The King's Edge

tep. She couldn't help but feel a sense of dread as she looked up at the gray, intimidating building that loomed over the neighborhood. Sudde

trict chief. Xena straightened up and clicked her heels together as he

awk," Xena said, tryin

eve that the capital city of the Turgonian Empire, the most powerful nation in the world, would

usly. "I'm waiting f

your shift. Where is h

us activity at Curi's Bakery," Xe

rimary allegiance lies with the emperor, followed by the city, and then those above you i

ded. "Ye

And with that, he turned and strode away, le

of headquarters? It's hard to believe that the capital city of the Turgonian Empire, the most powerful nation in

sir," Ace replied, causing the chie

ke, Ace?" he

d as she watched the exchang

, better you take up a shop like the rest of th

to ignore the heat creeping up he

ner?" the chief's tone had shifted, and h

ous activity at Curi's," Xen

. I'll remember this when I'm fi

na responded,

es up, tell him if he can't arrive at work on tim

before turning and jogg

ore. She skirted around them and headed towards Curi's Bakery, the scent of fresh pastries filling her nostrils. H

she commented instead, eyeing

Want me to let yo

is uniform. "You know you're the most grandmoth

he women you know work at

ena couldn't help but

n't you ever get tired of it? Always wearing a pristine uniform,

er her hair. She argued that it was tidy and s

overtime, and strictly adhere to all rules, it seems like you haven't pr

ral after six years t

formed on his face. "Actually, I'm up for a

the regulations, and you're late to work ev

, "Xena, you are my colleague, and

t a twinge of jealousy. "Congratulations," she

l be in line for a promotio

it in her file with a demerit. The Stumps force did not have any sergeants who were women. The empire didn't allow w

ood sergeant. When you don that uniform, you are a representative of

r. "I will. I kno

oo

"Is that smoke?" he asked, pointing towards the bl

locks of ice on the frozen water, but the scen

and urged him forward, exclaiming

Smoke filled the air, and they slipped and slid on the slick sidewalks.

The Imperial Fire Brigade had already arrived with a self-propelled fire pump from the city, and black smoke was billowing from the stack, mixing with the plumes emanating from the structure. A thick hose was connected to the pump and a fire h

a made a sarcastic remark: "I believe you mentione

that?" Hunt