Remembrance

Chapter 5: Tomorrow

Chapter Five: Tomorrow

The sunlight started to break through as I finished getting dressed, the distant chirping of birds signaled whatever time it was to get up. I could hear the other people talking downstairs, them clattering together their things and leaving for their shifts. I sighed softly, leaving the tank top I had worn overnight on and slipping into the pants from the day before. They weren't wet anymore other than at the ankles, but it wasn't too bad to deal with. At least not since it looked a lot warmer outside.

I could smell the coffee everyone had made that morning. It smelled bitter and burned, the clattering of ceramics into the wash basin, and more footsteps.

There was talking downstairs. Laurance's voice was over most of them, it difficult to decipher what they were saying.

I quietly slipped on some socks and a pair of boots, grabbing my jacket, and walking out of the little quarter.

No one else was upstairs, the chairs pushed in and the room cleaned up. I softly shrugged, walking towards the staircase. I yawned, running a hand through my hair. I pulled it onto my shoulder, looking down the stairs as I walked.

"-her know when she gets up. Thank you," Laurance's voice rang out along the stone staircase, him sounding like he was standing a couple feet away.

I looked around the corner, seeing a half dozen guards standing near the door, their silver and brown armor standing out compared to Laurance's green cape. He didn't hear me come down. The men started to leave as another stood up from the corner.

My eyes looked at the straggler, stopping at the bottom of the staircase. He wasn't wearing the same colors as the others, him wearing a shiny-like armor with a violet and red phoenix sewn into the black vest that covered his chest. He looked at me before I realized who it was.

I instantly looked at the cell and saw it empty. My head shot back to the man and I froze at the bottom of the staircase. Laurance turned around, hearing the click of my heel against a loose brick.

"Oh! Good morning." He said, gently smiling at me.

I didn't say anything, confused and freaked out all at once. All I could do was just point at the man in the corner.

Laurance glanced over and looked back at me. "He's apparently a guard from one of the other villages, from Phoenix Drop." He explained. He looked over at him, "I haven't gotten a name but he's somewhat friendly. Not as snippy as yesterday."

The man cleared his throat, raising a brow at the description.

"I'm glad I don't sound... snippy... anymore." His voice was low like a morning yawn, him looking at Laurance before at me.

I looked at him, slowly setting my stuff on the table by the stairs. "Why would a guard act like an ass when he's near another village's area...?"

Laurance chuckled, setting a bag down beside me, "Let him explain what he explained to me a little bit ago-"

"You promised." I pointed up at him, my eyes looking up at him.

"It sounded like you were waking up when I came up to wake you. I thought it was more respectful." He shrugged. "We just stopped talking a few minutes ago when the night shift came to check in."

I rose a brow before sitting down, "I don't entirely believe you."

"I didn't think you would." He laughed lightly. "Anyway," He looked at the man, "You are more than welcome to come here and sit with us, we should catch her up with everything as well."