SUNRISE

As the two researchers climbed up from the depths of the library tower, they noticed how the skies were already bright in tints of pink and yellow. Their bodies and minds were lagging behind them, feeling the mixed types of exhaustion that came from their drowsiness and the exercise required to reach the entrance. Neither of them felt fine, but in their spirits, they at least felt calm about the fact that they found useful information, making the climb more bearable.

Once they finally reached the level of the entrance of the tower, they were unsure of how they would go to work to the palace in such a state.

“I feel gross.” Said Fennel, breaking the silence that reigned during their climb. “Did Miss Elia tell you when we’re meeting?”

“In less than two hours.” Replied Inai by looking at how the sun was starting to show its first rays of light, outside of the tower.

In most cases, the people from the kingdom didn’t need clocks to know the time, since the city was, in a way, composed of thousands and thousands of enormous sundials. The position of the sun changed slightly across the year, but rossmarian people had developed a second nature of how to read the sun and its shadows.

“That’s more than enough time to go home and come back.”

“Don’t tell me you’re planning to ride your hoverboard in this state.”

Fennel wasn’t thinking straight, but after hearing Inai, he noticed it was actually a really bad idea.

“I think our best option is to go straight to the palace, and make ourselves look human again at the training facilities.” Suggested Inai. “It shouldn’t be too much trouble this early in the morning.”

“You know best, partner.” Said Fennel accepting the suggestion, as they walked towards the bridge that connected the library to The Keep. “I really need some coffee though. Care to join me?”

“Yes, please.”

Fennel and Inai arrived at the Keep, and Fennel guided her partner to one of the few places that were open at that time: The Salmon Café.

This coffeehouse was still very niche, but it already had some loyal customers starting their day with a breakfast. It wasn’t rare to have colorful stores inside the keep, but the color scheme of The Salmon Café looked like nothing you could find inside the palace. It was full of brownish, orange and even red colors, heavily contrasting to the plain white that reigned in most other buildings. Metals of varied dark colors reigned inside the coffeehouse, as it was used for most furniture and decoration.

As Inai and Fennel entered, the owner of the place turned around to see the incoming customers, and quickly greeted.

“Hey Fenn!” She said as she instantly recognized his messy black hair and glasses. “Would you like— WHAT THE HECK!”

The owner didn’t even make an effort to hide her surprise at the haggard look of her friend Fennel, and the young woman who was with him.

“You look horrible. I’m getting you both something right away.” She said. “Dan!” She called, looking at the bar. “Two with a triple shot.”

“Right away boss!” Replied immediately Dan.

“Please come sit down.” Said the owner as she pushed both researchers towards a table.

“Thanks Sal.” replied Fennel.

Inai was fascinated at the place, and looked around as she sat down.

“You seem to know each other.” Said Inai softly, as if asking to be introduced.

“Yes, this is-” Started Fennel

“I’m Sally! Nice to meet you Inai!” Said the owner with more energy than anyone would expect from someone awake this early in the morning.

“H-how do you know my name?” Asked Inai shying away.

“Fennel comes here every day. He told me there was someone called Inai that looks just like you do.”

“Oh, okay. Nice to meet you too, Sally.”

Sally was still a teenager, slightly below average height, with wavy orange hair that barely reached her shoulders. She had sharp looking, large, bright blue eyes, and her face was full of energy to the point of seemingly overwhelm Inai with her extroversion. Sally could easily notice how her presence was starting to make Inai uncomfortable, which was understandable due to her exhaustion. She took immediate action.

“Now, if you excuse me, I have a lot to do, so I’ll leave the details to you Fenn!” Said Sally with warmth. “I truly hope you both enjoy your stay!”

As Sally left and the special coffees arrived, Fennel explained to Inai that The Salmon Café had been opened by Sally not very long ago. Just like him, she had retired early from the academy in pursuit of her dream of owning this place, and had managed to achieve it so fast, that no one would believe it if she wasn’t right there to prove it.

A simple thought crossed Fennel’s mind, as he thought about what had happened yesterday. This was the kind of place he was convinced Aelia would enjoy if she could be there. His sleepiness made him feel like he was hallucinating, but it was closer to him dreaming as he waited for the caffeine to kick in. He felt he had seen Aelia sitting right there, next to Inai, enjoying the view from the window, towards the palace, as the sunrise was ascending on the horizon. However, not long passed before the three shots of caffeine made their effect, making both Inai and Fennel feel completely awake, almost as if they could compete with the energy levels of Sally.

They both stood up, payed for their drinks, and got ready to leave towards the palace. But Fennel stopped for a second to think before leaving, and as he looked at the bar and the coffee themed products they had, he decided to buy a blue mug that changed colors when it was filled with coffee. When it was empty, its surface resembled a night sky, but when it was filled, it transformed into a blue sky.

Fennel put the mug inside his satchel bag, and rapidly followed Inai whom was waiting at the exit.

***

As they crossed the bridge towards the entrance of the palace, Fennel began to worry that arriving this early would make the elite royal knight on duty of guarding the entrance gates, to question them.

“There’s nothing to worry about Fennel.” Calmly responded Inai, as if she knew something that he didn’t.

As they reached the gates, the armored woman of grey eyes and dark petrol blue, straight hair, stood on her position, right at the center of the path.

Fennel tried to walk calmly by, hoping to greet her like he did every day when he arrived, but before he could, she was already speaking to them.

“Arriving this early Inai?” She spoke. “I guess that means the rumors are true.”

“Good morning Niole. If you’re talking about Lady Aelia being in trouble, it’s exactly that.” Answered Inai.

“That’s unfortunate. I’m guessing you’ll be very busy these days.”

“Don’t even mention it. My only hope right now is to survive.”

“Well, you know I can’t do much when it comes to guardians.” Said Niole the knight, with a strong but obviously worried tone. ”But please count on me if you need any support. I’ll do what I can, my dear friend.”

“Believe me, I’ll take your word.” Replied Inai with a smile.

Fennel and Inai kept on walking in silence, but as soon as they were far enough, he immediately broke the silence.

“You’re friends with one of the elite royal knights?!” He blurted out in excitement.

“We were close friends during the academy.” Replied Inai. “I guess it could be considered to be similar to you and Sally. Although we didn’t graduate early like both of you did.”

In Rossmaria, during the academy years, all students could choose between three major study branches. They could either focus on scientific research - like Inai and Fennel had done -; they could prepare to become scouts, whom generally took care of all sorts of physical and security labors, and could raise ranks in order to become knights; and merchant studies, which prepared the students to support the economies and productive sectors of the kingdom.

Elite Royal Knights, such as Lex and Niole, were celebrities among scouts, and were even known by most people inside the kingdom, since only the best twenty-one knights who managed to gain the kings trust, were selected to carry out that position. The fixed number was determined by a previous monarch, who was said to be capable of remembering only the names of twenty-one knights at once. Even though this wasn’t true for the successors, the concept of the twenty-one elite royal knights managed to settle firmly in the military culture.

“It’s really strange that both of us ended working in the palace.” Said Inai with some sort of nostalgia. “Although we were very close, we were also very different.”

“I had always been told that the royal knights were very weird people. But both Lex and Niole seem to be very centered.”

“Well, the only requisite to become an elite royal knight is to be strong, loyal and capable of following orders.” Responded Inai, slightly amused by Fennel’s observation. “I agree about Lex, but believe me, there is nothing normal about Niole.”

As they kept on walking across the palace, they reached the training grounds, and went their separate ways to get ready for the complex day that was approaching. They would probably have a lot of work to do with Elia, and as for Fennel, he had to figure out soon how to carry out his plan, since time was clearly not on their side.