Alexandria Terramanz
Today is the day that My companions and I depart. After some consideration, Brigette decided to accompany Sir Foltest and I. Giving the duty of temporary castle steward to Raoul an older gentleman who worked closely with her. In my room, I observe my reflection in the mirror. Comparing the current person to the girl I was when I left Sagittae 6 years ago to take up the position of Baroness of Aquilae.
I have lost the baby fat I had on my face and now my sharp cheekbones stand out. My white skin free of the blemishes that plague all young women. Perhaps the only things that remained the same are my full lips and my light green eyes and my stark black hair that are characteristic of the Terramanz family. The short hair that I preferred since I was young earned me the nickname “Tomboy Princess” though now I take the time to style it on occasion. So much has changed in 6 years not only my appearances but my beliefs, goals, and personality. I wonder how all my other siblings have changed.
I stopped reminiscing and finished dressing. I put on a long blue gambeson, cotton tights, and a pair of black leather boots. I retrieved my sword belt then headed outside towards the awaiting carriage.
Brigette and Sir Foltest seemed to have finished packing everything though they seemed to be trying to make room for something. “Brigette, Sir Foltest having trouble with something!? I waved as they turned around.
“Bahaha, no trouble my lady just making room for “Evangelina” I can’t just leave her here!” Sir Foltest exclaimed.
“You’re bringing your greatsword? Is that truly necessary?”
“Perhaps not but I want to show off and there may be some interesting fellows I can fight with when we arrive!”
I sighed in disbelief. “As you wish Sir.”
I took Brigette aside and asked with concern. “Brigette are you sure about accompanying us?”
“Sir Foltest will be with us, so we’ll be fine.” She stated as if it was obvious.
Despite how often she scolds him it seems that she has complete trust in Sir Foltest keeping her safe. Well, that is not so surprising really after what he did for her.
I nodded at her, then we made our way back to the carriage where Sir Foltest found room for his greatsword. We got inside the carriage, and I signaled the chauffeur to leave.
To combat my nervousness and excitement I concentrated on the constant rhythm of the carriage. Yet, try as I might, my thoughts could not help but wonder about the sudden upcoming gathering.
No, not sudden I have been expecting this for some time, but I had hoped to be more prepared to make my case to father, though old man Wes will support me it may not be enough.
“My Lady are you well?” My anxiety may have been easy to spot as Brigette asked me with concern.
“Yes, no need for concern I am merely jittery with anticipation,” I replied with a smile.
“Of course, there is no need for concern! I promise that you’ll both be as safe as newborn lambs with me around!” Sir Foltest bellowed.
“I would appreciate it if you did not shout so near my vicinity Sir, especially in such an enclosed space.” Brigette who was sitting next to him scolded.
“Haha. My apologies Brigette I got carried away with myself.” Sir Foltest apologized to which Brigette merely nodded in acceptance.
“I appreciate the sentiment Sir, but I don’t expect to face any immediate threats.” Although thinly veiled threats were not off the table. “Nevertheless, I am assured with your presence here with us Sir Foltest.”
“You flatter me, my Lady. If you don’t expect any trouble then can I assume you know the reason as to why you were summoned by his Majesty?”
“I cannot be certain, but I guess that it has to do with the heir to the throne.” Sir Foltest and Brigette gasped at my statement.
“So soon!?” Brigette exclaimed. Sir Foltest closed his eyes and stroked his blondish beard seemingly in thought.
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“It is no secret his highness’s health is waning. Although I expected it, I agree with you Brigette it is too soon. I fear something else may be afoot.”
Sir Foltest opened his eyes and said warily “Could this have something to do with the Vigil syndicate? I have heard rumblings as of late that they are causing more trouble in the empire and are growing stronger as of late.”
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. The Vigil syndicate, not much is known about them. They seemingly appeared out of thin air around 5 years ago and have been a thorn to the empire since. If they were mere groups of thieves and murderers there would be no cause for concern, however, that does not seem to be the case. They have successfully conducted raids on well-defended territories and just last year they became the primary suspects in the assassination of a Baron. It is clear that whoever is behind this syndicate has a goal, their members are well organized and well trained. In the last 5 years, the empire has only been able to capture 4 members alive and the most that they knew and confessed to about the syndicate was some of the inner workings. There were the grunts and spies that an executive was responsible for, though it is unknown how many of these executives there are and the leader of the Vigil syndicate who they merely referred to as boss.
