The Valliant Heart: Emeriestan

And so we walked towards the stables once again. Velam seemed as focused on the task since he arrived as was I since I first came to the city. "What should we do ?" - He whispered to me, right when a squad of heavy cavalry entered the city. They seemed really fearsome for the locals, but as a Citadel Guard I was not afraid of any kind of soldier. I was accustomed to see many kinds of them, both friendly or not. "The guard told me that the captain of that unit is patrolling the ways somewhere nearby--" - I've started speaking until I've heard people talking about the Fourth Squadron of Swan Knights. That's the one we were searching for! Finally we had something more than a words and hints. They finally returned to the city. "They are speaking about those we're looking for." - I said to Velam as more riders entered the city. They looked like the elite soldiers so their captain could be as hard as they seemed. I had to be prepared for everything. "We shall follow them I think." - I said once again towards the soldier. Wish i could say more about him but we didn't have an opportunity to get to know each other better. He could be a nice fellow after all. His love for Nyraewyn was visible even though he haven't confessed it to her and neither told about it any of us. Velam nodded at my words and as we were about to follow we've seen a commander of the squadron entering the city. They greeted her really well so it just needed to be the person we've been lookng for. "Here... this might be the person we're looking for." - I said once again but this time motioning at the Captain. From afar she looked like a wall of steel. It was a tall and strong woman. She moved her steed towards the stables and it was where we followed her. We approached her when she was giving commands to her soldiers. "Excuse me, Madam. Are you Captain Emeriestan?" - I asked forgetting about the proper ranks and procedures. I was here as a civil not as a soldier after all. The woman looked at us with a murderous gaze, but I was not scared of her. "I am Major Commander Emeriestan, not a pesky captain. Captain Emeriestan went to report to Prince. Which one, Captain or me you want?" - She said strictly. I knew that this was going to be a hard part in our task and wondered if Velam thought the same at the moment. "Forgive me, please for my mistake then. We have come a long way to speak with you, Major." - I then corrected myself, but I hated when people kept pointing out my mistakes. Althrough I had a respect for her due to the higher rank and another mistake like this made me feel ashamed. She then looked at us. "And your business is?" - She asked once again keeping her gaze on us. That question gave me hope to fulfill my task here. I lowered my voice once again. "We need to talk about one of your soldiers but I don't think we should talk about it in public." - I said with a serious tone. Her hardness was driving me crazy but I've stayed calm and focused on the task once more. "Soldier? Very well follow me" - She then said towards us - "And keep your back straight, no curved backs!" - She shouted then towards all the soldiers present in the spot, including us. And so we followed her, hoping for a light in the shadow in this case.