I yawn loudly, tired from today’s work training the troops. Darn pathetic morons can’t do anything right. It’s going to take a long time to train them to be semi-competent soldiers, but for now, I need to focus on what is important.

I walk alongside Huson as we head to Volas’ office. He also seems tired from training with his Outriders.

‘Well, sounds like the war is already over,’ I jokingly say to him.

Huson scoffs. ‘Nah, I think someone messed up and we are going to be sent over there to clean up the mess.’

‘We’ll see!’ I smile.

I reach for the door handle, but Huson stops me before I can enter the room.

‘How about a bet? If Volas would send us west to deal with the slaves, you owe me a drink.’

I grin. ‘And if I win?’

‘Then I will get you a drink. Deal?’ Huson reaches his hand out to finalise the bet.

With no hesitation, I shake it. Gambling is upon in the army, but sometimes you need to have a bit of fun.

Huson pries open the door and we both stand at attention while we salute Volas.

He sits at his desk, not paying attention to us. The room is silent, with Volas glued to the documents in front of him.

‘You wanted to see us?’ Huson asks in confusion, breaking the silence.

Volas stutters as he breaks out of his trance. ‘Yes, I do. Have any of you heard any of the news about what’s going on out west?’

Huson and I look at each other, not understanding what he means.

I’ve never paid attention to the reports other than the performance of the garrison force during training. It’s not my job to focus on the war that we are waging. I have to train men, not read reports on troop movements.

‘Other than rumours and reports that I’ve told you, no,’ Huson replies.

Volas looks around the room as if he is making sure no one is listening to us.

‘The slaves have taken over the west.’

Huson’s eyes widen in shock.

I turn around to close the door while I soak in what he has told me.

‘We won’t have any support from the north. We are left alone to defend the city.’ Volas shakes as he holds back the tremor in his voice. ‘Hannah. I need you to recruit from the city and nearby settlements. We also need to set up a defensive perimeter in and around the city.’

‘What about me?’ Huson chimes in.

Volas grinds his teeth, acting uneasy around Huson. ‘I need to meet up with the director of Bravens mine and the Commander of Fort Shatler. Tell them I need to meet up with them.’

Huson frowns. ‘Anything else?’

‘No, Scout Master. Now if you excuse me, I need you to get going.’ Volas says mockingly to Huson as he waves him off.

Huson cracks his knuckles. I brace myself to stop him as he suddenly raises his hand to salute Volas.

‘It will be done, sir,’ Huson stomps out of the room. I salute to Volas as I march to my exit, not wanting to say goodbye to his rudeness.

‘Before you go.’ Volas stops me. ‘War is just around the corner, Hannah. Things are only going to get worse. Promise me you’ll keep yourself safe.’ His voice cracks. Not sad, but scared.

I don’t turn to face him. I can’t. Even when a small part of me says I should.

‘I will, Volas. Promise you will to.’ I leave the room to head straight to my office.

I am furious at his attitude towards Huson, yet my heart screams for something else, something different.

I shake my head to clear my mind. I need to focus. I need to build up the garrison force. There are more pressing matters to deal with.

The next day, I head out to the courtyard for my daily training.

‘Hurry it up!’ I shout at the soldiers.

For hours, I’ve been drilling these garrison virgin picket boys into shape. They are not ready for war, but I will make them ready. By the Gods, I will make them the finest warriors the world will ever see.

Every misstep they make, every whine, complaint, and comment brings harsher punishments.

Spear training, sword training, shield wall advance training, marching around the court, drill, and even push-ups. All of it done at any time and in any order.

I will make sure meal times are always training times, for if we are at war, they must always be ready.

For hours, I’ve forced the boys to become men, for the battlefield is just around the corner.

‘Fall in!’ I command in the middle of their push up session. Exhausted men and women crawl their way to form a pitiful rank and file.

From a glance, I can see they are not aligned or spaced out according to the drill handbook. I can forcefully fix their horrendous mistake, even punish them for their carelessness. But I don’t want to. The dark, sunless sky is calling me to be in bed, and I require some rest. And I believe they deserve it too.

