Mas Bagus

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

"I jus' wan' her ta has a shot a' a normal life, ya know?"

The encouraging words were kinda nice to hear, though rather redundant. Pretty sure Nina herself can pull that off a way better than that. If she herself was the one hiding under the bed, the last thing she wanted to see, or hear was a talking bear persuading her to come out.

Nina was not too thrilled to hear the Bearman's plea. Not every day she got a chance to listen to such tragic story and be a living witness to its aftermath. Not that she wanted it anyway, her daily routine was already troublesome as is, and thrills and frills should be off the menu.

Who are these people anyway?

"Well then! The first step to a normal life coming right up!" Nina shifted away from Cedar and brought in her water. "So, Mr. Bear! Please leave and let the girls do their things!"

Nina gestured Cedar to leave, and he left, though in a rather awkward manner, The innkeeper could still see him peeking at the door before having it closed shut.

Satisfied, Nina kneeled and peered at the frightened girl. "It's alright, he is gone..." she said, smiling. "You can come out now, it's only me!"

Like trying to lure and pet a puny animal, Nina extended her hand. Jorry the cornered girl looked at her cautiously, but a moment later, she realized that Nina was not lying, and she wanted to trust her.

Inched for a bit, her cold hand reached the innkeeper's. As she crawled out of that, Jorry glanced for the door and felt an impulse to run, she thought that she could make it, running out of here, hiding, and making tunnels if needed until she returned home. And then what?

"Are you okay?" Nina's cheerful tone, though filtered by her partial deafness was well received, and it felt like warm sunshine. "If you feel parched I can get you water. Do you have a name? My name is Nina."

Name. Jorry froze, trying to remember. Her master gave her one. Jormungand. Yes, that was what she was called. Though she never quite grasp the importance of having one, at least it was not trash, not bastard child, not disaster or other hateful sobriquets that makes her bones ache.

"Jorr..." Jormungand was her name, and her master used to call that name with sheer pride.

"well met then, Jor." Said Nina, resting a hand gently and assuringly on her shoulder, surprisingly Jorry did not feel frightened by this stranger's touch.

***

Downstairs, Jazdia Crystalspark listened patiently to the very important meeting being held at the neighboring table. Accompanied by a rather plain blonde boy, a beautiful pale woman opened a map and started to convey a message from Fred himself. There was some suggestion too after a lengthy update about what happened inside the King's court when they were gone.

"Hello there," she chimed in, glancing at the newcomers with genuine mirth. "I don't know we have such an important meeting here. What gives with my invitation?"

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

Several Hours Ago, in Rascade Royal Palace

Fredricus was not in a good mood. Barely a few hours after the investigation team departed and he already got the first bout of ill news involving them, and it seemingly only grew worse as the clock ticked. Some of them caused a ruckus at the mausoleum. The monarch understood that it was highly likely for the two incidents to be involved, and investigating both ends may yield results. That much was within an acceptable bound. But then his men had caught wind on a particular message that was spreading quickly among the nobles currently present in the capital, the content which brought him to the brink of cursing and breaking things. The royal tutor, one of the more trusted member of the team, had leaked its purpose toward the Delving. The loudest proponent to the war, given the best ammunition they could've possibly hoped for. It took all his self control not to tear his hair out and scream in frustration.

Just which part of discreet was so difficult to understand?

The nobles would've crowded into his court by the next morning. That much was predictable, and Fredricus had already drafted the right set of excuses to buy some time. It wouldn't be all; yet another incident resurfaced. And then another one, soon after.

The king barely got a few hours of sleep when he was woken up to be informed of terrorist attacks in the capital. As if there's not enough unrest already.

Just which part of discreet was SO DIFFICULT to understand?

The morning court went... better than expected, surprisingly. Fredricus managed to appease them by claiming that he had the prince sent to a secret safe house. The nobles weren't satisfied with just that, of course. They demand to see the prince to truly dispel the rumor. But Fredricus insisted that recalling his heir was possible, but it'll take time to be done in secret. He wouldn't want to give any chance for an assassination attempt to happen after all. That pretext bought him... three, four days. Maybe five, if he truly stretches it.

That fool Henri had just brought the timetable down by weeks, and all he could hope was Matilda and Jazdia pulling through on their joint effort to recover his son.

Shortly after he retreated to his chamber, Fredricus threw himself to his chair and waved at his chamberlain.

"Summon him now."

