The sun has newly risen when the door to Noras’ small room slams open. This does not wake him — Noras had spent the first half of his night carefully arranging his daggers in strategic hiding spots around the room, and the second half laying in bed, staring at the ceiling, and trying to keep the nervousness at bay, so there is nothing to wake him from. But the loud noise and the appearance of a strange figure in the doorway have him springing out of bed, one dagger flying out from beneath his pillow to bury itself in the door frame beside the silhouette.

The figure shifts, revealing a tall woman, backlit by the torches in the hallway outside. She turns slowly towards the knife, studies it for a moment, and then laughs: My, that’s certainly one way to say good morning.

Noras lowers his arm and takes a long, slow breath. The woman is unarmed and appears nonthreatening as she leans against the wall with her arms crossed, watching him with a small smirk. He forces his tone into something neutral: I’m sorry - you startled me. Who are you?

The woman pushes herself off from the wall, strolling through the room: Name’s Bethan - Valainya’s knight. [he crosses to the window and flings the curtains open, nearly blinding Noras with the sudden flush of light] I’m here to teach you the ins and outs of knighthood. You’d better hurry up and get dressed... [she looks him over and gives a low whistle] We have a lot of work to do.

Noras scowls slightly at the comment, but quickly smooths the expression over. If Bethan notices his scowl, she doesn’t seem to mind, walking with a spring to her step as she leaves the room, the door swinging shut behind her. Left alone, Noras dresses quickly and hurries out to join her, extracting his dagger from the door on the way out. He slips it into his boot and steps out, glancing around as he shuts the door.

Bethan gives him a sideways glance, a small smirk on her face: Looking for the prince?

Noras: ...No.

Bethan laughs, starting to walk with her hands clasped behind her back: He’ll be in his chambers. It’s probably a good idea to meet him before we head off for your initiation. I’m sure he’ll have Opinions.

Bethan leads the way to Elias’ room, Noras following cautiously behind, taking in the palace in daylight — it’s bright, all white marble, sunlight glinting off of the walls and pillars and floor. When they reach Elias’ door, Bethan knocks demurely, a stark contrast to her arrival in Noras’ room.

Elias, from inside his room: Who is it?

Bethan: [cheerily] Bethan, your highness.

Elias: Oh, Dame Bethan, please come in.

Bethan opens the door, beckoning Noras to follow her: Good morning, your highness! How are you feeling today?

Elias is currently sitting at his studying desk, still in his pyjamas with his hair down. He looks over and nods politely: Very well, thank you. How are you this morning, Dame Bethan?

Bethan: Ahh, you know me, I’m always fine - and I’m excited today! [She prods Noras forward] We’ll be working on your new knight today, your highness.

Noras glances between Bethan and Elias, giving Elias a short nod of hello.

Elias, rubbing his eyes and standing - he doesn’t look like he’s slept much either: [kinda exasperated but amused] Ah, yes, I had a feeling Valainya would send you. [he turns to Noras] How are you feeling this morning, Shahīn? Sleep well?

Noras: [summoning the shade of a smile] I… slept fine, your highness. [He frowns slightly, looking at Elias, and for a moment opens his mouth, but then closes it, settling instead on a simple - ] Thanks.

Bethan: [to Noras] We should get going. [turning to Elias] Would you like to come with, Prince Elias? It’s not required of a royal to accompany their knight to training, but most find that it helps.

Elias, blinking: Oh - of course. [He goes back to his desk and shuffles through several papers] Shahīn and I have to get fitted for the ceremonial attire as well, so it wouldn’t do any harm. [He looks at himself in a mirror on the desk and sighs] If you would allow me a few minutes to get ready, I’ll join you outside shortly.

Bethan bows, and Noras, after a slight pause, hesitantly mimics the gesture. The two of them then back out of the room, leaving Elias to his privacy.

Elias’ nose wrinkles when they both bow, and he turns to his wardrobe, fingers already working his hair into a braid.

Outside the room, Bethan turns to Noras with a small grin: [lightly, almost teasingly] Valainya was telling me that you and Prince Elias met in quite an… unusual way.

Noras sucks in a quick breath, schooling his expression and tone: ...You could say that. [He looks at her, eyes flitting across her face - wondering how much Valainya has told her - and affects a nonchalant tone] You could say that Prince Elias is quite an unusual person.

Bethan chuckles: Far be it from me to comprehend the complex workings of the royal mind… [She studies him, her expression turning contemplative] Shahīn… isn’t your real name, is it? [Noras flinches minutely, shifting back a little, and Bethan waves a hand, her tone switching from teasing to sincere] I won’t ask. We’re all entitled to our pasts.

Noras frowns, but before he can say anything, the door opens.

