Mas Bagus

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

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Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

…well, she keeps calling him master. That dynamic is even twisted in my book.”

Such an irony it was laughable. But Jazdia remained composed. "Master, you say?" she said, barely raising an eyebrow. Jazdia sipped from her thermos again and grimaced. A small trace of blood stained the metal container, and she wiped it with the dry part of her bandaged hand.

"As long as it can keep her calm..." She shrugged, adjusting the strap of her satchel bag and quiver, then walked like it was just a trivial matter. "Time to move."

The kitsune quickened his pace until he was next to Jazdia. ”Wait, there is more I want to ask! What’s the plan with the girl? We can’t keep dragging her along if we’re going up against the Delving family. I doubt she will forgive you anytime soon for killing her…well, she keeps calling him master. That dynamic is even twisted in my book.”

"Indeed we can't." And she wouldn't ask for her forgiveness either. If one day, the girl still felt raw about it, she might come to her, and she will explain. If she won't listen, and still wanted to get even, Jazdia would return the sentiment.

"I can't just set her loose, and Kindeance government is out of the question. I know the place where she can live safely and comfortably."

She did not specify the place any further, but Kaito knew it had to be somewhere in Helvetia, one of the facilities owned by now-defunct CSA

”Looking at this you might start to think that the Delvings are planning some kind of revolution.” whistled Kaito, suddenly changing the topic. Jazdia did not share similar admiration and instead approached Yvonne and tapped... er her right shoulder.

"I am not against taking enemy weapons for a trophy or personal use, but make sure to report it Matilda when we get there. I Wouldn't want an unnecessary misunderstanding later on."

If there was a hint of playfulness in Jazdia's bearing, it was gone now. Her voice was cold and distant, and her face barely made any expression.

"Sure thing, boss." Replied Yvonne with a raised eyebrow. Yes, she felt it too... but didn't voice her thought. The elf had gone through a lot today, she'll get better after medical attention, some food, and rest. Yes, they all need a varying degree of that.

The march in silence continued on until they started to feel the tunnel begin to incline upward as they walked further. At the end of it was a ladder, and above it was a wooden trapdoor, barred from this side. Opening the door, a surge of fresh air could be felt, and It felt cold on Jazdia's long ears.

Climbing the short ladder, they soon found themselves in the middle of the forest. Jazdia opened her map and looked at the sky, and a moment later they already found their path

"This way."

Like an experienced ranger, the elf led them through a beaten path while sometimes looking at the shadow to determine their course. If the path ended. She would take another, if there was none, she would make a new one, be it by employing Chonan's sword technique or burning the overgrown that stood in their way. She still had a reservation about asking the samurai to do her bidding, owing to the previous accident, but right now, she only wanted to get to Hdur as soon as possible.

After passing a few more treelines, they could see the smoke of civilization. Still leading the group, Jazdia reached for her pocket watch and checked the actual time; 10:21 AM

Quickly they rerouted to the main road and cautiously marched in front of Farmer's vegetable stall. All seemed peaceful, and the patrolling guard was nowhere to be seen. Either the word had not reached Hdur yet, or Delving intended to keep the accident under wrap.

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

Either the word was laced with beguiling magic or she somehow could feel the sincereness, the wounded slave of Gerrald stopped throwing hissy fits and stared at the ceiling with a blank expression. Then she started sobbing, heartbroken yet still determined, tears dripping again, and her spasming chest signaled a desire to cry but unable to do so.

"Master?" she reached her hand, but it was only Kaito, her finger touched his face and he let it until she completely succumbed to the anesthetic.

Jazdia approached them shortly after. The girl was sleeping.

"Her, breathing is normal. No heaving or wheezing," examining the bandage and placing her finger on her neck, she then continued. "No sign of bleeding... I think."

Kaito discarded his cloak and tunic but decided to have the girl wear his tunic instead. Done during that, he turned to Jazdia. ”I told you Chounan’s clothing style would attract too much attention”

She only smirked, while the soldier kept his guard after noticing the non-human attributes the man in front of him sported. But then, unarmed and bound by his contract, what he could do anyway?

"Jokes on you, I've been here for years wearing this kind of outfit since the days I'd been training that soldier. Am I right Gordon?" the man in question replied. Reaching them with his voice.

The soldier turned at him, squinting as he finally recognize his oriental face."Sir Chonan?"

The word 'Sir' was uttered with a certain degree of disappointment, but the man showed his respect by giving him a salute. "Long time no see, what are you doing with... them?"

There was an awkward silence. Then, before Chonan could answer, Kaito interjected.

”Anyway, I think it is a great idea to let the soldier carry the girl. I doubt she will be moving on her own anytime soon.”

