Helodion leaned over the parapet and gazed over to the city of Kyrarae in the distance. A bustling city just out of reach and a position in the military going nowhere. Kyrarae was the seat of the empire on Aequilla and home to hundreds of thousands of people. Fort Larcin used to be part of the city’s outer defense ring but armies became obsolete in the wake of Battle Maidens.

“Do you think we’ll see any women today?” Kaspar asked as he sharpened his sword for the fifth time in a week. “I mean, we’re allowed to have families but how are we supposed to create one if we never happen upon women in the first place?”

Captain Helodion gave him a sidelong glare. “Use your imagination. I don’t think there’s a woman out there who’d take you even if you had all the time in the world.”

Kaspar frowned and sheathed his sword. They knew each other for the past three years since being stationed at Fort Larcin along with a hundred other men. Kaspar hadn’t been a part of the Magi War and even Helodion only joined at the end of it. By then his job became that of a peacekeeper in the newly conquered territories. For his service in the Outer Realm they awarded him the position of Commander and sent to Fort Larcin. Kaspar picked up the spyglass and examined the royal road leading out of the capitol and passed the numerous farms. The temple of Ahmun lay by the riverside whose priests worshipped the divine fire Ahmun.

Helodion didn’t believe in such nonsense even if the maidens were real, higher beings were a step too far for him. “Have Xeras ring the bell and prepare for lunch. Let the men stuff their bellies and then we’ll head out for a forced march up the mountains.”

“What do you know, I’m in luck. There’s a woman heading right our way.”

“She’s probably just heading to the temple,” Helodion said with a roll of his eyes and straightened out his uniform. They never received visitors from anyone else but the farmers bringing them their weekly supplies but they weren’t due for another two days.

“Nope, definitely coming to us but I’ll leave her to you,” Kaspar said with a grin. He set the looking glass aside and moved to the railing overlooking the inner court where the battalion was busy training and a few stable boys grooming the horses. He gave Xeras the signal followed by the ringing of the bell.

Helodion watched the woman approach with a sense of unease. Today would differ from any other day, if only because a woman of class came out to the fort.

“Take care of lunch. I’ll see what our visitor needs of us,” Helodion said and made his way down the flight of stairs before crossing over to the wooden gate. A huge plank sealed the gate with a small door built into the right side which he was able to open without assistance.

“Captain Helodion,” the woman said, already standing right in front of him. “I’m sorry to be disturbing you and your men but you’ll all be needed at the Imperial Palace.”

She brushed by him and held a small child, perhaps even a newborn wrapped in a blanket to her chest. He glanced down at her feet and the pair of shoes he wouldn’t be able to afford in a lifetime of service but looked awfully uncomfortable to be walking the eight miles between the palace and the fort.

“Excuse me, but how is it you know who I am?”

“I’m afraid there’s not a lot of time to explain. Suffice to say, I am Lady Calisma and the Emperor and his family are at great risk. A group of traitors have snuck inside the palace and vow to dismantle the empire.”