The sun was setting, painting the sky a soft orange that filtered through the Storm Clan's windows.
Charles walked through the hallways, still in his black Warrior tunic with red stripes, though the bandages on his arms and chest reminded him of yesterday's fight.
His energy had crept up to 15% according to the system, but he still felt drained.
Lunch with Elyse had been a nice change, but he couldn't shake the feeling that drama always found him, no matter how hard he tried to dodge it.
'I just want one quiet day,' he thought, scratching the back of his neck as he neared Lira's room.
But he knew that hope was a long shot, especially with his step-sister involved.
When he reached the polished wooden door, he took a deep breath and knocked.
"Come in," Lira's voice called from the other side, dry and authoritative.
Charles pushed the door open and stepped inside, finding her seated at a desk cluttered with papers and a couple of fine-tipped quills.
