Vikiana pulls the bones as I scream my lungs out and forcefully realigns them. She applies an ointment while I grit my teeth to resist the agonizing aftershocks that feel like half my hand was shredded and then cauterized.
Yet, the worst part of this is the frustration of my missing left arm because I want no more than to be able to merely clench my other hand or grasp at something. I lean down and push down on her shoulder with my helmet.
By the time the pain fades and I slowly recover the full use of my senses, I find that she's set splints and bandaged my two fingers together. I pull away from her, finding that the patrols are scouring the manor's ruin and that the crowd approached.
“Did you try to kill me?” I ask Vikiana.
“Not recently, no.” She replies with a touch of humor.
“My bad then.” I grunt.
“It was a poor attempt at retaliation if you thought I was but a well coordinated escape once you failed.” She notes.
“You'd be...” Wait, we want her to think we did try to kill her. At this point, she wouldn't believe you. “Dead if I did try.” I finish my boastful sentence.
“Hm, possibly.” Vikiana calmly acknowledges. “Your thoughts often revolve around death, don't they?”
I keep my silence, not really sure why it matters, how to respond, or if it's so unusual as to be noteworthy. After a while, she gets up to sit by my side. I run my gaze to the crowd and find that there are a few Hospitaliers asking questions as well as keeping a discreet eye on us.
“I have an identification parchment in the pouch to my belt, on my left side.” I tell Vikiana.
While she searches and takes it out, I listen in on the people's testimonies. I find out that the archers ran away as soon as they missed their last volley and that more than two made it out of the house, which means that at least a squad of them survived and likely more if they had sentries out in the area.
The speculations about what happened inside, however, are all over the place. Some claim Elizabeth Vil was attacking with me, others that she was inside but under disguise, a few that she tried to kill me. There is one thing they all agree on and it's that Liz destroyed the manor.
“Why are they automatically blaming her for this?!” I ask rhetorically.
“Elizabeth is guilty after all.” Vikiana remarks sarcastically as she throws me a dark look. “She destroyed the roof's load-bearing pillar.”
“Wasn't my fault at all.” Liz remarks with a repressed laugh.
“I suppose we all contributed to weakening the structure.” Vikiana notes with a small smile, missing the fact that I'm being made fun of.
“Moving on.” I say with a groan.
“Not yet, you won't.” A Hospitalier officer calls out from afar as he approaches.
I sigh inside, regretting the time when I could just run away from Elizabeth's misdeeds. Hey, this was all you, sister! You didn't help so you're to blame. I'm resting and I'm not risking Leomi blaming me over this.
Vikiana and I identify ourselves to the officer who apparently already expected me to be here since he inquires about her presence more than mine once he's determined I was ambushed.
“By the way, what are you doing in this part of Meria?” I question Vikiana to make things difficult for her.
“I took an interest in the rumors about Elizabeth.” She replies flatly.
“And how did they lead you here, Dame Vikiana?” The officer asks politely.
“They didn't. I was following the tracks of a kid that was asking around about E.Vil, he vanished yesterday in this area so I was trying to find out what happened by scouting the block from the rampart.” She explains. “I think you should check the basement.” She adds after a pause.
“We will once we clear the rubble.” The officer replies with a nod. The fact he doesn't send orders tells me they already planned to do so. “Do you know anything about Elizabeth Vil's presence here? Or if it was even her? It's been reported that a woman corresponding to her physical description left the scene, the mask and leather glove matched.” I didn't notice the glove. I did.
“I don't know, I didn't fight her but I'm sure she was inside the building.” Vikiana replies instantly.
It takes me by surprise because I didn't think she would deceive the officer and do so in such a Rykz-like way. Besides, the use of the words 'I'm sure' ironically grant her some deniability if she's proven wrong because it changes her testimony from a straight up affirmation to an opinion.
“How about you?” The officer turns to me. Vicky gives me a glance with a serious expression.
“I exchanged a few blows but it was dark and dusty so I couldn't see much and I didn't get much of a chance to talk.” I reply carefully.