To think that such an organization was allowed to grow in our empire. Have we truly become so lax that a criminal organization is now able to threaten us? Or is it that the nobility did not care enough to do something about the criminal element until they were targeted as well? loathe as I am to admit so, it was probably the latter. I am no different, when I first heard of the Vigil syndicate, I did not think them worthy of too much attention even when Sir Foltest advised to look further into them. Now we are seeing the ramifications of our actions or inaction rather.
“Sir Foltest you once advised me that I should pay more attention and look for signs of the Vigil syndicate when we discovered them in Aquilae. Why did you suspect them to be more threatening than what I had initially thought?”
“At first it was just a hunch of mine but now after my investigations, I have three reasons, my Lady. First, their members at least some of them are well trained enough to fight knights one on one. Sir Wallace who was the one who coincidentally discovered a Vigil agent when on patrol and tailed him to his hideout was not able to capture or kill whoever it was. I know Sir Wallace and you do as well my lady, he is one of the best knights in Aquilae and would not lose to just anyone. When I questioned Sir Wallace about his encounter he said that when he confronted him he was fighting to capture him but soon realized that the Vigil agent was not someone that he could fight while holding back so he changed his mind and decided to kill him. However, he was soon distracted by a fire that started in the hideout and that was when the second Vigil agent exited the hideout and kept Sir Wallace at bay with a crossbow allowing the first Vigil agent to escape and the second to follow after.”
Certainly, Sir Wallace is a strong knight, but a crossbow bolt piercing his armor while fighting the first Vigil agent was highly likely. It is understandable why he would back down rather than confront them by himself.
“Second, they were in Aquilae for quite some time just observing the barony not making any trouble or noticeable moves though I suspect they were recruiting. Although most of whatever was inside the hideout went up in flames or was spirited away by the Vigil agents what we could recover from the hideout was worrying. We found pages with information on citizens and even some of our knights with things listed like relationships, time spent in Aquilae, their favorite drinks, and even speculation on if they were happy in Aquilae. We also found a letter that simply stated, “Keep observing”.
We questioned the people that we found pages on and even had them observed for a while, but we did not find anything suspicious. If they were recruiting then they may not have gotten to that stage before they were discovered. But that just may be wishful thinking.
“Finally, we do not know where they originated from. Most bandits, thieves, and criminal groups have a location where they operate and tend to stick there as it would be costly and timely to move around too much. There are several territories where it was found that the Vigil syndicate operated in but because of that, we do not know where they originated from. The earliest sign that was found of them was 5 years ago in the Sagittarii duchy though it is unlikely that is where they originated from. This could just be a case of criminals using the name to increase their notoriety, but I very much doubt it.”
Sagittarii is my brother Sylvain’s duchy and one of the largest territories in the Sagitta empire. It would make sense if the Vigil syndicate were able to operate out of there for some time before we even knew their name.
“I have a thought about them of my own if you don’t mind me interrupting,” Brigette said.
“Not at all please go ahead, Brigette.” Sir Foltest replied, and I nodded my head as well encouraging her to continue.
“I may be wrong since I am not as well informed as the both of you but from what I know they rarely if ever target the common folk and instead seem to only be targeting nobility. Furthermore, has there been much unrest or fear with the common folk about the Vigil syndicate?”
Sir Foltest and I stared at each other in surprise. Aside from the complaints of the fire and smoke when the Vigil hideout was burned I could not recall any complaints about or related to the Vigil syndicate at least in Aquilae coming from the common folk.
“You raise an interesting point, Brigette. It could be because they operate carefully and quietly so they are rarely noticed until it is too late or there could be a deeper reason. Whatever the case it does not change the fact that they are a dangerous unknown element.” Sir Foltest stated as he stroked his beard.
“You may be right Sir Foltest. Their existence is a threat to the empire, perhaps bigger than we know.” I sighed and closed my eyes it would take about 2 days and a half before we reached the capital of Sagitta Kingdom Sagittae the home of my late mother Annette and my father King William Terramanz.