Finn got up before the second bell.
He had lain there for a moment, staring at the ceiling beam above his bed, listening to the city breathe. Somewhere outside, a cart wheel creaked, doors opened and shut, and he heard someone cough, which sounded horrible. The person should really have themselves checked.
The dream still sat heavy in his chest, but he pushed himself upright anyway. Dreams didn't get to decide his day. He wouldn't let his past get in the way of his present.
He swung his feet onto the floor, winced at the cold stone, and started getting dressed. Same coat with patched lining. Same satchel. Everything was where he'd left it. That steadiness mattered more than he liked to admit.
Outside, the streets were beginning to wake.
"Morning, Finn!"
He looked up to see Mara arranging bundles of herbs on her stall, her hair wrapped in a faded scarf that had seen better decades.
"Morning," he said, slowing his pace. "You're up early."
"Stars willing, mouths keep needing food," she replied, squinting at him. "You look like you slept terribly."
He snorted. "You selling herbs or reading faces now?"
"Both, if the price is right."
She handed him a small bundle without asking. "For your headaches."
"I don't—"
"Finn," she cut in gently. "Just take it."
He sighed and slipped a coin into the stall. "You're going to ruin my reputation."
"You had one?"
He grinned despite himself and kept walking.
A little farther down, old Jarek was already at his bread cart, the smell warm and comforting. Finn stopped automatically.
"Two rolls," Jarek said before Finn could speak. "You're thinner."
"I walk a lot."
"That's not what walking does."
Finn accepted the bread. "You ever consider minding your business?"
Jarek chuckled. "I do. It's boring."
Finn hesitated, then asked, "You notice the sky's been… off?"
Jarek paused, just a fraction too long. "I notice my ovens don't heat the same," he said finally. "People come earlier. Pray harder."
He met Finn's eyes. "Something's wrong."
Finn nodded. "Yeah."
They didn't say more. They didn't need to.
By the time Finn reached the temple gates, his satchel was heavier and his mood quieter. The world outside always did that to him. They always made sure he was alright and fed. They practically raised him after he left the temple.
He had never wanted to get involved with the temple again, but thinking about these people, he couldn't help it.
The citizens who prayed diligently at the temple every day to the gods that reside in the stars, giving their donations and offerings. They lived simple lives believing that the kingdom had their best interest at heart.
Seeing them everyday reminded him of what was actually at stake. They would be utterly distraught when they found out they were being lied to and the stars were moving away.
The kingdom was falling into chaos and no one was doing anything to stop it.
Inside, the temple felt like it always did. It was clean, too clean.
He moved through the corridors easily, nodding where necessary, disappearing where possible. The annex first. Drop off the documents. The ledgers were signed and he didn't linger.
But his feet carried him to the library anyway.
Nyra was there.
She always was, lately. 'Wasn't she supposed to be at the annex like the other scribes?' He thought inwardly
She stood over the central table, her sleeves rolled up, hair tied back badly. Charts were spread everywhere.
"Let me guess," Finn said. "They changed it again."
She didn't look up. "You're late."
"I stopped to offend half the market."
"Efficient."
"Shouldn't you be at the annex today?"
"I had someone cover for me. I told them I wasn't done with my work so they gladly did."
"I did not take you as someone who had friends."
She raised her head and shot him a deadly glare, before continuing with her work.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "How bad?"
Nyra exhaled. "They erased a sequence."
Finn frowned. "Completely?"
"Yes."
"That's… bold."
"That's reckless. Very reckless. It's like they are not even scared of being discovered."
She finally looked at him again, her expression tired, as she pointed at the older records. "The older records don't move. They don't shift. The stars follow patterns. These—" she gestured sharply at the newer charts "—these are just all over the place. Nothing makes sense here. Everything is so random"
Finn leaned against the table. "And you're saying that out loud now."
"I'm saying it to you."
He swallowed. That meant something. More than either of them wanted to say.
"You know what happens to people who notice patterns they're not meant to," he said quietly.
Nyra's fingers brushed her collarbone, the motion unconscious. "Yes."
A pause.
"Are you scared?" Finn asked.
She considered it. "I think I should be."
He nodded. "Fair."
Footsteps echoed faintly down the corridor. Both of them went still until the sound passed.
Nyra lowered her voice. "I don't think staying quiet will save us."
Finn let out a breath. "No. It won't."
They stood there, the weight of it settling between them.
"I should finish my route," he said eventually.
Nyra nodded. "Be careful."
He gave her a look. "You too, Star Scribe. I also wanted to mention something."
"What is it?"
"I know it seems crazy, but I think we are being watched and listened to."
"By whom?"
"I don't know. I just always get these weird feeling every single time I am in the corridors."
"Perhaps we should write to each other" She suggested
"Sure thing, but can't leave evide—"
"We would burn it."
"Ok"
As he left the library, the temple felt… tighter. Like it was aware of them now. Of the way they'd started looking back.
He walked faster.
Outside, it was mid afternoon and the city had fully woken. Children darted between stalls. Someone laughed. Someone argued over prices.
"Finn!" a voice called.
He turned to see Lysa, the seamstress, waving him over. "You forgot your gloves yesterday."
"Did I?"
She shoved them into his hands. "You're becoming more and more distracted these days."
"Am I that obvious?"
"To people who know you? Yes."
He tucked the gloves into his coat. "Don't tell anyone."
She smiled, but her eyes were worried. "Just don't do anything crazy, alright?"
Finn forced a grin. "I can not promise you that."
That night, back in his room, his mind started planning how to expose the temple and make it out alive. He knew that things were quiet now, but they wouldn't stay that way forever.