A faint golden light covering the ground was a sign that a new day had begun. Birds took off from their nests, their cries like a song that played to rouse people from their slumber. Around the walls of the royal palace, mages in soldier uniforms could be seen walking around solemnly, a new batch of guards coming to replace the current one. A sleepy-looking soldier yawned as he waited to be relieved of his duty but quickly jolted when the person next to him jabbed him with their elbow.
“Can’t you try to look a bit more energetic? The shift will be over soon enough, and you can take a rest after that. You’re gonna get us all punished if the chief sees you yawning like that!”
The owner of that sharp elbow warned in a slightly reproachful voice.