or perhaps nurses from the nearby hospital returning from night shifts.
Tauran followed the curve of the road and found himself back on Lilypetal Street. His gaze trailed the buildings and settled on the archive.
The lights were on.
Tauran hesitated. After their disastrous first encounter, he was sure the young archivist would rather be left alone. Not to mention, the egg was probably still there. Then again, Tauran hadn’t gotten around to apologizing. He ought to at least try.
Before he’d truly decided, his feet carried him forward.
The dragon tail door knocker echoed in the early morning silence. Once again, there was no immediate answer, and Tauran considered if it’d be better if he just walked away.
The door opened.
Kalai stood before him, fully dressed with his hair perfectly combed back as if he hadn’t slept at all. “Oh,” Kalai said, clearly not expecting him. The wariness of his tone made Tauran feel guilty. “Mister Darrica.”
“I’m sorry if I’m intruding. I know it’s early.” Tauran stroked his neck, trying to rub discomfort from his muscles. “I wanted to apologize for my behavior the other day. I was rude. And I should have helped you pick up those books.” He glanced past Kalai to the pile of books which had since been re-stacked.
“You were upset,” Kalai said. “I understand.”
It was only then that Tauran noticed, despite Kalai’s meticulous appearance, the dark circles under his eyes and the way he slouched against the door, if only because Kalai had appeared so elegant the first time they’d met.
“If there’s anything I can do to help,” Tauran said, “my morning is free.”
Kalai took a moment to consider the offer which Tauran couldn’t exactly blame him for. Then Kalai’s thoughtful expression morphed into a quiet smile. “That’d be nice. Come in.”
Tauran stepped inside, momentarily taken aback by the two guards framing each side of the doorway. “Weren’t you outside before?” he asked, looking between them.
“General Falka’s orders,” one said.
“Just ignore them.” Kalai went ahead into the main room. “You get used to them. More or less.”
Tauran hummed. No doubt, they were here because of the egg. Falka would never leave something so valuable unguarded outside of the Sunrise Tower. Still. “How about you boys go stand outside?” he pressed, and when they didn’t budge, added, “You can tell Falka that Tauran Darrica ordered you to. He’ll understand.” He patted the nearest guard on the shoulder. The guards exchanged glances. Reluctantly, they did as he said. Tauran allowed himself a slight smirk. He wasn’t a commander anymore, but his name seemingly still carried some weight in the guard.
He turned away, not missing Kalai’s curious glance before he averted his eyes. “You can help me move those books over by the shelves,” Kalai said.
Tauran followed him into the main room, pointedly ignoring the walking stick by the door, and looked to where he pointed.
“I’m trying to clear some floor space. Tea?” Kalai gestured to a tray on the desk holding a kettle and a delicate teacup with Sharoani letters painted along the rim.
“Thank you,” Tauran said.
Kalai poured, and Tauran took a sip of the voralis root tea before placing the cup on the edge of the desk, the only somewhat clutter-free space in the main room.
“Should I consider you someone important?” Kalai asked.
“Hm?”
“Those guards took your orders quite seriously.”
Tauran glanced away. Dangerous topic. He couldn’t embarrass himself in front of Kalai a second time. “I... was in the Sky Guard for a while.”
Kalai visibly straightened. “So, should I address you as—?”
“Tauran,” Tauran said quickly. “Just Tauran. I’m not... I don’t do that any more.”
“All right.” Kalai smiled softly. His movements were slow when he gathered up loose papers and gestured to the piles of books around them. “These need clearing.”
Tauran tried to think of the most delicate way to frame his question, but nothing came to mind. “You have slept, right?” He picked the top few books off the nearest pile, carrying them to the shelves.
“Sure.” Kalai flicked through a bundle of papers, stacking some and discarding others into a nearby trash can. “But I need to get up every two hours to check on the egg.”
Tauran didn’t miss Kalai’s fleeting glance, as if trying to decide whether Tauran would burst out once more.
“At the 5 o’clock rotation, I figured I might as well stay awake.”
“Don’t worry,” Tauran said, taking the papers from Kalai. “I won’t freak.” Despite his attempt to sound casual, he flushed hot. An egg really was a stupid thing to throw a hysterical fit over. Then again,