Admiral Silas Delving walked in. A war hero and always been, Champion of the Delving clan and the shining herald of the Kindeance navy. However, for a knight in shining armor like him, his bearing was surprisingly languid today, and he didn’t look particularly happy to have this exclusive audience with the King himself. In fact, he looked like he desperately would like to
slink away unnoticed.

And Fredricus knew damn well why.

No, it was completely unrelated to the secret Henri had leaked. Though Fredricus knew that Delvings were the one who relayed the news, he knew a baseless accusation would only serve him so much, and being a prominent clan they were, Delving could evade the allegation and use it against him. No, that can wait, now Silas was here to explain the blunder made by his brother, Aaron Delving, Rascade's own constable. The second heir of the clan got into some bad raid against the local crime element and got the entire squad decimated. The man was spirited away by his family way too quickly, leaving behind only a very one-sided report that... of course implicated part of the investigation team.

Of course, Fredricus was not amused with that report alone and summoned the constable to explain himself. The emissary he sent returned to inform him that Aaron Delving was badly injured and Silas would explain it in his stead, both as a brother, and the second-in-command of that ill-fated raid. It was surprising, but not entirely unexpected.


"It was bad enough that your brother thought it a good idea to conduct a raid without coordinating with other Generals... with me,” Fredricus began. "But to criminalize people bearing my seal and threaten to kill them? I must ask, Admiral, what in the God’s name were both of you thinking?"

"It is indeed an unfortunate turn of events My lord. But rest assured that we have everything under control."

"Under control? Seven guards were killed, and a few more injured!" The King blared. "Whatever your definition of under control is irreversible damage now. I was expected better of you."

A frown appeared on Silas' handsome visage. The admiral rallied somehow, but still remain knelt. "I am sure of that, Your Highness, and we too expected some trust for His Majesty toward his own men, as he demonstrates toward the Royal Guards even after that fateful day."

It was a hit on Silas' part. Fredricus still smarted from the fact that the assassins were escaped under the nose of his trusted guards. But it wasn’t a particularly wise hit. The King frowned and continued.

"Admiral. I hope your pathetic attempt to compare isn't a part of some disturbing trend. Their failure to capture the traitors was regrettable, but they did exceptionally well as my shield. I still couldn't say the same to your brother and his men, especially after the utter incompetence the whole constabulary had shown. You and your brother would do well to remember that.

Silas raised his head. There was a deviant glint in his eyes when he spoke."We do remember. And I’m sure His Majesty understands how I must feel. But, Mercy, lord! I know time is precious and Your Highness wanted the result to come swiftly, but to think he would appoint foreign investigators and put aside those who have served and are ever at his service is lamentable... and no wise man will deem it wise."

Fredricus stared at him in utter astonishment. He was perfectly aware of what this Delving had implied. But to do anything about was too late now, his kingdom grew, and so did his allies, and he did not need a stuffy Admiral to remind him that every decision he made would bring political consequences.

Brushed aside the implied threat like it was nothing, Fredricus rumbled. "So you think you're smarter than me, huh?"

"No... Your Highness, no, I was simply trying to voice my concern that His Majesty was too quick to judge carefulness as incompetency."

"Then what the hell would you call it then?!" Snapped Fredricus, he glared at the Admiral who now seemed to physically diminish right in front of his eyes. That old suspicion resurfaced, but now for no particular reason other than he was exhausted and easily agitated.

Only after a full minute regaining his composure, Fred continued, his eyes were bloodshot when he spoke with deceptive mildness "Admiral, you shall not speak about this anymore. I know Aaron is your brother, but I do hope your ties will not cloud your judgment. Your brother was lucky his revocation was solely based on sheer incompetency alone, and not something else that I deem based on the lack of loyalty. Now I want to hear your plan for the aftermath of that botched raid, so we can conclude this meeting."

"Very well, your highness. On behalf of my family I offer an apology for my younger brother's behavior. We shall spare no effort to investigate on what exactly happened in that raid, and the families of the victims shall be well-compensated. This I guarantee under the name of Delving."

Sighed, Fredricus leaned on his chair, he still had a lot to say, but again, it best not to press it now. "Very well, Admiral. You are dismissed."

'Your Highness." bowing obsequiously the whole way out, Silas left the room. His face was calm yet seemed to contemplate. If it was because of fear, Fredricus thought it would be a good sign, if not, well, The King had no shortage of ways to make his point.

***

The meetings were not over yet. One left, other came in. Soon He was joined by Matilda's squire, who was present to listen in on that mess of a circus earlier.

