As the sun gently lifted its head over the vast city, Haiden too lifted his head from his pillow and looked past the pure white curtains hanging from the window. Letting out a slight groan and dropping his feet to the wooden floor, Haiden pushed off the bed, stretched, and sluggishly walked towards the opening to look out towards the city.

He saw all of the noble towers that rose over the lesser buildings nestled around the perimeter of the palace. They stretched towards the sun as if they were stone trees, with multicolored shingles like leaves in a fall forest. Some stood straight up and held only a few windows, others spiraled and twisted and had smaller towers protruding out of the sides. Some were decorated with colorful flags and lavished gardens, others with black stone and marble gargoyles. They all cast long shadows across the First District, which provided shade from the harsh sun overhead.

He saw the great wall circling the city, warding off the view of the forest and hills beyond. Even from here, he could see tiny black dots moving across the battlements, most likely guards on their daily patrols. He saw The Burrow, or at least the start of it. The deep trenches hugged the city's walls and were filled with bakers, barbers, and thieves. He stretched and dragged his feet towards his wardrobe.

Haiden swung open the intricately carved doors and sifted through the grandly designed raiment and breeches stitched with golden thread and dyed in vibrant colors. He picked the simplest article he could find, a green doublet with black patterning and a cape that rested over the shoulder. He dressed himself and left the wardrobe doors open behind him and his sleeping attire on the floor.

He went to walk out the door, but someone was standing on the other side, blocking his exit. The boy, someone his age, leaned against the opposite wall, with long blonde hair and squinted dark purple eyes.

"You're Late," said the boy.

Haiden shrugged, "well, Florence, then we best hurry."

With a sigh, Florence followed.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Haiden asked.

Florence rubbed the back of his neck, "I assumed you'd be able to handle waking on your own at this age. I guess I placed a little too much faith in you."

"You don't put enough faith in me, brother. I've never failed you, have I?" asked Haiden with a snide smile, "how late am I exactly?"

"Late enough for me to come looking for you."

They took a right down a hall with black and white marble floors and giant windows adorned with red translucent curtains. The morning sun shone through and displayed soft red light along the floor. The pillars and arches were made with ivory tiles carved with magnificent pictures of battles and dragons and valiant warriors, of magic and wizards, images of the world, of mountains and rivers and bridges. Each pillar was distinct and told a different story.

Haiden was told that each section held the history of the Mendane Empire. Each was a story of how they overcame insurmountable odds and accomplished great deeds. He had heard some of the stories, of course. How Vincent Mendane conquered the Lorencian Empire. How Lola Mendane brokered peace between the empire and Talmora. How The Kingdom united the entire continent of Aseria. Haiden dreamed of being etched into one of the pillars one day, whether as a great warrior or maybe something else.

They reached a large ebony door with silver handles and hinges. Haiden stopped and took a deep breath as Florence began to chuckle to himself. Haiden looked over, sighed, and strode through the doorway.

The ceiling of the grand eating hall went up fifty feet. There were woven colorful banners bearing the royal crest along the walls, half a dozen swords circling an eagle behind a staunch purple X. A long ebony table sat in the middle of the room with an abundance of food and drink resting atop a red silk tablecloth. In the chairs were the members of the royal family, all staring with the same purple eyes.

"You're late, Haiden," said the voice of a young lady at the end of the table.

 Her long blonde hair was braided tightly behind her head. She sat up straight and held a cold but soft voice.

Haiden shrugged, "It's my birthday Leora, I should be allowed a few extra minutes if I'd like."

"Punctuality for all occasions is an attribute of royalty," Leora responded.

 Both boys took their seats in empty chairs.

"Well, being royalty is also an attribute of royalty,"

"Just be timelier, please," said Leora with a hint of a smile.

"You are an idiot, you do know that?" whispered Florence.

"Of course, of course," Haiden replied, barely listening, "are you joining me in The Burrow today?"

"What kind of birthday would it be without you getting us in trouble?"

"No birthday at all."

"Leave him alone. He is right, after all. It is his birthday," chimed in another.

His medium-length blonde hair complimented his sophisticated face. He wore a white collared shirt with a black silk vest. His stature was more prominent than Leora's. He emanated authority and his stare had a way of giving one hope.

"Happy birthday brother, do you have any plans for today?" Edward asked as he wiped his face with a napkin.

Haiden looked at Florence for help. Florence cleared his throat and spoke up.

"We are heading for the opera house today. Actually, it's my gift to him, trying to get him more into the culture instead of lurking around The Burrow," he said.

