Yes sir, right away sir

The sun was setting as Kira woke up. The red light peaked through under the drawn curtains. She got up, threw on a dressing gown and walked to the window.

She drew open the curtain. The street outside, the rows of gabled buildings and the people were all shining a bright red. There was a buzz of excitement in the air. Voices were louder. Footsteps were faster. Crowds were larger.

No surprise really, Kira thought, summonings are special occasions. They will be dozens of stories spreading about the summoned by the end of the night; none of them true.

She walked to her wardrobe and pulled out a thick leather jerkin and trousers. At the bottom of the wardrobe was a box. It was large and beaten up from many years of travel and hard use. Kira stared at it for a while. Not today, she thought and closed the wardrobe doors tight.

Kira braided her strawberry blond hair before heading downstairs. She noticed the kitchen and dining room were still quiet. It was still too early for dinner for most.

‘Good evening, Elli.’

'And a good morning to you Kira.' Said Elli, a good-natured innkeeper in town. 'I’ll have you some breakfast ready soon.'

Elli chuckled to herself. She had used the same joke almost every day for the last three months and still found it amusing. Kira didn’t mind. She enjoyed sitting and listening to Elli talk. It meant she didn’t have to.

'Listen here,’ Elli said as she walked in with a bowl of stew and some bread, ‘With you being asleep, Ms. Lazyboots, you wouldn’t have heard yet.'

'About the summons? Something go wrong?'

'I should say so. They say a demon has been summoned and its gone and eaten half the Royal Guard.'

'Oh really.' Kira dipped the bread into the stew and took a bite. 'That’s concerning.'

'They’re saying it must have been the crooked Alderman behind it. Who else could it be? Trying to steal the crown for himself no doubt.’

'I wouldn’t put it past him.' Kira started digging into the stew with her spoon. It might just be gossip, but if anyone deserved such a rotten reputation, it would be Alderman Atlestan.

Kira finished off her meal, put down the spoon and drained the last bit of drink in her glass. 'Thank you, Elli. Delicious as always.'

'Working again tonight, Dear?'

'Yes, it’s going to be a long one.’ Kira said as she stood up from the table. Just how Kira liked it. Nothing to think about other than breaking up fights and dragging drunkards to the tank.

'I’m expecting a busy one myself.'

'You be careful and call the guard if you get in trouble. I’ll come straight over.' Kira smiled and made her way back upstairs to finish putting on her uniform.

She tied up her belt, hooked on her truncheon and put on her boots. The last piece to go on was her bronze vambraces. She gave the ornate looping snake design and jewels a quick polish before buckling them on to her forearm. The red garnets and the blue and gold lapis lazuli shone. They made her stand out as a guardsman, but she had special dispensation. Her past service and her family name had some perks.

When she came back downstairs, she heard voices from the reception. Elli was talking to some men in armour.

'It’s unusual to see you out and about personally Commander Ryan.' Kira said. 'What’s going on.'

'Guardsman Raedwynn, Alderman Atlestan has asked for you. You’re wanted at the Heaven’s Gate.'

'Atlestan? Me? Do we know why?'

'I didn’t ask.'

That wasn’t surprising. No one second guesses the Alderman. 'I’ll head down there as soon as I can. I will just visit the guardhouse first to let them know where I am.'

'Now Guardsman Raedwynn. One of my men will go to the guardhouse.'

Something serious then. 'Of course, sir. I’ll see you later Elli.'

'Bye dear, take care of yourself.' Elli was clasping her hands and squeezing them tight.

'It’s ok. Don’t you pay any mind to stories. They wouldn’t want just me if there was a man-eating demon on the loose.' Kira headed out the front door, her pace a little faster than usual.

*

Despite being back in the capital for three months, this was Kira’s first visit back to Heaven’s Gate. The great dome on top of the hill dominates the view from across the city, but Kira has avoided entering its wide grounds, manicured gardens or the Gate itself.

Today it was full of activity. People were scurrying back and forth from the Earth, Water and Magic Paths, three covered walkways that curved and climbed towards the central dome. They were carrying drinks, chairs, blankets and other bits and pieces to people sheltering inside. Everyone looked either panicked, stressed or exhausted.

Kira walked on, heading to the northern guardhouse on the other side of the grounds. When she arrived, she was ushered into the stables where a group of high-ranking officers crowded together in one of the stalls. Kira could hear a young woman talking.

‘...do you understand? We have a number of questions we need for you to answer. If you remain calm, we can remove the chains.’

The woman was speaking English. Kira had a good idea why she was there now.

A captain of the guards announced Kira’s arrival to the group. ‘Excuse me Alderman Atlestan, noble sirs, Guardsman Kira Raedwynn as requested.’

The soldiers and even some of the officers murmured among themselves, but Kira had gotten used to that.

'Alderman.' Kira said.

'Ah Captain Raedwynn. Thank you for coming so promptly'.

Kira thought about the summons at the inn; didn’t seem much like an option. 'Yes sir, but I’m just a Guardsman now.'

'Ah that’s right. My apologies. Guardsman Raedwynn, we find ourselves in an unfortunate situation and we are in need of your skills.'

On the floor, a man was chained up. He was sweating and Kira could see his body temperature was raised. He almost looked like he was shining to Kira’s keen magic sight. Empty bottles with the smell of calming potions and sedatives lay on the floor.

‘I will do my best, sir.' She replied.

'This man is our guest and one of the summoned. Unfortunately, he seems to be confused and agitated. We hope that you can help us converse with him.'

The man was on his knees, head lolling on his chest. Chains held his arms up. Without them he would have collapsed. His clothes were soaked and dirty and Kira could smell the whiff of blood. The temperature of his legs was raised most likely because of scrapes and cuts. They must have dragged him here from the Gate.

Strange way to treat a guest. 'Sir.'

'You speak English yes.'

'Yes sir.'

'Good. Our current translator has done her best but seems unable to get through to our guest. I am informed that you are one of the best at the language.'

Kira considered refusing but decided she didn’t really have a choice. In any case if she could help a summoned... 'Yes sir, I will do my best sir. Can someone fill me in on everything that happened?'

'Captain Gorm, please share with Guardsman Raedwynn any notes you have. Would that be everything Guardsman?’'

Kira looked at the man in chains, and after a short pause: 'I mean no offence and I hope none is taken, but may I ask a question.'

'If it would be beneficial to your duty, of course.'

I wonder what would happen if it wasn’t 'Do I have authority to act in any way I see fit in pursuit of my duties, and do I have the cooperation of anyone I need?'

Alderman Atlestan gave a little smirk, as he eyed Kira closely. 'That was two questions Guardsman.'

'Yes sir. Sorry sir.'

The Alderman continued staring at Kira for a moment. She was starting to sweat just a bit.

'You have complete authority. If anyone makes the unfortunate decision to impede you, they will answer to me, I assure you.'

Words to bring even a war-hardened veteran to tears. 'Thank you, sir. In that case can I ask one more thing. Can the chains on this man be removed and every solider, man and woman leave the stable right away? That, I regret to say, includes your honourable self, sir.'

'That was two requests, Guardsman.'

'Yes sir. Sorry sir.'