"And that's the gist of it, squire Anderson. I believe you understand how tight our timeline have become?" Fredricus looked closely on the squire's kneeling figure, unable to fully hide the weariness in his voice. He was trying his best, he truly was. It was just so, so, tiring to do what's right.

"Yes, your majesty. I shall depart to deliver this news at once. I'm sure Dame Matilda had found some progress since we last met."

"I hope so too, young man. There is much at stake here. Go, and may that vampire lord guide you to the straightest path."

"Your will be done."

As the squire left him alone with his demons, Fredricus couldn't quite hold back from letting out a deep sigh. When will this ordeal end? He hope it's soon. Fredricus wasn't sure how much longer can he last. The pressure's mounting, and any time now it might well break his back and that'll be it.

"I really could use some drinks right now..."

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

When Matilda left the table, Jazdia leaned on her chair and rolled her eyes. That woman really had no patience in her it was downright ridiculous. She waved at the guard sympathetically. "Did her threat scares you? Well, at least you will not be executed."

Munching her croissant, Jazdia felt much better now, although she could use a nice, warm bath right now, she preferred to wait for matilda. Obviously, the orc paladin still had something to say and it would be in her best interest too to hear a full story.

***

Upstairs, Jormungand "Jorry" crawled out from her gloomy hideout after hearing the door had been closed shut. The first thing that came to her mind was the advice from the fellow slave she befriended: to run away.

Ignoring the pain in her chest, she walked for the door, but before she could reach the knob, her knees gave up. Years under Gerrald's shadow had conditioned her mentality to never comprehend what courage and freedom mean. Trembling, she returned to her bed and lay there. Her master was dead and now she will be under a new one. For better or worse, she didn't care, she had resigned to her fate and waited, just like what happened before, and before, and long before that...

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

The girl was still laying flat on the floor. Like a cornered snake, she remained still, unmoved by the lurings of food or water. there was a crimson tint glowing on her brown eyes and they showed absolute tenacity and determination.
She remained in that position for quite a while until Cedar noticed her breath becoming more ragged.

"Cruel elf with cat eyes!" finally she talked again, now in a hissy fit. "Murderer! She's your friend! Her talent--everywhere, fire that extinguishes quickly! She killed my master. Why--"

As her chest contracted from that sudden outburst, she gasped. "Why this pain hasn't gone? Is torment what you wished? Please leave me be! I beg you!"

Despite the impression it gave on initial interaction, the girl didn't as autistic or childish as one might think. Over the years, even before her blindness and deafness became gradual, the girl had picked up words and phrases uttered by her master's usual patrons. Then again, her speech was not impaired.

That being said, perhaps giving her a sense of security would work better than the 'raw' form of compassion.

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

A sudden unreasoning fear of being discovered laid hold of her, the girl did not move, but her hand touched the floor to feel the vibration. The voice was both familiar and alien, and she could feel the bulky being laying down. It was familiar because it reminded her of Teddy, strange because this furball didn't smell like gore and perfume, but rather earthy and...fruity, and he spoke with a gruff, but smoother tone.

No, it can't be Teddy. She saw him dying in the arena, vicious arrow impaled his snout he was bleeding. Not, it couldn't be Teddy. The girl stretched his hand to form magic, but soon she felt weak and powerless, she covered her ears and shook her head.

"You are not Teddy... then who... who? Stay back! I can't hear you! I don't want to hear you! I don't want to see you!

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

Upstairs, a girl slowly regained her consciousness. It was a very strange dream; she walked out of the tunnel, then stroll into the green beautiful forest, with the sun shining above her and the wind caressing her skin, it was something she had never seen, or hear or feel for a long long time like the last one was in another lifetime ago.

Perhaps she should tell her master about this dream.

Master?

When she tried to comprehend the meaning of that word, she clutched her forehead and covered her face. She remembered and realized it was not a dream. She could feel her talent drained, all used up in a delirium of anger that it too couldn't be fully grasped by her simple way of thinking. Then the pain, searing pain on her chest. It was like a blow from her master's cane, but hurt more than anything.

It was the elf. The elf killed her guardian, bit her with a numbing poison, and then they took her. Now she was in the world outside. That feeling of loss was now mixed with anxiety and fear, what they were going to do with her? What they had done to her?

"Tha...ya ag.. M.. Nin... I'.. jus.. s 'e.. in da door u..l yas .. get i' .. 'ere."

