While the group was stuck inside the mausoleum, the world outside kept on turning like usual. Those on Kolmio Ridge who saw the flash of white light crash inside the forest that day returned to Tolus after a couple months. They asked around town and were surprised to find out that nobody knew what had transpired. This was also good news for them because it meant nobody had found the treasure that fell from the sky yet.
These courageous adventurers prepared the best they could and went forth to Tumma Forest, hoping to get rich. Some of them were unlucky. A middle-aged man stumbled upon a kobold’s lair and was swarmed to death. A muscular woman and her companion were ambushed by a group of giant spiders. They fought bitterly, but in the end they were captured and made into cocoons.
Only a couple of adventurers made deeper into the forest. When they finally started to close in on the tomb’s location, their eyes suddenly blanked over. They walked around aimlessly for half an hour and when they came back to, they were already a good distance away from that region and completely lost. It wasn’t known to Liza and company, but there was also a confusion spell protecting that place. They had bypassed it entirely when they crashed near the tomb from the sky.
==//==
Back in Kalafrana, Richard Melis and Albek Esin received news that would surprise Fang Chu. The messengers they’d sent to house Ranna to verify her story came back. The response was a rather tricky one. Ranna’s house head said he looked favourably upon the young lady and that she was in some sort of probation period. He exhorted them to tell him her current whereabouts and kept going on and on about different things.
To summarize, he would recognize her, but only if she didn’t cause trouble. The moment she did anything that would cause harm to house Ranna she’d be denounced and left to the wolves. Ranna’s house head also seemed desperate to find her without alerting the redhead. It seemed to them as if she had run away from home. If Fang Chu knew all of this, she would’ve died laughing. It looked like the old man hadn’t given up on her or maybe he was trying to cover-up his humiliation. Either way, it was something quite beneficial for her at the moment.
==//==
Somewhere else, a large group of knights rode calmly under the night sky. There was at least two hundred of them, all sporting the same uniform equipment. A chain coif, a breastplate and leg guards. Most of them were wounded, with different parts of their bodies covered in bandages. Their armor was damaged in places and dyed red by blood in others. It was a squadron that clearly went through combat recently.
Leading them were three distinct figures. One of them was equipped like the other knights, but his armor was more exquisite and had distinctive patterns that indicated he was someone with a higher rank. He was a man with a squarish face and a large moustache. To his right was a dark-haired young man with a flashy armor, bearing a long sword and shield that exuded a faint light that screamed magic item. The last person was the only one using a full helmet that covered his face. He was a thin man that wore leather armor and sported a flexible spear.
“I must say, this was the most competent group yet, sir Eustass. To have zero causalities is something to be admired,” said the dark-haired youth.
Confusion clouded the face of the knight with a large moustache. From what he knew of the young man, he wasn’t someone that usually complimented other people. Because of this, he took a few seconds longer to reply.
“You mustn’t praise them too highly Regor, or they’ll grow complacent. Still, I must say I wasn’t expecting this result either. I’m proud of them.”
“Indeed, you should be! You know I’m not too fond of knights, so my words ring true. Every other group had a couple deaths, and some were downright so pathetic that they almost got wiped out,” the youth scoffed. “Wouldn’t you agree, Mr. mute?”
Eustass smile contorted for a moment, but he kept quiet. That clarified things. Regor was praising them only so he could badmouth the other groups some more. The affected behaviour of the young man annoyed him somewhat, but there was nothing he could do. Not only was he under orders from his liege to listen to the youth, Regor had the power to act however he liked.
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The thin man addressed as Mr. mute by Regor didn’t as much as turn his head. He was ignoring the others completely. Regor scoffed and drew his sword with lightning speed, striking in one motion. The thin man lowered his torso and the attack struck the air where his head was moments before. He grabbed his spear and turned to face Regor, ready to fight. The dark-haired youth clicked his tongue and sheathed his sword back in the scabbard.
