Forty minutes ago, during the shift change among night guards, a convoy of carriages entered the town from the southeast of Liya Tower Fortress. Among them was Charles and the group accompanying Astrid.
Unaware that she and Lyra had narrowly missed meeting each other on the wall, Astrid stepped down from the carriage and was personally escorted by Duke Charles up the stairs beside the southeast gate. She then proceeded to inspect each defensive outpost along the wall.
Many soldiers might not have known the name Astrid Calliste, nor realized she had become the Empire's regent, but even Duke Charles behaved with utmost deference before this woman in black, clearly indicating her extraordinary status.
"It's already deep into the night, the ground is frozen and the air bitterly cold. Despite these harsh conditions, you all continue steadfastly at your posts. Your loyalty and devotion to the Empire are evident to heaven and earth."
