The wind blew down from the mountains to the east. This was the capital of Edofasia since 1916. Modern skyscrapers dominated the heart of the city. Neon signs advertising various foreign made goods (namely Cenaesian). Business folk the world over bumped shoulders with the common folk on busses and subways. Private cars were few and far between here. The commonfolk not needing then and rich foreigners not enjoying the extra attention it brought from the locals (not to mention the complaints from the Public Transport Union) outside of the heart of the city were the factories situated across the River Daìl. The river ages ago had been a throughfare for farmers and petty merchants to sell their wares. But now it was home to a handful of ferries and private luxury boats. East and North of the industrial district came the residential areas of Scarlao. Now cities in the east like Thüle and even Tara had Candanadian influences in their buildings. And in Cold Harbour it was clearly once an Novmirian city long ago. But nowhere was it more apparent that this was Edofasia than Scarlao. The small three story houses ran for miles and miles on compact streets. Small gardens in the back were standard for the Edofasians had a love for all things that grow. And here in a non discript could we find the largest Temple of the Edofasian Faith. St.Alessia''s Hall. Outside the grand gilded doors stood the Ordinators. Long ago these holy soldiers served the church against its enemies (and according to the legends. They swore oaths to serve the Horator should one be discovered) but now they acted mostly as symbolic guards. Wielding swords and pikes in dress uniforms. Inside the congegation was the local population. Listening attentively to scripture from either of the two holy books. And it is here we meet Rosie MCann. A single mother doing her best to raise her son Sean.
"Mum I'm boreddd" complained young Sean in a loud whisper.
"Hush now child. The service is almost over" she had been saying this for the last 20 minutes but it was true this time
"We seek no Queens or thrones. Your appearance is decidedly solar, which is to say a library of stolen ideas. We are neither tear nor sorrow. Our revolution succeeded in the manner that is was written."
Boomed the High Priest
"And what my brothers and sisters. Does this mean to us devoted today?....it means that our leaders have always been freely chosen and freely removed since the days of Terra. From the First Horator blessed be his holy name to our Chairman Hestia. A'ru bless your days"
The congregation began to stir and disperse. And Rosie grabbed her child's hand and walked down the asile out the doors. The wind blew cold and she pulled on her coat. Only to see Seans coat zipper was undone. She sighed and did up his coat. Her bus arrived shortly. They sat down next to a man in an E.N.A uniform. Young Seans eyes lit up quickly and he spat out his words before his mum could hush him.
"Are you a soldier? My da''s a solider! Do you know him? He's got blonde hair like mine but brown eyes!" The young man smiled at the kid.
"Yes lad. I'm coming home from the north. Was your old man stationed there?"
Rosie shot the man a pleading look but Sean didn't notice
"
Mum said Dad had to go help the folks up north! Do you know him? His name is Michael!"
"Err....sorry son. Don't know anyone by that name. And it appears to be my stop. Be good now"
he quickly shifted a rugsack from his lap onto his shoulder and stepped off the bus. The two rode in silence for a few more stops until arriving at home. Sean sat before the TV immediately and booted up a gaming console he had gotten for Harvest Day and lost himself in some beast hunting game. Rosie took his coat and hung it near the door. And began to cook a meal for the two. Nothing fancy but her mind was elsewhere. Hours past and it was into the early evening before dinner was done
"Sean it's time for dinner. Come and eat before it gets cold"
Sean complied and ate quickly. Eager to return to his game.
"And when your finished you need to clean your room. It's a pig sty"
"Yes mum" Sean groaned.
The two finished dinner and Sean trodded off to his room. Rosie got a moment to enjoy the TV. The news droned on about the rising tensions with Novmir and the scraps of details about the meeting with Cenaesia and Sudardes. The Unions expected to be even more trade concessions and bemoaned the idea. she switched the channel to a drama. Dozing for a bit she awoke and checked on Sean who was sound asleep in a pile of his toys in the center of his room. She lifted him up and tucked him into bed. Heading to bed herself she shut the door behind her. As she changed tears began to softly flow down her face. An open letter from the E.N.A and a small metal with a ribbon reminding her she couldnt keep secrets from her son forever.