“You’re the most annoying of them all Mr. mute, but at least you have skill.”
They kept on riding into the night. The light of the moon and the few light-stones they’d were enough to show the way. When they saw the torches at top of Starfall’s walls in the distance, the group stopped. Sir Eustass turned around and addressed his knights.
“We’ve reached home. You should know what to do. Cover the light-stones and return to the campsite to recover. I’ll go report to the lord about your progress. I’m sure he’ll be delighted to hear your exploits!”
There were no cheers or shouting. The knights crossed one of their arms against their chests in a salute and silently departed. They weren’t going towards the city, but to a hidden location instead.
“Let’s go,” said Eustass.
The three men kept on riding towards Starfall by themselves. When they were finally close enough to the walls, the sentries spotted them and aimed their crossbows at the strangers.
“Halt! The city does not open at night! Camp away from the walls and comeback in the morning!” yelled one of the guards.
“Not even for me?” asked Eustass as he approached the light. He looked up so the guards could see his face while he played with his moustache.
“Sir Eustass, you have returned! Open the small gate! It’s Sir Eustass!”
“Ha, that’s better,” laughed the knight. “Good job men.”
The three of them entered the city and went straight to the lord’s manor. Earl Frederick was informed of their return and waited for them alone in the main hall. When they saw the earl, the thin man and Eustass dropped to their knees while Regor gave Frederick a light salute. The barrel shaped earl narrowed his eyes.
“Welcome back. I trust everything went well?”
“The batch this time wasn’t as useless dear earl. They did an okay job,” said Regor.
“We had no causalities my liege. Every man fought bravely and returned victorious,” added Eustass.
“Excellent! Have all of them moved to the elite group Eustass! I received a letter from the guild master and the next batch of elixirs will be delivered shortly. They’ll soon be able to enjoy the rewards from their hard work.”
“I’m sure they’ll be thrilled my lord.”
“Oh? The guild master sent news? Will someone be sent here to take my place?”
“Not at the moment, Regor. He said you’re the best man for the job and you know things can’t be done too above board due to the contract’s restriction. I’m afraid I’ll have to impose on you to train my men for a bit longer.”
“Ah~, as I expected,” sighed Regor.
“I’m sure you’re tired from the journey and all the fighting. A lot of amenities were prepared and are waiting in your room for you. Do take a break and enjoy yourself for the next couple days while we prepare the next batch of soldiers,” said the earl.
“At least you know how to treat your guests well! Then, I’m off,” said Regor as he left the hall.
“You should be tired as well Eustass, go rest,” said the earl. “As for you… go see Hanna. She’s waiting for you.”
The two of them rose from their kneeling position and saluted the earl one more time before leaving in different directions. The thin man walked to Hanna’s room and knocked on the door.
“Enter.”
After being prompted, he opened the door and went in. The room was illuminated by the lights of countless candles and a large number of blankets, pillows and cushions were prepared in one of the corners. Hanna was standing near them, wearing a tight leather corset and holding a horse whip. After the man closed the door, she pointed at a goblet with a strange green liquid by the table with her whip.
“Drink it, my slave.”
“As you wish, mistress.”
The man opened his visor and drank the liquid in one go. He soon felt his blood rushing towards his nether region in a crazy fashion, making him groan involuntarily.
“Take off your clothes and lay down on the blankets. Keep the helmet.”
The man did as he was instructed. He was thin, but his body was deceivingly muscular. Scars of all shapes and forms covered his torso, arms and parts of his legs. Hanna bit her lower lip and her eyes flashed with a strange glint. She began whipping the man with her horse whip, panting lightly all the while.
After having fun for some time, she removed her corset, straddled on top of him and continued the whipping. Soon, her moans and shouts of pleasure echoed in the room. Strangely, the man never once reacted. He didn’t cry from pain nor he shouted in pleasure like she did. It was as if he was devoid of all emotions and senses.