The next morning, Aeryn woke up with a yawn. It was Saturday, and class was supposed to start three hours later than usual. "By the way, didn't Alyssa tell me that she wanted to go shop for a new dress today?" she asked herself as she brushed her teeth. It was the summer solstice soon, and Alyssa had been talking about the ball for days. It was not very surprising for Aeryn, since Alyssa had loved to attend balls ever since she reached the age of fourteen, unlike Aeryn, who never really enjoyed them. Though the sisters were tutored on dance steps, tricks, and apparel for balls and other occasions, they had very different ideas about their positions in a ball. Alyssa loved to be the star, the most fabulous of the girls, whereas Aeryn preferred to stay in the corner or never attend at all.
Socializing is a difficult and trivial task for me, Aeryn thought as she dressed in her usual faint blue robe. It had been sky blue when she first bought it at the local market as a school robe, but time had worn it out, and the colors had faded. Even if it was a little worn, Aeryn was comfortable in it. The robe's color seemed beautiful to her, even if worn. She snatched a book she was reading and opened the door of her dorm.
The staircase was quieter than usual, since it was past the time for workers to go to their positions, but there were scholars and other officers going to their stations and knocking on office doors to do some important report that needed an overview, submission, or just a check. With all the commotion behind, Aeryn slowly began her descent to the 6th floor. The staircase was built inside the tower, a spiral one, and Aeryn just walked calmly to the 6th floor. No one bothered her, and she had no business to do with the officials. After all, who would bother an orphaned she-elf who had not graduated from the academy yet? No one noticed her presence during her walk to Alyssa's dorm, and Aeryn was grateful for it.
When Aeryn reached Alyssa's dorm and knocked, she could hear nothing. She's probably sleeping, Aeryn thought as she knocked again. There was no sound. "Alyssa, I'm coming in," Aeryn said as she opened the door.
Alyssa was sleeping in her dorm when Aeryn entered. Considering the time, which was half past ten, Alyssa was sleeping late again. Aeryn could feel anger build up inside herself. How could Alyssa return late again when she had told her to come early? But shouting at her wouldn't change her, and Aeryn knew that very well. She sighed and began to shake Alyssa a little. "Alyssa, wake up. It's time to go shopping for your new dress."
"Five more minutes, Aeryn."
"It's time to go, Alyssa. Awake now, won't you? You waited so long to buy yourself a dress." Up to this point, Aeryn was patient.
"Go away, I'll buy it by myself," said Alyssa. At those words, Aeryn's fury exploded.
"If you were going to buy it by yourself, what did you wake me up for? To follow you and pay for it? Seriously, it's about time you take care of your life!" Aeryn shouted at her sister and shut the door to Alyssa's dorm with a loud bang. Fortunately, there weren't any elves to hear the loud noise in the halls. With the door at her back, Aeryn slid to a sitting position in front of it. "Why do I have to be treated this way," she muttered to herself as she curled herself up. After about ten minutes passed, Aeryn got up. She knew that she could not stay there disappointed all day long. She walked down the staircase to the door that led outside.
The instant she opened the door, she felt a cool breeze wrap around her. There was the usual morning bustle—elves with every position going to different places, and markets selling different items. Aeryn could see some men and even dwarves visiting, vacationing, or on business trips to sell something. Aeryn smiled as she walked toward the buildings where she could buy herself new training apparel. It's time to change anyway, since the one I'm wearing is too old. How much will it cost? Aeryn was thinking to herself when she opened the door to Academy Clothes for Youths, a common clothing shop where you could buy academy or school uniforms. Aeryn was thinking about whether buying a new one would cost more or cleaning the old one would cost more when she heard a familiar voice.
"Yes, you heard it correctly. I am the Supreme Commander of the Alliance. No, you don't have to bow to me, it's completely unnecessary. Can't we get over with this fast? I am busy today."
But Ecthelir is here? That can't be! thought Aeryn as she swiftly hid behind a pile of school uniforms. She strained to hear what Ecthelir was telling Madame Delina, the owner of the shop, but from where she was hiding, Aeryn could not hear anything. Suddenly, Ecthelir took out a pouch and placed it on the counter with a flop. Everything was quiet as Madame Delina opened the pouch slowly. Aeryn could just see some—no, a lot of—gold coins inside. Delina spoke with the commander a little more and guided Ecthelir somewhere. Where could she be going? thought Aeryn. She wanted to follow her mentor out of curiosity, but now that Ecthelir was gone, there could be no reason for Aeryn to hide. Aeryn emerged from where she was hiding and pretended to have just walked inside the store.
"Oh, hello!" said Madame Delina as she emerged back from where she had led Ecthelir. "I'm sorry I was late, I had something to do at the back. Is there anything that I can help you with?"
Aeryn could feel the Madame scanning her. To Delina, she looked like a young female elf who wanted to idle in her shop. Delina paused for some time before saying, "Look, if you have no business here, can you please go out? I have other customers to attend to."
Aeryn responded, "Well, I do have a business." She set her old academy robes wrapped in cloth on the counter. "Will it be cheaper to clean this, or to buy it?"
Madame Delina took the robe out and examined it for a bit. It was clearly dirty, worn in some places. Though it looked like the young owner cleaned it regularly, some dirt had apparently left stains on it.
"Well, it would be cheaper if you clean it, but I have to tell you, even I can't turn this robe into its original state. That will require a lot of magic, and you know how elves with that much power do not spend their time on these trivial tasks."
Aeryn considered Madame Delina's words for a bit. Delina had worked in this sector for years, and what she was saying was certainly reliable if all of that was true. But Aeryn really needed more money to make a basic living. I can save food money a bit, she thought finally as she asked for a new robe.
While Delina was calculating the amount Aeryn had to pay, Aeryn was still thinking about Ecthelir. She had no children, no nephews or nieces to buy something for. Why would she be in a small shop where apparel was sold? Just as Aeryn handed the money to Delina, Ecthelir walked out from the basement.
"Have you been impressed, my lord?" asked Madame Delina. Ecthelir nodded curtly and walked out of the shop, only taking a glance at Aeryn. Oh, it looks like she just rented the basement, thought Aeryn as she began to gather the new robes she bought. What she did not notice were three black-hooded figures walking out from the other side of the building.