The knock came just as the moon shifted behind the clouds.
Elowyn stirred, half-dreaming. Her arms curled tighter around her blanket. Her ribs still pulsed faintly from the earlier beating.
Another knock. Then the door creaked.
She jolted awake.
She had forgotten to lock her door.
A slim and tall man in maroon uniform stepped halfway in — no younger than forty with sharp eyes and a silver clipboard.
“Cadet Elyan Froste?” he asked, voice flat.
Elowyn nodded groggily, pushing upright.
“Updated schedule. Just received. Applicable starting tomorrow.” He placed the sheet carefully on her table and stepped back. “Valet duty ends at midnight.”
He dropped the timetable on the table by the door.
Then he was gone.
Still blinking the blur out of her eyes, Elowyn swung her legs over the cot
