“Sergeant Sia to see Magistrate Rosenfall,” Sia snapped a salute toward a House Guard in a red and gold livery with the depiction of a large rose atop a waterfall. To which the guard saluted back and bid her to enter a two story home within the Central Ring of Stonewall where the rich and the important housed themselves.
The building itself was made of stone with a clay tiled roof that had been white washed in the earlier stages of its constructed. Now, however, it had many a trimmed vine set in intricate patterns stretching from the ground to the roof above. This was done up by the Magistrate's own blind Elven Druid who worked tirelessly to please its masters. One that was devoid of any other life beyond servitude, another might add. In other words, the slave was broken in mind and body.
In any case, the Wolfwoman hurried inside, her own attire being one of a Soldier's with the Sergeant stripes on her right shoulder, as well as the heavy leathers which conformed to her body quite well. These were given to her when she appeared at the Southern Gates earlier that morning, demanding for the clothing and something to break her fast as she was made ready to be received by her boss. Of whom had only now been dressed enough to accept the presence of the she-wolf.
Sia immediately moved off to the left of the foray where a pair of spiraling awaited to take others up to the first and second floor from the ground floor. Whereas directly in front of the door, after a span of ten metres, was a door which took others into the common room and kitchens. Upon the first floor were the many rooms for work and planning, whereas the second floor held the bedrooms for the Magistrate and whomever he deemed to be a relative or a lover.
The flooring itself was carpeted with a soft felt dyed a bright and garish orange, whereas along the sides was a long stretch of sun-yellow carpet. Upon the whitewashed walls on the first floor were many portraits of the Magistrates who lived and worked from the mansion proper, with Rosenfall being the 14th promoted. Here, he was in charge of the laws of the territories outside of Stonewall, but more importantly, he was in charge of the town called Stormhaven. As such, had sent out his most trusted to investigate what had occurred within the territory therein.
Rosenfall was not a man who had partaken the more expensive side of life, and instead kept his body in shape with rigorous exercises with the House Guards. Thereby winning their support and giving off the feeling of camaraderie for those who worked with him. Even the slaves who worked around the building and gardens loved him, as he would always spend time chatting with them on the latest gossip, or wondering after their and their families' health.
For himself, he was not someone you would spot immediately out of a crowd, even with his standard dress. Instead of proclaiming himself as loudly and proudly as the other nobles, he opted for a more subdued form of clothing. One which stated, “Yes. I'm in a position of power, but I am by no means that important to your eyes.”
At the door outside his office, Sia knocked thrice and waited for a moment until she heard the word of, “Enter.” After opening, stepping through the door, and shutting it, she snapped a salute towards an auburn headed man who held the stature of an athletic male Human and stood at a height of just under two metres. Here, the man wore a General's outfit that was unbuttoned at the neck, as he read from a parchment at his desk.
After a few moments more of reading, he waved at the Wolfwoman to relax as he set down the parchment in order to massage his temples slowly. “Well, Sia?” he asked with a slight smile, “What's wrong with my home town of Stormhaven?”
“Sir,” she snapped another salute, but was waved away to speak more freely, “Understood. A Priest Reginald of the Lady of Light has taken over the town, and has been branding anyone and everyone a Witch to be burned at the stake. Even I was branded as one after my capture.”
The man's eyes widened at her proclamation, “You, Sergeant?”
“Yes, sir,” she bobbed her head, “But I was rescued by a Mage and his... children.” She frowned at the word, not knowing how to proceed, and it was caught by the Magistrate's glance.
“What of this Mage, Sia?” he leaned back in his chair, staring at her intently with lowered lids.
“I would suggest we stay away from him, sir. He is not... stable, I guess you could call it.”
“What of his children, then?”
“They're a raven haired Cat-kin and a white furred Wolfgirl. Both are attached to him, and both are rescued slaves. It's what he claimed, anyways,” she shrugged her shoulders with a helpless expression.
“What else can you tell me about him?” Rosenfall stood up and walked to the right side of the room where a rope hung from the ceiling. Pulling on it once revealed a small porthole with the face of a collared male Elf, “Some fruit and cheese, please. For two people.”
“Yessir,” replied the Elf just as the porthole vanished.
“He can create clothing and weapons from his magicks, and can summon up creatures from the Void to wield the weapons offered,” she resumed, then shivered from another memory, “He gave the Cat-kin a weapon, sir, and when I tried to take it, she cast a spell I've never heard of and I was stunned for 30 seconds. Not to mention he has an in sane laugh when we were attacked by the Baroness of Slaughter-”
“What?” the Magistrate's eyes widened at this proclamation, “What happened when you ran into her?”
“I- I don't know, sir. He threatened my life during the attack, saying that I'm no longer useful, or something like it.” His glance let her know he was disturbed from this instance.
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“What did you do to make him throw you away, Sia?”
“I...” her face and eyes were downcast, “I tried to take his children away from him while he was focused on the battle...”
“Sia,” he sighed slowly, not at all pleased, but stopped when their was a knock on his door. “Enter.” Upon so saying, an old Elf in Rosenfall's livery entered the room, pushing a squeaking cart to the centre before bowing and leaving the pair to their devices.
Here, he crept forwards, mumbling a spell over the small platter of fruit and cheese. When nothing reacted to the spell, he sighed and offered Sia to join him in the partaking of the snack foods presented.
