Chapter 10

-Somebody I Used to Know-

There are those who hold power over other people’s lives. It shows character regarding how you deal with those beneath you and those who follow you. 

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A soft voice beckons me to come back to the world of the living. A shame really as it was quite some time since I slept this well. A woman’s face, a face belonging to Yvette look upon me with such kindness. “Rhia, I am ever so sorry for waking you up. However, Lothaire has asked that you come by the guild today. I’d hate to upset him.”

Stretching, pondering why he would want that I simply comply. “Alright, I’ll just get ready then.” Saying that I stretch myself yawning further. Looking about however, I do not quite see where my clothes are. “Yvette, have you seen my clothes?”

“Well they were so dirty so I woke up earlier and did some laundry. I also cleaned up your armour, you really should take more care of your things.” She winks at me as she motions towards clothing nearby. “I chose these specifically for you.”

Upon a chair lie a blue, predominately brown short dress or tunica along with matching pants. There is a thick robe much like the one she had the first time we met albeit grey. To top it all, there are accessories, broches and hair ornaments to further the ensemble. She clearly has planned for this all along as my clothes are nowhere to be seen. Yvette beams with a content smile that could rival the sun. With a slight bemused chuckle, I ask. “When did you have time to buy all this?”

“Silly, these old things are clothes I’ve had since forever.” Bringing and holding the tunica in front of me she evaluates my body. “Well, they are yours now if you’ll have them. They do not quite fit me any longer and I thought that they would fit you perfectly. Let us see if I am wrong shall we?” She immediately forces the tunica on me and begins her dolly dress up session.

A strange, bizarre feeling gushes over me but Yvette looks upon me with content eyes as she proudly shows my mirror’s image. Truth be told, she does have an eye for fashion as I now look cuter than ever. My hair braided and the ornaments makes me look like an upper middleclass medieval commoner. Yvette acts like the sister I never had and I am sure she feels content to once again have someone she can do these things with. It makes me feel better to be there for her as I get a feeling that she is rather lonely. She clearly misses her sisters and family and I have to act as a replacement for such feelings. There probably are no friends whatsoever in this town apart from her husband who probably cannot be considered that much of a friend.

“Thank you Yvette.”

Yvette simply smiles as she motions towards the kitchen. “Let us eat something before we head out.”

A mighty house stands before Yvette and I. It is made out of sturdy logs and planks. A deep red paint lingers on the woodwork along with white accent. Multitudes of carts and goods sorted about in stockpiles under outward roofing where peasants and merchants gather alike. There are however many different merchants discussing their prices and winnings of trades. Their prominence varying by the amount of luxuries they carry on their being. It never occurred to me that this town is quite large indeed. One would think that the thawed ground and cold wind would deter most people from venturing outside of their homes. However, here there are people doing business in a never ending manner.

The guild itself occupies a portion of the town square, neatly setup in a way that invites most trade. The square itself seems to be used ofttimes for fairs and other events. However, what catches my attention the most is a large podium lingering on the offset middle of the town square. It is wooden but the wood itself seem dyed by the many victims that have seen their demise on top of it. There is also an iron pole setup in the ground nearby in a pool filled with nothing but chains and char. Both probably used for public executions of some sort. It strikes fear in me that I might someday end up in such a way in this foreign world should I not learn to adapt.

“I hear there will be an execution later today, want to see it?” Yvette asks in an indifferent tone as if her mind is wholly absent. As if an execution is a frequent and a normal thing in your daily life. Almost like entertainment for the people with nothing else to do but watch the suffering of others. The mere thought of watching a person die brings me to a shudder and I shake my head in response to which she simply shrugs.

“Well sadly I have a few matters I must attend to. I’ll see you at home later, alright?” An unfitting reluctant smile shows on Yvette’s face as if she does not truly want to leave. “By the way, I found these in your clothes.” She hands me a small bag. “Quite rich aren’t you.” Yvette says as she winks at me.

“We’ll see each other soon.” I say with a confident smile as I hug her.

She returns the hug and pats my head ever softly. “I’ll prepare something nice for supper. So don’t disappear alright? Besides I am sure you want that armour back.”

“I won’t get lost silly, I’ll return as soon as I am done here.”

Now standing before a counter inside the guild house, a man meets my eyes with a bemused stare. “Are you lost?” He asks in a mocking way.

“No I’m not lost but clearly your manners are.” Answering him in an equal mocking manner. “I’m supposed to meet with Lothaire.”

The man eyes me for a few moments then my bow strapped on my back. “Clearly about that bow of yours. Very well, follow me.”

“Ah wait, before that. I wish to ask how the currency around here works.”

“Feel free to ask the man himself. I do not have time to spend on trivial matters.”

