Day 41 of the Suns season, year 2447

Nothar. Leith had not seen the White City in so long. She had never forgotten the region’s rolling hills sprinkled with the famous white trees of Daigorn. Aerinda’s richest soils were under her very feet. The temperature was perfect, a mild warmth in the end of summer. Sudden strong winds reminded her that tornadoes were common here.

She walked on a dirt road beaten by boots, hooves and wheels. All around the city, there were dozens of absurdly large fields of varied crops. Most of them were damaged, some barely touched, others razed to the ground.  There was no sign of combat or fire, but there was the signature trail of dangerous winds, perhaps of a tornado.

That may have seemed the case, but Leith wasn’t so sure.

She walked around a few farms on her way. They were even more numerous than before. Production had increased, surely at the request of the High King who was trying to spread the large quantity of resources that Daigorn could provide across his numerous territories. The farmers didn’t look as healthy as they once were. There were no songs, no discussions, no laughter.

The second sun was about to give all the glory to their twin. A breeze ripped a yellow dying leaf from a tree. A herd of buffalo grazed peacefully on the plains away from the farms. A calf hid behind its hefty mother at the sight of the passer-by. The dominant male of the herd stared at her grumpily, but nothing more. As long as you didn’t disturb them, they wouldn’t charge at you.

Leith walked hastily forward with her staff. Nostalgia was calling to her. She hadn't been back to her native home in so long. It was the perfect place for a retirement: a simple life as an old woman awaited her.

A forest where woodruff grew abundantly in the undergrowth lined the horizon. This colourful sight brought her comfort like nearly any other. She smiled softly, both saddened and resolved.

Finally, she arrived at her destination: Nothar, the capital of the human kingdom of Daigorn, nicknamed the White Mother or the White City. She braved the sea of folks and crossed a drawbridge. She came to a stop before a majestic wooden and stone gate towered over her. As large as it was, it was welcoming.

Nothar had been built with care atop white and grey stones. Proud of their origins, the Daigornians often displayed white woodruff flowers, the sigil of their kingdom. It was also said that it calmed the winds, because Mother Elysia loved them. A ridiculous falsehood.

The Pale Wall, the fortified walls around the city, had doubled in thickness. More defensive towers had been built; these new ones were equipped with murder holes. Multiple builders were still working on it, even if it was late in the afternoon.

Leith guessed what was going on.

The wars finally managed to touch the peaceful moors of Daigorn, she thought as she filled with an ephemeral dread.

Then, a scene inspired her. One next to the other, a church and a bell tower towered over the rest of the buildings in the heart of the city. This old beauty was her home and she was going to stay as a protector. That, even though she knew that Nothar had always been far from perfect.

It had been conquered by the king of Elthen, making the king of Daigorn a mere ruling Lord under his protection and authority. Contrary to belief, the most terrible threats often came from within and not from outside. Lord Kindirah normally concentrated his efforts on maintaining friendly relations with other kingdoms, which led him to neglect his own subjects.

Leith had never liked to see the banners of Elthen, featuring a golden cup on a brown background, hanging on the walls of Nothar.

“A stranger among us,” she muttered, brushing her fingers against the banner.

“Hey!” called a man who stood at the top of the wall to the right of the gates. “Don’t touch the banners!”

Leith raised her head to observe the man. He was tall, sturdy enough, and was clad in plate armour under a purple tabard decorated with the kingdom's sigil at its centre: a white woodruff.

“Leith, is that you?” the city guard questioned, a faint touch of wonder in his voice.

Leith answered but with a raised eyebrow, intrigued. The mysterious stranger descended from the wall to meet her. When he took off his helmet, she finally recognized him.

“Kardun! You’ve grown up and from what I see, you have also become a man and a proud soldier.”

Kardun chuckled nervously. He smiled faintly, visibly searching for his words.

“Captain of the City Guard,” he corrected, blushing slightly.

His dark hair was cut in such a way as to make him look shady, but he still managed to radiate joy and charm.

“Are you coming back for good this time?” he asked.

“Yes,” replied Leith with a smile. “How old are you now? I haven't seen you in so long.”

“It’s been decades! Ack… I’m a mere forty-two-year-old.”

“I'm surprised you recognize me after all these years. After all, you were only a child at that time. You’re blessed with an excellent memory.”

He nervously touched his helmet while staring at his interlocutor with an admiring look. She smiled. Looking around, so many precious memories surfaced from her mind. Her face darkened.

“Is something wrong?” Kardun asked.

The old woman tightened her grip on her staff. Crafted from a rare wood from the forests of Nadalé, only the most educated of scoundrels would know of its value.

Leith couldn’t help but feel like something unpredictable was going to happen, something unrelated to Kardun. She felt as if she needed to move.

“I must leave,” Leith said. “Don’t worry. Everything is fine.”

She bid him goodbye by gently raising her right hand to the sky and then she went on her way. Kardun did not protest her decision. He slipped his helmet over her head, bent forward in a sign of respect, and returned to his post.

Leith, on the other hand, continued toward the city centre where lowborn and highborn mingled. Taking advantage of her staff, she used it as a support even though she did not need it much. She was fit considering her advanced age.

