The great white walls of Garroway rose high above her, blue flags flapped in the afternoon breeze from atop the ramparts. The white crown and castle of Supreme Leader Cairo's blue banners cracked in the wind, marking the city as his.

  Up ahead rode Field Marshal Jonathan Demshir and a retinue of Knights and Riflemen from his own forces, their brown and black horses contrasting with the magnificent white walls of the city buildings on either side of the cobbled streets.

  Behind him was the small force of Swordsmen riding under the banners of Kryton Mirrormind. Kryton was nowhere to be seen.

  The dark armoured men and horses of the Dark Heat army came third, waving and calling out to the crowds that lined both sides of the street. The people of the capital cheered and clapped and waved and jumped, pleased to see the many heroes of their nation return to the capital.

  The howling beast banners of the Blue Wolves were fourth to grace Garroway's streets, their horses bowed and shook their manes as the trumpets and horns sounded to signal their arrival.

  The Order of the Silver Ram rode steadily and sternly behind the Blue Wolves. Rafael, the stoic Commander, lead his silver armoured Knights and infantry with quiet pride up the streets towards the ivory towers of Garroway Castle at the centre of the city.

  Fayyim bowed and waved from a top her white horse, returning the gestures of the city folk on the streets. The welcome felt good, the banners, the horns, the cheers, the sight of her own colours flying from the windows of the people felt best of all. Hawthorn was at her side, as usual, with Lupin and Shanks behind. Her mounted Knights came next, then her Soldiers and Archers. 'What do you think, Hawthorn?'

  'Fantastic.' Hawthorn laughed. 'Just fantastic.'

  'I agree.' Fayyim said, taking in the sights, looking over the thousands of NPCs and players that littered the streets, welcoming the procession. 'It might seem that it can only get better from here on.' She said through a toothy smile, at a volume only her Captain could hear. 'But it's going to get hard. Messy.'

  'Yes Commander.' Hawthorn waved to a group of young women. They squealed in return.

  Fayyim raised an eyebrow. 'Seriously?'

  Hawthorn laughed. 'No. But it's fun.'

  'Whatever.'

  The parading Banners travelled the distance from the southern gate to the foot of the castle. White steps worked up towards white wooden doors, the entrance to the complex of towers and walls. The people gathered and cheered; streamers flapped and cracked in the wind from the tower tops; a line of trumpeters played herald to the coming of the Field Marshal and the many Commanders after him.

  Jonathan Demshir and his guard dismounted at the steps. The horses were led away by fancy dressed NPCs. The others followed. Rafael, Alexander, Funder and Fayyim climbed from their horses and climbed the stairs to the great doors. Their troops trotted away to stable their horses and then wait for orders from their leaders.

  Waiting at the top of the steps was Kryton Mirrormind, who had obviously gone ahead of the rest. A man in blue dyed leathers, with a white battleship emblazoned across his chest stood with him, his tanned skin and bleached hair stood out. This has to be Nicholas Demshir, Admiral of the Fleet. Fayyim had never met the man. He looks a shrewd one. She noticed the elegant looking sword at his side, a basket hilted rapier.

  The Commanders rose up the steps and bowed to the Admiral and Mirrormind. Everyone exchanged introductions, shook hands or saluted. Before any conversation could commence, a blonde woman appeared from behind the doors. She wore pale blue enamelled plate armour, trimmed with blue at the seams. About her shoulders was a Hurdland blue cloak with white fur lining. She was as regal as royalty, but was of a lower station.

  'His Supreme Excellency awaits you all in the great hall, as do the nobility.' The woman spoke with a thick European accent, although Fayyim could not determine what. 'Please take your leave of the commoners and follow me. Thank you.'

  Fayyim turned and bowed to the shouting citizens. At the foot of the stairs, a line of armoured Soldier's blocked the crowds from flooding the castle. As the other Commanders bowed and entered through the doors, Fayyim gave a wave to the city folk and in response their cries intensified. She smiled and then made her way after the others.

  The Demshir Brothers were walking with Funder, Alexander, Mirrormind and the woman; Rafael was walking tall several foot behind them. Fayyim walked quickly to his side. 'Not walking with the rest?'

  Rafael remained silent. They passed through a large garden with flowers and trees in full bloom. Another great door was ahead of them, the entrance to a tall stained glass windowed building with carvings etched in its stones.

  'What's up with you, Rafael? You haven't spoken to me since Kurknein.'

  'This whole celebration is for you, for nothing. You lost in the Sands, you shouldn't be praised.' The Silver Ram's eyes never once moved from the great hall ahead.

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  'Maybe so... But we both know that this whole event is just to cover a great war council. It means nothing.' Fayyim shrugged. It was not how she felt.

  'Not to us, but to the people it does. They still hail you as some great hero, as do the lesser armies. We celebrate a failure. The other nations are laughing.' Rafael clenched his teeth.

  'Oh please!' Fayyim snickered. 'We were completely overwhelmed by Amaratsu, I did all I could. At least I successfully lifted the sieges at Shoulderside and Tumblestone, the reds are at a stand still right now because of it.'

