Just Another Day
by Sinahr of Imperian

I sat up and pushed the covers back, relishing the feel of the cool air on my bare skin, then unfurled my wings to stretch the tight flight muscles.

My mind switched into a more wakeful state and I slipped out of my bed, padding barefoot across the smooth masonry I had selected when I had built my home. As an artisan I was as comfortable with the knowledge of masonry as I was with wood, textiles, or metalworking. I was surrounded by the things I had made with my own hands: furniture, pillows, the clothes in my armoire, the pictures on my walls, even the chandelier above me.

I passed down the hallway and into the sunken pool, slipping into the cool waters piped in from an underground spring. It was a true luxury in the desert, and the first private bath installed in a home in Antioch. It had been my guilty pleasure when I drew up the blueprints for the dwarven builders, and it still afforded much delight. I tucked my wings in close along my back and submerged, giving a mental gasp as the pristine waters chased away the last vestiges of sleep.

Yet I could not linger here. Very faintly I could hear the city guard call out the hour from the massive sandstone walls that stood around Antioch, and as if on queue the muted bass chiming of Lord Zanik’s clock in the distant streets. An unrelenting voice in my mind reminded me I was late and chided me for getting lazy in my old age.

I grumbled under my breath and slipped from the waters of the pool, pausing to dry off with a fluffy towel. I wrapped another around my long silver hair and bundled it atop my head before making my way back to my room. A discreet knock at my door came and a serving girl brought in my morning Ahwhe. Though the scent of the spiced nomad’s tea made me smile, the same nagging voice in my head reminded me I had to find time to hunt today If I was ever to be free of the need for nourishment like most of the Spring-born were by my age.

Clothing on at last, I cast a glance at a jewelry chest, and pulled the towel off my head. I loved jewelry, though anymore it was a passion for making it rather than wearing it. My own tastes were very modest, and I settled for a simple gold ring with tiny gems that represented the Seven Suns of my Lord God, Baar. I cast my mind deeper into my subconscious and listened, but did not hear Him, though I could touch the spirits of my fellow Order members and sensed who was awake.

I made my way down the stairs and smiled for the benefit of the servants wandering about.

“Good morning, Minister LeBlanc.”

No time to pause and talk to them, though I called out a greeting in return.

“Sun’s Blessings to you.”

My mind was already far into my day allocating my time, and I was aware as always that there was too much on that list to actually accomplish. I entered the household armoury and began to outfit myself with very little thought given to the process.

I could sense the thoughts of my city mates flowing through the divine link we all shared, and I noted which other of those born from the Spring were about. Though not all mortals were given the dream of Aryana’s Spring and Old Cannae, those of us that did shared an uneasy bond. Magicker, Demoner, and those of us who were Untainted alike all shared extended life cycles and had the ability to escape the realm of death if struck down. We did not exactly age, though the years marked many of us in different ways. Sometimes it was a disconcerting thought to realize that my most hated enemies shared this inextricable link with me.

My twin sabers were secured, each bearing the distinctive grips typical to those who practiced the battle arts of a Wardancer. I retrieved my broadsword and shield from their respective places, taking pleasure as always in the thrill of having these special implements of battle close to my person again. Though I was a metalworker, I could not begin to identify the materials either was made from, and the sense of power in each always made me pause to offer a prayer of thanks to the Gods for gifting them to me.

The hour was called again from the watchtowers accompanied by the muted chime of Lord Zanik’s clock. Almost mid day and I had yet to get to the shop!

Before the next hour arrived, I had made my way to my shop. I welcomed the cool shade here and pulled back the cloth covering my head, then set about firing the stove for the line of hungry customers that would soon arrive for mid-day meal. I lost myself in preparations, cooking, then stocking the shop with elixirs, herbs and clothing, noting what my next projects should be.

The sudden snap and grinding of gears and the heavy thud of siege equipment kicking into use distracted me as I locked my storeroom. Even before the cry went out on the City link, I knew.

“Raiders in the city! Looks like Stavennites!”

And just like that I switched from merchant to soldier. I un-slung my holy shield from my back and drew my divinely wrought broadsword which blazed to life in my hand. As the screams of dying guards and the clash of swords began to fill the air I suddenly realized:

I was everything I wanted to be. There were no limits on how I defined myself or what I could do. I was an artisan, herbalist, merchant, politician and warrior. It was all a part of who I was. I was Sinahr LeBlanc, Antiochan, and life was amazing in Aetherius.