*Briella*

The cacophony of hammers and saws and shouts jolted me from sleep, a symphony of progress that was as harsh as it was necessary. I groaned, rubbing the crust from my eyes. Did they have to be so rude though?

The room was already bathed in the soft light of dawn. Kryzen's side of the bed was empty. Slipping out from under the sheets, I planted my feet on the cool stone floor and stretched, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep.

"Morning already?" I ...