To my duties, then. How this day goes, could be the make or break of becoming Lieutenant.

The Northern Fortress was built on a hill overlooking the town. From the fortress to the town-and the inverse also applies-everyone uses switchback trail. On the other hand, anyone by themselves uses the stepping stairs going through the middle of the trail. The idea is a work-in-progress ever since Iago was stationed here to take care of me. Even funnier, Iago was the one who wanted those stairs since he was tired of the numbers of steps it took going either ways. Unfortunately, he was the only one who was willing to use it, regardless of the weather or season, leaving it up to him to upkeep.

Thank goodness for his verve with magic.

The winters were in full force. Whoever wasn't working as a merchant, guard, farmer or storeowner, had an axe of their own; whoever didn't have an axe of their own borrowed an axe for the day and saved the funds for a new axe; whoever had an axe was outside cutting logs and timber to keep the town warm. That newly fallen wood would be dried for the next winter.

Only a few would think about it, but we would only have enough wood to last for two more winters until the woods near this town are emptied of trees, and we only have enough food and other supplies to last no more than three seasons. Trade with the major cities of Nohr has been rough, since they're experiencing similar, if not, even worse conditions that come with supporting more than ten times the people here. I have to thank Iago for making lessons such as these interesting and knowledgeable, and for Captain Hans' abilities in dealing with the people I indirectly have rule over, which comes with being a member of royalty. Effective use of the land has made this a go-to for a number of merchants. It's made the people here hard-working, happy, and strong.

…

"Officer, attention!"

The North Wall. Most of the guards here were partnered-experienced and newcomers-to help the latter with perception training to see whatever was going on in the storm. We call them Books, since they keep a track of what they see in little books.

"Rabbit! One-hundred paces!"

The new Book would call out their finds and point to it.

"Spotted."

The partner of the Book, an experienced Book, would confirm that find and point to it as well, and the finder would tally and mark the finding-ah-there was an animal that no one managed to get.

"Snow fox! Fifty paces!"

I pointed to it and followed it.

The experienced Books looked in my pointed direction. "Spotted." "Spotted." "Spotted."

The new Books were surprised. One of the experienced Books used that to teach a lesson to those three on making sure to look near the walls as much as they look far from them. She then thanked me for the opportune lesson, and reported that the Books were doing well. Some of them should be ready to assist the other Walls.

They take care of themselves.

…

"Sergeant Weiss!"

I was saluted. I saluted back. "Good morning."

The East Wall. A more experienced guard would be over this side, to the point of saluting higher officers out of rank and proximity. Gunter is over this group, but they could also effectively manage themselves. They would be minding the fields a few hours later as the farmers checked on winter crops. It would be a week before we could see any harvests.

"Top of the hour, and all is well here."

"Have the seeds arrived from our last shipment"

"Yes, ma'am. The grounds have been getting tougher to till as the winter continues. We have enough feed for the livestock to last until the new season."

Most of the guards have experience as farmers-this guard here was a ranch hand, and an archer on the walls. That reminds me- "How was that pig hunt yesterday?"

"Not a bad haul. The archers that were with us got in a few good shots. The guard will be eating well for the following fortnights."

Ooh, Iago was hankering for some salted pork. This would be good news.

"That's all for now. Carry on."

"Yes, Sergeant." And he was off.

I wonder, if Hans finds me worthy of being Lieutenant, and Gunter passes the role on me, what happens to Gunter after he retires? I'll find that out, sooner or later.

…

The South Wall. Captain's Wall.

Our forces were the strongest at the South and East Walls, since most of the axe men and workers were here felling trees and transporting logs. We have this group as a mixture of newcomers and experienced people, just like the North Wall. Our archers were stationed on the walls, while the rest were stationed at the base of the wall.

Nothing much to say. All was well.

…

The West Wall. The wall I was given command over.

This wall is the first to spot merchants and travelers coming up the only paved road to the Northern Fortress. Regardless, my duties were to have two guards ride out to meet and accompany them. Between the South and West Walls, Captain likes the in-between the most, since this is the only possible route to Windmire, the capitol of Nohr. There also lies the Nohrian King Garon, my father. I can't say too much about him, since I've only seen him once, about fifteen years ago. He stationed me here in the Northern Fortress to ensure that I would be trained and well-versed in Nohrian culture. Right now, the road has been nothing but dirt and dust-I wanted to see if I could get an actual road from here to Castle Krakenburg. Maybe I could ask Camilla to request Father for that.

King Garon, Iago, Captain Hans and Lieutenant Gunter have all said that I come from royalty, but I feel that I would be better with just the people here, minding them, keeping them warm-I'm effectively running my Father's job in possibly a less-desired area, and doing a great job.

My train of thought was stopped-there was a guard, leaning heavily on his lance. "Guard!"

He rose to attention. "Y-yes, sir! Sergeant!"

"All is well?"

"Yes, ma'am-all is well."

I looked at him carefully. I smiled. "I know you. You do mess duty."

"Yes, ma'am. I was asked to mind the walls for the morning."

He was leaning on his lance. Maybe he was up earlier? "I'll take over this area. Head to the mess hall and help the chefs with preparing food for the workers."

"Yes ma'am. Thank you." And he was off.

He was seasoned, but he needed to get used to the hours. Guessing that he was trying to make a small name for himself. That, or support family members a little further than what we're already giving him.

I guess having him leave for the mess hall was a reason for me to experience this all over again-where the guard once stood, this was my position five years ago, even with my status as royalty. I got bored of being "locked away in a tower" for so long, that even Father doesn't know I'm doing this-well, at least to the extent that Captain, Gunter, Iago, and my brothers and sisters report to him. I think he'd be proud to know that I did that and learned.

*kon kon kon kon kon kon*

A warning bell, from the South Wall.

I turned to the other guardsmen. "Have someone take my place. Be ready."

"Yes, ma'am." And he was off.

…

The South Gate.

The loggers were running through the gate. I stopped one of the loggers. "What happened?"

"Monsters! From the forest!"

I patted him on the shoulder and he continued running. I joined with the guards and drew my sword out. Gunter was riding in with Hans. "Sergeant! What's the situation?"

"A logger said it was monsters coming from the woods."

"Monsters? One of our scouts told us it was a Hoshidan raiding party."

*swish*

A Hoshidan throwing star. But it wasn't aimed?

"Looks like it's Hoshidans. Steel yourselves, men! Keep to the wall! Sergeant, take a small force and see if you can work their numbers."

"Yes sir!" I pointed to a priest, an axman, two spear carriers and a sword bearer. "You're all with me!"