I'm unwilling to start an argument over this even though I didn't plan to confirm Elizabeth's presence because it would make the Hospitaliers dig deeper. It gives us cover so it isn't all bad, besides we can easily prove our innocence if this scheme hurts us.
“Was this fight part of a grudge between the two of you, Miss Freepath?” The officers asks straightforwardly.
“No, this began almost accidentally.” I reply. “They probably thought I looked suspicious so they tried to kill me but then attempted to get me to leave once they failed.”
“Why didn't you?” He questions.
“Because it would have meant leaving cover so the offer could have been a trap. I wouldn't trust someone who ambushed me without a warning.” I explain.
“You didn't see Elizabeth Vil at first?” He presses.
“No. I was following up on the rumor as well but I didn't intend to get into a fight, not alone at least.” I reply. “I was leaving to seek reinforcements to check the manor when they attacked.”
“I would ask who gave you the right to wield armor and weapon in the open but I suppose this answers my question.” The officer mutters as he glances at my identification parchment. “Do you need more care?”
“I'm fine.” I reply, shaking my head.
“There's a well if you need to clean up, I'll be going to supervise and return if I have more questions.” The officer tells me and departs.
I sigh and push on my knee to get up, realizing I'm probably bleeding from a couple of places or he wouldn't be telling me this. Vikiana follows along as I make my way to the well.
She silently pulls a bucket of water up while I carefully take off my helmet with two fingers. I grab a roll of bandages from her pouch and hesitate for a while as to how to clean my face with throbbing fingers without soaking them.
“Sit down.” Vikiana commands sternly.
I see the steel in her eyes and bite the inside of my cheek, resigning myself. She's Leomi's mother, that's for sure. I sit down on the well and rest my eyes. She starts gruffly cleaning my face, focusing on my nose and ears. I feel my heart stir painfully and put that on account of the fact that I'm settling down now that the battle is over.
I silently thank Vikiana for providing energy because it likely kept my chest from tearing itself apart once the adrenaline cleared out of my system. It feels odd to have her take care of me, partly because I don't feel in danger yet had an episode because I saw her face. Once she's done, I find that the roll of bandage is red with blood.
“Are you injured?” She asks.
“Armor looks...” I pause as I notice that there aren't merely scratches on my cuirass but a couple of deep gouges as well as many dents. “The chain-mail held so I'm fine. I have a leather armor underneath anyway.”
“I can see that, it'll need repairing.” Vikiana replies, pointing at my biceps and left thigh.
I look down, finding that the hard black leather on my leg was almost pierced by the arrow that made it past the stubbed leather bands. The one that hit my arm was blocked by the riveted mail.
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“At least you were wise enough to wear armor before picking a fight.” She comments.
“I wasn't lying earlier.” I tell her.
“No, but you did charge in alone and without back-up.” She reproaches.
“It's what I do.” I reply to cut the conversation short.
“What you do is reckless. Could you have handled them both?” She questions.
“I could've run away.” I tell her with a shrug. “At the very least, the armor can block a standard air-blade even if I run out of energy.”
“You lose the right to gamble with your life when you have people who care about you.” She utters with a reproachful tone.
“Says the mother who keeps leaving her daughter to go risk her own life.” I throw back with no less spite in my voice.
We glare at each other for a while but I cut it short by putting the helmet back over my head and sliding it backward. I get up and move closer to the ruins because the Hospitaliers are clearing up a door to the basement. Vikiana walks up by my side.
They enter and exit with a black-haired kid that soon after. He is slightly taller than me and has large shoulders. His clothes are simple but tough and practical looking but chaffed with a few rips like he was in a scuffle.
I estimate him to be fourteen or fifteen at first, but then I see his face and realize he's a couple of years younger than that. I freeze as I recognize him. I assemble a messaging construct with a sliver of energy.
'Get away from me and watch the situation. Prepare to attack to divert suspicion. Find Leomi, create a story to get her to cut ties, lie as needed to protect her.'
