Fourth day morning.
The cold stone pressed against my back as I leaned against the cave wall, sipping on bitter tea from a cracked tin cup. The taste hadn't improved in the past few days, but the warmth it brought to my throat was welcome. Outside, dawn broke lazily over the jagged ridges of Black Stone Mountain, casting bruised violet and rust-orange light across the valley below.
My students stirred slowly, groaning and stretching beneath mismatched blankets. Today was the fourth day. A "rest day," according to the Blue Bird's cryptic announcement. But I knew better. Nothing about this mountain had been restful since the trial began.
"Hey, Professor," Felix's voice pierced the peace like a thrown rock in still water, "if a dragon and a giant chicken got into a fight, who do you think would win?"
I didn't answer right away.
