"You're still awake and reading? The sky closed several turns ago." A young man with blond hair peeked into the room where another of similar age sat with a book. Despite him trying his best to ignore the question and pay attention to the words in front of him, it was hard to focus with his friend's staring.

"Of course," he replied calmly. "I'm not heading into battle with no knowledge of our enemy. That would be daft. Besides-" He finally met Luke's bright blue eyes with his own green. "It's not all that late." A yawn almost betrayed him, clamouring to escape from his mouth, but he caught it quick enough.

"Come now Xoris. What's the point of it all if you're tired on the field tomorrow? I didn't read anything on the Stained, and I'm sure I'll take care of them just fine." He crossed his built arms, raising his eyebrows as he tapped one finger in impatience.

"You're simply jealous of my literacy." A small smile spread across Xoris' face as he shrugged in response. Not that he meant it, but it was much nicer to focus on that than the ever-looming responsibility that continued to rake on his mind with each passing drip of the waterclock next to him.

All the same, he closed the book gently, running his hand through his short brown hair. Luke is right on one thing at least. I don't want to be tired. The idea of even fighting in general unnerved him to his core. He was a scribe, not a knight. The king's draft could not have made a worse selection, but it wasn't as though he had had any say otherwise. The only option he had left was to be sure to be as best prepared as he could, even if that did include resting for now.

Even so, he tried to push his thoughts in a more positive direction. After all, there was nothing he could do about it, so what was the point in being frustrated? Instead, he tried to focus on the positives. At least the bed was soft. Not that he would be able to sleep for long with how early soldiers were supposed to rise every morning.

"Xoris?" Luke called from below him, breaking his concentration.

"Yes?" he asked, blinking as if it could clear the headache that had begun to form along his temples as his eyes slowly adjusted to the night.

"I'm glad we were drafted together. It's much more pleasant to know I'll have a friend by my side tomorrow."

But, if they did have to be faced with hundreds of Beasts by morn, it was a small comfort to him that at least they could face them together.