There are a few snickering sounds about the guild. “Hey girl, if you are hoping to learn how to count and become a merchant yourself. Don’t, Lothaire is not known to take apprentices under his wing. Less so a petite daddy’s girl longing for cock.” A crude man in his late twenties says only followed by roaring laughter from a few patrons inside the guild hall.

“Apologies, they are not known for their manners.” The man guiding me says. He seems much younger than them yet more refined. Still, his manners are lacking as well thus he does not absolve himself.

We finally arrive at a door to which the guide begins knocking on, visibly nervous. “Master Lothaire, there is a girl here hoping to meet you.”

“Who is it you said?” Lothaire’s voice echoes loudly from inside.

“I, I did not catch her name. It’s just some girl with a strange bow.” The guide’s voice now clearly distressed.

A sudden clanking sound and the door opens. “And that is why you’ll never become a merchant Francois. Lady Rhia, a pleasure that you could come by. Please enter.” Lothaire in his finest clothes clearly outshining most merchants beckons me inside. Francois gapes as he stares at me. “Francois, return to your duties.” Lothaire says in a demeaning tone to which Francois bows deeply in an apologizing manner before scuffling away.

Lothaire motions towards a chair for me to get seated on before closing the door. “Apologies lady Rhia, it is why some people never rise up from apprenticeship. I hope that you were at least treated not too disrespectfully.” His chosen words proof that he knew that they would. It is now but the two of us in a closed room which is quite awkward to say the least. Lothaire prepares two cups of what seems to be wine and presents one before me. He seats himself on the opposite end of a large desk as he looks me in the eyes. “Most does not see opportunity even if it strikes them in their face. I too, am at fault at times.” Lothaire chuckling and with a practiced motion drinks from his cup.

“Well I am not one to hold grudges, I think.” My hand curiously holds the cup of wine offered to me. A strong scent enters my nostrils and I almost cough. Never been much of a drinker, usually declined whenever offered. However, I do not think this is the time to do such but I wonder who he thinks I am. This wine seems to be rather luxurious, probably spent only on the most influential patrons around. There must be some sort of misunderstanding. “Apologies beforehand Lothaire.”

“Lothar, please call me Lothar.” He interrupts in a friendly manner.

“Alright, Lothar. Apologies but I am a tad worried about who you think I might be.”

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Lothar rises from his seat still holding his cup. Wandering about, pausing for effect. “My dear wife told me last night of your exploits in the cursed forest. How you were almost killed by a troll were great mean easily would have fallen merely entering the forest. I am sure there is also more to this tale.” He looks at me in a curious manner. “You told me your name is Rhia Engel. It begs me to wonder what great family you are from or perhaps better yet, an influential member from the church of light mayhap. You most certainly act the part albeit only at times. Is the wine to your tastes?”

“Ah it is most excellent.” With a large gulp I taste the wine for the first time. His eyes, I do not like his eyes. Lothar’s eyes rather manic as if he struck gold.

“Regardless, I dare not pry much into the matter of your livelihood. However, I wish to extend my good will towards you. Thus if it pleases you, feel free to befriend my wife, stay at my home as a guest. If there is anything else, feel more than free to ask me as your patron.”

There is a definite ulterior motive behind this invitation but perhaps I can use this somehow. “Well there a few things I wish to know. Although it may seem strange to you.”

Lothar refills his cup with wine. “Anything, as I said you should feel free to ask anything of me.”

Seeing it as cue, I pull up the bag of coins I had received earlier. Three golden coins’ clink down on the table. Clearly, Lothar seems confused at this gesture. “I wish to learn the conversion rate of these. The usual cost of things and whatnot.”

“You are quite full of surprises dear lady. I can never quite expect what comes next.”

“Are you willing to teach me or not?”

Lothar with swift hands procure a couple of purses and boxes from within his desk. Upon the table now lay a good couple of small and large coins and thick threads. Everything made of what I would presume to be copper, silver and gold. The ratio is simply ten to one thus ten smaller copper is one large copper coin. The threads however are trickier as they are counted by length. Otherwise the conversion rate and value is exactly the same and apparently, these threads are often used as wrapped around jewellery.

Lothar did some simple explanation although I would not have expected him to go wholeheartedly at it. However, he is now somewhat gaping at my quick understanding of basic math. Enjoying his reaction, I decidedly showed him that my understanding went beyond that. Although it might have been stupid but it felt rather good to show off a little.

A knocking sound disturbs us as someone from outside begs attention. “Master Lothaire, there is a matter that requires your immediate attention.”

Opening the door Lothar eyes a nervous Francois by the door. Clearly the mere act of facing a man of Lothar’s standing is enough to make an apprentice shake in his boots. Francois whispers something into Lothar’s ears.

“Ah, I beg your pardon lady Rhia but I hope to meet you later at supper. I am certain you know the way out or would you have me or Francois escort you?” Lothar sounds apologetic and rather disappointed that our meeting ended so soon.