She could hear them. Close. The numbness had eased up, but she could not see or feel clearly and now the touch of clean sheets and bedcover startled the girl more than anything. Her sense clouded with fear so great her surrounding was barely perceived. To her, it was another prison, and she was there, powerless, waiting for a cruel fate. Dictated by anxiety, she inched away from her position, dropped onto the floor, and crawled to the place they might not see her.

The wound throbbed with pain, but the great chill in her heart somehow subsided. Here, the claustrophobic crampedness brought back a strange feeling of comfort; dark, cold and dusty, just like the tunnels she was familiar with.

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

When the Orc Paladin addressed him, the soldier gulped. Though not belonging to the same corps, the sternness and savagery of Matilda Ironsword were notoriety among guards on the lower pay grades. They also know the rumor of her being the King's right-handed woman and had been granted Immunity for such an important occupation. With all the talk mostly surrounding the betrayal of his commander, the soldier could already feel the executioner's blade on his neck. Eyeing at the greatsword leaning on her chair, it was probably closer than he might think.

He eyed Jazdia, mentally asking for assurance before stepping forward, and saluting Matilda.

"Hail! His Highness' honorable retinue." He stammered, trying his best to not mess this one up. Matilda did not reply to his salutation back.

"Sit down!"

"Aye... at once, madam."

““What is your master planning, I want to know what the next step of his plan is. Do you know if the prince is still alive?“

"Ma'am. yes, Ma'am. This guard had no knowledge of what Chief Delving was planning. Our order was to get into the tunnel to subjugate Black Serpent Guild. Once we have gotten deeper, Constable Delving selected ten of us to follow him, the order was to detain Foreign Spies, which apparently were Miss Jazdia and her team."

"And the prince?"

The guard looked back at Matilda with a confused expression. "Pardon me, Ma'am, but the Prince? Hasn't the Crown Prince been evacuated safely after the accident that day?"

Jazdia was about to smack her forehead anytime, but her injured hand prevented her to do so. Now Matilda just added one more person to be bestowed with forbidden knowledge.

"Matilda, I think we are beating a dead horse here. This man is as clueless as we are. If their plan you seek, I am afraid you will have to deduce it yourself. When I realize an important clan decided to take part to kill his king, then usurpation is their long-term goal."

Matilda seemed irritated by Jazdia intervening in her query, but the elf insisted. To have this conversation, she had sacrificed time to heal and rest, even her attire was still as tattered as beggar's clothing due to skipping the time to change it.

"You need to inform Fred-- King Fredricus about this, now if possible. We found an armory full of weapons among other concerning things in that tunnel complex. If my theory about usurpation is correct, then there is a chance that Delving is not alone in this, and whoever aided him is brewing a plan to take the throne by force. You must do something about those tunnels and secure the corpse of their leader for post-mortem interrogation."

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

Jazdia nibbled the garlic bread and let the food pass through her throat first before answering Matilda.

"Our investigation demanded more hours than what was initially allocated."

Even if his face was only slightly visible behind that helmet, Jazdia knew the orc captain was not very pleased with that short answer. It wasn't Jazdia's intention to be cryptic, honest! Only old habits die hard.

The orc leaned forward, resting her forearm and causing the table to creak. She didn't directly press her, but obliquely did so by studying deeply at Jazdia, her answer, her appearance, and her refusal to elaborate, and thus arrived at a certain conclusion.

“I really hope you did not do anything stupid and angered any noble. And where the hell is Henri?”

"No, we are not. On the contrary, it was a noble who was trying to kill us." Jazdia sipped her tea and sighed as if letting the suspension settle. "Matilda, has it ever come to your mind that your King's political allies would want him dead? Had the pleasure of getting acquainted with one of them. And turned out it was the Constable himself. Aaron Delving. Name rings any bells? When we investigated the Black Serpent, He demanded to hand over the captured guild master. We complied like law-abiding citizens would, despite our suspicion about how he could gain access and navigate through the tunnels belonging to a nefarious organization. He then ordered us to be killed. Can you believe that?"

For a better grasp of the clarity of the event and its chronological order, Jazdia told her what happened at the Memorial Park, how the constable refused to grant them permission to investigate, and how it escalated into almost a full-blown fight. Then the assault at the Black Serpent and how their arena was filled with high-profile patrons, then the standoff with Delving and his goons at the sewer. Henri's disappearance, and the aftermath.

