Twenty-One
Shrewesdale
Spring 954 MC
Beverly was outside in the sun rubbing down Lightning, enjoying the fresh spring air when she heard someone approaching. She looked up to see a man wearing a chainmail shirt, striding into the yard with a scroll of some type gripped in his hand. He stopped momentarily to talk to one of her men who pointed towards her. Beverly put down her brush as the newcomer walked across the yard.
“Are you Captain Fitzwilliam?” the man asked.
“I am,” she replied, smiling, “and who might you be, if I may ask?”
“I am Captain Harlon Eldridge, the new commander of this company.”
She was stunned. She knew the assignment was temporary but had expected more notice of her dismissal.
“My orders,” the captain said, handing her the scroll.
She untied the message and re
