[hr][centre] [b]King Krios Bastion Keep – Telchar Mid-afternoon[/b] [/centre][hr] King Krios sat against one of the many stone window frames that lined one of the south-eastern corridors of Bastion Keep. From here one could gaze down at the ships below as they came and went from the port, or simply gaze across the Great Sea towards other unseen lands. The King was lost in a trail of thoughts when a rain-drop brought him back to reality. His light hazel eyes looked up towards the skies where dark clouds were drifting in from the sea. Footsteps from behind caused the large chubby man to turn, only to see one of his advisors quickly pacing up towards him. [color=f49ac2]“Your Highness!”[/color] came the breathless high-pitched voice of his cousin, “[color=f49ac2]We have received a letter from the Mercean Empire. It appears that the rumours we’ve been hearing are true; Prince Lorcan is on his way to the City of Telchar as an ambassador. Likely with the goal of stopping us from supplying their enemies.” [/color] Krios gave out a low-pitched exaggerated chortle in response, causing his advisor to become all the more nervous about the situation. The King then lightly shook his balding head and combed his fat fingers through his long dark beard. [color=a187be]“Lorcan? That’s King Greagoir’s runt isn’t it? I haven’t seen him since he was a child. He was a goby vicious little shit back then, and I can’t imagine him marrying into the Mercean Empire has improved his character.” [/color] [color=f49ac2]“No sir, in fact he’s gained quite the [i]dark[/i] reputation. What are your orders sir?” [/color] [color=a187be]“My orders?”[/color] smirked the King, [color=a187be]“I don’t have any! Go bother the small council with this, that’s why I have you advisors after all.” [/color] The advisor did not look all too surprised, giving a small bow before running back off from where he came from. Although the arrival of foreign diplomats and emissaries was not usually a big event (in fact it was a rather frequent occurrence), this situation was different. If things did not go well, not only could the City of Telchar be branded an enemy of the empire and officially be dragged into the war, but given the Princes lineage, the city of Telchar could even face war with their southern neighbours - the Kingdom of Moorwind. Even so, it was not enough to garner the King's direct involvement or interest. And truth be told, that was probably for the best. [hr][centre] [b]Captain Artorias Town Hall - Central District - City of Telchar Mid-afternoon[/b] [/centre][hr] [color=f7976a]”Urgh, typical. I forget to take my clothes off the line before I leave for work and it starts hammering it down.”[/color] The Captain sighed as he peered out of his office window in the upper floor of the Town Hall. From there he was able to see the citizens of the city start scrambling for shelter around the skirts of the main square, where the buildings had more cover. Some of the merchants desperately began packing away their goods, hoping to prevent damage and spoiling, whilst others stood firm beneath their own little stall roofs and canopies. [color=Lightslategray]“That’s why you need a wife [i](or two)[/i], so you have someone to do all that boring crap for you whilst you’re out doing real work.”[/color] Chirped in another town guard, who sat with his feet rested up on one of the tables. His name was Monroe, a scruffy looking meathead in his late thirties, who served as the other Guard Captain of the Central District. His skin was darkened, leathery and scarred – the result of years fighting and being out in the sun. He had no hair left on his head, but you couldn’t tell this from the barbute that he wore. Like Artorias, he wore Captain’s garb consisting of a dark blue doublet and plate cuirass, shoulders and greaves. [color=f7976a]”You see, it’s pathetic talk like that which drove away your last two wives.”[/color] replied Artorias with a grin, [color=f7976a]“…it’s fortunate I have such a big bed.”[/color] [color=Lightslategray]“Fuck you!”[/color] laughed Monroe, launching his cup of water towards his comrade. [color=Lightslategray]“What are you still doing here anyway? I’m here now, which means you’re relieved. You can go chase chickens, or visit a brothel, or whatever it is you do in your own time.” [/color] [color=f7976a]“You’re early, I’ve still got a little while left on my shift. I’ll at least wait to see what this gentleman wants…”[/color] Artorias gave a nod towards an older looking man who was making his way up the corridor towards them. The older man was visibly shaking as he approached, with tears flooding from his bloodshot eyes. [color=f7976a]”Can I help you sir?”[/color] [color=a2d39c]“I-I- erm- Yes please. It’s my daughter, she-“[/color] as the man’s words fell off his tongue he began to weep, too distraught to explain. The two Captains shared a glance and Monroe quickly jumped to his feet and whistled a couple of their subordinates over. [color=f7976a]“Sir, please listen to my voice. I know this is hard. But if you don’t explain what’s happened we won’t be able to help. Take a deep breath and tell us what’s going on.”[/color] The old man nodded quickly as he tried to hold back his emotions. He could not bring himself to raise his head as he recomposed. [color=a2d39c]“My daughter, Alisha. She helps me sell my tools on the market. She’s a short less, just a little over 5ft and she has her mother’s brown hair. The prettiest blue eyes…”[/color] The old man let out a few whimpers before continuing, [color=a2d39c]“She was down in my basement, my workshop, helping me pack up some of my wares. I went upstairs and heard a terrible crash. When I went back down there was a hole in the wall and I could see the sewers beneath us. And she was gone, my little baby girl was gone!”[/color] [color=f7976a]”And did you see anything else?”[/color] [color=a2d39c]“Aye, I did. I saw one of them fucking drowners! And I know what one looks like, I saw enough of them when I was in the navy!”[/color] [color=f7976a]”I see. Men, take this gentleman back to his home and secure the area. When he’s calmed down try to get more information from him.”[/color] Artorias ordered, and with that the two guards that had come over led the man away. [color=Lightslategray]“Shit. We haven’t got the men to go on a sewer hunt – not for one girl anyway.”[/color] Monroe said, scratching thoughtfully at the bristles on the side of his face. [color=Lightslategray]“It’s no use sending just a couple of guards down, as they’ll either get butchered, lost, or they might just spend days down there with no luck. Maybe we ought to let the Warriors of Manannan know – they love dealing with this sort of shit.” [/color] Artorias grimaced at Monroe’s suggestion. The relationship (or rather rivalry) between the City Guard and the Warriors could be tense at times anyway, but Artorias has recently lost all faith in the Church and their fanatical vigilantes. [color=f7976a]“You’re right – we haven’t got the manpower to send our own down into the sewers on a hunt. But given the other rumours of drowner sightings, this could be a bigger problem. And I don’t want to get the Church involved.”[/color] [color=Lightslategray]“So what do you suggest?” [/color] [hr] [centre][i][h3]Reward: 200 Crowns[/h3] In response to the recent disappearance of Alisha Black, the City Guard is offering [u]up to[/u] 200 crowns for her safe return. If you have any information regarding her disappearance or if you are looking to take up this contact, then please speak to Captain Artorias or Captain Monroe in the Town Hall for additional information. It is believed that she was last seen in the sewers beneath the city, so a large group is advised.[/i] =============== [i][h3]Wanted: ‘Fleetfoot’ Fergus Reward: 25 Crowns[/h3] The City Guard is offering 25 Crowns for the death or capture of ‘Fleetfoot’ Fergus. He is wanted for two counts of murder, three counts of rape, and one count of robbery. It is believed he has ties to groups operating out of the Craft’s District. He is described as a ‘petite’ man, with a height of around 5ft5 and a slim build. He has short black hair. White skin. He is said to have a scar running up the back of his neck to his left ear. Despite his size, he thought to be an excellent fighter and should be considered dangerous. [/i] [/centre]