Mas Bagus

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

“I don’t believe in coincidences. I still think the fact that we suddenly broke through with scrying is entirely intentional from their side and that us splitting up is exactly what they want us to do. But hey, why listen to someone who specializes in trickery and misdirection…..” Spoke the fox mildly annoyed as he was convinced that this whole situation was an obvious trap.

Jazdia's glowing eyes stared at Kaito in a way it was intended to bore his skull open. Sure she didn't mind an alternative plan, but so far nobody offered none, save what Matilda has planned, and if putting all eggs in one basket could be considered a plan that is.

"Then what is it that the enemy does not want?" she said, though on low voice, the belligerence of her tone was apparent. If it was someone else, she would have forgiven it, but Kaito was one of her agents, and he doubted her like he was yesterday's recruit, no... not even yesterday's recruit would dare to say that. Unless he is smart enough to devise his own plan.

"Ten minutes have passed! We can't stay here long. If any of you folks have another plan, say it now." declared Jazdia, there was a hint of challenge in it. "How we should handle this interference? My plan essentially is to check all avenues and cut their escape route, and improvise with the upcoming situation. We have the means to communicate now so coordination can be done easily. It is not a perfect plan, no plan is, but at least a flawed plan is better than idling about with no clear direction."

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

Twenty years in the organization and Jazdia perfectly knew how exactly she sounded like. Not every people find her leadership style... convenient, and she knew it often stems from her ability to see what most people could not. She had tried to tone it down many times, obviously, but now due to her being pulled out of retirement, she forgot some of her settings. But hey, Matilda always had the option to decline her plan and devise her own. If it was sensible enough, of course.

As if anything she ever planned was sensible enough...

"Why do we need Solomon's shadow in both villages again? You are going to Pesti, will you not? And I will proceed to Fanghorn. I don't think you will need summoned entities. One because once discovered, it shows hostility from your side, and two, what purpose does it serve? Communication? You already have one."

Jazdia shrugged. "But, hey, don't let me stop you. You are the boss, right?"

A plus-one if fighting broke out? Could work, but she doubted it would be anything Matidal couldn't handle. Besides, the head was always a precious commodity, and whoever dares to lay finger on Fred's myrmidon was either a madman or someone who could live without a head, or four other limbs.

But a madman though...

"Well, you picked the commpass..." said Jazdia, smiling rather gleefully. Who cares if the orc Paladin looked very irritated by her brazenness? She decided to roll with her plan anyway. "Try to give each other sitreps whenever possible, okay? If you think the place is an obvious trap you lots couldn't handle, please inform me immediately. I will need Mister Solomon to go with me. Of course, if he doesn't mind. If anyone else wants to tag along with me, you should consult Matilda first."

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

"If the prince is not at Pesti, we'll find and break whatever magic interference that bounced the scrying there. It'll announce our arrival, but the prospect of any stealth seems to be more and more distant the closer we get."

@A5G

"If the prince is not at Pesti, we will go to Fanghorn, true. But I am afraid he would not be there when we get there."

"Matilda. Infiltration doesn't have to be done with deception or furtive actions. Whoever is in charge in Pesti doesn't have any reason to welcome you with hostility, lest they incur the wrath of the King himself. You are still Fred's right-hand woman. Go to Pesti and visit the village as King's aide, Take Veronica with you and scan the entire place."

A brass commpass now pinning the map on one of its edges, courtesy of Jazdia herself. "This is a portable communication device. Press the golden button and it will dial its counterpart, the silver button is to record voices. When your team finds something, you should inform me quickly. I will do the same on my end."

Jazdia activated her eyes to see if everyone was close enough to hear her properly. If someone interpreted two glowing orbs in the darkness as a form of intimidation, so be it.

"Remember that Pesti is an ordinary village. We don't have to initiate a fight if it can be helped. Get in, look around and leave. If your prince is indeed there, I will regroup with you as soon as possible. Remember that they have nowhere to run, even if they somehow got a wind of your scrying, they can't relocate him anywhere far enough we can't trail it. If you don't have any problem with my plan. Go ahead and pick that device."

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

Jazdia squinted, not because of the darkness nor illumination from her enchanted arrow, but from the daring implication the pale girl had just made. Wiped out? Hardly. It indeed went less smoothly no thanks to nobody in that royal palace was smart enough to foresee one of the king's attachés had turned against him. Not to mention one in her team was an impulsive idiot and the other one was thinking too much. Nevertheless, the elf knew better not to argue. Veronica was here to offer alternative intel, and it was best to treat her as an informant.

"It seemed nothing beats boots on the ground and scouting ahead manually. But thanks for answering," she said, now turning to the orc paladin, Jazdia continued. "Pesti is less fortified, surrounded by a forest and flanked by mountains and a river. If we strike it now, it will be too easy, too easy it looks very suspicious."

Jazdia brought her glowing arrow closer to the map. "As Lady Veronica said, It might be bait for us. But let us assume we attack Pesti simply because it was less of a threat the prince is more likely to be there. My question is, what if he is apparently not there?"

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

It was three or less in the morning when Veronica reported her finding. It was the pinpointed location of the prince himself and his general well-being which apparently remained unspoiled for the past six days.
What concerned them was the part where her finding conflicted with the hunter's account, which pointed to Fanghorn as the location where the kidnappers went.

Jazdia huffed and dismounted from her horse. It was not really a big deal for her, but she wanted to hear what the team leader had to say about this information, and the intel gatherer herself.

So the elf opened her pocketwatch and called for an emergency meeting. The map of Kindeance opened, and her enchanted arrows provided the light. Ten minutes at most.

"How much is the enemy on each site?" she began, eyeing Veronic. "In Pesti especially."

