and without further adieu; chapter one.

"Father"
"Yes Kiera?"
"Can I go into town?"
Lord Lathorian of Anatolia carefully studied his daughter's face.
"Why would you want to do that? We have plenty of food and the tailor is already working on your gown."

Kiera sighed, "I know, I wasn't going to buy anything. I was just hoping I might have a chance to...mingle with the populace."
"Were you really? If you wish to understand the troubles of your future subjects; I'd be quite willing to let you sit in while I hold court."
"It's not that."

Lathorian stood up and walked down to his daughter. He'd suspected this might happen one day; After all he had met the Lady Lathorian in rather similar circumstances. That aside, there was no way he would let his daughter go and...I mean he could hardly afford to have his heir run off with some commoner. He knew full well that there were to many men who would want her only for a chance at his job, and he would not let that happen to his daughter.

"You can go..."
"Thanks Dad!"
"...If you take Callin with you."
"but dad."

Callin was one of the imperial guards assigned to the Anatolian nobility. She was one of the most experienced guards in the empire and had never failed to place in the Imperial martial mixed-arms competition since she was 27, some hundred and thirty years ago. Rumors abounded of why such a talented guard had been placed on a backwater like Anatolia. Some said she had been reassigned by the direct orders of the empress when she was caught having an affair with the emperor; others said she had requested it as a self imposed exile for allowing the death of a fellow guard. Lathorian wasn't to certain himself why she was here, but he was the sort of man who was willing to forgive whatever she had done to deserve the post and praise the gods for blessing with such an able servant.


"You summoned me milord?"
"No, but I was about to. Callin, would you escort my daughter down to Ankra. She wishes to mingle with the people."
"I'll be fine on my own dad, I can protect yourself."

Callin glanced at Lord Lathorian. She already knew why he wanted her to escort his daughter, Lathorian was a good ruler but he had never possesed any skill at guarding his mind.

"This seems like the sort of task for a brother or maidservant."

Lathorian may not have known why Callin was on his planet, but he certainly knew why she was only a corpral. Callin was a masterful fighter, but she never seemed to have even the remotest intrest in keeping her thoughts private.

"I'll expect you both back by the 19th hour. Callin, don't let her out of your sight."
"Dad, I'm not a child. I can take care of myself; I don't need to be nannied around."
"As you wish milord"

Kiera let out an exasperated groan.
"You're no fun at all."
She turned and walked out, Callin close behind her.

"I hope she finds someone she has to spend as much time chasing as she's made me." Said Lathorian to no one in particular.