Maria von Hohenzollern
Royal Capital Lugnica
Iron Bell Knights HQ
Maria was a bit forward with her fellow knight, Sir Malakaus. This was not out of any sort of unfamiliarity. Though she had only met Malakaus a few times during his roams back to the capital, Maria knew that he was not the sort to sit idolly by. If he was back in the capital, there was either some serious business going on, or perhaps he was just on vacation with that squire of his.
...But considering the slight unease Maria detected from his statement. There might be something going on that Maria didn’t wish to delay.
‘Though if it is an important manner like I believe it would be, I ask if you would like to schedule a meeting later today? It would be a pleasure to discuss any matters with you.” Any ordain from a fellow knight was surely something important. After all, the job of a knight was one of hard-work and determination, at least in Maria’s eyes, and Malakaus was the sort to have accomplished such feats that would register Maria to respect his ability at the very least. Though perhaps the same would not be true of him to Maria.
After all, Maria’s family was decorated not on the flowers of peace, but the roses of war.
“I hear you got a new squire, Sir Malakaus. Did she return to the capital with you?” Grian seemed to be ignoring her statements. Maria was forgiving, but she didn’t trust the man after what he had done. Perhaps she still trusted him more than she should. A normal knight might have thrown Grian in the dungeon for presumed affiliation with a criminal and the assist of escape, but at the very least Maria would believe that Grian, for the time being, had good intents behind his actions. He had not directly attacked anyone yet, and Maria believed the individual to be crazy in the event they decided to cause trouble at the time being. A single knight like Maria was bad enough, but three knights was something that one should never wish to face.
Maria had noticed that her headquarters had been completely stuffed with odd individuals at this time. More so than before. A collection of fantastical individuals the likes of which must only be through the application of fate. Malakaus had recently returned from the capital. Tani was on patrol and happened upon the Iron Bell Headquarters. There was Chieko and Ryan, now with the addition of Eris that seemed almost otherworldly, and there was the sly Grian who seemed both skilled at the sword and skilled at his words.
For what purpose were these individuals brought together?
Perhaps this was a sign of prosperity. At least maria hoped for such. Though Maria was not alive during the time, in recent years instability in the kingdom erupted in one of the bloodiest conflicts in history, and it was completely possible that something akin to this would occur again.
For the time being Maria was simply glad that no one was harmed from either the thief or the spell. After all, Maria deeply cared for each and every person she could potentially protect. As a Knight, she had sworn her sword to her lord, but her true calling; higher than what would be possible for a single person, was to protect any and all she could protect. That was the purpose of her sword. Though many consider the sword to be a weapon to harm, Maria’s father always told her to protect those with her sword rather than to intend to harm.
“Thank you, Lady Tani. Even if you had come late, I still appreciate your contributions. If there is anything you need as well, I would not hesitate to assist.” Maria genuinely cared for her allies, and Lady Tani was someone she considered to at the very least to be friendly, which was a nudge above a simple ally in her eyes.
“Though I will attempt to heed your concern as to the group of individuals I have decided to train. After all, if my father was able to train someone like me into a highly skilled swordsman and knight, at the very least I could try to return the kindness on these good-hearted individuals, crazy as that might sound. I am sure you know how it might feel to want to join the knights, but I am not so easy as to give them a free pass. Free-er than your little bout I would imagine though. Perhaps I am a bit crazy, but I feel a degree of potential from these individuals.” .
With a bit light chuckle, Maria moved on to the next individual who wished her attention: one Miss Eris.
It had appeared that Miss Eris had drawn an image of the assailant, which was lucky for Maria since she was not able to get hide or tail of the infiltrator. A lucky circumstance that would give her the advantage in learning who wished to obtain rights to any evidence.
“I must thank you Miss Eris. With your drawing, I am sure we are closer to finding out who this person is. Though I had not provided you with much, you were able to give me something that could lead to an arrest. I must commend you.” Maria examined the image that Miss Eris had drawn in an attempt to identify the perpetrator. Though no real names came to mind, at the very least she knew the man was, in fact, a man, who was a demihuman from what appeared to be of the “Neko” variant. With a drawing like this, assuming it was correct, Maria could likely track down this thief and eventually see him safe behind bars.
“As for an occupation, I will say that your skills as an artist are rather superb. Perhaps you could utilize your skill to sell to the nobility. Luxury goods seem to sell well in places like Gusteko. I could also arrange a potential job within the confines of the marketplaces, though I am not sure how glamorous that would be and a sure waste of talent with the brush. I’d even be willing to give you employment as a poster manager for the city knights, if you think you have the skill for such a job. I could also impart some self-defence to you as well if you are interested, or even simple learning could get you a position as a scribe.” Sir Malakaus seemed a bit busy discussing a few matters with the potential knights. Maria thought to but in the conversation as well, but decided to see what either of them had to say about his statements.