‘Listen up!’ I shout as I hide my yawn. ‘Tomorrow you have a job to do. You will go outside of the fort and encourage others like you to sign up.’

They all look at me, as if they are not interested in the task at hand.

‘Whoever comes back with the most signatures and turn-ups will have a two weeks paid holiday.’

They smile like kids in a toyshop. How childish they are, requiring simple rewards to get the task done.

‘If there are no questions?’ I stand at attention waiting for a response, but the only reply is silence from the troops.

‘Fall out!’ The soldiers grab their gear as they make their way inside to the warm fires.

I yawn as I rub my eyes as they leave my sight. Darn, that was a long day.

I head to the stone hallway, away from sight, to my own quarters.

A man sits on the balcony, overlooking the city.

I lightly step towards him, not trying to gain his attention.

Volas? His short hairstyle is easily recognisable from the side.

He rubs his hands together, anxiously almost.

I sneak up behind him, taking advantage of his obliviousness.

‘Boo!’ I shout into his ear while I shake his shoulders.

Volas jumps out of his chair, almost knocking himself over the balcony from his fright.

I laugh as Volas frowns upon realising it is me.

‘That was very cruel, Hannah,’ he scoffs.

I continue my laughter, wiping away tears of amusement. ‘Don’t be mad at me. You made it too easy.’

Volas looks away, staring at the city lights with his arms crossed.

‘I’m sorry, Volas. I didn’t mean to upset you. Do you need a hug?’ I open my arms to him.

He raises his arm to me. ‘No, I don’t want a hug.’

I grin as I walk towards him. ‘I won’t take no for an answer.’

‘Wait, no!’

He tries to push me off as I hug him. Squeezing him as hard as I physically can.

‘You’re a bitch sometimes,’ he mumbles.

‘I know,’ I smile as I let him go.

Volas smiles back with a hint of blush under his cheeks. ‘So, why did you come out here?’

‘Oh, you know. I wanted to go to bed, but I needed some attention,’ I reply sarcastically.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

‘Oh, okay.’ Volas glares back at the city.

I lightly punch his shoulder. ‘And maybe see how you are going. So tell me, bud, what’s wrong?’

Volas pauses as he looks down at his feet. ‘We can’t hold the city. The slaves are coming here and I don’t think we have enough to fight them off.’

I raise a brow. ‘So you don’t think we are superior enough to fight them off?’

‘We are, Hannah. But that isn’t enough. By the Gods, it isn’t even close. Quality soldiers can only get you so far, we are facing a horde of Dogs. And I don’t know if we can beat them.’ His voice shakes. He is scared of the war and how it is going.

‘So you’re scared we can’t beat them?’

‘No, I am scared I will fail. That I will fail the Empire, my friends and family. This city is… my whole life got to this point. I can’t stuff this up.’

I stand next to him, rubbing his shoulder with my own. ‘You think we will fail to hold the city?’

Volas nods.

I give him a gentle smile. ‘Maybe that is the case now, but it won’t always stay like that. Huson is an experienced warrior.’ I place a hand on my chest as I lower my voice in a jokey way. ‘And I, your trusted friend, will deliver you an army so great, it can move mountains.’

Volas chuckles, but his smile fades into a saddened expression. ‘Thanks, but that won’t be enough against them. These monsters murdered their way to the countryside. How can we hope to stand against an army that is immoral and unjust?’

‘Don’t say that!’ I groan. ‘Do you know who I am standing next to? The youngest and brightest mind the Empire has ever witnessed. I remember a time when you out-maneuvered an experienced Commander by exposing his flanks during NCOs. Volas, if there is someone who can win this war. It’s you!’

Volas turns to me, surprised at my remark. ‘You really think so?’

‘I do, Volas,’ I smile.

Volas chuckles. ‘Thank you, Hannah. That eased me up a bit.’

I grin as I remember a special date tomorrow. ‘How about this? Tomorrow church service is on, and tomorrow is also Rinda Day. So how about you come over as my plus one?’

Volas raises a brow. ‘Rinda Day! Um… sure, I might be able to come. Didn’t know you’re the religious sort.’

