A New Day to Dawn

- Dalen Woodland, Morning of 2 DSTR –

When Kalena was roused awake, due to her training, and from surviving by her wits for so many years in many dangerous parts of the world, she awakened immediately and with full alertness, completely aware of her surroundings. The instant she did she let out a soft sigh of disappointment. She had been having an amusing little dream in which she was playing dice with Madame Jocelynn, Glumly and Cordelia. The unlikely trio were all inexplicably in attendance at the gambling house in the capital where she had been winning no small amount of money off them. She was a bit annoyed to be pulled away from the game, even if it were only a dream. She brushed her dark brunette hair out of her face and looked up at Kline.

“Half the night is done,” he informed her, his voice low. “You are welcome to the other half. We should wake when we have first light, and get back to the wagons before sunrise.”

“I'm all for making an early start of it, and I very much looking forward to getting back to the comforts of home.” Kalena rose to her feet and stretched the muscles of her lithe frame. She had a slight headache from the strong mead, but otherwise felt fully rested and ready to tackle the day head on. She checked her scabbard to make sure that her sword was secure, and moved to the front of the tent, peering out at the blazing campfire and the red-haired man who was sitting in front of it. “How did you get on with Lafayette?”

“The kid is a piece of work,” Kline said, nestling into a bedroll. “He thinks we are married.”

“Married? Whatever gave him that impression? Not that I wouldn't mind being a baroness,” Kalena said, her tone wry. A noble title was one prize she did not have, and she had just about everything else a girl could want. “I kind of had my heart set on becoming a countess though.” She smiled back over her shoulder to show she was mostly joking. “Well anyway, sleep tight, and mind the fleas don't bite.”

She had not noticed any, but would not have been surprised given the tent's previous occupants. She long ago learned to take her rest where she could find it however, whether it be in tents, caves, under the low branches of a tree, or in someone's stables should an inn not be in the vicinity. Now that she was a wealthy woman of some note such things were a little undignified, but she was not yet so removed from her old life in her heart. She pushed her way out the tent flap and stood for a moment, inhaling the chill forest air that was tinged with the smell of wood smoke.

“Oh, what I wouldn't give for a nice good cup of tea,” Kalena said, approaching the fire, grateful for its warmth. She looked over the crackling flames at Lafayette. “If Kline failed to mention it, there are a few horses picketed over there,” she gestured to a darkened corner of the camp, “whose last owners no longer have any use for them, being dead and all. You're welcome to select a mount for yourself in the morning, or you could always ride on one of the wine wagons if you wish.”