Of course, Jazdia excluded the part where her group razed the guild's warehouses.

"I understand that you would want more than just my words on this." Jazdia beckoned Kaito to be with them. A sack of documents hit the table with a thump. And Jazdia too handed to her the most incriminating evidence from her satchel bag. Matilda, by Jazdia's recommendation, opened the letter detailing the infiltration plan, and the mention of a secret passage from the sacred mausoleum. The orc captain's face turned even sourer and disgusted.

There was a long pause until she folded the letter again and shifted it aside. When she was about to reach for another piece of evidence, she took a moment to breathe softly, then spoke in a whisper. “Anyway. I am glad to see you are still alive.”

Jazdia rubbed her bandaged hand and smiled. "The pleasure is mine, Matilda. If you can spare some time, you might want to question that guard. He was a part of Aaron Delving's subjugation team."

The guard walked forward and saluted Matilda. "Gordon Eorl, at your service, Ma'am."

As the report partially concluded, Kaito reached Jazdia and spoke close to her ear.

”The bear seems to be rather fond of the girl we brought back, in an almost fatherly way. He’s walking off with her right now but I doubt he has any clue about what he’s dealing with. Want me to keep an eye on them?”

Jazdia did look troubled by the news. Troubled and... confounded. She let that man-bear lay his hands on the girl because his dossier said he was a healer. Never expected him to go to such length to bring the girl to a room, using her money no less!

The elf quickly seized a sealed syrette of morphine from her bag and hand it to Kaito. "As we both know, she is still unstable. Yes, please check them for me. You have my permission to sedate her if you think she is about to go on a rampage again. My deposit does not cover the entire inn, and my pocket is not bottomless either."

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

Glancing back at Jazdia with her brilliant emerald eyes, the girl was so cute the elf wanted to pinch her cheek. She too was very smart and attentive and everything about her just radiates positivity. It seemed Wilyadin 'Baker' had taught her well. Quite surprising for a bookworm.

"For now, would you like some food or drink?"

"Yes, please." said Jazdia, returning the optimism. "That would be a pot of tea. Some garlic bread and blueberry croissants." the last request was as unusual as it gets, but Jazdia knew the expertise of this old acquaintance of hers, and the girl quickly nodded to confirm it and smiled. "Coming right up. Please enjoy your stay, ma'am!"

Returned to the table Jazdia, only found Matilda sitting there. Standing nearby was the confused police who seemed unsure of why he was here. One thing for sure though, he recognize Matilda, but didn't make any interaction yet. The orc paladin waited, her expression was impatient.

"Greetings, Madame Matilda. I presume my party is not so late?"

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

They barged into the place like the place was their own. It was a tavern, with a long common room, homey and generic. Jazdia's eyes immediately glanced at the fireplace at the end of the room.

Nobody home it seemed. It was still considered morning anyway and the usual patrons were still plowing their farmland or hammering their irons. As Jazdia walked, a fragrant smell of freshly baked bread permeated the air.

Quickly sitting near the fireplace, Solomon approached her to offer his medical service. Jazdia duly obliged and let him remove her bloodied bandage and fix her right hand.

“I have some salves that should help with the pain. Apply as needed. Once I remove the last of these splinters, you can probably cast some healing magic to fully close the wounds, Cedar. An archer’s hands are her most important tools.”

"No need to do that, stay away!!" Jazdia exclaimed, she yanked her hand away and shivered.

The situation became so awkward, it took a while for Jazdia to regain her composure. "I will settle with conventional healing only, please don't trouble yourself. I will take the salve, I assume it has mo magic properties in it?"

"It doesn't," replied Solomon solemnly.

" Thank you. I... I need to talk to the barkeeper to settle our check-ins. Please stay here and wait for matilda if you don't mind. I will be back shortly."

Jazdia walked to the counter and politely called for the barkeeper, and the one who answer was the perky brunette girl with freckles across her face.

"Coming!"

The girl stared at the looney crew with mouth agape, and when the bear dragged the bench, she seemed about to jump over the counter.

"Young miss?" the elf halted her. "I am deeply sorry for the sudden inconvenience, but we are willing to book your establishment for the next twenty-four hours." Jazdia plucked four gold coins from her purse and placed them on the counter. With a weary smile, she continued. "I hope the amount is right. I will use the space near the fireplace. Don't hesitate to reach me if my... friends broke something, I will compensate you fairly. Also, when the owner is available, would you kindly tell him that Slyph is looking for him?"