“There is quite no need but thank you for offering.”

Regardless of my intent however, Francois follows my queue as we head towards the reception area. Although it seems that Francois now reveres my highly, his eyes glittering with anticipation. “If you wish m’lady. I am more than free to aid you with well, how the currency works as you asked earlier?”

“There is no need, I followed your advice and asked Lothaire who more than gladly accommodated my wishes.” Although there was no need to rub it in but the man Francois himself seemed more than thrilled after hearing this.

As we enter the reception hall, the chatter dies out immediately. Francois immediately takes his place behind the counter but I do notice a group of people looking away in shame. A crude man, the very man I recognize from earlier timidly steps forth and bows his head deep. “Apologies m’lady. I had no idea who you were. Please accept my apology. Please, I ask of you to accept my apology.”

This is already getting quite old. Is this how Elain feels whenever people out of reverence or fear speaks with her? With a sigh I say. “Alright but learn from this.”

The crude man falls on his knees in tears whispering ‘thank you’. It is as if this man’s entire career was on the line and I granted him absolution. It does feel kind of good.

There is a huge commotion outside regardless of the weather. Light snow falls down on the thawed ground and people push and shove to get a good, close view of the podium. There are a group of people standing on top of it. They are armoured but the strangest part is that each and every one of them is carrying a mask. A flat rounded mask covering their entire face with no openings whatsoever. The masks are made out of bronze except the one speaking to the people of Varges who wears a white one. Each mask carries a marking of distinct character but the one with the white one has a large golden eye upon it. However, it is not them that I focus on but instead the criminal standing upon the podium. It is a man I recognize. It is hard to not recognize a wounded, stripped Madoc standing there shivering in the cold. Madoc who had visited Elain and I with his brother Gareth some time ago. How could he have ended up in such a sorry state here but then again he is a brigand.

The bronze masked men seem to be soldiers of some sort and they show no leniency for the man to cover his parts now shown to all. The white masked character raises a hand to the sky and each and every one on the square immediately grow silent.

“Madoc, you are a sinner and a heathen. Known to harass, rape and murder good people of the faith and our kingdom, how do you plead?” It is a woman’s voice echoing powerfully throughout the square.

“I have nothing to say to you filth. Only that I hope that my brother will find it in his heart to forgive me. You lot deserve nothing but my scorn.” He takes the shot and spits out on the crowd of people who clamours in response. Madoc shouts something towards the crowd but it is drowned out by their voices. He looks about the crowd, throwing glares at each and every one of them but then our eyes meet. He notices me standing by the guild and with a huge happy grin out of this world he begins to laugh. The white masked woman with her hand once again forces the crowd silent.

“So you have nothing else to say before you die heathen? Before you are purged?”

“Oh I have something to say. I am blessed to have been seen by the witch in my moment of death. I am blessed to have been seen by her so that she may rain hell upon you creatures.” At this moment the white masked woman nods to one of the bronze masked guards. With swift movement the bronze masked guard closes in on Madoc with a set of pliers. “Witch! Tell my brother I died proudly! Tell him that I love him and please oh please show these creatures the!” At that moment the bronze masked guard forces Madoc’s tongue out and with a dagger slices it off to Madoc’s screams and the crowd’s cheers.

The white masked woman with her hands tries to calm the people down who seem to not only cheer but screams words of fright regarding witchery and hell. “People of Varges worry not, there are no witches in Varges. It is but the words of a mad man in his final moments.” The bronze masked characters proceed to carve out Madoc’s eyes as he screams in pain. They proceed to mutilate him to the clamouring sound and cheers of the crowd. They with a poke jabs into the man’s ears effectively removing his senses. They cut of his manhood and do unspeakable things to the man as blood streams out on the podium. Lastly, they chain him upon the iron pole on the ground and at the end buries him in burning hot coal.

My feet carry me in a hurry towards Yvette’s home. My stomach in shambles, I feel ill. I stop by an alley and retch out whatever was left in my stomach. The people in this town are crazy to be able to happily watch and cheer on to such a scene. How could I stay and watch as long as I did? Poor Madoc, none deserves such an ending. Resting until I am able to move, my feet carry me once more with speed towards Yvette’s home. At this moment I simply wish to hide and my wish is granted as a scene unfolds before my eyes. Scurrying into a nearby alleyway I watch as people with masks much like those upon the podium is manhandling Yvette.

“Have you been harbouring a witch?”

“Where is the witch?”

“Tell us or this will end poorly for you and your husband.”

There is a person with a white mask looking upon the scene. It simply stares as more bronze masked people exit her house with my armour. If I stay here, then I will definitely be found. Hurriedly I rush away, behind me follows Yvette’s screams and cries.