• A Shadow's Lantern

Pulling his eyes open as he stirred awake, Spheris was met with a giant mischievous grin. It was on Linne's face, and above the grin were her big brown eyes dancing with amusement.

"Late night with Cerene, huh?" she teased, her tone laced with playful mockery.

Spheris sat up, blinking the sleep out of his eyes. He glanced around, taking in the early morning scene unfolding on the dry, red plains. The sun as fairly out but — as usual at this time — was not yet blaring, and the shadow of the skeletal, leafless tree under which they had taken shelter for the night silhouetted across the ground beneath them.

Cerene was still asleep.

He turned back to Linne. "Were you watching me sleep?"

"Yes."

"Why?" he raised a brow.

"I woke up almost an hour ago and I was bored," she replied, scratching her neck.

"An hour ago?!" Instantly, Spheris rose to his feet, startling his companion who was beside him, feasting on a red lizard.