The market area was teeming with people who met in a perpetually joyful hubbub. Nobles like peasants were trying to go about their business. Leith passed unnoticed in the streets against which hundreds of stores of all kinds were lined. A jovial and dynamic atmosphere reigned. The laughter of the children, the conversations of the adults and the clapping of the horses' hooves on the stone resounded in the square. In the middle of the streets, carts were pulled by mounts, while on the outskirts, people walked hastily.

Leith did not have a particular destination. All she knew for sure was that she was visiting the city and enjoying the moment. Deep down, she couldn’t deny that she had missed the crowds and the atmosphere.

A horrified squeak interrupted her peace.

“What do you think you're doing, you little idiot!?” shouted a man. “I have no patience for thieves!”

Leith stopped and scanned the crowd looking for the source of the commotion. Not far from her was a humble kiosk. Its salesman, a tall, sturdy man who appeared to be in his thirties, lifted a young lady by the collar. His face was reddened with anger. He raised his free hand to strike. He landed his punch on a hard staff that was placed to protect the victim.

“Now, now, calm yourself, sir.” Leith replied in a soft and patient voice, "Nothing gets resolved with violence.”

“And what business is it of yours, old woman?” replied the man, glaring at the intruder.

“Release her, sir.”

He obeyed with slow mechanical movements. A few passersby

stopped to stare at them. Leith didn’t let it disturb her. She leaned on her staff and waited for the young lady to move away from her bully.

“Stay here, you!" the brute roared. “I'm not done with you yet.”

The young lady froze, pale with fear. The merchant then addressed Leith:

“And who do you think you are? The authority of this city, perhaps? I've never even seen you around here before.”

“You are quite right,” Leith answered confidently. “I am simply someone who seeks to help.”

“Pah! Unless you have coin to pay for what she stole, she’s going to lose her hand. The City Guard doesn’t mess around with thieves.”

“Don't worry,” said Leith, taking out a small purse from the pocket of her worn coat. “I'll pay for it.”

The man squinted at her suspiciously while he pointed to the other rolls of bandages with a greasy finger.

“Just one?” Leith asked.

“Fifteen copper horns, but I’ll take a copper falcon for my troubles,” he yapped, reaching out a hand. “Swiftly, or I’ll call the guards anyway.”

Leith winked subtly at the young lady and then grabbed a net full of fresh apples. The young woman's eyes widened instantly when she realized what she was about to do.

“Oh, but you can't. I won't accept it.”

“Don't worry,” Leith assured her with a smile.

“These are royal apples. They're not meant for us lowborn.”

“Enough chatter,” grumbled the merchant. “That makes three copper falcons with the apples.”

“I hope you find happiness,” Leith wished him, staring at the man with her piercing eyes.

“Tch... What? How dare you say such things to a man, you insolent woman!”

After handing him the coins, Leith turned around, ignored his swearing and, with a wave of her hand, invited the young lady to follow her. The youngster hesitated and was still trembling from her encounter. She clutched the sleeve of her worn dress and grimaced.

“It’s all right,” said Leith softly. “You don’t have to follow me, but I recommend you to not remain here, miss…?”

“Litfow," answered the young lady, startled. “It's Fayne of the Litfow family. Fayne Litfow, yes. That's it.”

“Litfow,” murmured the elder, digging deep into her memory and trying to find a connection with that name. “Ummm…”

“Do you know it, ma'am?”

“Yes, I do. At least, I did. The name is familiar to me, but I can't remember why. That's a pity.”

She handed Fayne her belongings and started walking away from the busy market square, expecting the teenage girl to go on her own, but she followed her regardless.

“By the way, thanks for the royal apples,” said Fayne. “I only tasted them once on my ninth birthday. My father is far too generous.”

“It’s my pleasure to help. After all, you are our future. By the way, why did you need that bandage? With theft comes a hefty price.”

Fayne turned her head away as if she was ashamed.

“My friend hurt her paw,” she whispered.

“What kind of animal is it? Perhaps I can help. I’m a healer.”

“We’re both plant enthusiasts.”

“I guess it's a well-kept secret,” Leith whispered with a warm smile.

Fayne beckoned her to follow.

As they made their way to the upper part of the city, they were briefly greeted by a member of the herbalist guild called the Bleurètte. Indeed, the young Litfow was wearing the necklace of a royal blue flower that validated her membership within this guild. It was the only object of value on her person.

Now Leith understood why she could maintain her radiant long mahogany hair. The Bleurètte was famous for their beauty products which only highborn could afford. She had to have access to them, or better yet, was able to make them.

As they were entering the upper part of town, a lot more guards patrolling. Here, you could pay them to turn away from crimes. In the lower part of town, they simply did whatever they wanted and couldn’t be bought.  In either environment, most weren’t safe.

Fayne came to an abrupt stop in front of a two-story gorgeous house.

A warrior clad in brown and gold was barking orders at a few City Guards. For some reason, they obeyed without hesitation. Moments later, another one came out of the house dragging a teenage boy out.

“I didn’t volunteer!” he insisted. “I know you have to volunteer to get in the army!”

He was thrown at the feet of the leader.

“Times are hard now, boy. You don’t have the choice anymore. What’s your name?”

“Bentrh.”

The warrior approached him and lifted his gaze so that it would meet his own.

“You’re a recruit now, Bentrh. We have to get you trained. Go pack your bags. We’ll let you say goodbye to your parents.”

 Fayne let out a whimper and continued on her way, avoiding the gaze of others. She rubbed her face with the back of her arm. The only thing saving her from that was that she was a girl.