After a day of bedrest, Hail's mothers, Atasha and Miria (a wizard and doctor whose attunement was water and plasma) cleared Fabrian as healthy enough to wander around as she pleased. Occasionally, a sudden onset of dizziness would cause Fabrian to take a short break as she walked about, but she thoroughly enjoyed her time exploring the Alestrian. There were seven floors, with hundreds of rooms. Some were bedrooms with hidden doors like hers, others were large lecture halls with amphitheater style seating arrangements. At the center of the academy was a small, man-made pond lined with swaying thorn trees that reminded Fabrian of palo verdes. She liked that area the best, and thought, if she did end up staying, it'd be nice to train there in the mornings. After a day of exploring Hail's home, Fabrian felt well enough to venture back outside. 

The next day, although she didn't feel like risking Netali's wrath just yet, it was also the caravan's last day in Rotia. Fabrian decided to visit the merchant after visiting Daphis again. After all, despite the violent head bashing, Fabrian still possessed Stella’s ribbon. Her hair had been let down from its ponytail, and instead, the ribbon had been loosely tied around Fabrian's neck like a necklace, probably by Miria. 

Fabrian walked down Borough Street with a textile shawl borrowed from Hail wrapped around her shoulders, draping over her usual tunic and trousers. Her hair felt unusually free flowing without the usual bun or ponytail. 

The Alestrian was situated in an ideal spot in the Center of Rotia as it was only a few minutes walk from the academy to Inkstone. Fabrian entered the store and was greeted by Daphis’ cheery voice…at least until the shopkeeper walked over from where she was hidden behind a bookshelf. Once Daphis caught sight of the cotton bandage still on Fabrian's brow, the shopkeeper immediately sat her down and began preparing anti-inflammatory tea. 

“So you went to the tryouts and those jerks were…well…being jerks,” Daphis angrily set a steaming teacup down in front of Fabrian. 

Fabrian shrugged. “All's well that ends well though. If I make it in, that's good enough for me.”

“I knew that female knights are harder to come by, but I didn't think it was because the Knightage Core are all a bunch of haughty little weevils,” Daphis protested. “I'm sorry I recommended it to you.”

Fabrian shook her head. “Don't worry about it. In fact, I came here today for a completely different matter.”

“As a patron, I hope.” The shopkeeper huffed. 

“I can purchase a book or two,” Fabrian laughed lightly before undoing the ribbon around her neck and offering it to Daphis. “But actually, an acquaintance of mine told me you'd be able to help me get in touch with him. His name is Stella., I met him just outside of Lucaraville maybe a fortnight ago.”

Daphis paused and took the ribbon, glancing over the fabric with a widening gaze. “You know Stella?” she asked. 

“Yes, I saved his life on the road, and he, in turn, repaid the favor very graciously,” Fabrian said, taking the ribbon when Daphis handed it back. “He mentioned that I should find you if I wanted to keep in touch. If possible, I want to tell him about the tryouts and see if he has any recommendations. He was an envoy the last time I saw him, so maybe he'll have advice on how to navigate the knights?”

Daphis pressed her lips together, as if deliberating something, before she held out her hand and hissed out “Fuemitteren.” A ball of fire appeared in her hand and danced around her fingertips before it disappeared with a rather annoying pop. Fabrian watched as incense-like smoke curled around Daphis' hand before eventually dispersing. 

“I let Stella know that he should come over. If you don't mind waiting a bit, he should be here within the hour.” 

Fabrian looked at Daphis curiously. “What if he's busy?”

“He never misses a chance to slack off. Trust me, he'll come by, at least for a little bit.” Daphis seemed to deflate slightly. “While you wait, go and pick something interesting to buy.”

In the time it took Fabrian to get her bearings in the bookshop, the little bell over the front door rang and all too soon he was there. She peeked out from the nook she was currently perusing to see Daphis striding up to Stella with an irritated look. Their voices were low, but it was very clear they were arguing. Stella hadn't changed at all. His blond hair was still neatly styled to the side, but today, he wore a thin green ribbon as an earring in his right ear. He donned a long emerald tunic with beige trousers and brown sandals. There was rouge and gold dust painted on the corners and the inner crease of his eyes, and his lips too were warmed with the lightest touch of rouge.  

Fabrian stepped out, finding herself unable to tear her glance away from him. “Good to see you again, Stella.”

Stella's eyes widened and he instantly smiled, ignoring the frustrated Daphis, but his smile soon faltered. He immediately pushed past the shopkeeper who already looked ready to strangle him, to stand face-to-face with Fabrian. His eyes darkened as his gaze zeroed in on the bandage on her forehead and then to the deep gash splitting her bottom lip.

“I believe I last saw you in fairly healthy conditions, Fabrian.”

“I decided I wanted to join the knights,” Fabrian said with a shrug, though touched by how he appeared angry on her behalf. 

What she didn't expect at the announcement, however, was the absolutely crestfallen expression he made and the defeated sag of his body.

“Repeat that for me, if you will,” Stella said slowly, as if trying to understand the words.

