Greigh's Point of View

The Rainy Helm

"Uh, Sir?" Ziah leaned in towards me from across the booth. "Why do we keep coming here?"

Eyeing her for a moment before looking back at the menu, I answered. "Ziah, why do you think The General put in discounts for the Town Guard at the local restaurants where he is doing business?"

She shrugged. "To be nice and support his troops?"

Putting the menu down, I sighed. "I'm sure that might be part of it, but look around and tell me how many Town Guards are present."

Ziah did as instructed and answered. "A couple here and there."

"It is likely this way all throughout the bottom rung. I'm sure The General set it up this way for us to get good food and act as extra security for the owners." Then I leaned in myself. "We're here because our Knight likely expects the Rainy Helm to be targeted by the Nobles."

"How?"

Shaking my head, I leaned back in the booth. "I've no idea. It could be something subtle or more direct. We'll have to keep our eye open, but Sir Arthur hasn't been wrong so far." Looking at the menu again, I continued. "I see no reason why he would be wrong now."

"So, you think the Rainy Helm will be targeted specifically? That's why we keep coming here every night?"

I nodded. "Yes. That, and I like the new food that's been introduced." Gesturing to the menu got her to look at her own. "I know you've been enjoying the food yourself."

"I may, or may not, be a fan of the 'French Toast' they have here."

"Considering that's what you order every time we come here, I'm not surprised."

It'd been two days since we went over The General's plans. In that time, he's done nothing but stay in his estate. Whether it's to get the Nobles to lower their guard, I've no idea. Regardless, he has been acting in ways that have continued to surprise me. Everything he's done has been for the betterment of the bottom rung. He may be profiting from it, but all that gold and silver is being put back into the economy and is thriving.

Stolen novel; please report.

As expected, though, Sir Arthur was right. "Where is the owner of this dump!?" Someone shouted, which got everyone to look in his direction as the tavern quieted down.

To my surprise, a Northern Zugal from the Falcon Clan was present. "Sir." The Sergeant whispered to me, and I nodded.

Sherry appeared from the back and looked at the large Zugal. "I'm the owner. Is something wrong?" Glares were being directed towards the newcomers from many around the Rainy Helm.

The Northern Zugal wasn't alone. There were several others with him at his table. All sitting down with disapproving looks on their faces. They were likely a group of mercenaries, but they certainly weren't regulars around here. The Zugal picked up his cup and threw the contents at the owner.

"This drink is disgusting!" He claimed. "You expect us to pay for this!?"

The others then took their drinks and poured them all on the ground before tossing the mugs off to the side. Each one was clearly armed with some manner of weapon as the group chuckled as Sherry stood there motionless. Dripping wet from the alcohol poured on her, she eventually wiped her eyes and glared up at the man.

"Then, by all means, leave." Sherry replied.

"Not without proper compensation for trying-" The Northern Zugal tried to continue, but Sherry cut him off.

"I wasn't asking. Leave, or you will all be removed." She warned them.

Not liking the threat, the man leaned towards Sherry with a dangerous look. "Who's going to make us?" He then pushed her in the chest slightly. "You?"

Standing, Ziah promptly followed me as I walked over to them. "Actually, that would be me."

"Oh, no! A member of the Dove Clan is going to force us to leave!" He laughed as we stopped in front of him and began to mock me. "What could you possibly do to us?"

"You're more than welcome to find out." I replied in a bored but goading manner. "It won't take much to make you all leave."

The others in his little group stood before approaching the Sergeant and me. "Who do you think you are?" Their leader inquired in a dangerous and threatening tone.

"Captain Greigh Nasa of the Town Guard. Under orders from the Knight of Lestrania and more than willing to throw each one of you in a cell if you don't leave immediately after paying for your drinks and cleaning up your mess." I stated simply.

He leaned in a little closer and spread his wings while scratching his chin. "Only problem is, there's only two of you."

"I assure you, the Sergeant and I are more than enough for your little group, but if you want to make this about numbers…" I whistled loudly, and as soon as I did, all the men under my command stood up. "We can make this about numbers." I finished as they surrounded the mercenaries.

The leader reached for a knife on his belt, but I quickly kicked his hand into his it and knocked him into the table behind him. Ziah and the others quickly got involved as Sherry moved back along with several of the other patrons before running forward with chairs and slamming them down on the Northern Zugal. Chaos quickly ensued.

Arthur's Point of View

Pendragon Estate

"What's the word?" I asked the two Zugal that urgently entered my office.

Greigh rolled his eyes. "Bird. Bird, is the word, Sir." I chuckled as he continued. "You were right. Some of the Nobles hired a few mercenaries to cause problems at the Rainy Helm." He reported.

"That took them longer than expected." I replied with a smirk. "What happened?"

"It would appear that the Nobles hired a group of Northern Zugal as mercenaries to cause trouble. They've been restrained and are currently in holding cells." He informed me. "I assumed you would like to have a word with them."

I nodded and stood. "You assumed correctly. Fill me on the details as we make our way to the cells." The two officers quickly fell in beside me as we left the estate.