So he nodded, and Kaito helped him to carry the girl on his back. "She is so small, like my daughter. Poor girl! You said she is not your friend. What happened to her?"

Nobody answered, but everyone had the same person in mind, and that person was now lying dead on the dusty floor not far from them. Had everything gone smoothly, they were bring him alive, so he could be questioned about his atrocities, about the king's assassination, and nothing else. But it didn't go smoothly. His allies wanted to protect him, and as they declared their deceitful intention, something sparked inside her; to think of a scum like him roaming free angered Jazdia and she wanted to see justice being served.

The man's corpse was now sprawled like a worthless rag, mangled, and desecrated. Jazdia did not regret it one bit.

"Let's get out of here."

Led by Jazdia, the group walked through the tunnels. Almost identical tunnels like the ones they passed before reaching that hall. The humidity remained the same, but the passage was grim with no lighting whatsoever. Jazdia reminded the group to keep up the pace and be careful with their step. Yvonne felt she was stepping over something and it cracked. The light from the torch Kaito brought revealed a half part of a human skeleton leaning against the wall. Had they not been guided by a map, they too might end up like that poor guy.

After another long walk that seemed to be heading straight and without any turnback, they then arrived at the room. Strangely the room was sufficiently lit with lanterns and candles. It was still a storage room, but large, and inside, thousands of newly forged weapons were stored. Shields, spears, swords, and bows. There was a collection of musket rifles too. Some were neatly placed in the racks, while most batches were packaged inside many crates. At the end of that room, close to the exit was another room with four blacksmith's forges. Several huge square pipes extended out from the ceiling, probably to supply the room with a sensible amount of fresh air. The furnaces however were extinguished.

Jazdia took some time to scribe about this room in her journal and looked around a bit for documents. Sadly she found nothing, except the iron ores were shipped in crates bearing the stamp of Anglodisto.

They pressed on, but with most members still suffering at least one injury per person the journey was long and arduous they had to make several stops to rest. On one of those brief stops, Jazdia checked for the girl's breathing and noticed that she was awake, but tried to look away after spatting a curse at her.

"Murderer!"

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

Jazdia helped her, a little bit straightening the clipped bandage and supporting her arm while Yvonne rolled the white dressing over her shoulder. It felt like her version of "extra hand would be great" was a mere expression of exchanging pleasantries.

"So, what's our plan going forward? Aaron will turn the city inside out to find us. We're not in a good shape for another fight."

The plan huh?

Jazdia glanced at the other side of the hall and did not find Aaron. Probably escaped when the chaos unfolded.

Sighed, Jazdia opened the copy of the map to figure out where they are right now. [color=ec008c]"Still in the city apparently, right under the West market. What we perceived as the south tunnel actually leads to the east. I so depended on my eyes I didn't realize the twist and turns we have taken. The good news was, the tunnel has no other entrance, the bad news was beyond the city wall it was still uncharted."[/color
Jazdia flipped the document again, if there was a mention of the secret passage, there has to be a map, but she found nothing of sort. Disappointed but not at wit's end, Jazdia rolled that map and secured it back to her bag. The thermos was no longer tightly sealed thanks to Kaito. Good boy!

"There was no plan. We will improvise. There was no other option for us but to take that tunnel anyway. One thing for sure though, the quickest route back to the civilization was across that river of filth, but I reckon there is a bloody convention on that side."

The tea inside it was stale and cold, but with her current condition now, it was much appreciated. Jazdia could use her eyes again, though the range was still limited.

Gotta put a bit more strain on her, but whatever.

She approached the guard after reaching for another scroll. Squatting to gaze at him equally, the elf began. "Greetings. We are really sorry we had to prolong your suffering and not killed you like some of us did to your friends... or what your captain had unlawfully commanded."

The soldier's eyes squinted. "Unlawful?" But then in front of him was flipped document with His Highness's seal. He looked at Jazdia, dumbfounded for a brief second. It turned into fear when the elf pointed a blade at him.

"Unlawful!" she asserted. "That is why I am intrigued to know what our higher-ups had told you about this operation. Obviously, you were here to ambush and kill us. Why is that? What was the verdict?"
The soldier inched away to give his nose some distance from the blade. "I don't know. I don't have to tell you anything."

"Then you, sir are a dead man. Because only the dead can tell no tales."

"Figures..."

"By your own choice." Jazdia sheathed her long knife, then stood in front of him. "No, let me rephrase my words. I know contracts and fair trades are how you Kindean do your things, so here is the deal: you answer my question and in return, we will offer you a chance to get out of here alive, so you can lay low... and protect your family from the wrath of your own highness because you were taking part in a conspiracy to murder the investigators he hired to investigate the assassination attempt six days ago.

It took some time for the soldiers to process that. It only get faster when Jazdia read some of her procurement contracts.

