The lantern swayed back and forth, casting shadows all over the interior of the ship.

Hadwyn dipped his pen, then proceeded to write, with extreme caution, almost as if the paper were on fire, but alas he wrote;

August, 10, 2490

Due to a combination of disease and neglect, the crops in Ywvn have dwindled. I cannot blame them, the people are fighting many of their own battles currently. However, if nothing is done, many may die and many more will become sick.

Due to the reasons above, I must recommend immediate relief from Zyenur. If this is agreed upon, I will visit the Queen.

Sincerely, Hadwyn, Member of the Iron Legion and Investigator of foreign Heroic Affairs.

Send to Curt Magwood

Hadwyn signed the paper by stampin it with a rare gold scale from the Golden Serpent. The golden serpent scale was rare because the snake had been hunted to extinction due to its scales containing gold.

In fact, the scale Hadwyn had could probably go for thousands of its original value. Hadwyn kept it with him, not only because it’s stamp was impossible to replicate, but because he believed it brought him good luck.

The crow next to him squawked, the ribbon tied to its leg indicated it as a trained messenger.

Hadwyn folded the letter twice then wrapped it with string. He would have used wax but he was currently out at the moment, also the wax could damage the paper, and Hadwyn couldn't afford to have to rewrite such an urgent letter.

He tied the string to the bird's leg, then holding the bird in the palm of his hand, threw it out the window of the ship. The crow took flight immediately and Hadwyn watched it until it was just speck in the distance.

Hadwyn then walked over to his bed for rest, it was dusk after all, and he had written many less important letters that sat in a box nearby. When the ship arrived at its destination, the letters would be given to a professional messenger who would then distribute them to their recipients.

Hadwyn laid down on his bed. He enjoyed the gentle rocking of the waves. When he had first been summoned into the world, he had landed in the middle of the sea, he had only been saved by a passing ship at the time, if not he would have drowned. Hadwyn loved sailing regardless. It made him feel more free.

He had breakfast on the ship, Cheese, eggs and bread.Then he left the ship and headed towards the AFHA building.

Upon entering, he was met with a blast of warm air, Greeted by a few Aldarians , he walked past other ones. Hadwyn didn’t like being rude, he had no time to waste.

A tall woman in camo armor was chatting with another hero. She was one of the directors of the AFHA.

“Teresa,” he said. She turned to look at him with a smile. “Yes?”

“I need to schedule a meeting with the queen,” he demanded.

Her smile faltered. “Now?” she asked.

Hadwyn nodded. “Yes Immediately, or as soon as possible.”

“Why?” she asked.

“Because Ywvn needs assistance for the war.” Hadwyn explained.

Teresa rolled her eyes. “Oh another war, huh?”

“Yes.” Hadwyn responded.

Teresa frowned when Hadwyn didn’t leave. She sighed. “Ywvn has gotten into many wars in the past, what makes you so sure this will end it?”

Hadwyn paused before he answered the question. He decided to ignore the strawman entirely. “Sending resources to help the people of Ywvn will prevent suffering for many.”

Teresa grimaced, displeased that Hadwyn refused to entertain her informal fallacy.

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When she didn’t respond, Hadwyn continued, “I need permission from you to ask the queen to send resources.”

Teresa now looked simply tired, like a tired parent looking after her children. This was because Teresa’s Job was to monitor Aldarians and their relations to other nations. She probably spent her whole day answering questions or signing papers, and Hadwyn felt bad for her.

Teresa let out a long sigh. “Talk with Curt first, bring him over, and then we can talk with the Queen.”

Hadwyn grunted. He sent a letter already. It should return by tonight.

Another hero walked in, more like ran in, he called out to Teresa.

Hadwyn took this as his sign to leave, but the hero said something that made him freeze in his tracks.

“Maam, I have received news that the hero Curt Hearthstone has died.”

Hadwyn slowly turned around. Curt was Nick’s partner.

“Where?” demanded Hadwyn.

“In Rorin.” The messenger stated.

“How?”

The messenger shook his head. I don’t know, the police found his body. They’re going to release a statement to his guild, the Iron Legion. However, they wanted the AFHA to respond first.

Hadwyn grinded his teeth. The AFHA had been losing funding and support little by little over the years. The official recognition of the Iron Legion had happened just a few months ago, and apparently it was a more appealing choice for young Aldarians , and why not? The rules and guidelines were relaxed and constantly stretched, the pay was, not necessarily better, but was easier to earn. You were entitled to loot, had pretty much infinite jurisdiction, and finally, you could basically live like a celebrity. Of course, guilds have always been around, but usually were very small and followed the example of the more strict AFHA. They had always been in the shadows of the AFHA. Now, the M.S.O was considering diverting their funding to guilds.

Benson, a longtime member, walked up. “What’s all this noise I hear?” He asked, demandingly.

“Murder case.” Hadwyn blurted out. It seemed like the most likely cause of his death. “Got into a stupid argument, challenged someone he couldn’t beat, got killed. Classic first gen.”

“Or he went R.R.” Teresa mumbled.

Hadwyn waved his hand. “He was young, like not even thirty yet. Don’t think so.”

Benson coughed. “What’s R.R?”

Neither responded, Because right at that moment, there was a knock on the door. Benson walked towards the door and opened it.

A man strolled in. He wielded a gold staff with a decorative snake wrapped around a crystal at the tip. He sat down in a chair before anyone could say anything. He crossed his legs.

Benson groaned. “Oh, not you.”

The guy shook his head. “I put in my applications weeks ago, and I haven't gotten any mail back, what gives?”

“Konnor, go away.” Benson said, his face became red.

“Can I speak to the director please? Cause’ obviously you're not in charge here.”

Benson took a step forward. Konnor got up really fast. “Ok, fine, fine. I'll come back next week then.”

“No you won’t.” Benson said sternly, as Konnor walked back out the door. Hadwyn caught a glimpse of another man in a black jumpsuit and a vest waving to Konnor, who appeared to say something angrily at him, then they walked away.

“Who was that?” Teresa asked.

“Just some a-hole who won’t leave me alone.” He said angrily.

“Oh, Hadwyn, I forgot to tell you that you need to train our new intern.”

“I can’t-”

Teresa glared at him, reminding him that their friendship wouldn’t pardon him of responsibilities.

“Alright.” Hadwyn sighed.

Benson was looking through the curtains. “If you see that prick again, punch him in the face for me, Hadwyn.”

“Sure.” Hadwyn lied. Benson was employee resources manager. Him literally punching someone in the face would look bad.

“Just don’t hit him too hard.” Benson said, now chuckling. “Or else the damn Malitaura won’t be able to quick regen.”

“Don’t use that word here!” Teresa scolded. “Think of that next time you see your doctor, Ben.”

“Nothing wrong with healing other people.” Benson shrugged.

“Don’t do that again.” Teresa said sternly.

“Yes ma'am.”

Teresa turned to Hadwyn. “I need you to get on that case now. Gather info and come back. We need to make a statement before the I.R gets the news.”

Hadwyn grimaced. As much as it sounded messed up to cover up or manipulate the details of a murder, the Iron legion’s response would be far worse. If they found out, they would either send out a hunt for the killer of their member, or, if the person who was responsible happened to be a part of the I.R they would kick them out, making a murderous Aldarian everyone else's problem.

“Oh, and don’t forget our new intern, Kela.” She smiled. “I hope you’re as good of a teacher as you are a detective.”

Hadwyn smirked.

“But I'm not a detective.”

“You are now.”