Which led to the Wolfwoman to frown, “Are people still trying to remove you, sir?”
“Yes, and they picked up their efforts when you were away,” Rosenfall bobbed his head thoughtfully as he bit into a wedge of yellow cheese, “Now that you're back, maybe they'll stop.”
“We can only hope,” she smiled a little, picking up an apple before crunching into it.
“Yes, well... I'm still a little disappointed in you, Sergeant Sia. Trying to take a man's children away? We're not bandits, but civil servants of His Majesty. You're lucky he didn't kill you right off the bat.”
*****
“
Sitting in front of himself atop the same Dragon-horse was Puella, who also raised her staff in mirror and shouted, “
Next to themselves, and upon a muscled horse, were Zabartik who sat behind a timid Lupa as she tried to put on a brave face. The Shade had decided to name the horse Shadowfell, in remembrance of his home within his land. However, the Wolfgirl soon yipped as the illusory Human's staff was pointed in her direction as he chanted, “
A light of mist spread out from the tip, and struck her chest, coiling around her body within moments. Once it covered her, it dissipated to reveal a confused, white-haired youth in tight leathers. Of whom stared about herself and touched her face and head with curiosity. “Um... thank you, Mr. Karas...” she murmured out as Puella waved at her with excitement.
“You are most welcome, Lupa,” came his response with a slight nod of his head, “I do not wish to see you harmed as we venture forth towards a slave capitol.”
With the bag of coins strapped to Shadowfell's backside, and the Baroness's Axe and Greatsword upon Zabartik's back, the group headed off down the road towards Stonewall as the sun climbed towards its zenith. The reason being was for a quest they had each received after Karastak unraveled a scroll. One that detailed the need to seek out a Sergeant Reghast for their reward in aiding in the death of the Baroness of Slaughter.
QUEST ALERT!
Because you have aided in the death of the Baroness of Slaugter, the Bandit Queen of Stonewall, the people of Stonewall will forever honour you in your deeds!
Requirement: Take the Baroness's Axe and the Quest Scroll to Sergeant Reghast
Reward: 150 Platinum Pieces
1 Mansion of your choice within the Second Ring of Stonewall
Be the Guest of Honour in a week long festival
*
Along the way, the group spotted a towering sight off into the distance of approximately 10km from their position on the road. It was what could only be the city of Stonewall. For its name was probably derived from the tall walls which protected the insides from all opposing armies. Which was enough to cause both Zabartik and Karastak to whistle at the same time, leading to the children to giggle from the antics of their guardians.
However, they also noted that the roads were becoming quite congested, as the road itself branched outwards towards deforested lands full of crops and herded animals in pens. Whereas all around them were slow moving carts ladened with products for this and that, with only a few trundling along for the city before them. Apart from the carts, there was also a great many who were on foot. Each with different states of gear ranging from heavy plate to linen cloth.
All of these stopped to stare openly as the group trotted by, and many scrambled to get out of their way. Especially when both horses were dark haired, but only one had a trail of smoke from its mane, tail, and hooves. However, the one atop this was following a younger version of the towering behemoth of a man. One who had a girl-child sitting before himself who appeared to be his mirror, and more than once did he smirk at the whisperings of Karastak and Puella being related as brother and sister or father and daughter.
These would then follow them as they made their way to a small line of five individuals and a pair of carts. Each were subjected to a searching for anything considered as contraband or illegal from the laws of the city, but when they came upon the illusory Human and his party, they paused as Puella had her hand pat when she tried to wave at them. This was not what caused them to pause as another ran back towards the gatehouse, but for Zabartik who held out a familiar Axe and a Quest Scroll from Karastak.
“One moment, sir,” grumbled an obviously bored Guardsmen, who yawned directly in front of the illusory Human. Of which caused the Shade to bristle from such an affront, but was calmed by the other with a gesture. “Have to get our Sergeant for these Quests, ya know?” he continued, oblivious to the offended Shade.
Within moments, a thick Human of nearly three metres erupted from the guardhouse. One who was so full of muscles, the clothing on his back threatened to rip themselves free as he approached with a gruff voice that demanded respect from all who were near, “Who has a Quest for me?” The earth around them shook as the words were spoken, causing Puella to shrink into her seat against Karastak. Whereas almost a dozen pairs of eyes appeared all about his hair, squeaked a few times, then disappeared beneath his strands.
Once the Quest Scroll was handed over to the Sergeant, however, a musical chime rang throughout the area, causing the nearby Guardsmen to groan and slap their foreheads. For just as the chime ended, Reghast flexed his muscles once, causing the clothing upon his torso to fly away as he shouted in the most dramatic of voices, “Ah! Someone had finally done away with the Baroness of Slaughter and her annoying henchmen! Quickly,” he passed off another scroll to one of his men, “inform the Regent, and prepare the festivities! Our Heroes have done away with the villainess who had plagued our city and lands!”
Karastak, however, could only shudder and palm his face at the man's antics, especially when he coupled his words with many different muscle flexes. More so was from the sparkles which accompanied the giant man's expressions and muscle contortions. Even the children were horrified after the first few poses, and now just tugged on their guardians' robes, desiring to run away from the creepy Human.