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General Kazak rode at the head of the column on her strong, pure white charger. Her dark brown hair was pulled back into a neat bun at the nape of her neck, mostly hidden by her peaked hat, but unruly strands kept escaping and dangling down either side of her face. Her tanned, lined face framed slate grey eyes that constantly scanned their surroundings for threats or obstacles. She had been a career soldier for forty years and had risen through the ranks based on her dedication, intelligence, skill, and initiative. She had been a loyal subject of Queen Suriana and had mourned with the rest of the nation when Suriana’s eldest daughter, Corinna, and her family had been killed by bandits only months before the old Queen’s death.
Kazak had already been a general by then and she had stood,