"Bah! Let the boy do as he pleases. It's not every day one turns seventeen. That is a big year, a big year indeed," came the voice from a boisterous man towards the far side of the table.

He was tall and burly with red cheeks. His short curly blonde hair wrapped around his ears and made his face seem plumper than it was. He and Haiden were the only ones at the table who did not share the same purple eyes. He wore a set of steel armor, and a golden sash hung around his torso.

"Yes, general, I agree," said Haiden with a smile.

"Please, must I remind you every day, we are cousins. Refer to me as such or by my name."

"It'll never come naturally to me to call you Torus."

"One day it will," said Torus with a loud laugh, "It has been what? Eight years? Nine years? You would think that would be enough time!"

Leora cleared her throat and stood up from the table. When the others realized that she did, Torus and Edward stood with her. Edward bowed slightly as his lips curled towards his ears.

"Although we wish to stay and celebrate this joyous day with you, brother, there is a council meeting this morning. We must attend, you understand."

"Of course," said Haiden.

"Enjoy the day, and we will see you tonight."

With those words, Leora, Edward, and Torus all began to walk out of the room. As Edward exited through the great wooden doors, Leora stopped in place, turned around, and smiled.

"Behave yourselves," she said as she closed the door behind her.

Haiden looked around the table, which was now half-empty. Only four of them remained, and he realized that one of his sisters was missing. The only young girl at the table began to speak as if she knew what Haiden was thinking.

"Viola had errands she needed to attend to. She told me to send her love and that she would see you tonight," said the girl.

She had long, straight blonde hair. Her white and pink gown seemed to hover just above her skin. Her eyes were large and shined like amethyst gems. Below her right eye rested two small beauty marks.

"Thank you for letting me know, Elise," replied Haiden.

"She is always getting into something, that one," said Florence.

"We all have our flaws," said Elise, "I'm more worried about this meeting. There are rarely any council meetings this early."

"I doubt it's anything too troubling," said Florence, trying to make her feel better.

"I don't know...what do you think, Calthar?"

Across from her at the table was another man who seemed less regal when compared to the rest of the family. He had long brown hair and he slouched in his chair. He reeked of ale and did not take his eyes off his food.

"I suppose it could be troubling, especially with all that's going on in the colonies right now," Calthar said.

"There's always something going on in the colonies— that's nothing urgent," replied Haiden.

Calthar stopped chewing his food and put down his fork.

"Oh? And I don't believe anyone asked you, Falseheart."

Haiden collected himself and made it seem like the comment didn't affect him.

"Yes, well, when talking at a table, one doesn't normally need to be asked to speak."

"Quit your bickering," said Elise before Calthar had the chance to say something back, "It is Haiden's birthday. We don't need to be arguing like a couple of children.”

"You're right, Elise," began Haiden with a hint of sarcasm, "some of us just don't know how to act like family."

With a sudden jerk, Calthar pushed himself up from the table. He leaned over and pointed a finger at Haiden.

"You better watch your tongue, boy. You may live in this palace, but you are not a part of this family," he said as he stormed out of the room.

A long silence followed.

"So, what do you plan to do today, Elise?" Florence asked, trying to make things less awkward.

With a frown on her face, Elise shrugged, "I suppose get ready for the party tonight, nothing much else to do, the preparations are taking up most of the day, and please tell me you two are actually going to the opera house and not The Burrow?"

The two remaining boys looked at each other as they always did when struck with a question that required them to lie.

"Of course not," said Haiden tapping Florence's arm, "I've been very interested in going to the theatre as of late. That's why he's bringing me."

Her eyes said that she was not convinced.

"Okay then," she said lowly, "then I should hope that you would not mind if I came along? Especially since I am not doing anything today?"

The two looked at each other but could not think of anything to say.

"I knew it," she continued, shaking her head with dissatisfaction, "you two are not supposed to go there! You know it is dangerous!"

Haiden lifted his hands in defense, "the public doesn't even know what we look like. To them, we could be average merchants,"

"I'm not so much worried about you, you've been a part of the peasantry, you could pull it off, but this one…" she said as she motioned her gaze towards Florence.

"It is not even my idea. You know if it was my choice, we would be at the opera house," he responded.

Elise sighed, "I will never understand as to why you go there all the time, but fine, if you want to risk your lives, so be it. Just please, please, do not let Leora or Edward find out. I do not want to listen through a lecture of them telling me I should inform them when you two do stupid things."

"Of course," said Haiden, "discreet as ever."