I reach out to Vikiana's shoulder to transfer the construct to her. She takes a mere moment to read the excerpts and make a decision despite being unaware of the details. She moves in front of me. I assemble a second messaging construct.
'What the fuck are you doing? The Hospitaliers aren't going to let me run or hide. Go away or I'll have to strike you before escaping and it won't look half as convincing.'
It suddenly hits me that the two of us seamlessly decided to cooperate despite the fact she doesn't know much and I shouldn't have instinctively trusted she would pick my side. It irks us.
I don't wait for her to move, I directly shove her aside with my left stump of a shoulder. She calmly takes a few steps to the side, apparently deciding to observe first. Luckily, the kid only looks to me a moment after he ignores an officer's question about who he is. I tense as Ulf's eldest child silently stares at me.
“Did Elizabeth Vil imprison you?” The Hospitalier asks.
“Elizabeth Vil did not capture me.” He declares with a quiet voice.
“Why were you looking for her?” The officer presses.
The kid, whose name I don't recall having been told, returns to his previous silence as he turns to face the man questioning him. His demeanor reminds me so much of Ulf that my throat tightens.
We got his father killed. It suddenly hits me that he's been looking for Liz, that it's why he got caught. Why isn't he pointing them at me? I realize that he might want personal revenge and marvel at how quick-witted he is to have figured out enough about the situation to reach a decision to hold his tongue.
Or, he's simply like Ulf and doesn't speak if he doesn't have to. I swallow my saliva and realize that I made a mistake by rushing to action. Vikiana's opinion of me is definitely going to improve when she realizes I made her daughter my first priority when I thought my identity was going to be exposed.
I watch the kid deflect questions by remaining silent and nodding once in a while when asked if he's well or has eaten enough. If only I held back until now, I could have deceived Vikiana by asking her to drag herself and her daughter in danger by helping me. No, would have been too risky.
Wait. I realize I made another mistake earlier. Vikiana said Elizabeth Vil was in the building because it helps disassociate me from her which protects Leomi. I should have reacted selfishly by denying it.
“Miss Jessica, was Elizabeth Vil fighting with these people?” The Hospitalier questions from afar, likely growing frustrated by the kid's uncooperative attitude.
“The one wearing a mask killed those I injured when she blew a hole in the manor.” I reply carefully.
“How many?” He asks with a scowl.
“I killed three as far as I recall, there were two injured nearby and likely two more out of the explosion's radius. One should have a blown cheek.” I report while noting that Ulf's kid is listening quite intently.
“Why did you say a woman wore a mask instead of saying Elizabeth Vil?” The officer questions.
“Because I didn't get a good enough look to tell if it was her.” I reply with a shrug.
Vikiana's hand lands on my shoulder and squeezes. I ignore her and whatever she is trying to convey. I doubt she herself knows, things have grown too complicated with the addition of the Order's ultimatum to our already difficult relationship that only exists because of Leomi.
“If you don't have any more questions, we'll be leaving.” Vikiana speaks up.
“I'm leaving with her.” The kid suddenly speaks up while glaring at me.
“You know Miss Freepath?” The officer asks with a look of surprise that soon turns to one of suspicion. “You hadn't mentioned that, Miss Freepath.”
“I didn't know he was here.” I respond, ignoring the twist in my gut.
“Where did he come from? What's his name? Why was he taken?” The Hospitalier questions, looking like he doesn't believe me.
I pause. Shit. My selfish panic made me forget to consider why he ended up here. He was likely kidnapped because he saw Elizabeth Vil's face. Perhaps he's so silent because he let it slip when he searched for me, or because he could recognize the masked woman as a fake.
“I'm not going to tell you any of that because he was captured.” I tell the officer with a firm voice. The kid relaxes for a brief moment at my answer before the hard look in his eyes returns.
“He may require protection.” The officer says with a frown.
“They were beaten in their own lair.” Vikiana counters. “The two of us are more than capable to deter another attempt at taking this child.”
“I am fourteen, I do not need protection.” The kid utters petulantly. I almost smile at the adorable reaction before remembering what I did to his father.
