An hour must have already passed as I could sense the warmness flowing into the bond, signaling that Maria was watching me. It was a feeling that I grew to love over time.

I see that you are awake. I told her through the bond.

Mhm… I felt her yawn. I knew she was just waking up.

I’m about to start my round with Quinn in five minutes.

Good. Something entertaining I hope. Maria spoke, which made me chuckle slightly.

How can you be bored when you just woke up from a nap?

Eh… I felt the shrug through the bond. Which made me chuckle a bit more.

Alright, alright. I said.

Just then I heard a pounding knock on the door and Quinn’s cheery voice, “Ready Captain?”

“Of course!” I responded as I hopped up off my comfy chair that sat in front of my rather large dark oak desk and quickly grabbed my hand crafted longbow, my draconic sword and a shield that I carry for Maria’s peace of mind.

I walked across the wooden floor of my office as my sturdy yet gentle footsteps filled the air. I opened the door which led to a bit of a squeak. “I need to get that fixed….” I grumbled as my eyes fell upon Quinn’s face.

Within all of her armor, she still held a smile and a happy attitude. “I told you that last week.” She said with an eye roll.

“Perhaps, I like it like that.” I told her. “It alerts me when people come in.”

“Most knock.” Quinn said.

“True, but some don't.” I told her.

“Also true.” She responded.

“Shall we get going?”

“Of course!” She said.

I locked my door as I exited. “You take the North, I’ll take the South side of the kingdom. Meet in the middle.”

“Got it.” She agreed with me.

We took off in our assigned directions. I headed South and she headed North. I’d always preferred the South side when I did my rounds as the castle was nestled in the southern side of the kingdom. Also the South side had South Haven Beach. A beach that stretched all across the Southern border of the Isle. Stretching over all four kingdoms that were present. Providing great water transport and trades. However, it also provided deadly encounters from pirates and sea thieves. Something we have encountered a few times here and there as South Haven opens up into the larger ocean that connects us to the rest of the world. That ocean we all called Koinonia or our connecting pathways.

South Haven beach is also a special spot for Maria and I. We danced the night away at several Winterfall balls. Had romantic encounters along the shore line while the kingdom slept. And had many other special moments here.

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Regardless, the Southern side of the kingdom had a lot to look over. With my highly trained eye and the tracker that I wore, I always took the South side. As I wanted to make sure that there are no other creatures from Hell around the castle area.

The first ring on this side, the ring where the castle resided and the beach resided was thankfully clear. All but the one high devil lord that resides in the castle walls.

The second ring also appeared normal as usual. Well, all but one encounter with a seller and another thief as he put it.

“Arrest her!” A heavier set man with a bush of a beard shouted as a woman, oddly familiar to me held tightly onto a bag of baked goods.

“I know you…” I spoke as I looked her up and down. This was the same woman that I helped out of a similar situation a few weeks back.

“I’m…. I’m sorry… I have kids…” She cried as she dropped the bag.

I felt a wave of warmth through the bond. As Maria’s feelings took over. Don’t arrest her.

It is her second offense.

Make an exception. Maria pleaded.

I took a moment to shut Maria’s emotions out just for a brief moment to give myself a minute to think. Rules stated, second offense leads to an arrest. However, this girl, I could sense her good nature. I could sense all she wanted was to help her kids.

I sighed heavily and looked at the man at the cart, “I’ll pay for her. How much?”

“For the bag of baked goods she took. 5 gold.”

I gave him a platinum piece that has a value of ten gold. “There.”

“Thank you.”

I walked over to the woman and handed her the bag of baked goods. “There you go. May I give you something to help?”

The woman was quite shaken. But she took the bag and held onto it tight and nodded. “O… Okay.”

I pulled out an empty small pouch from my bag of holding. Typically this pouch I used to hold spell components but I recently upgraded to a new one. I pulled out of my bag of holding one hundred gold pieces. “This should last you a while. If not, come find me in my office in the fourth ring.”

The woman looked shocked but she took the bag and grabbed it tight. “Thank you… And I'm sorry.” She whispered lightly.

“It’s alright. Just come find me before you attempt to steal again.”

She nodded. “Can I hug you?”

“Sure.”

She gave me a quick hug, “Thank you again Captain.”

She took off shortly after that. I turned back to the cart owner. “What treats are you selling?” I asked him.

“Variety. Cookies. Apple pie. Chocolate pie. Pumpkin bars. You name it I probably got it.”

It wasn’t long after he started listing off items that I heard Maria’s stomach growl through the bond. I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“One of everything.” I told him.

His eyes went wide. “Really?”

“Really.” I said.

“Alright give me a few minutes and I will have it boxed up for you.”

I nodded and stood off to the side. I sent Hank a message, “Can you take a delivery to Maria for me? It’s a box of treats. She is in her room and I am in the second ring not too far from the Prayer’s Circle Temple.” The Prayer’s Circle Temple was a temple where most went for a prayer no matter the religion. There weren't any regulations at this temple as even those who are considered evil deities to worship were allowed there.

Within five minutes Hank appeared and the box was ready. “She’s in her room?” He asked me.

“Yes. She’s expecting these.”

“Got it.” Hank said as he bent with his knees and picked up the box and began his trek towards the castle.

Hope you are dressed. Hank is coming with treats.

I never got out of my dress. Thank you so much! Maria said happily.

“How much do I owe you?”

“For the box, twenty five gold. A gold piece for each item.” the man with the cart said.

I gave him three platinum pieces, “keep the change.” I told him and continued on my round once more.

The rest of the round went rather smoothly as thankfully for me today, Marcel and his minions decided to take a break for the day. However, that did concern me. What would tomorrow bring?