A column of city guards barreled down the streets, with soldiers carrying various weapons branching off to move down side streets. Palesean was at the lead, his massive shield, Bulwark, strapped to his back and his sword, Soulreaper, in its scabbard on his belt. The muscular, yet short, man was barking orders to the armored knights as they moved forward, calling out names and ordering them down streets to catch the dastard responsible for a murder in the middle of this fair city. This was an insult to the guard, an insult to Zenith, and an insult to Palesean that such a heinous crime had occurred under his watch. He'd already been out the door when the sentry delivered the news to him at the barracks. "You four, with the halberds, make for the south exit and block it off! The bastard is using a powerful etra! Don't let him escape!"

Every step brought him closer to the crime scene and the commotion surrounding it. Everybody involved would have to be arrested for questioning, especially the girl who some civilians were claiming was a co-conspirator. How anybody could be so rash as to commit murder in broad daylight, the Lieutenant would never understand. As he approached the scene of the crime, Palesean ordered his men to surround the area, before they made their grand debut. Nobody else was going to escape their grips. To ensure this, he had three guards stationed at each potential exit. Even if the likely exaggerated reports were false and this man had acted alone, there were certainly witnesses to be detained and interrogated. Murder was among the highest and most grave crimes a person could commit. Justice [i] would [/i] be served.

Finally, the guard contingent arrived at the scene of the crime. Obviously, they were too late. The men who had been stationed here originally would likely suffer the unfortunate fate of a professional inquiry for allowing a murderer to escape in front of their eyes. For now, there were plenty of witnesses to deal with. Stepping forward and drawing their weapons, the guards made their presence obvious, Palesean shouting orders. "By order of the guard, all of you, stay where you are! A murderer has escaped, and witnesses would claim one of you as an accomplice! Retreat, or any attempt to escape, shall be met with force! If you come with us willingly, we will abstain from harming you! I wish only to know what happened here and how a lowly murderer escaped my guards!" He was angry, and it was obvious. But he wasn't going to let that get in the way of figuring out what had happened here.