12 Dawn (1/2)
Dawn soon arrived, the temperature cold as the morning dew coated the street's surface. Every breath elicited a white cloud of steam that soon incorporated in the thick fog of the mountains.
”I should get going.” He murmured after changing into a warmer attire and donning a long scarf. He was, in all honesty, unsure of why he agreed on joining the ceremony, but a promise was a promise. ”The Goddess seems to know when a ceremony is occurring. The climate seems especially fitting.”
While making his way to the front door, he made sure to grab a few coins that he had scattered around the house; that would ensure he had breakfast, as he dismissed the loaf as inedible.
Luxia Kingdom's monetary currency was simple. Rubies are the small coins, and a hundred of them equated to one cruise; as an unemployed man but recently admitted scholar on the College of Irmwrynn, he was entitled to fifty cruises per month.
There's no need to mention that my savings aren't enough to live throughout the rest of the month... Garett's sister still sent him money occasionally, only because it was an obligation put down by their mother, of course.
”I can't postpone my visit longer; otherwise, she'll stop sending money for good,” Garett grumbled in annoyance as he left the house. His relationship with his sister wasn't the best, honestly. He left home early to study at Lhûn's Institute of Research, founded by the Church of Knowledge, with hopes of eventually be accepted in the College of Irmwrynn.
I was eventually accepted! Even if my referrer died shortly, I'm a scholar now... He tried to convince himself. The various churches were responsible for running the various teaching organizations in the Kingdom, and they offered the most varied kinds of courses. From children reading classes to medical knowledge for adults, the churches were responsible for creating professionals in the most distinct areas.
The college is the only institution created not by the churches but by artisans! And after all these years I was finally accepted, heh, I want to see her face after hearing the news... Elation arose in his chest every time he reminisced about that, as he could finally prove to his family that his struggles were not in vain!
”She'll have to apologize properly to me this time.” He left his whispering voice behind as he distanced himself from the building, the watchtower as his destination.
...
Garett was a little nervous about the situation, as a socially awkward person, he preferred to arrive accompanied by a friend or acquaintance.
Where's that baboon, Hilren? I know he's here somewhere... He scanned the surroundings of the watchtower, its white exterior blended with the morning fog, creating a magnificent sight.
”Hello, Garett.” A mellow voice came from behind him. It was the red-haired woman; during yesterday's dinner, he was finally introduced properly to her and was able to ask her name.
Her name was Alice, and even if her style in battle was very aggressive, she was very approachable outside of it and worked as a core to the team.
”Oh, it's you! Good morning, Alice.” He replied after looking at her. A little bit of his anxiety vanished at that moment.
”What are you doing out here? The others should be inside already.” She asked politely in passing, different from yesterday she wore a simple hunter's padded attire with thick gloves as a shield to the chilling winds.
”Nothing, I just never came here before.” He swiftly replied, shaking his hands as if telling her to forget about it.
”Let's enter, then?” She quipped, her eyes laughing at his lousy attempt to hide his awkwardness.
”Yes!” He answered as both of them made way to the top of the watchtower.
...
The tower's architecture was very simple, just like any other in the city of Lhûn. The people of Lhûn developed a style of architecture that evolved from the Age of Carnage, as every grand structure had a few pillars on the inside and begot a meager number of windows.
There existed a movement among scholars that supported the change of tradition, advocating for an overhaul on the artistic touch in the major cities.
Sometimes I think that they are right, we can't live in the shadows devised by the Age of Carnage forever... Garett mused while ascending the white stretch of stairs. He studied a great number of things during his time at the institute, among them was a little bit of art.
”What are you thinking about?” Alice chipped in, wondering his thoughts as he looked so pensive.
”Nothing, I'm just thinking of the things I learned at the institute. I wonder why Luxia's Architecture looks so... crude.” He explained some of his thoughts, eliciting a pensive look on Alice's face.
”Well... We all know that the Age of Carnage had a great number of battles, and from what I can tell, the structures were built in a way where they can be easily reconstructed.” She added as a veteran hunter, her vision of things tended to be related to practicality. ”I've heard that during the Age of Carnage, enormous tides of mutant beasts attacked the cities. So everything was built with sturdiness in mind.”
”I thought Lhûn was constructed after the end of the Age of Carnage...” He muttered, slightly befuddled by his imagination of the ancient world.
”Even so, we are used to it, so why change? Only in times of peace people have the time for things like aesthetics.” She finished, appearing very sure of her thoughts. ”Now, let's not linger. They should be waiting for us.”
I'm just trying to do small talk, this staircase is... gargantuan, to say the least... Garett felt conflicted when looking at the path ahead.