  'Oh yes, good work!' Rafael snorted. 'But your strategy should have been to push back into the Sands once again, especially with Princess Ashara dead. She would have to respawn and regroup, and in that time you could have advanced into Negam or even further south.'

  'The Great Castle Bridge?' Fayyim laughed. 'Yes yes, I was certainly ready and able to attack such a place with only one hundred and fifty men under my command. Anyway, where were you when we sent word? Don't judge me when I was actually there to help, to do what was best for us.' Rafael was silent, but there was some reaction in his eyes that she could not quite decipher. Fayyim sighed. 'That aside, Ashara was never capable of respawning.'

  'Why is that?' Asked Rafael.

  'For the same reason that Amaratsu won't continue their attack on the south. They have no Commander.'

  Rafael finally looked at Fayyim. 'What do you mean?'

  'I mean.' Fayyim adjusted her red ribbon. 'I did not kill Ashara. I imprisoned her.' She walked ahead. Chew on that.

  The Red Front Commander came up the rear of the other group. They were talking and laughing, but all went quiet as she reached them. Mirrormind coughed, Nicholas nodded to her and then walked ahead. Only Jonathan Demshir spoke to her.

  'Commander.' He said. 'How does it feel to be back in the capital?'

  'It feels good. Thank you for asking. I'm looking forward to exploring it, I haven't yet had the opportunity to in the past.'

  'I'm sure you will find it pleasant.' He replied.

  They were upon the great hall. 'Commanders.' The blonde woman pushed open the doors. The whispers of hundreds of people poured from inside. 'Please make your way to the dais and bow before your leader.'

  Jonathan Demshir, Nicholas Demshir, Kryton Mirrormind, Commander Funder, High Commander Alexander, High Commander Rafael and Commander Fayyim Tallhart entered through the doors to thunderous applause. The great white hall, stone and marble and silver, was built high into an arched ceiling. Four columns of white wooden benches stretched from the doors to the stone dais at the other end, each seat filled with a richly clothed man or women. The nobles turned and cheered as Jonathan Demshir led his guard and the other Commanders down the central isle.

  Red and blue and green and yellow light was cast over the floor, filtered through the tall stained glass windows. Ahead of Fayyim was a white marble throne, and sitting upon it was Cairo. He was shining in pristine white armour, a tall helmet with blue plume, and a blue cloak too long for combat. Across his knees was laid a silver plated war hammer. Above his head was the banner of his rule, a white castle crowned and sitting on a field of blue.

  Standing on his right side in similar white armour was yet another blonde woman, as regal as the other, yet much more beautiful, despite the curved scar above her left eyebrow. She raised her hand as Fayyim and the others reached the stands and knelt before their leader, the noise of the nobles was silenced.

  'Our Excellency, Lord Cairo, Supreme Leader of the great nation of Hurdland, welcomes and celebrates your arrival to the capital, Garroway City.' The woman's voice had power to it. 'Rise, Jonathan Demshir, Field Marshal of the grand Hurdland armies.' The woman took a breath and continued. 'Rise, Nicholas Demshir, Admiral of the Fleet. Rise, Kryton Mirrormind, exalted minister to the court of Supreme Leader Cairo. Rise, High Commander Rafael, leader of the cherished Order of the Silver Rams. Rise, High Commander Alexander, leader of the Blue Wolves. Rise, Commander Funder, leader of the Dark Heat.

  'His excellency gives thanks to you all, for guarding today's most precious celebrated Commander. Please take your seats.'

  Fayyim was left knelt and bowed, with no call for her to move. She looked to her right out of the corner of her eye. The others had sat at the front most row of seats. She then looked up, only to see the shifting feet of Cairo as he stood.

  'Dear people of Garroway City, of Hurdland. I welcome you.' Cairo's voice boomed. 'People of the sea, of Churash, I welcome you! People of the sands and the snow, of Amaratsu, I welcome you!' He took a breath. 'Today we celebrate the great victory of the south, the safekeeping of our borders and the defeat of the great Commander of Amaratsu, Princess Ashara!'

  The audience exploded in cheers and whistles and claps. That'll annoy the Amaratese diplomats in the crowd. Fayyim heard the clinking of Cairo's armour, and then the noise died down. 'Rise.' Cairo began. 'Commander Fayyim Tallhart, leader of the cherished Red Front, Breaker of Sieges, Defender of the Land and Hero of the South!'

  Fayyim stood to applause. She lifted her head and came face to face with Cairo. His eyes were a deep blue, the nation's colour. He placed his hands on her shoulders and then placed his forehead to hers. No words were said, but Fayyim took a light gasp, her chest fluttering. When he released her and returned to his seat, the scarred woman took over the proceedings once again.

  'Let the streets be filled with music, and may the people sing your name! Fayyim Tallhart!'

  'Fayyim Tallhart!' The audience cried in return.

  'Fayyim Tallhart!' The woman called out.

  'Fayyim Tallhart!' The audience chanted. 'Tallhart! Tallhart! Tallhart!'

  Fayyim faced the crowd. The people stood and chanted, they clapped their hands and stomped their feet. But in the first row of the column farthest to her right, men and women in the red of Amaratsu scowled at her. And to her left, the Field Marshal and Admiral of the Fleet smiled, but their eyes showed only disdain.