The majority of the guard force in the square started walking briskly through the people doing commerce, getting them out of the square. At the same time, archers around the square nocked arrows and sighted in on the group that just stepped off of the Thallenrose. The group stayed tight together and started sprinting toward one of the gates. They knew they’d been seen.

As people cleared out, Domire got ready to give his next signal. He did not wait long. This is why the crowd was limited at all times. Thinner crowds could be cleared more quickly. Expediency was even more necessary now that the group was on the move. The attackers spied Domire as he raised his other hand, this time his left, as he put his right on his sword hilt. The assailants shifted their course towards Domire. He extended the first two fingers of his hand, then swung his hand down and forward., at the same time giving a verbal command. “Archers, let fly!”

A dozen arrows sped towards the group. At the same time, another group of six appeared on the Thallenrose. They immediately started sprinting. As soon as they were clear, another half-dozen men appeared. The first round of arrows hit the dozen men running at Domire. A few missed entirely. Some hit at oblique angles, deflecting off the men’s armor. Three got good hits, thudding as they bounced off and fell to the ground, their blunt points causing no damage. One landed on a neck—the struck soldier obligingly went down. One hit a leg–the man fell to the ground, but held his sword up and at the ready in case he still might be part of the fight. He started to get up, staggering as he feigned injury on that leg. The third hit an arm. The “wounded” man kept running, but switched his sword to his other hand and held the hurt arm close.

In the moment when the third half dozen had appeared, Domire called, “Folllow volley on the rear! Foot, charge on front!” The archers nocked and drew bows for another round to loose, this time on the fresh group now stepping off the Thallenrose. As they stepped off, another half-dozen appeared.

Aton and Valkyr leaped from their staging point and ran towards the spot where Domire and the forward group would collide. Valkyr pulled back and loosed as they ran, falling back as she slowed to steady her shot. When it was gone–aimed true to hit an attacker in the shoulder next to his breastplate–she pulled a new one from her quiver and repeated the action.

Aton could see Mifalla and Tido jump from their vantage point on the other side of the square. Tido had a liking to carry throwing knives along with his axe. He started pulling them out from their hiding places and throwing as he ran. A neck, under the ribs–the knives would have been deadly if they weren’t made of leather-bound wood. The attackers he hit slumped to the ground.

But it was unlikely there would be any assault or raid today. Today was ceremonial. A time to show off, but also to prepare that much more. Yes, it was different from yesterday because of the onlookers, but the most important detail of difference was the Thallenrose. It was no wooden platform. After this exercise of defense, he and his siblings would Depart. Then Domire, Valkyr, Tido, and Misolfa would Reclaim their weapons. They would spend their time in isolation. Then they would Return, victorious at having gained their symbolically potential strength. Aton had nothing to Reclaim.

Aton’s father had encouraged him to take his token time in isolation as well. He was offered the chance to take as much part in the goings-on of the whole event as possible. In times when it was only one Reclaiming his or her weapon, there was a Return ceremony two weeks later. This time, it was planned for eight weeks later…or ten weeks, if Aton wanted to take advantage of his time. Aton had refused. He didn’t want to come back from a supposed Reclaiming empty-handed, the same as before. Aton would act out the Departure, then do his best to return to life as normal. Not going to be easy with everyone else gone, he thought.

Aton glanced at Valkyr one last time before splitting his gaze between Domire and the Thallenrose to watch for a signal. Valkyr nodded, then also looked to Domire.

In the corner of his vision, Aton saw a group of men appear on the Thallenrose. Six of them, its full capacity. One was clearly the sageman who brought them here. As soon as they stepped off, six more appeared, again including one sageman.

Domire raised his arm in the air, palm forward. He opened his hand, spreading his fingers, then closed them and brought his arm down, his fist to his heart. A signal to all the guards in the square. Clear the square it said to one group, and wait to another. A short bird call sounded twice in succession. Men began to move.

Grendhill

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Aton and his siblings gathered around the city square. This square, though kept uncrowded by observation of the law, was at the heart of Grendhill’s economy. It was not the only source of prosperity; Grendhill had its own farmers, blacksmiths, craftsmen, and people of all other trades, but this square was Grendhill’s interface with most of its international trade. This square was the site that defied the natural law. This square was the home of the Thallenrose.

Aton huddled at the side of the square, under one of the lean-to awnings with Valkyr. Like yesterday, they looked across the square at Domido, Tido, and Misolfa. This time was different though. This time was their Departure. They waited until the time of seventeen Years after birth, rather than Turns as they normally counted. This was ceremonial. This marked their passing from childhood and early adolescence into pacifist warriors who were fully ready to defend their land if needed. This time it was actually in the square. This time was actually at the Thallenrose.

The square had been prepared for this event. All the merchants and peddlers had been advised that the Departure was happening today. Not that they needed to be reminded; the royal arms would be collected soon and they knew it. Nevertheless, the royal guard had passed through at intervals, days and hours before, reminding everyone. They were to carry on business as usual, but as was hoped in the event of a real invasion or raid, they were to get out of the way when steel was bared.

The Farellas had to evoke their rapport with foreign entities as well for this event. Traffic through the Thallenrose was monitored, though not controlled, at least for most of the day. This involved posting Grendhill’s guards on foreign worlds, all that Grendhill had knowledge of, to be ready at a specific point in time. Traffic was allowed to flow, but at the given time it would be halted for a short time. Except from one location. That location was changed each generation, but that would be the assault launch point.

Aton could feel his nerves mounting. The Thallenrose was such a simple object, and yet so unique in the entire world. Because of its economic and military strategic implications, the square was large, kept clear of structures except at the edge where merchants vied for booth space, and surrounded by walls. These walls, ten feet high and two hundred feet apart, arranged in a square, allowed for a greater peace of mind in the rest of Grendhill. These walls were always manned and gave constant advantage to the home position, should there be an assault.