The battalions of the great city of Tar Dashan housed the personal guards to the Emperor, Empress and the Prince-King of Senath. But now that the Prince-King had escaped his duties, the guard that was for him had dispersed and joined the others. Among them was the Lady Warrior, Anastasia Harwett of Castle Harwett.
In the past one of the Empress's most trusted guards, now she stood atop the battlements and watched the refugees from Strylor and Zarbaria straggle through the gates.
"Staz," Her lieutenant called out, "You've been summoned to the palace."
Anastasia bowed, hating the nickname she had been referred to in the Academy, and walked toward the latter, wondering what the Empress wanted. As she stepped off the ladder, she ran into one of the peasants. She started to reprimand and heard something she hadn't heard in a long time.
"Welcome to the Mother City, the Jewel of the Tar Dashan Empire, the city of Tar Rentàl, Seth. Isn't it beautiful." She heard from somewhere behind her, seeing her prince dressed in rags. tears welled to her eyes but she kept her composure. She walked over to him and stood in front of him, not saluting because she remembered how much he had hated that.
"Young Ibian. I guess you have finally returned." She said grinning toward him. His golden eyes grew in surprise as he saw her and heard her voice for the first time in seven years, "Stasha?"
"Yes, my prince." She said, smiling.
"Wow." He said, "How are you doing?"
"Well, right now I'm off to see the Empress. I haven't seen her since your guard was disbanded. I wonder what she wants." Then she heard her lieutenant telling her to stop conversing with riff-raff and go see the Empress now.
Stasha smiled, "Well, shall we?"