The King's Edge

Corporal Xena Ace paced back and forth in front of the imposing Enforcer Headquarters, her weapons clanking at her side with each impatient step. She couldn't help but feel a sense of dread as she looked up at the gray, intimidating building that loomed over the neighborhood. Suddenly, the sound of boots crunching on snow caught her attention, and she turned to see a burly man in enforcer grays making his way towards her.

The man's rank pins gleamed in the morning light, marking him as a district chief. Xena straightened up and clicked her heels together as he approached. The chief's scowl was as deep as the furrows in his brow.

"Good morning, Chief Hawk," Xena said, trying to sound respectful.

He growled at Ace, "Is the city paying you to loiter in front of headquarters? It's hard to believe that the capital city of the Turgonian Empire, the most powerful nation in the world, would pay its enforcers to loiter uselessly in front of my headquarters building without informing me."

Xena swallowed nervously. "I'm waiting for my partner, sir."

"It's five minutes into your shift. Where is he?" Chief Hawk demanded.

"He's investigating some suspicious activity at Curi's Bakery," Xena replied, hoping to appease him.

The countenance of the chief became somber as he spoke. "Allow me to clarify, Ace. Your primary allegiance lies with the emperor, followed by the city, and then those above you in the hierarchy. Your loyalty to your partner is at the bottom of the list. Is that clear?"

Xena nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Good," the chief grunted. "Now get to work." And with that, he turned and strode away, leaving Xena to contemplate the long day ahead.

"Ace," the chief growled, addressing the enforcer standing before him. "Is the city paying you to loiter in front of headquarters? It's hard to believe that the capital city of the Turgonian Empire, the most powerful nation in the world, would pay its enforcers to loiter uselessly in front of my headquarters building without informing me."

"Emperor, city, you, boot. Got it, sir," Ace replied, causing the chief's tone to grow even more menacing.

"Is that a joke, Ace?" he asked sharply.

Ace's colleague, Xena, sighed as she watched the exchange. "No, sir," she interjected.

"If you can't remember where your loyalties lie, better you take up a shop like the rest of the women in Turgonia," the chief snapped at Ace.

Xena kept her face neutral, trying to ignore the heat creeping up her cheeks. "Yes, sir," she replied.

"Now, I ask you again, where is your partner?" the chief's tone had shifted, and he now spoke in a soft and dangerous voice.

"I was investigating suspicious activity at Curi's," Xena replied, lifting her chin.

The chief scowled deeply. "I see. I'll remember this when I'm filling out the extra duty roster."

"Yes, sir," Xena responded, her voice low.

"Start your patrol without him. And when he catches up, tell him if he can't arrive at work on time, you can both sleep here. In one of the cells."

"I will, sir," Xena said before turning and jogging away from the chief.

As she made her way down the snow-covered street, Xena nearly collided with a man and woman coming out of a bookstore. She skirted around them and headed towards Curi's Bakery, the scent of fresh pastries filling her nostrils. Her partner, Corporal Hunter, caught up with her, and she resisted the urge to scold him for being late once again.

"You missed a spot shaving," she commented instead, eyeing the scruffy patch on his chin.

Hunter grinned. "Want me to let you take care of it?"

Xena rolled her eyes and adjusted the pins on his uniform. "You know you're the most grandmotherly twenty-five-year-old woman I've met, right?"

"That's because most of the women you know work at brothels," she retorted.

Hunter laughed, and Xena couldn't help but smile despite herself.

"Stop being the perfect enforcer," Hunter said, backing away. "Don't you ever get tired of it? Always wearing a pristine uniform, shiny weapons, and your hair in that unflattering bun," he sneered.

Xena wrinkled her forehead and ran her hand over her hair. She argued that it was tidy and secured, which mattered more than its appearance.

Hunter remarked, "Even though you consistently arrive early to work, work overtime, and strictly adhere to all rules, it seems like you haven't progressed much, considering that you are still a corporal after six years."

"You're still a corporal after six years too," Xena pointed out.

Hunter's tone shifted to calm, and a smile formed on his face. "Actually, I'm up for a promotion. I'll be a sergeant next month."

"You, a sergeant? You don't even know half the regulations, and you're late to work every other day," Xena exclaimed incredulously.

Hunter averted his gaze and stated, "Xena, you are my colleague, and I expected you to share in my joy."

Xena looked at the snow on the sidewalk and felt a twinge of jealousy. "Congratulations," she managed to say, though it didn't sound genuine.

"I have no doubt that you'll be in line for a promotion next month," Hunter stated.

Xena was confident that she wouldn't face any consequences for lying that morning, even if the chief failed to note it in her file with a demerit. The Stumps force did not have any sergeants who were women. The empire didn't allow women to join its armies, and it had only recently started allowing them to join the city law enforcers, reluctantly.

"Hunter," Xena looked at him and touched his arm. "Just try to be a good sergeant. When you don that uniform, you are a representative of both yourself and the empire. That should matter," she said sincerely.

He stood up taller. "I will. I know it does matter."

"Good."

Hunter's attention shifted to something behind her. "Is that smoke?" he asked, pointing towards the blocky buildings near the lake. "Or just factory haze?"

Down the hill, men and machines were cutting blocks of ice on the frozen water, but the scene was blurred by smoke. Xena spotted the source.

Urgently, she grasped Hunter's arm and urged him forward, exclaiming "There's no factory there! Fire!"

They took a trolley to the waterfront and got off at the closest stop. Smoke filled the air, and they slipped and slid on the slick sidewalks. They turned a corner, almost colliding with a crowd that had gathered.

In a residential area, people might have raced back and forth with buckets to help, but this decrepit wooden building was surrounded by brick, stone, and cement. Despite the spreading flames, the spectators seemed more intrigued than alarmed. The Imperial Fire Brigade had already arrived with a self-propelled fire pump from the city, and black smoke was billowing from the stack, mixing with the plumes emanating from the structure. A thick hose was connected to the pump and a fire hydrant further up the street, with water being discharged onto the flames leaping out from the shattered windows of the ancient building. Only one corner of the structure, which featured a towering brick kiln, remained untouched by the inferno.

As she and Hunter struggled through the crowd, Xena made a sarcastic remark: "I believe you mentioned something about the city not catching fire today?"

"Did I say that?" Hunter replied.