Burying and honoring the dead.

Two days had passed and the preparations had been made to honor the dead and survivors of Myposa. The streets had been cleaned and areas set up for people to line the route. The procession was led by the high priestess and honor guard from the city garrison. As they marched followed by the coffins and the survivors the crowd fell into silence as they passed by. Arerto watched on from the balcony as the procession passed by the palace. She remembered the commander and how he had thrown himself in front of the sword aimed for her.

Sabine stood behind Arerto aware that she deep in thought and she had come to a decision about what they had discussed on the way back from Myposa. Sabine had been alone since she was orphaned and had to live with a distant relative. She had picked her first sword up at fourteen and always considered herself a lone wolf. Now she had someone who had feelings for her but not just anyone a Queen. She admitted to herself that she had begun to have feelings for Arerto but today was not the day to express them.

After the ceremonies and burials had been completed Arerto headed down to the throne room where she had affairs of state to perform. One such affair was honoring the dead commander by granting them a pension and bestowing a posthumous medal. After these had been completed general Hingis approached and went down on one knee and kissed the hand of the queen. "Your majesty I have been in service for many decades starting with your father and mother and now you. My body grows tired and although the will is there the body is not so willing so it is with great sorrow that I announce my resignation.

Arerto tried to talk the general out of resigning but the general was adamant. Arerto thanked him for his long years of service as she considered a replacement. As the general left, she called her top advisor and asked who they could replace the general with. She was advised that firstly it would be normal for the general's aide to be raised in rank. Arerto knew the generals aide and he was to inexperienced . She looked at Sabine in thought then asked about Sabine taking over. The advisor told her that the leader had to be of noble stock.

The advisor then went on to say that she as the queen had the authority and right to knight Sabine which would elevate her to the nobility. Arerto smiled as she knew this would kill two birds with one stone. She would get a trusted general and hopefully in future a wife.