Adjustments

Spring Year 689, Quartermaster's Office

Zell was seated with hands clasped together when Svetlana entered, her footsteps silent on the polished stone floor. She didn't salute, but regarded him with a curious stare. He hated the way she always just stared without blinking for minutes at a time.

Clearing his throat, he slid a parcel across the desk.

"Open it."

Svetlana leaned over and sniffed it first, before pulling apart the twine holding the brown paper over it. Inside was a pair of fresh riding boots, almost sparkling. The soles were thick heavy leather and very clearly had extra hobnails added for maximum noise.

"You will wear these at all times while on the grounds of the Garrison."

She blinked once. "Why?"

Zell leaned forward and sighed. He spoke to her in the same way you would admonish a cat.

"In the last month, four soldiers have dropped their weapons, two have misfired crossbows. Six spilled drinks. One woman fell down a flight of stairs. All because you keep appearing behind them like a gust of wind."

"They should be more alert." Svetlana replied. "Have already been... how you say? Noisy."

"They're all on edge. Three have confessed to nightmares about you appearing in their bed. At least they'll hear you coming first with these." Zell leaned back in his chair. "This is an order."

Svetlana smiled, teeth far too visible. "They fear me."

"Frankly, yes!" Zell said, exasperated. "Now go break them in."

The next morning the halls were filled with the deliberate clicks and clacks of Svetlana's boots as she marched down the corridors of the Garrison. Reports of her ghost like ability to simply appear stopped, but in their place came a new series of complaints.