“Does your mother know you're here?” I ask him.
“I...” He hesitates and falls silent once more.
He then suddenly walks past the Hospitalier officer to stand next to the two of us. The man ponders for a few minutes while looking at us before resuming the conversation with a new round of questions about the fight. He makes me give him a more precise account by scouring my memory of it, which helps me correct a few earlier mistakes.
“Elizabeth Vil was present inside the building before you arrived since you two are the only ones who entered after the fight began.” He comments. “Stop me if I'm wrong, but she was taking advantage of your attempt to rescue this child to eliminate these people.”
“I told you, I didn't even know they were in the manor, much less that he was imprisoned inside or that he was missing.” I reply, feeling frustrated.
“Of course.” The officer replies with a serious nod. “There is no doubt from the testimonies I received that they attacked first. That fact added to their kidnapping puts you above suspicion.” He says reassuringly.
My attempt to deflect his suspicions with the truth isn't working at all. Vikiana smirks, clearly enjoying the situation. I have no doubt she finds my discomfiture justified and a just return for all my lies, I'm not sure I disagree even though this feels ridiculous. Ulf's eldest remains completely silent and mostly inexpressive.
“Is it true that the Grand Commander and you are romantically involved?” The Hospitalier questions, tearing me out of my thoughts.
“I don't believe it is proper for you to probe your superior's relationships or how it is relevant to this.” Vikiana intervenes with a cold tone.
“On the contrary, I am duty-bound by our Charter to ask in order to make an accurate report about the incident.” The officer responds without losing his composure. “You don't have to answer me but I will forward this case to a Justicier if I cannot satisfyingly assess the events that unfolded.”
“Leomi and I are involved.” I utter with pride and some embarrassment when I hear myself say the words.
“Did you and Elizabeth Vil get into a fight when you encountered each other?” He questions intently.
“No, the masked woman blew the ceiling up on top of me. And I'm not saying masked because I'm hiding Elizabeth's involvement for whatever reason, I truly couldn't confirm her identity.” I tell him.
“Dame Vikiana, can you confirm those answers?” He asks.
“Yes.” She replies with a dark voice. “And I stand by what I have said before.”
“How do you know it was Elizabeth Vil in the building?” The officer presses.
“Because I've fought her often enough to recognize her style when I see it, whether there is dust in the air or not.” Vikiana answers easily.
“So, it is safe to assume Elizabeth Vil recognized Jessica Freepath's voice when she heard her refuse the offer to walk away and decided to strike her down with the kidnappers we are still attempting to identify.” The Hospitalier concludes.
“Please don't write that in the report.” I plead with a painful groan, feeling blood rush to my cheeks. “I'll never hear the end of it from Yvonne... and Leomi... or Roisia, or Cecil...” I pause. “Just don't write that.”
“I've heard some rumors about you recently, Miss Freepath, but surely they wouldn't make fun of you for being ambushed...” He trails off and his eyes widen while his lips twist into an amused smile. “I suppose it is amusing for someone of your reputation for strategy and tactics to fall for two consecutive ambushes but I must praise your ability to come out of it with merely two broken fingers.”
I hide my face behind my arm-guard for a bit, realizing that the officer won't change a word. I throw a glance to Vikiana's face finding a corner smile that tells me she's finding this quite amusing as well. I force myself to recover my composure because Ulf's child is here and his slight frown is telling me that he's justifiably growing angry.
“You have enough for your report, just remember to note this is speculation on your part.” I utter darkly. “I'm taking the kid.”
“Of course.” The officer agrees and extends his hand out to tell me I can leave. “Vice-Commander Roisia is in charge of the operations in Meria, she will receive the report and likely contact you to fill the blanks before determining whether to request a thorough investigation from the Justiciers, but Chief Justicier Grace may decide to take the case herself if the report isn't complete enough once she receives it.” He informs us.
Great, he didn't forget his duty after making fun of me. It is pretty funny. Rhaaaa! I scream inside and stomp away, unable to appreciate the situation with the guilt wrenching my guts.