A short toot of the train’s whistle woke me. Never having ridden a train before, I peered out the window to see a massive metropolis. The main street, large enough to fit ten wagons side by side, lead into the city with hundreds of people entering and leaving. One giant wall stood melded into the earth, surrounding the entire circular city, but wasn’t tall enough to hide the many multistory structures towering into the sky. Each building matched with white washed stone walls and blue cupolas. As we approached closer and closer, soldiers could be spotted littering the area, blending in with the crowd.

“Why are there so many soldiers?” I asked, mentally counting every group we passed.

“They are here for the same reason we are. Fortune City has a transportation portal. Men and women in service to The Empire from around the region gather here in the case of a large military operation,” Stiggs said with eyes closed.

Similarly, Captain Wendy sat across from him, meditating with legs folded and crossed. Yoga was never that appealing to me, but she looked so damn serene that I might just try it later. I’m not really that close to the Captain, however, im sure she’ll help me get into it if I asked.

Taking another look through the window, we had reached the outside of the city wall, entering a large tunnel that burrowed to the other side. The suburban houses leading up to the city disappeared and blackness enveloped the entire train. Eventually, we popped out the other side, lightly burning my eyes after being adjusted to the darkness.

With several loud whistles, the train slowed pace and headed into the station that was not far away. As we docked, a steady bunch of soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder, all at attention. Next, the train came to a grinding halt, opening its doors to empty its many riders. Like clockwork, the passengers filed out in an orderly manner, avoiding the soldiers still standing in place. Before I realized it, Stiggs was already carrying foot out the carriage, followed by Captain Wendy and the rest of the squad.

Leaving the train myself, I heard, “Welcome Sir. Your presence is requested by the governor. I can take you there immediately if you like.”

“Very well. Before that, this is my disciple Esried.” Stiggs shoved me front and center. “Get him cleaned and some decent civilian clothes.”

A knight saluted with hand over chest and shouted, “Thesi step forward!”

A girl approximately the same age as me does as commanded, bowing slightly.

“Escort Sir Esried around the City for whatever he needs,” the knight commanded.

“Yes Sir!” she replied.

Before I realize I’m being left alone with this girl, all the soldiers and my companions marched out of the station toward the center of the city. The girl never moved a muscle, still bowing. A few people walked past, but gave no more attention than one would a bystander.

“Are they gone?” the girl asked, probing the area with her eyes.

“I think so,” I said.

The girl straightened and nodded to herself. Her bright eyes examining me from head to toe. It didn’t stop there as she circled me for a full three-sixty view.

“So why are you so special?” she asked.

But before I could answer, the girl grabbed me with hand in tow toward the station’s arches.

“Sorry, but I didn’t catch your name the first time,” I said, struggling to keep pace.

“Thesi, daughter of house Polona, pleased to meet you,” she said, tugging harder.

It was when I stepped outside the station that I found myself overwhelmed. The air blew cold, dry, and brisk. I saw civilians, garbed in various colors, bodies moving quickly to their destinations. Thesi fixed her gaze onto the street a couple buildings over, then counted the coins from a weighted purse. She only handed me a quick nod before diving straight into the crowd going about their business, weaving through with each step.

I followed, my eyes holding onto the back of Thesi, watching as she entered a large building. Inside, the temperature raised several degrees, giving comfort from chill outside. Before me, lounge chairs were occupied by people wearing only towels, sipping drinks with leisure. I moved toward the desk Thesi stood at, watching her argue about something regarding prices.

“I’m sorry ma'am, but we do not negotiate here,” the man behind the desk firmly stated.

Thesi slammed six coins onto the desk before pulling me to the side. “Cheap bastards… The entrance is over there, get yourself cleaned up and meet me back here in half an hour.”

I watched Thesi disappear behind a curtain entrance on the left, then moved over to an identical entrance on the other side. Within the room, men of all ages were either stripping down or dressing up. Immediately I found myself a locker to throw my clothes into and placed my hand on top the door for a satisfying click. I pulled on the door just to make sure it was locked, and exited the locker room to a large bath.

After days of only sponge bathing, the dip into the hot water was a cleansing no man should be without. Scrubbing with a brush I found lying around, my skin became sore from the rough bristles. There were days I would go without a bath, at most weeks, a luxury resigned to people with homes. My very own bathtub will be a milestone in my life, soap and all the amenities with it. With so many places to wash, I forgot about the time and had gone over Thesi’s deadline by thirty minutes. Cursing my lack of time management, I left for the locker rooms.

As I jumped back into my clothes and bolted out the exit, Thesi was standing in our appointed spot frowning. The disappointment was obvious, a score against me. Yet as I approached, no words were thrown. Instead, she shoved a bag into my hands, its content containing a new set of clothing.

“Thanks.” I ran to the bathroom to rechange.

Thesi’s taste in clothing blew me away. Within the bag, a linen white button-down and grey dress pants held together with a dark brown belt, an ensemble which made me look more mature.

I returned to Thesi feeling confident until I spotted her. The previously armored girl switched to a red casual sleeveless dress. To say she was beautiful was an understatement and a disgrace to beauty itself. Her dark auburn hair, pink lips, and sharp jawline made me physically pause until she waved me over.

“You are lucky my eye for sizes is spot on.” Thesi’s hands went up to straighten my collar. “Let’s go eat. I want to spend the rest of the money before returning.”

We both headed out into the busy streets and stopped at the closest restaurant. The place was packed with people, both city residents and soldiers, all clamoring about the upcoming military operation. The wait time isn't that long though, as a waiter notified us that a table was being cleaned as we speak. Not a moment later, the same waiter lead us to our own little corner, a spot fitting four.

“We would like two salads, a rack of ribs, a plate of barbecue pork buns, roasted corn, and a side of apples,” Thesi ordered, smiling politely. “Oh and two glasses of water.”

