Athaliah groaned as she got out of her bed; she’d have preferred staying in a little while longer, of course, but she and Rhiara were going to be busy this morning. Rhiara still slept in her own bed on the other end of the room. There was a room divider in the corner, for people to get changed away from prying eyes. 

Athaliah appeared from behind the divider a couple minutes later, wearing her red jerkin and black trousers. The middle of her jerkin was unfastened, showing a simple black leather shirt. Rhiara was sitting up on her bed, patiently waiting for her friend. “Morning, Ath.” She said drearily, before getting up and heading behind the divider herself. 
“Tired?” Athaliah replied as she flopped down on her own bed again.
“A little,” said the white-haired girl. “Uh, can I ask you something important?”
Athaliah sighed; she already knew what the question would be about. “Sure…”
“What’s going to happen now? With the whole ‘hunting a god-killing dragon’ thing?” 
“We’ll meet Herbert and Erika back at their wagon in an hour or two. Then, well, I have no idea…”

The next two minutes passed by in complete silence. Rhiara emerged wearing a short black pad and leather dress, her high boots and her long gloves – her usual adventuring attire. Her metal knee guards and her pauldron were missing, being in Herbert’s wagon. “I’m gonna get some breakfast before we meet with Herbert and Erika,” Rhiara gestured towards the door. “are you coming?” Athaliah groaned again, forcing herself off her bed. 

The two walked down the halls to the kitchens, dodging the odd servant who all seemed as energetic as always, despite their very early rise. Athaliah even noticed one or two that were present at the feast, long into the night. [i]‘These men must be made of iron.’[/i] Ath thought to herself. 
“Guess we’ll have to wait until I can teach you woodcarving, huh?” Rhiara sighed, breaking the silence between the two.
Athaliah shook her head, with a small laugh. “Really? We’re about to go hunting for a huge, god-killing dragon and [i]that’s[/i] what you’re worried about?” 
“It’s just… I don’t know, I don’t like breaking promises.”
Athaliah patted her friend’s shoulder. “It’s not breaking it; we’ll still do it, just later than we planned.”

Athaliah opened the door to the dinner hall, where many guests were already eating their own breakfasts. Almost as soon they sat down themselves, a servant approached them. He was rather old to be catering to the needs of the order’s guests, looking around thirty years old or so. “What would these two fair ladies like to eat, on this cold morning?” 
Ath did her best to sound friendly to the man, even if she was still tired. “Two bits of hot, saucy mutton if that’s not too much trouble, thank you.” The servant nodded and left as quickly as he arrived.
Rhiara raised an eyebrow. “How’d you know I wanted mutton, Ath?” 
“You’re very predictable.” Athaliah shrugged. “Mutton’s usually your first choice if you get to pick.”
Rhi smiled, privately glad that someone had noticed something so silly about her. “You notice the most useless things, you know that?” 
“I do. You see those two people over there?” Ath nodded her head in the direction of two people chatting. When Rhiara looked, she ruffled her friend’s white hair playfully. “And you’re too trusting.”
“Hey! I worked real hard on my hair today!” Rhiara pouted. Without another word, she did the same to Athaliah. The servant from earlier on stood at their table, looking both confused and a bit vexed; he was probably standing there for a while. “Your muttons, my ladies.” He placed both plates on the table with a nod, and then hurried along to another.