"Why did they release the banner like that?" Unni asked, genuinely puzzled. "It's customary here in Hjalfar to drop the banner of the old ruler to welcome the new one. It helps signify the transition of power. They'll raise our banner as soon as we pass under the gate," he said, watching the massive banner float towards the ground, gently carried by the morning breeze. "I see," she said, observing the banner as well.
"Open the gate!" a voice called out from the rampart. The sound of the massive gears turning could be heard from behind the massive, oaken gate. "Welcome back to Odensby, lord," a woman's voice shouted over the sound of the gears clunking into place. "It's good to be back behind these old stones and not as their enemy, Commander Lande," Anders replied.
She's still the same Trina I know, and she's just as terrifying as before, he thought, looking back on his time in Odensby.
They had fought together on many occasions, and while they were on par with each other in terms of strength, she was always a bit quicker on her feet than he was.
"Won't you follow us?" he asked, barely needing to look down at her from atop his horse. "I'll be there after I've made sure all of your people have made it inside," she said, gesturing towards the carriages behind him. "We won't begin without you, then," he said, giving her a warm smile. "I know you won't because you know I'll kill you if you do," she said, returning a menacing smile.
Yep, still just as terrifying, he thought.
Unni, who had watched the whole exchange, eyed the giant woman. Her broad shoulders and shoulder-length, auburn hair peeking out from under her steel helmet made her a formidable entity. "Don't be late," Unni managed to say, trying to be friendly. Trina had other ideas, as the malicious smile turned to ever-so-slight disgust when faced with her radiant, green eyes peering deeply into Unni's soul. "I wouldn't miss it for the world," Trina replied.
Her presence is undeniably palpable, Unni thought as she passed by. I can still feel her eyes locked onto me like a hawk to a rabbit. Who does she think she is? her thoughts trailed as she slowly rode away from the gate.
Once everyone had entered, the gate was closed and Trina, soon after, worked her way up to the main palace, lost in thought.
Where the hell have I seen that woman before? she asked herself, trying desperately to put a face to a place.
"Commander Lande!" a voice called out, shattering her concentration. "What is it, sergeant?" she asked, already recognizing the voice. She turned around to find a young man in his mid-twenties, with the Odensby crest on his chest plate and his armor well polished, rendering a perfect salute accented by his pale blue eyes sternly looking ahead. "Your presence is requested at the front of the palace for the Change of Rule ceremony," the sergeant said, still holding the salute which she returned promptly.
"I was already on my way there, Sergeant Wien," she said plaintively. "Walk with me, will you? I want to pick your brain for a minute," she asked. "O-of course, ma'am," Wien replied, scurrying up beside her. "I'm not sure if you remember him, as it's been about ten years since his exile, but do you remember Anders?" she asked directly. "I remember him well, ma'am. He always treated me well as a child. Why do you ask?" he replied, intrigue ringing in his voice.
"Well, it feels like he's changed, and I don't know if it's for the better. That woman he's with… I feel like I know her from somewhere," she began, losing herself in thought once more. "You do? But, what about her? She seemed nice enough," Wien replied, scratching the back of his head. "You're only saying that because you're attracted to her," she remarked.
Wien blushed. "W-well, ma'am, she is quite beautiful," he stammered. "Yes, but beauty beguiles one's senses. You should've learned that by now after the incident with that prostitute," she mocked, jabbing him with her elbow. "How was I supposed to know she had the leaky clam? You think I wanted to put my tool through that?" he asked, spreading his arms wide.
She stopped and looked at him for a moment. Without a word, he was reminded of his position. "Ma'am…?" he added. She snickered briefly, proceeding towards the palace once more. "You could've smelled her yeasty fish all the way from Caegwen, if the wind were just right, but I digress. I want you to keep an eye on Unni, and not in that way, understood?" she asked.
"I do, ma'am, but why me? Why not do it yourself?" Wien nodded, trying to understand her reasoning for picking him. "I could tell from that first meeting that she's already wary of me. I'm not sure if she knows just what I am to Anders, but I don't trust her. Not. One. Bit," she said, emphasizing each word heavily.
I've never seen her this angry outside of training before, Wien gulped a ball of spit akin to cotton.
"I-it will be done, ma'am. How often do you want reports on her?" he asked. "Daily and without falter. If anything happens, if she wipes her ass back-to-front instead of front-to-back, I want to know about it. Is that understood?" she asked, still looking ahead toward where the ceremony was to take place. "I understand. It will be done, Commander," he replied, rendering an unseen salute before veering down an alleyway.
"Let's see what you're hiding," she muttered to no one in particular.