Book 18: Whatever You Say

Zayn

“Good morning, Zayn.”

“General Zayn. You look well.”

“Zayn! Good morning! Have you eaten yet? There’s still breakfast left in the dining hall.”

“General. Commander Abel has called a meeting at noon. I’m not sure you knew. Actually, I doubt you’re required to go based on your current post. Disregard–”

“Zayn, how is your mother? Is she still at the temple?”

Zayn. Zayn. Zayn.

Early mornings in lower levels of the palace are always a rush of conversation and activity. It’s such a contrast to the quiet of the city beyond the palace walls, still asleep under a blanket of starlight and a cool, swift breeze drifting off the lake. Steam rises like plumes of mist around my shoulders while I sidestep through the main kitchen,