The host arrived just as the morning light began to thin.
Raizen heard the soft chime at the door and looked up from his slate. Saffi was tying her hair back near the balcony, squinting into the morning haze.
Kenzo had left half an hour earlier, a folder tucked under his arm and a quick promise to "not fall down a bridge" before heading toward the upper districts.
The door gently slid aside.
Their host stood framed in the opening, the same calm figure from the day before. Dark hair braided back with silver threads. Clothes in layered greens and browns that matched the tree. Hands folded lightly in front of him.
"Good morning" he said. "Kenzo requested that I escort you to the Academy."
Saffi straightened. "Already?"
"The Academy does not sleep as much as the rest of Ukai" he replied, the ghost of a smile touching his mouth. "If you are ready, we can depart."
