Astra is Discreet

She was not sure what was going on, but whatever it was it was clearly very bad. She had thought that she had only been away for a matter of weeks, but such radical changes as she was beginning to realise must have occurred would surely have taken many months or even years. The most puzzling, if least serious, change had been the appearance of a lake that she was sure had not been in existence before she left. A river might have been dammed to create it, but it would surely have taken quite some time to grow to its current size.

Revealing her true identity seemed unwise, in view of the man's rather ominous-sounding remark that all those of the royal blood had been "accounted for". So: "My name is Lady Astra. I was brevetted as an officer after Hyrcania."

"Well, my lady, you could have saved yourself a lot of trouble by telling me that at the start. I shall have to make some enquiries, to find out why we were not informed that new officers have been appointed in your squadron. I suppose, given the heavy losses that you took in Hyrcania, I should not have been surprised that it was necessary. However we are supposed to be notified of and approve all promotions to the rank of lieutenant and above.

"But now back to the matter in hand. As an officer, you cannot very well plead ignorance of the offences that you have committed:
Travelling without papers.
Riding a horse without a permit.
Resisting arrest.
Obstructing and being insolent to an overseer.

"That you come under military discipline simplifies matters for me. It means that I can handle your case myself, without needing to involve the civil law.

1. "You are reduced to the rank of private. You will be escorted back to your unit."
2. "You will spend six months in the cells of the military prison."
3. "This is a very serious case, so I will convene a court martial."
4. "A public whipping will act as a warning to any others who may be thinking of defiance."
5. "Luckily for you, I am in a good mood. Your horses are forfeit, of course, and to teach you a little humility I will keep that strange outfit of yours and your boots. But you yourself may go."
6. "Let's end this charade. I was sure that I recognised you from somewhere. When you said that your name was Astra, I recalled that I had seen your portrait in the palace. Your return is unwelcome, Princess. You might provide a focus for dissidents."

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