To welcome the champions of war, the city of Athenia rumbled with excitement. Lanterns were hung high, and braziers burned bright with passion. The roads were paved with flower petals, and lining the streets were the royal servants, each holding a basket full of flowers to welcome the soldiers. Gathering by the front gate, the citizens kept behind a line of local militia, their eyes glistening with tears, hoping for their sons and daughters to be amongst the convoy.
It had been years since they'd seen their face, a year since they'd held them in their arms. Anxiety wrestled with the mothers while their husbands put up a braver front. Then there were the lovers, the orphaned siblings and many more like them, just praying to their goddess to return their loved ones home without a single scratch.