“I went to try out for the knights two days ago,” Fabrian said, awkwardly scratching the back of her head before her nails grazed the nasty bump toward the base of her skull. She winced. “The process for vanguard is…well, it's a bit brutal.”

Stella's frowned deepened. “There's a current reformation happening within our government where some of the high nobles are trying to siphon and re-allocate the funds for civil protection services like guards and knights, and instead lining their own pockets with the funds. It's called the 125th Initiative. The King and his cabinet are doing everything in their power to stomp down any traction, but on a local level, it's already caused much defunding. I've heard reports of hazing initiatives being put into place to deter new recruits into the knighthood.”  

“Ah, I see,” Fabrian smiled to herself. “Well, I'm afraid that's not all that unfamiliar to me.”

“What are you talking about?” Stella took a step forward and Fabrian realized she'd accidentally let herself slip. 

“I mean being a guard isn't easy, y'know, you go through your fair share of troubles,” she quickly corrected herself. 

“So…you really were serving as a guard for the traveling merchants?” Stella asked with a slight hitch of disbelief.

“Well, yeah, what else would I be?” Fabrian laughed uneasily.

Stella's frown never lifted. “You tell me.”

Daphis cleared her throat, inserting herself between them. “What's done is done. Fabrian passed and now all that's left is to wait for the results and see where she ends up being assigned. But Stella, I have to know this one little question that’s been itching me the wrong way. You see, sweet Fabrian here told me that she had saved your life but a moon ago. Yet, I never heard a peep about you receiving so much as a scratch on your head.”

 Stella's face quickly melted into one of shock before betrayal, and he looked over Daphis' head to give Fabrian a feigned wounded glance. 

“How was I supposed to know you two are close?” Fabrian shrugged. 

“Exactly. So what would I have done had she not saved your very stupid little life Stella? What would I have done?” Daphis demanded with her hands on her hips, very much looking like a mother scolding a child. “If you died, would I just be forced to care for Reiyn for the rest of my life? Look at me, I'm too pretty for that!”

Fabrian narrowed her eyes. Reiyn? 

Stella noted Fabrian watching them closely. “Daphis and I went to the same academy together. So I've unfortunately have had to accustom myself to her nagging for the past seven years.”

“My nagging has kept you alive, let's be so real,” Daphis bit back with a stubborn stick out of her tongue. 

“Do you see this? The disrespect.” Stella playfully shook his head.

“Is Reiyn another friend from the academy then?” Fabrian asked. 

Daphis looked like she wanted to burst out laughing, and instead she slid a smug sneer to Stella. Stella in turn seemed to turn red, although it was hard to tell if that was the sunlight hitting his makeup just right. He grimaced. 

“Reiyn is my son.” He said. 

The expletives that flew through Fabrian's head were too fast to understand. Any and all thoughts of Stella being pretty or eye-catching were gone out the window immediately. This man was married? He had a son? And what, he played this little game about keeping his “friends” close? Taking a deep breath, she reigned herself in. It hadn't been like he'd been hitting on her; and any interest in him was more than likely only the lightest of crushes. There was no reason to get mad at him, Stella had his own life and owed no obligation whatsoever to Fabrian. They barely knew one another. 

“That's cool,” Fabrian said.  “Anyways, I had Daphis call you for two reasons. One, I figured since you're an envoy, you'd be able to give me any advice on the knighthood. Two, I thought if she called you, I could give you back your ribbon.”

“The ribbon, you can keep, it was a gift—” Stella said, “But you still think I'm an envoy?”

“Well… Aren't you?” Fabrian asked with a confused look. 

Stella and Daphis both shot each other a glance, but the meaning behind it elluded Fabrian. Eventually though, Stella chuckled to himself and took a gentle step away from her. 

“I suppose if you think I'm an envoy, you're not far off. I'm a politician though,” he said. “And a high ranking one at that.”

“Or so he likes to think,” Daphis teased.

Stella shot her a wry grin before he returned his attention back to Fabrian. “As far as advice for the knights. It's a bit long winded I'm afraid. Do you have the time?”

Fabrian looked out the window of the book store and noted the sun almost directly overhead. “I actually wanted to say goodbye to a friend first. They're leaving town first thing tomorrow.”

“I will accompany you. Where are you headed?”

“Just to the West Side.”

Stella nodded knowingly. “Daph, did I leave any of my coats here? One with a hood?”

“Your academy coat is here.” Daphis said.

She disappeared for a second towards the back of the building, ducking behind a doorway and returned with a rather long, open overcoat. There were no buttons or clasps on the front, and the sleeves were equally long and flowing. At the back, there was a deep hood stitched to the main body with gold thread, while the rest of the cloth was ivory, flecks of silver dappled along the hems and trim. 

Stella took the coat. slipping his arms into the sleeves and drawing the deep hood up. The top of his face was partially hidden. Daphis shot him a thumbs-up and he nodded gratefully. He gestured for Fabrian to follow him and she agreed, waving to Daphis and promising to come back the next day to purchase the two books she picked out. She ducked outside as Stella held the door open for her.