Part 1 - Morning Duty

“Darna?!”

Allana opened her eyes, jumping to attention, and scanned the world around her.

For an instance she’d been back in Everlyn and Heric had been right there, standing beside her. Only when she saw the other girl did the memories from the day before began to settle in her mind.

She was no longer in Everlyn, and she could still clearly remembered all the places Kahor had taken her to the day before, showing her all the corners and infrastructures that belonged to the Dark Knights of Mithir. She had also visited the headquarters of the White Order, and Kahor had introduced her to some of the older Knights.

She recalled returning to the dorm tired but glad with the choice she’d made, even though the world that surrounded her still seemed a bit unreal.

“Good morning,” she greeted her in a whisper so not to disturb the other girls, and Kahor smiled.

“Brought you this. Hope it fits you. And hurry. We have a lot to do before the others wake up.”

Allana hurried, undressing her sleeping gown and putting on the clothes Kahor had brought her. Too big, she thought folding her sleeves, but at least the black pants helped disguise her thin legs and allowed her to move freely. Tying her hair in a long braid, she washed her face in the basin filled with cold water that awaited her by the bed and followed Kahor as they both left the dorm with silent steps.

Allana smiled at the weak sun that touched her face and allowed her gaze to roam. Now everything was silent, but she could still remember having seen that same square filled with Knights and cadets, as well as the background sound of sword clashing against sword coming from the training grounds.

Kahor led her to a big heavy-looking door, cut on the outside of the palace wall, and pushed it hard. The door creaked open and, waffing from the inside, a warm wave of deliciously scented air touched their noses. Fresh bread and coffee, Allana identified immediately as her stomach complained about the lack of food.

A strong voice reached them, ordering people around, and Kahor smiled, climbing the few steps of the entrance.

Allana followed her and stood at the doorway, looking at the immense and quite busy kitchen that opened right in front of her.

“Adira?”

A round, red faced woman appeared from behind one of the cupboards.

“Oh! Good morning, child!” she greeted Kahor and her flashing gaze fell upon one of the kitchen girls. “What did I tell you? She’s already here and the bread is still not ready!” she scolded and the girl flinched, hurrying about her business.

“Please don’t worry. We’ve come a bit earlier, today. I wanted to introduce you to my new companion. Her name is Darna Aurea. Darna, this Adira. She’s in charge of all maters food related,” Kahor added playfull and Adira approached them, drying her hands on the apron tied around her plump waist.

“Darna, pleased to meet you,” the woman told her, her black hair flecked with white streaks shining lightly in the morning light, and Allana smiled in retribution.

“The pleasure is mine.”

“Hum … Your face is kind of familiar …” the older woman observed, watching her closely, and Allana felt her heart jump a beat. “Well, never mind. My memory isn’t what it used to be,” she complained with a sighed and smiled. “Welcome, Darna. I hope you come to enjoy living here,” Adira added and her attention was drawn back to her helpers. “Careful with that! That platter is irreplaceable and Her Majesty wants it on tonight’s Reception!"

“Oh, I see you’re all really busy today. Is it okay if we start carrying out the milk?” Kahor asked and Adira nodded a permission.

Allana followed Kahor’s lead and both girls loaded a small wagon with milk jars. By the time they were finished another wooden cart already awaited them, filled with baskets of deliciously, fragrant, fresh bread.

They led the horses that pulled both wagons all the way to the dining hall, where other cadets helped them unload them. They were almost finished when the first Knights started to arrive for the morning meal. Allana was starving.

“What we’ve just done is our daily task. Besides this all is asked of you is that you take care of your own things. For instances, if you want clean clothes you’ll have to wash them and dry them yourself. No one will do that for you,” Kahor told her as they walked towards a nearby water fountain so they could wash their hands. “Of course there are also the common tasks that are divided by everyone, like caring for our training equipment or practicing grounds,” she went on as they walked back to the dining hall.

Allana listened to every word the girl said, but her gaze was locked on the amazing structure that was the palace of Mithir. Even seen from outside it was amazing how different it was from Everlyn’s. So much more intimidating and sturdy looking. While Everlyn’s palace consisted of three different wings, Mithir’s had been built as a single construction. Obviously higher, it was surrounded by a tall wall of smooth stone, where four watching towers had been erected. It was on the outside of that wall that all constructions related to the Knight’s Orders had been built. And, separating the Knight's grounds and the city was another wall, this one with five watching towers, two of which flanking the big heavy gate she had crossed the day before. Besides those two inner walls Allana still remembered crossing three other gates, as they passed through the city, almost as if the city had kept on growing and walls had been erected every so often in order to protect those who lived in the outskirts. All in one, Mithir could never be compared to Everlyn, in terms of defenses.

By the time they entered the dining hall the sound of voices filled the air. Kahor went to the end of the already long queue and Allana followed close behind her.

“Oi! Look at that, Saraz! Is it me or we have a new girl!” someone said, right from behind them.

“Oh, you’re right! Maybe she’s lost or something. She was probably looking for the kitchen,” another male voice answered.

“Hey! Little girl! We're talking to you! Are you deaf?”

Frowning, Allana turned to answer them but a hand shoved the teen that had just spoken, making him take a few steps back.

“Leave her alone, Teles! She’s under my protection!” Kahor stated, threateningly, and Teles crossed his arms, looking down on her.

“Oh, look at that. If it isn’t everyone’s favorite girl! And since when have you become someone's babysitter, Kahor?” he asked with despise, and a sarcastic and mocking laughter echoed all around them.

“It’s none of your business! Just leave her alone!”

“And why’s that? Can’t she defend herself? If she can’t do even that, why is she here in the first place? You should just pack your stuff and return home, little girl!” Teles added, looking at Allana with contempt, and the girl clenched her fists, ready to show that idiotic brat just how defenseless she really was!

“Teles!” The strong voice that filled the air silenced everyone in the vicinity and Teles went suddenly pale as he turned around to face the severe expression of one of the Knights. “I see you’ve already finished your meal. We have a lot of foot work to cover during today’s training.”

“But …”

“Not a word, Teles! Go and get the weapons. Take them to our training grounds.”

“But … All by myself?” he contested again but the deep frown on the Knight’s forehead made him take a step back as precaution. “I’m on my way,” he added, turning on his heels, and left as fast as he could.

The Knight slightly inclined his head, as he walked by both girls wishing them a good morning, and left the dining hall dragging Saraz by an arm.

“Who was that?” Allana asked but Kahor didn’t seem to hear her, her gaze lost on the door through which the Knight had just vanished. “Kahor?!”

“Yes!” she finally answered with a jump, blushing deeply in the next instant, and Allana smiled before the other girl’s embarrassed expression.

“Who was he?”

“Ah, his name is Kai Dienir. He is the Knight in charge of teaching us spear techniques. But we don’t learn that on the first grade. First grade is only sword, and more defense than attack,” she explained, and their turn to be served finally arrived.