Bells began to ring out well before the column had gotten to the cities gates. These were the bells that announced the return of one of the army's units from a mission. The guards on watch had sounded them as soon as they spotted Edmund's approaching command. When they were rung, every available citizen tried their best to make their way to the square just inside of the gates, to line the way into the city and to cheer their loved ones and heroes. It was a traditional Otani welcome and their soldiers relished it. They were home again and there was nothing quite like the feeling of marching triumphantly through those gates to the applause of the ones they fought for. If there was such a thing as glory, surely this was the moment it reached its zenith.
The cheering began before they had entered the gates. The oncoming soldiers could hear the clamor swell from behind the walls before they had seen the first excited greeter. Unconsciously they now began to march with their backs straighter, keeping their eyes facing forward, in perfect step to the first sergeants loud and measured cadence, declaring their professionalism by their bearing and well maintained gear. The Royal Otani Army was a proud outfit and every homecoming was a parade to display their pride, their honor. They were the best soldiers in the world and took that display very seriously. Even Cookie, on his supply wagon at the end of the line, was in full uniform and erect in his seat. Crown Prince Edmund and Princess Keika led the parade and also sat perfectly straight on their mounts.
As well trained as their soldiers, the citizenry knew who was returning and exactly how long the column was. This was a small unit, sent out in reconnaissance and they were aware that the length of the square would suffice to welcome their returning soldiers. A full Legion would have marched through the area into the city itself to the Royal Plaza, but in this case the people enclosed the square. To the column's left stood the King. Duke Silas, and General Manheim as well as Valerie Vair, Seth Dillon and many others, all with smiles on their faces.
As the end of the line cleared the gates and were fully in the square Edmund put his hand into the air. The crowd grew quiet. The First Sergeant barked, "Unit, HALT" and the troops all finished their last two steps and came to a stop in the same instant. Edmund and Keika then dismounted and the First Sergeant ordered "Left FACE!" and the entire group faced to their left in a single motion. Edmund commanded, "Hand, SALUTE!" and he and his soldiers rendered a salute to the king and the crowd. The king returned the salute. "Ready, TWO!", Edmund ordered and the soldiers snapped their arms back to their sides. Still facing rigidly forward, Edmund reported, "My King, I return your soldiers to your command. The mission you ordered has been completed. 1st Provisional Reconnaissance Platoon stands down." Joseph responded, "Thank you Captain, you may dismiss your unit, well done." Edmund then gave the command, "The provisional unit is disbanded. Return to your regularly assigned units after your leave is over. You have been a pleasure to command. Each of you is a credit to the army....job well done! 1st Provisional Reconnaissance Platoon....dismissed!" The soldiers did an about face, and at that moment the spell of military formality ended. The soldiers relaxed and stepped forward and the crowd surged onto them, joyous and welcoming, rewarding them with flowers, embraces and kisses. This was always a happy time, when their men and women......those who had been in harm's way, had returned safe into the arms of their city.
Seth ran forward and embraced Keika, just beating Joseph and Valerie to her and handed her a pretty bouquet of flowers. He seemed to want to put on a big show, and tried to kiss her passionately. Keika was not much for public displays of affection and her return kiss was much more restrained than he wanted. He looked at her and said, "Aren't you glad to see me?" "Of course," she responded with her arms around his neck, "but the press! I don't like to put on a display for them." That wasn't enough and his feelings were clearly hurt. "I'll see you later then." he said as he broke away and walked back into the milling crowd. "Seth!" she called out, but his place was instantly taken up by her father, who gave her a hug and words of welcome before she had a chance to say more.
YOU ARE READING
Firefly Light
Khoa học viễn tưởngIn the not too distant future mankind's world has collapsed. The population of, what had been over 7 billion, has been reduced to a tiny fraction of that number. Nature has reclaimed most of what man had built. Time has been turned back to before th...
