Her presence always warmed my mind. As her innocent pure nature left a feeling of bliss and happiness as I felt her peer into my vision.

The first round of the day, the round I had at six in the morning, resulted in finding a couple deceased in the streets. Pinholes in their necks which made me think of the previous crimes with the poison. It didn’t take long for my spells to detect the toxic substance. A substance so toxic, it can kill you within minutes unless you have innate healing abilities, resistances or immunities. Most normal folk don’t have that ability, like Maria or I.

Think you will find others? Maria asked me through the draconic bond that we share.

Perhaps. If they are gearing up for something, he’s going to need energy. Souls for him are energy. I had figured out along the way that these bodies had become soulless after their passing with the use of a handy spell named Find Spirit. This spell was one I was recently given as I had further embraced the Dragon King. Stopping Crimson with one of the gifts unlocked another item I could have learned and this was one of them. As I was curious to see if there were missing souls in our kingdom. And of course, my theory was right. Multiple dead, without souls throughout the kingdom. Those I had found previously dead, lost forever unless I got to them in time and was able to revive them. I have been able to revive a few of them since the new law was in place about revivification.

I’ll keep a look out with you. Maria told me through the bond. She found a new purpose when looking through my eyes. She was able to use her eyesight in order to aid in my rounds. Which I did not mind as it has been beneficial to us both.

Wouldn’t expect any less. I told her as I felt a smile creep on my face. I enjoyed her company through the bond and sometimes wondered how my life would have been if the magical bond between Maria and I didn’t form. Would I be here right now? Would I have pushed myself as hard as I did to become what I have become today? I shook my head as I hated to think of the possibilities. I know my life would have been pretty bleak if I wasn’t bonded to Maria. She always keeps me on my toes.

I began my round as normal. Running on the left side of the kingdom while my partner for the time being Brienne ran on the opposite side. We kept in touch by the use of a spell called Sending which allowed us to maintain contact in case of an emergency.

“All good here!” Brienne chimed through my mind as we had just completed the first ring of the kingdom.

“All good on my end right now.” I responded as we both began to do our round in the second ring.

The second ring was probably one of my favorite rings in the kingdom. As it seemed a bit more diverse. Dragonborn, gnomes, elves, humans, and many more races are present in the ring and throughout the whole kingdom. Thankfully all seemed sound in the second ring of the kingdom.

“Second ring is clear!” Brienne spoke as we began our descent into the third ring.

This went on for another twenty minutes as each ring remained clear of trouble. Which was always a plus in the field. As not every waking minute of every hour is packed with sorrow or adrenaline inducing events.

At this point, we had cleared rings one - four, leaving the three harsher ones behind. The fifth ring of our kingdom was not as harsh as the sixth and seventh ring. It still has its moments however, just like the rest of the rings.

“Captain! Left side, near the general shop.” Brienne said, “A two down. Pinholes.”

With that information in mind, I changed my direction and picked up my pace. I needed to get there quickly if I wanted any chance at reviving either of them. As I had learned that Marcel doesn’t waste time in collecting souls anymore. Once they drop, they are gone forever.

“One minute away.” I responded to Brienne as I moved swiftly and with great haste towards the general shop.

Within that minute, I was there. I came up with a scene that was a bit gruesome if I must say so myself. The couple must have tried to fight whatever attacked them. As they appear to have more injuries than the rest of them.

I bent down and touched both of their wrists to try and determine the time of death. Their bodies were cold and I could sense rigamortis start to happen. So it was clear that their souls were no longer with us. However, to insure this, I still utilized the spell Find Spirit, to determine if the couple's spirit was still around. And no surprise their souls were gone.

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“Soulless.” I said as I shook my head. “As they appear to have been dead for at least an hour now.”

“Is the poison present?” Brienne asked as she bent down and pointed out the pinholes in their necks. The size of the pinhole was no greater than a needle point.

I knelt down once more and placed my finger over one of the holes and summoned a spell called Detect Poison and Disease. The spell hummed loudly in my mind clearly indicating that poison was used against them.

“Yes.” I breathed as I stood up once more. I brushed my hand against my armor as if I was brushing away anything that may have gotten on me.