Elias steps out, looking a lot more alive than a few minutes prior, his left eye returned to orange. It’s the cleanest Noras has seen him be in a while.

Elias: Here we are… [he eyes the both of them] If I might ask, what were the two of you talking about?

Bethan looks over at Noras, smiling slightly. Noras looks at Elias.

Noras: ...Not much. [He once again summons a slight smile] Just… how the inner workings of royals’ minds are an enigma.

Elias, holding back a snicker and a smile: And they’ll stay that way. So, [he looks over at Bethan] lead the way, Dame Bethan.

Bethan sets off with Elias and Noras in tow. As they walk, Noras turns to Elias.

Noras: [under his breath] Are you - alright? You looked… tired.

Elias, nearly tripping: … You… noticed?

Noras: [dryly] You looked like you were dying, if I may say so, your highness… [then tacking on, uncomfortably] Besides, if I’m your knight, it’s my duty to notice… right?

As they had been walking through the corridors, servants had been moving back and forth, talking amongst themselves, and skirting around the trio as they walked. There’s a sudden hush as Elias looks at Noras, laughs lightly, and smiles.

Elias: I’m fine, thank you kindly for asking. I spent the night catching up on work, so I didn’t get much sleep, but that is all.

Noras frowns at him, but as the servants start to talk again, he turns from Elias and looks around, once again captivated by the sights.

Noras: …I’ve never been in a palace in daylight before.

Elias: I hope it doesn’t make you feel uncomfortable.

Noras: [uncomfortably] It doesn’t. It’s just… different. Everything is so - shiny.

Elias: It is. To be honest I prefer the palace at night. It’s quiet, and the marble looks like it glows in the moonlight. During the day, it simply blinds you.

Bethan stops a few paces ahead, and Noras catches up to her quickly as she looks back over her shoulder at them. Elias continues walking at his own pace. They have arrived at a courtyard where men and women of various ages are duelling. Bethan walks down into the courtyard, followed by Noras.

Bethan: I’m going to assess your skill level first. [She motions to a nearby weapons’ rack] Training weapons are over there. I don’t suppose you’re any good with a spear?

Noras: I prefer axes.

Bethan: [sighing] Someday… [she grabs two long quarterstaffs from the stand] Well, I’m terrible with axes, so I guess we’ll be using the standard Big Sticks for today. [She tosses one to Noras]

Noras: [catching and examining the staff] ...Won’t this give you the advantage? This is much more like a spear than an axe.

Bethan only beams at him, twirling the staff: We’re going to have so much fun!

Elias finally catches up with the two of them, walking at his leisurely pace: The assessment always requires quarterstaffs, don’t worry. You’ll be able to use your weapon of choice another time. [He nods to Bethan, and walks toward the corridor that runs alongside the training ground, sitting on a bench to watch].

Bethan grins at Noras and backs into an empty space: Well then… let’s get started.

Before she finishes her sentence, Noras launches into his attack. And his assessment begins.

While Bethan and Noras fight, Elias sits on a nearby bench, opening the book he brought with him and thumbing through the pages to the section on different types of magics.

A voice: Well, if it isn’t the runt.

Elias tenses up and shuts his book, expression shuttering as his voice becomes cold: Enzo. [he turns to look at the person who spoke. The man is also blue haired and blue eyed, but taller, his eyes meaner, with a light amount of scruff on his chin.] What do you want?

Enzo, smirking down at him: Heard you ran away, wasn’t expecting to see you.

Elias deadpans: And now you have, [he closes his eyes and moves to stand] if you’ll excuse me -

Enzo grabs his arm to stop him from moving away: Is that any way to talk to your brother?

Elias yanks his arm out of Enzo’s grasp: [sharply] What do you want?

Enzo narrows his eyes at Elias, his eyes shifting to look behind him. A sly smile grows on his face when he sees Noras: Ah, so that’s who you chose…

Elias: [carefully] Yes… What of it?

Enzo hums, moving past Elias to watch the fight happening between Noras and Bethan more intently: He fights well, [his smile grows] very well… where did you find him?

Elias: During my trip. [he opens up his book again, adamantly focusing on the words] For the last time, what do you want?

Enzo huffs: So impatient. [he turns to face Elias again] I just wanted to see the man my - ah - little brother chose to serve as his knight. I wonder how you convinced him.

Elias: …

Enzo, waving his hand dismissively: No matter. I do hope you’ve told him everything about you, since he’s about to dedicate his life to a murderer.

Elias tenses up: [he looks up to glare at Enzo] Anything else?

Enzo [lightly]: No, I think that will be all. See you around, runt.

Enzo walks away, and the second he’s out of sight, Elias loses all the tension in his body, sighing and sitting down again. He continues to focus on the book but can’t seem to read the letters, his thoughts migrating back to his brother’s words.