“Yes ma’am.” The server bowed and left.

“You seem like you know what you’re doing,” I said.

“Yeah. I’ve lived here my whole life. I fully intend on joining the offensive to retake Fort Glory though. It’s going to be amazing!”

“I’m not so sure I would describe war as amazing…”

“Are you kidding me? My entire family is made of proud knights. This is my calling. My armor was even tailor made for me just a week ago just for this fight.”

“What happened to your armor anyways?”

“I sent it back to my house. In this city, there is a service for literally anything for the right price.”

Our food started to arrive one by one, and my taste buds tingle at the sight. Fresh salad, juicy ribs, and steamed pork buns are the first to come out.

Before I get a chance to dig in, a soldier backed by three of his friends walked up to our table only to say, “Excuse me, but I would like to ask for your table. My comrades and I are due to the front lines tomorrow so I would like to treat them to a good meal.”

Still shoving a pork bun into her mouth, Thesi managed to spit out, “No way. Wait like everybody else.”

Frowning, the soldier offered, “How about we share the table. A young noble lady such as yourself would…”

“Nope,” Thesi interrupted.

“Can you at least let me finish spea…” The soldier put his hand on Thesi’s shoulder, applying enough pressure to make her skin turn red.

A straight palm from Thesi to the soldier’s face knocked him back. “Get your dirty hands off me.”

“Restrain her!” the soldier with a now bloody nose shouted.

The soldier’s three buddies moved to corner us, but I kicked one of them while still sitting in my chair, his body flying through a wall and into the street. If our fellow diners weren’t looking before, they were now. A deafening silence lasted at least a minute before every soldier from the other tables stood up to back their brothers in arms.

“I usually turn a blind eye in civilian establishments, but attacking a soldier is unacceptable. You are under arrest!” a man with military officer clothes said.

Before anybody could take a step, Thesi started laughing uncontrollably, “HAHAHA!”

“You think this is funny?” the officer asked, hesitating in the face of insanity.

“Yeah I do. I’ve never heard of a disciple of a Royal Guard getting arrested before.”

Everybody could see the moment the officer’s heart dropped.

“Which Royal Guard may I ask?”

“Lord Stiggs. AHAHAHA!” Thesi continued to laugh obnoxiously and sometimes slapped the table for an exaggerated scene.

Falling to one knee and bowing his head, the military officer said, “Apologies sir. I will punish these men personally and pay for the damages.”

“No, no… it’s okay. Just pay for the damages and leave us alone please,” I said, a bit surprised by the one-eighty turn around.

“As you wish.” The officer took off to presumably take care of business.

“Royal Guards have that much sway?” I asked. “He kind of just took your word for it...”

“Mostly just Lord Stiggs. He was the military’s poster boy for a while. Then, he saved a bunch of soldiers and became a legend. Or something like that. It’s all in stories so i’m not sure what’s true or not,” Thesi explained. “As for taking my word, nobody would impersonate Lord Stiggs’s disciple. If rumor got out you were a fake, expect your head on a plate once verified. They take titles very seriously in the military.”

Despite the destruction and side glances, we stuffed ourselves until everything we ordered was gone. The officer had taken care of the bill, leaving us free to search for Stiggs.

The once overcrowded streets shed their weight, while the stall vendors closed shop. Down the road lay the city’s towering achievement that was the citadel, looming over all its inhabitants. As we walked further to the castle at the top, here and there residents went from rags to riches. By the time we actually reached the citadel gates, the light was fading for a starry night.

“Hey Stropna. Got Lord Stigg’s disciple here,” Thesi called out to one of the men standing guard.

“We’ve been expecting you. A bit late though, no? Are you sure you two didn’t have a bit of fun before coming?” Stropna chuckled, waving us through.

Holding a side glare, Thesi kicked the man’s shin as she strode past, annoyed at the guard’s lack of professionalism. Several other guards also manning the post laughed at their friend’s misfortune. I’ve never been on any sort of watch duty, but I’d imagine it would be boring as hell without a few laughs.

Both Thesi and I headed down a long courtyard, one filled with freshly trimmed hedges and a colorful assortment of flowers. There was no door to the massive castle before us, but I could feel the magical barrier cling to my body as I passed through the front door.

“Evening, Squire Thesi and Sir Esried I presume?” a standard looking butler asked.

“Yes.” Thesi nodded.

“The Lord Governor and Lord Stiggs are still discussing plans upstairs in the main conference room. You are authorized to enter.”

Thesi continued onward while I followed behind, passing by through several groups of soldiers either moving about or looking busy. Finally, we reach solid double doors lined in steel. The doors rumbled open with each of us pushing on a side. Those inside turned their heads, approximately one-hundred more pairs of eyes than I was expecting.

“Did I hear correctly when I was told you kicked somebody through a wall?” Stiggs asked.

“...Yes,” I said, fidgeting with hands in front of the audience.

Stiggs grunted, Captain Wendy smiled, Willner winked, and Cospal threw a thumbs up.

Returning his attention to a miniature battlefield model, Stiggs addressed the room, “We launch our attack plans in two days. Have your men rested and prepared for teleportation at noon tomorrow. Once we meet with the rest of our troops outside Fort Glory, we will reorganise ranks based on the strategy we talked about today. You are dismissed.”

I watched as all the soldiers filed out in an orderly manner, including Thesi who followed the man who greeted us at the train station.

“She seems nice,” Cospal said, putting his arm around my shoulder.

“Who Thesi? Yeah, I guess so.”

“You know intimate relationships between two people in the military is highly approved of.”

“Then why don’t you have a girlfriend?” I asked before slipping out of his arm to meet up with Stiggs, leaving him dazed and dumbfounded.