@Sir Zane ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Victoria was a fairly serious person, but even she was not immune to the desire to cut loose and take it easy from time to time. Considering how hard she worked it was certainly not something that could be held against her when no soldier was expected to be on duty all the time. None of that kept the young woman from feeling somewhat guilty for sitting in the common room in the barracks at a table with a few other captains gathered.
The past several weeks had been more stressful than normal, what with the old Commander finally retiring. Several of the highest ranking officers had become somewhat competitive and aggressive with one another, and cracking down harsher on those under them; all because they'd had some misguided notion that they had a chance at gaining the vacating title.
That wasn't how it really worked, and Victoria knew it. Things had only gotten worse when it was made known that some quite young lord would be getting the position. Commander David Zamt'ris, the High Lady's brother, taking quite the powerful position in the capitol. Shouldn't have surprised anyone, the High Lord had already given two other prominent positions to two of his other brothers-in-law. Why would this one be any different?
It didn't make it sit any better with those high-ups, but what could anyone do?
Personally Victoria didn't really care one way or another. David Zamt'ris would either be competent and everything would be fine, or he'd be some spoiled little rich brat that would end up Commander in nothing but name.
Far more interesting and important was the goings-on at her table. A growing pile of coins rested in the center of the table as bets were placed and dice were rolled. As her turn came up she took a drink from the mug of ale before her and pushed a few stray strands of hair behind her ear before scooping up the dice. Before she could roll, or really think of rolling, a small commotion disturbed the room quietly. Every pair of eyes at her table had been drawn somewhere so Victoria helplessly turned to see what had gotten everyone's attention.
A young man had entered the room, although truly he wasn't
too young. Definitely a man, with darkish hair and green eyes, not unfortunate looking either, but alone he wouldn't have been unduly remarkable – just another young soldier, except for the two blazing crests on his black coat.
Apparently the new commander had arrived.