He clutched the staff tightly in response, even before fully awakening. It had become an automated action now. His eyes rolled open to see Kandish, wearing a white robe, staring down at him. Her long red hair was wet, her face had a shine to it. She smelled nice, he thought. He did not move for a second, he simply stared at her wondrous face and let everything else be forgotten. “I guess I’d be smiling too, if I had slept the entire day away.” Kandish gave him a light tap on the cheek with her hand and told him to get up. She walked over to sit on an empty bed while she watched Qenn stretch, rub the sleep from his eyes, and roll his narrow body into a sitting position. “The sun will be setting in a few hours. They will serve dinner just before then.” “Sounds good.” She noticed Qenn staring at her wardrobe. “Corwon suggested it was a good time for a bath. I couldn’t argue. They have a warm bath ready for you, too.” “Kamen and Prevost?” “They were gone when I got up,”