--Fredericus, by the grace of God. This letter is to confirm that I have personally appointed a group of private inspectors to assist in the investigation of a treacherous crime against the crown--"

Of course, most of it was twisted to protect the confidentiality both she and Fredricus had agreed upon, but Jazdia wanted to scare him more. "You are guilty of treason, and that, sir is punishable by death."

"Treason?" The soldier retorted, it seemed like he was shaking in fear. The word bespoke unspeakable terror it galvanized him in shock and peculiar distress. "but I..."

"You what? Just following orders? Turns out the one who gave you the order was not an honest type. Why do you think he wanted to kill us, and not capture us as a law enforcer should?"

"We... we were told to eliminate foreign spies!"

"Do we look like one?"

The Soldier shot a glance at the rest of the party. "Three of you are foreigners. You are an elf. I'd say you all indeed look like one."

Jazdia laughed and only stopped when she was aware that it was perilously close to hysteria, and made her chest hurt too... "So you were buying it because... ahahaha! I understand."Still, doesn't absolve you from the crime your captain might have committed."

"Might?"

"You never know until we leave this place. But one thing for sure, if he is declared guilty, you too will go down with him

Jazdia didn't stay long to see how the soldier would react to that forewarning, but then his heavy voice called her again to settle the bargain.

"Besides the Constable, the one who briefed us was the Admiral himself."

"Admiral?" Jazdia didn't turn back, but her voice was concerned.

"Admiral Delving, the war hero. There is no reason for me or the boys to not trust him. He too assigned some of his men to assist this operation." The soldier's words were laced with overwhelming pride and seemed to have given him a sense of relief, a reason to keep his faith together. Jazdia did not question him further until he spoke again.

"I will go with you," said he, nodding, not in acknowledgment, but more like someone who had no other option, and for Jazdia that was enough. "Is there anything else you want to ask? If you don't trust me you can have my hands tied, but it seemed you will need an extra hand to carry one of your friends."

He pointed at the sedated slave.

"She is not a friend."

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

"If I got to pick though, left shoulder broke. I think it's the collarbone. Need to get out of this mail and bandage it good."
Jazdia activated her eyes but barely managed to see through Yvonne's hauberk. It was all bruises all over her shoulder, and aside from broken bones, there was probably internal bleeding too. It was indeed very concerning.

Jazdia groped through her bag and placed a roll of bandage on Yvonne's lap before retrating her bandaged hand to somewhere out of the noblewoman's line of sight.

"A spare bundle from our samurai friend. I suppose you don't need assistance to dress it?"

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

The girl surprisingly imbibed the potion without much fuss, probably recognizing the bottle and the taste. Not sure if this was a good thing. Could it be that she wanted to recover quickly to continue his payback, who knows?
Her smile seemed to have annoyed the girl, but both exchanged no word.

They waited a bit. The girl was still paralyzed but wide awake. The sedating drug should have reached its onset now, and usually would have knocked a grown man out cold in a single dose.

When Kaito touched the arrow, the girl growled faintly and twitched her body. Her persistence to fend off unconsciousness and showing resistance was laudable, yet also foolish. And her rescuer had no time to entertain her uncooperativeness, Jazdia pinned her wrist with her knee and covered her eyes.

"Chonan, secure her other hand, would you kindly? Kaito, you can do it now."

The girl's body tensed as the arrow pulled out and tossed aside. Quite slower than she had imagined but it was done anyway. Now checking for the wound, it was frothy and blood was still oozing, but not profusely. Kaito attentively sealed the wound with his hand. Good boy!

Biting open something from an aluminum wrapping, Jazdia then laid a special, waxy membrane over her wound and secured it with an occlusive dressing. "How is your breathing?"

Of course, she didn't answer, and even if she wanted to, the girl seemed to suffer deafness too. So Jazdia checked it herself, she breathed alright, but short... any shorter than that and she would have reopened the dressing again. She waited, and all seemed well and nominal.

"She is all yours, Kaito. Apply more dressing on her chest, remove her upper clothing, and apply some on her temple too." she heaved, then turned to Chonan. "And best not cause any unnecessary alteration on her body. She is as helpless as a kitten for six hours to come."

Then she approached Yvonne and smiled wryly. "Anything hurt?" A dorky question indeed, and a bit late too.

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

"Not the best time to be compassionate here, Sparky." Kindness to an enemy was cruelty to one's allies. "Hope you know what you're doing. Even if Edgy here can block spellcasting, she's one of the strongest mage I've ever seen."

Jazdia heard her loud and clear, but she remained determined. "I will deal with her myself if she tries anything." she answered, as clearly as she could. The girl's red eyes glared at her with rekindled anger, but Jazdia looked back unbothered.

