“To Lieutenant Amy Lockwood,

In preparation for the king’s festival, you are ordered to return as soon as possible to the capital. Details of your orders can be found by reporting to your commander. We wish for your safe and speedy return.

Sincerely,
M. Francis Welk”

There and back again. With a gentle tug of the reins, White Hare gave pause and Amy took off her helm. The rank and file of soldiers behind stopped their march. How nice it was to feel the midsummer’s wind blowing at her face! It felt like an eternity since Amy has laid her eyes upon Amayth’s magnificent distant stonewalls. Two years, two memorable years away from the only place she once called home.

Home. Where was home again? Ah yes, there was great mansion and Groundskeeper William humming himself a tune as he raked the fall leaves. Inside the dinner hall, the portrait of her grandparents hung above the fire mantle, stern and composed. The fragrance of magnolia in her old room, oh how sweet was it scent!

“Why we’re stopping lieutenant? Something the matter?” asked a soldier. 

“Nothing, just enjoying the view for a little bit. It has been awhile. Quite a spectacle they are making by the lake.”

“Preparations for the festivities it appears. Nothing better than being home right lieutenant?”

“…Yes. Yes, I suppose you are right corporal. There is no place better than being home. Hyah!”

The city also reminded her of something else. Her family, her former family to be precise, what were they up to all these years? Father no doubt was trying to climb the social ladder after falling down quite a bit no thanks to her after all these years. That old hag of a stepmother was probably up to no good, inflating her own vain sense of self worth. If she knew her younger brother, he was probably wasting the family’s fortune on booze and women. It would be very unlikely he would be holding a steady job. 

Then, there were her two older brothers, the only family that mattered to her anymore. How were they doing? Did she have any cute nephews and niece? Since her exile, she made no contact with them because she was now a “stranger.” 

She found herself absentmindedly gazing upon the serene lake. Not too long ago, she could have only dreamed of the places outside the storied walls. Ever since she made the fateful choice to join the military, she felt she had seen a myriad of things both good and bad, of how the “other side lived”, things that she would not have experienced if she had continued with her old sheltered life. They arrived at the main gates and the gatekeeper held his hand up, stopping Amy.

“Who are you and those band of men behind you?”

“Red Lion’s Lt. Amy Lockwood, Third Platoon.” She presented her badge. The gatekeeper inspected it briefly and handed it back to Amy

“The Red Lion Company? You must be that female officer a few years back. Never thought I’d see you in person. What brings you here? Coming here on vacation?”

“I’m afraid not though that would be great. We were recalled to provide extra security for the festival.”

“Hmm…well you should check the bounty boards then. Those are always up in pubs and I’m sure there’s bound to be a few somewhere in the barracks. These occasions will be bound to attract unsavory types. The more eyes the better.”

“Hopefully there won’t be any need for that. I do want to take it easy, especially when it’s my first day back to the capital.”

“Mhm. It is a joyous occasion.”

Once inside, Amy Lockwood led her troops to the local garrison. “You can do what you want for now but don’t wander off too far. I’ll need to meet with the commander and get our new orders. It shouldn’t take that long.”

She left her men to their devices and went to the third floor to get her new orders.