The sun was rising and you could almost hear the sigh of relief, and feel the release of a long held breathe as the shafts of light started to rain down over the city and people felt safe to stir. You then realised that you too, had been holding your breath until the glorious golden rays washed over you. Standing looking out your window at the ornate palace, watching the sun bathe it in its warmth, making it shine, filled you with wonder. You shook your head, you knew better than to be deceived by appearances, it may look inviting, appealing but it was all a lie, something you knew all too well, beautiful things were often deadly.
"Danya! ... Danya, you awake! We need to get going!"
You heard the scream from the room next room, you really didn't see why Zia had to shout the walls were so thin you could whisper to one another and be heard clear as day, so it was a good thing you were the best of friends and had grown up together. In fact you grew up in this very house, in this very room, it wasn't much but it was yours.
"Danya you daydreaming out of your window again, you don't want to be late, I'll buy us a bread roll for breakfast my treat!...if you get a move on!"
What was she going on about, she knew full well that you had been up and dressed before sunrise, you always were, you where starting to think it was all for her own motivation.
You smiled "A treat, you have spare money! I'll be chosen today if that's the case!"You said laughing, then froze, stupid to have mentioned that, not after the fight you'd had. Movement next door stopped and you knew she was thinking about it as well. You remembered back to last week, she was over the moon that a girl she worked with had been chosen and was bragging about it, you couldn't believe her naivety that being chosen was good, you had seen hundreds of girls be 'chosen' at the palace but never seen them again, you knew they were dead, or worse, she just wouldn't believe it. You had gotten so angry you had said some hurtful things, you didn't want to see her 'chosen' one day. You had nearly stormed out into the dark, which had frightened her, which had ended the fight. Afterwards you knew she would forgive you, she was your best friend, but you hadn't officially apologized, it had just been swept under the rug to fester.
"I'm sorry Zia, I shouldn't have mentioned that. In fact I should never had said anything, you and you friend were happy about it and I shouldn't have brought you down, I'm sorry! Are there some things we can agree to disagree on? Yes?"
"ok" She said popping her head around the door, her long dark hair up in a cascade of braids, she always look so beautiful and effortless, it took you an age just to get yourself reasonably presentable , one of the reasons why you got up so early.
She skipped into your room, your apology had done the trick, grabbed you by the arm and pulled you after her. You smiled, her enthusiasm was catching, but you knew you were going to need it for your long and hard day's work at the palace.