—{Rustwood House}—
The time on the clock is 4AM exactly.
Calira was already dressed in her usual clothes. Jacket, trousers, scarf. Her eyes were unfocused and heavy as usual. The room was dark. The window closed. She glanced at the calendar.
The calendar: Year: 126
1: Niveus, 30 days.
2: Liques, 30 days.
3: Vernalis, 31 days.
4: Fiora, 31 days.
5: Solara, 32 days.
6: Cindera, 31 days.
7: Messor, 31 days.
8: Fervis, 31 days.
9: Ceprus, 30 days.
10: Cadent, 30 days.
11: Umbrus, 29 days.
12: Hiems, 29 days.
She then fixed her bed. Blanket folded. Sheet straightened. Pillow fluffed. After that she walked downstairs and put a note on the dining table. That said, “Going for a morning walk.”
Took the keys from the table beside a jug, and unlocked the door to the outside.
It was too dark outside in the morning. The sun wasn't up, too foggy, anything a bit far disappeared. She rubbed her hands and shoved them in her pockets. “I need gloves.” Muttered to herself.
She closed the door behind her and started walking.
The atmosphere around her was moist and wet. Her exposed skin, the upper cheeks felt the coldness of the air. She let out a steam of breath and pulled the scarf higher.
Walk on the footsteps, pass houses, shops, or stalls. Some of the houses still had their lights on.
Her eyes start to awake better and see better. There were no longer unfocused eyes.
Soon she came to stand in front of the guild. “The Efficiency Syndicate”
The doors and windows were closed but inside of the guild was lit. Even from the distance of the main door and the gate it was visible there was no lock on the door.
She looked at her palm. Which had a tiny cut on it. “... I performed poorly that day…”
Sneeze
She rubbed her nose and stood there for a moment. Then walked past.
—{Rustwood House}—
Back at the rustwood. Minutes after Calira had left. The time; 4:30 AM.
At her parents' room. Sabine was the first to open her eyes and look around the room. Beside her, her husband laid asleep with his back turned to her.
She looked at the clock and sat up straight. Yawn. She shifted close to her husband and tapped on his back.
“Ilvon, wake up.”
No response.
She shook his back and leaned in to whisper in his ear, “Wake up.”
Still no response. She pulled back, and got out of bed. She was wearing a loose night dress.
Getting out of bed she turned on the light, grabbed a comb from the bedside table and walked downstairs leaving her husband in bed. Walked down the stairs while combing her hair and humming to herself.
Downstairs she turned on the lights and instantly noticed the piece of paper on the table. And the missing key, which was not where it's supposed to be. On the table.
She walked closer and grabbed the piece of paper. Read it. Muttering the words under her breath. Even though they were just 5 words she took a long time reading it. Fold it back and place it on the table.
She took a deep breath. Glanced at the clock and started to walk around the room. Pour water in a kettle and put it over the fire on the stove.
She went to the bathroom and took out the brush, while doing so she noticed one brush, with a green marking.
She touched the bristles “It’s dry” Whispered to herself “She left without brushing.”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Time; 4:35 AM
Sabine returned to the kitchen, put off the kettle. Poured herself a warm (mix of cold and hot) glass of water; sat on the table and drank it. Finished it in a matter of seconds and went up stairs.
She opened the door to her and Ilvon's shared room. “Ilvon, wake up.”
He shifts a bit in bed, “Hm.”
“Wake up, you'll be late.” Saying that she goes back downstairs.
Downstairs she started to chop veggies with precise fast cuts. Followed by a pan on the stove; Heating up. And cracked an egg.
—{Calira}—
Seated on a bench between the fog. It had subsided more than what was before but still present.
In the park Calira was the only one. Except a nest on the tree; A small bird sat on it, asleep. It caught Calira's eyes. Who had her hands in the pockets of the jacket, legs crossed and leaning back on the bench.
Her jacket had caught a bit of moisture on it. Her breathing behind the scarf was rushed and heavy. Inside the pockets her hands clenched tightly.
Her eyes were still on the bird. Un–crossed her legs, shifted on the bench, gaze up at the blurry sky, most of the back and leg was now off the bench.
She muttered something under her breath. And hand on her trouser’s pocket. Inside, her hand pulled out a cigarette box.
Pulled out a cigarette between her middle and index finger and to her lip. It had the label, “Bitterleaf”
She leaned back and flicked it between her lips, though she didn't light it. One arm on her lap, the other on the bench's headrest.
The cigarette lit on its own. The fire reflects on her tired eyes.
—{Ilvon}—
Time: 4:43 AM
He got out of bed. Scratching his hair he walked downstairs and heard the noises of plates. “Ilvon.” Sabine's voice. Followed by a cooker's whistle.