I yawn as I play with my hair. ‘A girl needs something to believe in to keep going. Maybe even find someone special during the process.’

Volas stares blankly at me. ‘Ah, I didn’t think of that,’ he casually responds.

What? Did he not pick that up? Maybe he is just playing with me. ‘Well, I hope to see you tomorrow, sunshine. Be there before service.’

‘I will, Hannah,’ he says as he waves me off.

As I head to my room. I take off my clothes and crash into my bed, hugging the sheets to warm my body. This is heaven right here.

As I close my eyes to sleep I wonder what tomorrow will be like? Maybe, it will be good fun.

I hop out of bed with a surge of energy flowing through my body. I open the wardrobe to bring out my simple red dress.

A small gift from my mother before I joined the army. Perhaps my favourite gift I have ever received from her.

I wish I could see her again. Maybe she’s alright after all these years, since I joined the army? Who knows what that old woman is doing now. Maybe I should write a letter to her soon to tell her I am all right. Ha, maybe I’ll get another dress from her.

But for now, I’ve got service to go to. I put on my dress and work boots.

Even if I am out of uniform, I find boots to be more comfortable compared to other conventional footwear. And good to kick people with.

I make my way to the church. It is a large building made of limestone bricks and granite rocks. Green moss covering the cracking walls. Its most striking feature is the flag of this country as it flutters in the wind. The image of golden phoenixes on a red background. It flies itself above the church and the religious symbols of our Gods, the striking image looking down at the world below.

I never understand why our flag has to fly above our churches when our Gods are above all mortal things. Why isn’t it an insult to our faith to place a flag of mortals on the houses of Gods? Above their symbols is the symbol of our Empire. I know they helped us make our nation what it is today. But that shouldn’t mean we are above them, or should place mortal possessions above their symbols.

‘Uh… hello… did I miss something?’ I turn to see Volas wearing his ceremonial uniform.

I smile as I give him a hug. ‘Thank you for coming. I thought you would never turn up.’

Volas chuckles. ‘Well, it would be mean of me not to turn up.’

I smile as I grab onto his arm. ‘So, how about we start service?’

Volas smiles as I guide him to the church doors.

Inside are wooden symbols of each deity in the pantheon placed on each corner of the church, all of them equally lined up, none more favoured than the other, for they are equally important in the construction of our Empire.

Volas and I take a seat near the back of the church, away from everyone so we can have some time to ourselves.

The preacher stands on the podium, giving a grandiose speech about love and the importance of family.

His speech warms my heart while I shuffle closer to Volas, not trying to appear obvious. Luckily for me, he just sits there, paying attention to the preacher.

The church door opens, interrupting the preacher’s speech. The men and women that enter the room wear foreign military uniforms. They have our pointed ears, but not the eyes or our skin colour. They are Huson’s Outriders.

‘Your service is in that room,’ the preacher points to a door at the end of the church, a closed off a section from the rest of this magnificent building.

The soldiers nod as they head to their room, opening the door to the other room. There is no beautiful art, painted glass or symbols of our Gods. Just a room of aged wood and ugly cracked stonewalls.

Volas watches as they enter the room silently.

I don’t know if you realise, Volas. I don’t know if you saw what I saw. But these are your men. And even from different backgrounds, they are equal under our Gods. They shouldn’t pray separately from us.

I want to tell you this, but I keep my silence. I don’t want to tell you why this is important during service.

As the service end. I hold Volas’ arm; we walk out of the building.

‘So, how was your day?’ I ask.

‘It was interesting,’ he smiles. ‘Didn’t know Ravlia was such a deviant.’

‘Careful, you don’t want to be caught saying such blasphemy,’ I chuckle.

‘Maybe not.’ Volas pauses awkwardly.

‘What’s wrong?’

‘Um, so do you want to go to the tavern with me?’ He rubs the back of his neck.

I roll my eyes. Finally, he asks a girl out for a drink. ‘Didn’t know you had it in you.’ I grab his arm. ‘Come on, let’s get some drinks.’

We both smile as we walk off to the tavern. The ale might be cheap, but at least it will be some good fun.