"Listen... you. I have registered 15 milligrams of morphine into your bloodstream, you will remain calm until I am done patching your wound. You will die if I let you." Jazdia touched her cheek, a gesture of reassurance, but her deadpan expression said otherwise. "I want to help."

She heard someone sighing behind her, it was Kaito, who immediately squatted next to her. The sudden movement down caused him to grimace in pain.
”You can’t give her a potion before taking out the arrow. That will lead to infections later. Your hands are in no condition to take it out. I’ll do it.”

"If you pull the arrow now, she will bleed to death in minutes. That health potion does wonder to staunch the bleeding, but it takes time to be absorbed and take effect." Jazdia shook her head and continued in a grim tone. "She has lost so much blood, and we can't afford to spill more. She will get the potion first, then we will take it out when the potion has started to take effect. At least we will have some insurance. How is that sound?"

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

"You're lucky I cant move right now. Go to the corner and pretend you're a rock or something."

Yvonne quickly grabbed one of the red bottles and drank it. Even in the first sip, the healing and invigorating effect of that potion could be felt. The pain lessened, and the bruises were starting to fade. And at that moment, her word to that surviving soldier was no longer an empty threat anymore.

Ignoring the confused soldier to be somebody else's problem, Jazdia approached the wounded girl and stared at her deviant eyes before kneeling and opening her medkit. Her expression was cold, and she was actually hesitant, but something deep inside moved her. Compassion, yeah it had to be that. At this moment, she remembered her late aunt, Flenaline. Be a healer, she said. The world will be a better place with more people capable of healing instead of fighting, she said. But she died before she could see one more healer taking her oath.

The girl tried to shove her away with her trembling hand, but barely a push can be felt. Frowning only slightly, Jazdia gripped her hand tightly and swiftly administered sedative morphine from a squeezable syrette. The girl let out a choked protest and Jazdia braced herself. It would take another two minutes for the drug to take effect and alleviate her suffering-- or remaining rage, come to think of it.

Yes, her hand was starting to bleed again after wrangling the girl to not jolting her body left and right.
"Samurai!" she shouted. "Bring one of those medicines here and have her drink it!"

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

"Well I'd love to help but I literally cant move a finger right now. "Left shoulder's busted, broke some ribs too. But the rest should heal in a week or two.""

Jazdia took that thermos again, looking dejected not only upon hearing the damage report but also at the unopened thermos as well. Giving up, she handed it to Kaito.

The group's attention suddenly shifted to arriving Chonan and the coughing soldier near the pillar. It looked like he was regaining his consciousness. Jazdia wondered who spared him.

"What! Who goes there!" He slapped his nape, then searched his waist. Seemed disappointed to find himself unarmed, he murmured."Where is my sword? You! You are the... criminal."

He studied them before rubbing his temple. "Wa-what do you want? Why did you let me... live?"

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

"Hey boss. Doing good?"

When Yvonne saluted her, Jazdia was busy biting one end of the bandage to secure a knot on her wrist. Even after done with that, she didn't immediately answer. She handed Yvonne a small, squeezable tube with a cone-shaped end containing white powder and asked her to wait as she unfastened her undershirt and pulled it down. There, on the same level as her armpit was a wound. It was still oozing some blood, but luckily no froth could be seen.

The elf poured some antiseptic solution and then sprayed the white powder before quickly applying the bandage. To her dismay, but completely unsurprised, the gauze she had was insufficient to properly dress the wound.

A trace of blood was still spreading slowly on her left hand. A sign that she might had use her bandage a bit too sparingly. To that, she chuckled wryly. That was a first aid kit for you.

"She ain't dead yet. Would be a lot safer to finish her off, yeah?"

The Rosenving daughter suggested, but Jazdia wasn't very ready to answer that. Pausing a moment to watch the fire burning in front of them, she then handed to her a metal sleek thermos. Gesturing to Yvonne that her injured and bandaged hands were too weak to open it themselves.

Approaching from behind was Kaito and immediately he voiced his concern. “Jaz…”

"Morning, little fox. Having a nightmare?"

Jazdia rose up and flinched as her injured chest adapted to a different tension, she raised a hand to tell them she was fine, but Kaito fluttered around her like a fussy nursemaid.

”Where is your medkit? We need to do something about that shoulder of yours.” He paused a bit and looked at Yvonne. ”And we need to do something about pretty much everything of Yvonne. Where is Chounan?”

Jazdia rubbed the bandaged wound under her untied shirt and sighed. "Don't worry about me. As for Chonan..."
The glow in her eyes was faint this time before it turned normal again.

"I can't see him," She stated flatly, then continued in a manner of someone explaining a natural occurrence. "I have lost a sizeable amount of blood I can't use my power properly."

As she finished speaking, Chonan returned, bringing several items with him.