Beloved By Time

A Free Feeling

Cale awoke feeling groggy, his eyes still felt heavy and there was an ache in his head like he hadn't slept at all. He could immediately tell that he had been tossing around in his sleep, the blanket that had covered him was now just a pile at the end of the bed, and Cale had gone from sleeping straight on his back to awaking sprawled out of practically the edge of his bed.

Ugh, he really felt like shit. How could one feel so exhausted yet so antsy?

Cale glanced at the door to his room. It was still very early in the morning, the sun was just barely peeking up from the horizon.

He got up and stepped behind the dressing screen, choosing to dress himself instead of letting the servants do it. It was early enough that he could avoid Ron if he left now.

Cale dressed in a simple loose white blouse and brown trousers, finishing off with a pair of sturdy boots. His usual training attire, though it was much finer quality than what he had worn to train in the military. He glanced at the chest that held his accessories with a complicated look.

Accessorizing was not something that was possible for him. Both from lack of funds and practicality. Jewelry created an opening in battle, and would have made him stand out, which would have entirely defeated the purpose of his missions.

...But, even then, Cale had always had expensive taste and excellent fashion sense. He supposed that since he didn't have to worry about charging into battle at any moment, he could at least allow himself this. He was going to be training, so he wouldn't do too much anyway.

He chose a simple pair of silver studs with small blue gemstones, and a matching pendant to adorn his neck.

If Cale offered a small smile to his reflection, it went unacknowledged by the man.

Cale decided that he should get moving now, if he was to bypass Ron on his way to wake up Roksu. He knew that he would eventually have to come face to face with his attendant, once Roksu convinced everyone that he didn't need to be watched constantly, or when they set out for the capital tomorrow, but Cale wanted to drag it out as long as possible. He didn't know what emotions would threaten to surface when he saw Ron, and he wasn't eager to find out.

He quietly stepped out of his room and hurried down to the training grounds, avoiding the looks of the early-rising servants as he passed by.

-

Cale had been at this for a few hours now. Sweat dripped from his brow and practically soaked his shirt, but he aimed another swing at the already-beaten training dummy in front of him.

He grumbled to himself, this body of his was so weak right now, he could barely hold up the sword in his hands.

"Hahhh, maybe it would have been better to start off with something lighter..."

He said between breaths. It was tiring to keep up his perfect form when each swing lacked power, and the sword felt foreign in the soft hands of his 18 year-old self.

Cale scowled at his shaking arms, but decided to finally take a break. He glanced over at the small tray of refreshing snacks and water that he had ordered a bit ago. He had forgone breakfast that morning, feeling too pent up to consider eating, but now he was regretting that as his stomach complained.

He huffed and placed the sword with the others and moved over to grab the sandwich that he was ordered to be brought to him. It was warmed by the sun at this point, but he ate it without complaint, followed by gulping down the lukewarm water with haste.

Cale stared up at the sky, squinting as the light made his eyes ache. It was a cloudless day, and while it wasn't very hot, the physical exertion had warmed him up enough for him to wish some cool water would magically appear and drench him.