Sweet Crisis Among Roses

Rosenburg had always been the shining jewel of this part of the country. A charming hamlet with clear, gentle waters, a delightful town square marketplace complete with paved roads, and one of the lowest crime rates for miles.

Idyllic in every sense of the word, from its smiling residents to its friendly and fair guard, which largely composed of women knights, something the town had a reputation for.

Lord Vale had, shall we say, an appreciation for the fairer sex and, while not exclusively, his guard was made up of a much larger number of women than neighboring fiefs. Perhaps that had actually contributed to his domain having less crime, for what shameless knave would cause trouble knowing he would be in conflict with a lady?

At the very least, that is what Squire Kelly believed as he exited the carriage to the busy market street. Men and women and children alike were bustling to and fro and upon face after face were smiles as merchants peddled their wares.

Compared to the dirt roads and cows that wandered onto them of his own town, Kelly would have believed this place heaven.

Careful of his sheathed sword hung loose at his hip, Kelly adjusted his belt as the wagon pulled away. He was only a Squire, still not having even been knighted, leaving him unsure why he had been chosen for such a task. The Captain had assured him that “a Knight or another of too high rank or renown would tip the Lord’s magician off that something was amiss”.

No, a neighbor’s common squire would draw few eyes, as the plain clothes he wore would suggest.

Hopefully, with it, he would be able to approach the Lord or find a way to stop the vile plot himself.