A voice rang out. "Halt! Don't move until we verify who you are!"
Reinhard looked ahead to see three figures emerging from the village gates.
A woman walked at the center, her violet eyes scanning them beneath short black curls that framed her face like dark waves. Her coat with belts, buckles, and strategic straps hugged her frame and went down to the knees.
Beneath it, leather pants disappeared into thigh-high polished boots, and gloved hands ended where sleeve cuffs began. Sunlight caught the silver insignia on her arm of a crow with wings spread wide, backed by crossed swords. A necklace-earring hung from her right ear, swaying with movement, with two rings adorned her fingers, and catching light as her hands moved.
The two men flanking her wore similar uniforms with coats cut low, crisscrossed with belts, one carrying a silver-clasped pouch. Their white shirts and narrow ties peeked from beneath black layers, while swords hung ready but sheathed at their sides.