“Should we question them?” Brienne asked.

I nodded, “One of them.” I looked down at the pair. One was a male gnome and the other a female gnome. Clearly a couple who got caught off guard. Looking over the pair of gnomes, I determined to question the one that appeared the most damaged as they would have seen the person attacking them, hopefully. And that would be the male gnome. As he had trauma to the skull, and what appeared to be a broken arm and some other broken bones.

I used the spell Speak with Dead and we both watched as the male gnome’s body rose steadily and took in a hash shallow breath. “Yes..?” A chilling voice spoke.

I cleared my throat and began to ask the most simple and basic question, “Who are you?”

Brienne and I waited for a minute prior to the gnome speaking. He sucked in a deep breath and spoke one name, “Wilbur Pinwheel.” Doing this spell never settled that well with me. I partially thought it was disturbing the rest of those that were dead. However, it was a good way to get information and therefore was a necessity to use and have prepared every day.

I nodded and looked over at Brienne who pulled out a piece of parchment and quill out of her backpack and began to take note.

Second question. “Who killed you?” It was the most important question here. If he could identify who did it, then perhaps we could arrest them.

“Unsure…. Jumped… pushed down… buzzing…”

I arched my eyebrow when he said buzzing. The longer I thought about it, the more I questioned what type of buzzing.

I looked over at Brienne who just shrugged, “Could be wings.” Brienne said, suggesting something that seemed reasonable.

Which prompted this next question, “Did something with wings attack you?”

“Yes? No? Not sure…” Wilbur spoke with his harsh dead voice.

I nodded, “Is the person laying next to you any relation?”

“My wife…” Wilbur spoke. “She died first… Gone… Failed….” I could hear Wilbur's sadness through the harshness of his voice.

I felt a sting of emotion through the bond as Maria’s emotions flooded through. I wish we could stop Marcel from doing this…

Me too Maria, me too… I breathed in response.

The final question I had, I wanted to know his wife's name so we could inform all of the family. “What is your wife’s name?”

“Harper. Harper Pinwheel.” He responded as his body collapsed and rested once more.

I took a deep breath and looked over at Brienne once more, “File the report. I will get the mortician over here.” Brienne nodded. “But first finish the rest of the rings. I will join once Morty gets here.” Brienne nodded and took off within the minute of me asking her about that.

I sent a message to Morty within that same minute, “Got two more for you. Near the General store, fifth ring in the kingdom.”

Within another minute, I had my response that he is on the way. I knew it would take him roughly ten to fifteen minutes to get here which meant I had that time to kill.

So, I decided to look around the crime scene to see if I could find any clues as to which of Marcel’s minions did this. I utilized one spell called Locate Object and set it to try and track the whereabouts of any evidence.

The spell failed to pick up anything which I wasn’t surprised about as the area they were found in was oddly clean of debris.

By that point Morty had arrived. Morty is a Gith and more than capable of carrying two bodies. However, he had his appearance with him, Arty, an elven male.

“Two?” Morty asked as he looked upon the two bodies. “This is a strange increase in the dead.”

“Indeed.” Which Morty’s statement was true. There has been an increase over the last couple days. Two-three per day. Sometimes it was one every other day.

“What’s going on Captain?” Morty asked as he ordered Arty to begin to utilize a spell to transport the bodies back to the morgue.

“I have a general idea.”

“Enlighten me?”

“Sorry. That is classified.” I told him he looked a bit defeated however he nodded as if he understood reason.

By that time one of the bodies had already vanished. “I’ll get the last one.” Morty told Arty.

Arty stepped back and let Morty do his work.

Within five minutes both bodies were go and I was back to doing my rounds with Brienne. Thankfully for the rest of the round it went smoothly.

I met Brienne in my office to help with the paperwork. Something Maria didn’t find that interesting. So it didn’t surprise me that I soon felt the connection falter and fade.

I’ll watch you later. Maria spoke softly through the bond.

Indeed. I responded as I knew she would tune into my vision later.

When she did finally let the connection fade, the bond felt a bit empty but I knew she was still around as I could sense her fully.