However, Shade was not due to meet Larus III until Monday, so there was no rush. After a night passed, it was Saturday. Today was the 28th day of Star Sparse Moon, the last day of February in the Year 1855.
In a normal year, winter should have been nearing its end by now, but when Shade went downstairs for the newspaper and goat milk that morning, he again felt that the temperature was still just as low.
Something else happened that morning. As Shade used his key to open the milk box, took out today's goat milk, and put yesterday's empty bottle back inside, orderly footsteps came from the eastern side of 6 Saint Derain Square.
He turned to look and saw soldiers in army uniforms marching across the square toward its western side in neat formation. There were roughly fifty of them, and they were all armed.
"It's finally come to this."
Smith Old Gentleman's sigh came from the neighboring doorway. The old man was also wearing a bathrobe as he came to collect something. He said to Shade:
"Have you heard that this year's Around the City Equestrian Competition has been canceled?"
"No. It was canceled because of the war, wasn't it?"
"Yes. Like those soldiers just now, it is a temporary adjustment for this year. In normal years, aside from the Royal Guard, no other troops are allowed to appear so close to Yodel Palace.
But things are different now. My old friends in the Council told me that Tobesk's urban defense system is being adjusted. Part of the Royal Guard will be sent out to supervise the war effort, while trustworthy units from the army will be transferred into the defense system of Tobesk's Central District."
The old man shook his head, said nothing more,