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'Ah, Captain Lightfellow,' Knight-Commander Summers said. 'Please, sit down...'

'Yes, sir...' Chris said, taking the chair in front of the desk, folding her hands in her lap, taking a moment to scrutinise her new commander. She was a stern woman with strong cheekbones and her red-hair pulled back into a tight braid. However, there was a trace of some warm humour in her eyes.

'I'm sorry that I've not had a chance to speak to you before now,' Summer said. 'In any case, I wanted to make certain whether there was anything you needed...'

'I'm not sure I understand, sir...'

'I've only been with the division a few months, Chris, but I've read your reports on the Harmonian war and...other personal considerations...'

' You mean my Father's death?' Chris asked, unconsciously scratching the back of her hand.

'Yes. You have my sympathies. And, with everything that's happened, I think some leave is in order...'

'Commander...with respect, I...' she began and Summers held up her hand.

'Don't mistake me, Chris. This does not reflect on you. I think your actions during the war were exemplary. However, I feel it would be in your interest to take some time...'

'Sir, with respect, there's no need...'

'I appreciate your feelings, Captain. However, this is an order...'

'Yes, sir...'

#######################

I can't remember the last time I had a day off... Chris thought as she strolled through the marketplace.

This last year has been pretty hectic...

She was dragged out of her thoughts when she heard a shout and the clash of steel, her head whipping round to a dark-haired woman in leather armour surrounded by three hooded men in rough clothes. As she watched, she dodged a knife thrust from one of them, sweeping his foot from under him and elbowing the second rogue in the stomach. However, the third got through her guard, his knife grazing her ribs and she grunted in pain.

'Hey,' Chris yelled, sprinting towards the alley and one of the rogues turned towards her, drawing his own knife. He lunged towards her and Chris dodged the blade, drawing her sword and cutting him down. As he fell, she saw the woman kick one of the rogues in the stomach and run him through, before cutting the other one down.

'Thanks,' she said, wiping the blood from her sword before slipping it back into it's sheath with a grimace of pain.

'You're welcome,' Chris said, sheathing her own sword. 'What's your name?'

'...Elysse...'

'Okay. We need to get out of here and I can take a look of that...'

#######################

'It's not that deep,' Chris said, Elysse gritting her teeth as she finishing tying the bandage around her abdomen and pulling her shirt back down. 'You'll need to try and rest for a couple of days...'

'I'll try...' she said, lying back on the bed and taking a swig of her ale.

'Why were they trying to kill you?' Chris asked and Elysse shrugged, wincing in pain.

'Occupational hazard for a sellsword...' she said, finishing her ale and closing her eyes. 'I think I'll take your advice and get some rest...'

Chris hesitated for a second before moving to the armchair by the window and settling down with her sword across her knees...

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