“I'm awake.” He answered weakly without missing a beat. When he descended downstairs he saw his wife cooking. “Good morning.” He said.
“Good morning.” She answered.
He went to the bathroom. The door closed. Minutes passed. And Sabine turned the flames off. And a voice followed, “Sabine. I forgot my towel.”
Sabine cleaned her hand, and muttered, “Of course you did.”
Rushed upstairs, got a towel from their wardrobe and back, outside the bathroom. She knocked on the door. “Come inside.” He said.
Time: 4:56 AM
At the dining table. Their breakfast consisted of eggs, rice, and vegetables.
Between eating his meal he asked, “Did the note say anything else?”
She shook her head with food in her mouth.
“Seems like yesterday's night is still heavy on her” he said.
Her hand clenched to a fist on her lap under the table. And frown.
He noticed the change in her facial expressions, “Sabine, you're worrying again…”
She Averts eyes, and mutters, “I know…”
He lets a moment of silence pass between them. And both quietly ate for a few moments. Until, “Did you sleep properly last night?”
She paused for a moment before answering, “I couldn't… it was difficult to do so.” She met eyes with him and cleared her voice, “Come on, eat up. Or else you'll be late.”
A moment of silence and Sabine spoke again, “Gregor might visit today.”
Time: 5:12 AM
The fog had subsided, the road much clearer than what was before. And some houses had lights on now.
In their bedroom, Ilvon was getting dressed and packing stuff in the bag, while Sabine sat on their bed; Hugging her knees and eyes intently at him.
“How long would it be before you return?” She asked.
“Might take 2 days.” He answered. “You can Calira take care of the bar, alright.” he said.
To which she shakes her head, “No, I'll do it myself. I don't want to burden her any more.”
Hearing that he turned to look at her, mouth hanging silent for a moment. Until he approached her and spoke, “Sabine, you'll tire yourself. You already have house chores and with the bar it won't be good for you.”
She tilted her head, “I know but Calira is already in a lot of distress because of me. I don't want her to stress even more.”
“But then you'll cause stress over yourself.” He followed up.
“No. I can handle it.”
—{StoneWell Inn}—
—{Shirin}—
Time; 5:32 AM
Shirin, asleep under the blanket, with a book beside her pillow. Or was she.
Her eyes were closed, snoring a bit. But at the same time she was snuggling against the pillow.
Rolls on the bed, and opens her eyes to look at the clock. Though in her eyes it wasn't clear. “What time is it?” She got on her knees; Still on the bed. And shifted closer to the clock's direction, dragging the blanket with her, and saw the time.
Seeing it she stumbles back into the bed. Soaking in the warmth of the pillow she looks towards the calendar, “Today's MaraDay. Right…?” Whispered to herself. “I think so…” Closed her eyes.
Hugged her one single pillow. “I wonder what Jude and Sylvia are doing… Probably cuddling, or something.” She said, a bit too loud. And smirked. “She be like; Oh, Judy, Judy. You're so warm~” Shirin giggled to herself.
Moments passed and she sat up on bed. Stretched on the bed. And got off. “I need to wait for Riven and go to the guild. We need a proper professional looking quest for Miss Rustwood.”
Her eyes land on the book. “Threads of the Living Word; Connections.”
She got back on bed and opened it. “Maybe later.”
Page num: 31
A tool is an extension of will. You command it; it obeys. Its purpose is singular, and its value is measured in utility. A sword cuts. A shield blocks. The connection is one of their functions.
A partner is an extension of a being. You do not command them; but you move with them. Their purpose is shared, and their value is measured in their presence. A partner covers your blind spot not because you ordered them, but because they have chosen to stand there.
Her eyes scanned the pages. After finishing that she asked herself.
“I wonder what kind of connections Jude and Sylv have. They look very comfortable with each other…” Sighed, “What does it feel to have a loving partner?"
Asking that she falls on the pillow.
She placed the book aside and closed it. She cupped her cheeks and looked up at the ceiling, “Will I ever have a partner?"
“I wonder if Riven will build connections to Miss Rustwood.”
Her gaze turned to the wall that separates her and Riven (Her bed is touching the wall) . She knocked on it. From the other side, Riven (his bed is also touching the wall), barely awake. Was lying on the bed with his eyes open, staring at the ceiling.
“Yea?”
“Are you awake?”
“Barely.”
“Good. Let's get to the guild real quick.”
“Isn't it too early? I mean, all foggy and all.”
“Not much, did you look out of your window? We should hurry before any other silver or gold takes a good mission.”
“But I'm sleepy.”
“Wake up dumbo.”
He sighed. “Fine…”
“Good.”
He got out of bed, but then came back beside the wall. “Hey, you shouldn't say that about Jude and Sylvia, you know.” He said.
“Huh? You heard that!?”
