The Blue Bull Tavern was the roughest spot in Riverfall without a doubt. Yet, even though it was one of the roughest, it was perhaps probably the safest spots around due to the fact it was full of Akalaks. And Akalaks, even drunk, were highly protective of women and Konti in general. Kavala sat at a large table next to the hearth, staving off the core-deep cold she felt both inside and outside, and curled her fingers around her mug of mulled wine. It was her third cup and the day wasn't even that old yet. She'd left Aweston with a word that she'd been needed in town, though she suspected her chief groom and stablemaster knew what was going on inherently without being told.
The Sunsingers were leaving today.
Kavala had rose before dawn, unable to sleep, and had worked out with her usual run on the beach and a swim in the dawn's light. Then she'd returned, fed all the animals, and then packed up heaping yvas bags of fruit and journeybread that had been baked the evening before. Jerky was added in and then scrolls filled with healing glyphs and pouches of medication for all sorts of forseeable injuries and some that were a bit more rare. The stuffed yvas bags were then left - one for each of the Sunsingers - with the rest of their things in the paddock that held their precious striders. Kavala had looked over Striders, checking feet, whispering softly to each one to keep their mounts safe. She took a particularly lengthy amount of time with Ronan's horse, saying nothing but leaning against the Strider's neck sharing breath with the animal as horses often did.
Then she left, quickly, before they were up. Goodbyes were not her forte and she didn't want them to start becoming the norm.
Wandering the city for hours, she'd shopped the Bazaar, visited a few shopkeepers she'd enjoyed, and then had stopped at the library. She'd borrowed a book on beekeeping for the records at The Sanctuary. Someone, perhaps her, would have to learn the trade. She bought beekeeping gear at the bazaar and had the stallkeeper there send it to Sanctuary and had asked for him to deliver the book as well as her other purchases at the Bazaar. He'd readily agreed, and so having nothing left to do, when the sun was only mid sky, Kavala walked into the Blue Bull, at first only to get warm by the fire. It was fall now and the world was feeling the descending chill. Kavala had worn her black leathers and boots, even her weapons, concealed by a long sturdy sapphire blue winter cloak to keep the damp off her, but it hadn't helped.
But one mug of mulled wine turned into two then three until she simply stared into the fire and sighed, too miserable to go home and know that The Sunsingers were gone.