixed into the crowd.
