When the first ray of sunlight from the east crept its way onto the windowsill and into the room, Thales awoke.
Just like the past six years, he took a deep breath, rose from the ground, stretched his aching back, and tossed his pillow and blanket back onto the bed.
The ancient tree still looked stately in the court outside the window. Thales heard from the chatter of the servants that the tree had been there probably even before the founding of Eckstedt.
There were a few Constellatiate soldiers yawning, and the Northlanders were changing shifts outside the walls. It was still the same old arrangement: one-third of the Archduchess' Guards, two-thirds of the palace guards.
...Guarding him securely.
After washing up, Thales sighed. He lifted his head from the washing bowl, rubbed his face, and took a look at his surroundings once more.