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

"I will not pry into your past, or your network." The orc caught Jazdia before the latter entered a room. "But I require your words that it will not negatively affect the mission at hand."

@A5G

Jazdia was clearly not pleased with this untimely interruption. Though Matilda's suspicion was probably justified, they had all the chance in the world to join in and listen when she had a talk with Baker. Heck, it even would save her time from explaining to their team leader how the devices works.

"No, it will not," she replied with a deadpan expression. "On the contrary, I just solved our communication issue and ensured we can leave safely. From what I heard we probably have multiple targets, so splitting might be an option. Anything else? If not, I will take my leave and rest."

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

Enjoy the food. And they sure did.

There were already several empty bowls on the next table, and another came after Young Nina scrapped every bit of gravy from that old pot and had it delivered with an unrelaxed smile to a young lady that looked... very hungry. The owner blinked, mentally wondering who would pay for all of this, but soon realized that the crown's purse was nearly bottomless and his ex-boss was no pauper either.

The ex-boss in question impatiently tapped her wrist.

Located in a chamber next to the kitchen was another room. Unlike the rest of the inn, the room was brick-walled with smooth plaster made of white concrete. The place was lit by an expensive crystal lamp that radiates soft white light, and inside, there was a large metal cupboard, a large table, and several chairs.

"Interesting friends you've got there." the elven owner began, while Jazdia followed behind him. The door was not closed, either to avoid prejudical opinion or to invite anyone concerned and let them know that there was no state confidentiality being discussed here.

"You could say that."

"A druid, a noblewoman turned mercenary, another mercenary from a foreign land, both known for ruthlessness on the battlefield. A strange doctor with interesting stories centered around him, a Pale Lady from far away province, and King's Right-Hand woman herself--" Baker counted. "One could put them all in one room and nobody would find it strange, but with you in the mix? Now that's a different story. Especially after that failed assassination attempt."

The elf woman shrugged. "Well, it seemed you did your homework, I thought you don't really care. I already know who they are, so why bother telling me?"

There was a brief pause and Baker turned at her. "Let us say it was to express my congeniality, if that's not enough for you, just an old habit that dies hard."

"Congeniality?"

"They are not very solid, hmm?"

"Naturally."

"There was clearly a division. It wasn't natural at all."

"It was intentional."

The innkeeper opened his cupboard, revealing another containing a combined lock, then he continued without looking back. "Intentional? So it didn't end well, I presume? Looking at your bandages."

"This part was the result of holding back..."

A metal drawer was now placed on the table. Inside were numerous containers made of glass to separate a variety of trinkets. The Inn Owner selected a silvery piece of jewelry that looked like a compass with a brass lid, while Jazdia chose an earpiece.

"Was it D-1M or DM-3?" he asked, referring to the device model Jazdia picked. "I believe that is D-1M, you have to channel magic into it. Ancient model, you know old man Anderson wouldn't let me take anything newer. Up to seventy kilometers range, that transceiver still uses universal frequencies, so we can pair it with the Commpass."

That commpass was the bras trinket Baker holds. He opened its brass lid and spoke "There is something important I wanted to ask."

The words were received clearly by the D-1M earpiece, but it was not its only gimmick. When Baker pressed another button, the Commpass rewound the words faultlessly.

"There is something important I wanted to ask."

"The destruction of Black Serpent was your doing, wasn't it? It's not a secret, that orc lady can glare at me until a pair of wings sprouts from my back."

"Something piqued your interest?"

"So you don't deny it."

"This is Kindeance. Information has its price."

"Fine. You can pick one more merchandise."

Jazdia plucked a plain ring made of carved green garnet and placed it next to the commpass.

"I thought you'd want something more... impactful," said Baker, leaning on his chair. "A dimeritium ring? So your next target is a mage?"

"This is for the girl upstairs..."

"Pardon?"

"Gerrald Grey." The whispered name spilled icily from her lips. "The girl upstairs was his most powerful slave. You asked about my injury, she was the one who did it."

Baker's breath halted at that explanation. During his career in the Organization, he remembered that not many people could give their boss a run for her money, but Jazdia's cold expression told him that it was not a joke.

Shuddered only slightly, Baker's face told everything, however.

"I shot her lung," Jazdia reported, answering his implied concern. "Missed a few centimeters from her heart. Her power was spent after rampaging that tunnel in response to her master's demise."

"So this will be another stray tiger you picked up. And I assume you want to house her here?"

"Only for a couple of days. The accommodation for her to stay here had been paid."
"Without my approval!"

"It was your fault not being present when we checked in. As far as the law concerned it was a valid contract..."

Baker rubbed his temple with a pained expression, crazy facts that not only overwhelmed but also were being hammered inside his head one by one. Jazdia let him savor the pain for a while.

As soon as he managed to regain his composure, the inn owner returned to Jazdia. "Not the information I wanted to know actually, but--what the hell! So, by 'was' and 'demise' you mean you killed her master?"

"That's right. Black Serpent is no more."

It might be good news for some debtors and small merchants in Rascade, but Baker was not one of them. His handsome features turned gloomy, and he stared across the doorway cautiously.

"This morning I rode to the capital after the Adventurer's guild notified me about the liberated slaves. Sadly two of them were dead." Baker paused and looked at his former boss keenly. "You know this, don't you?"

"Was the deceased someone you know?"

Baker's eyes narrowed kindly at her. "This doesn't sound like you."

---

Jazdia wondered what she used to sound like, she only remembered all her actions were based on principles, and yes, she fully acknowledged that Baker is trying to jab at her trademarked morals.

"Not directly... It was a daughter of a friend from the neighboring town." Baker gave up and both knew this 'friend' could be anecdotal, but the sternness in the Inn Owner's tone implicitly said that was beside the point. "I might not be the smartest agent in our now-defunct organization but I know collateral damage when I see one. It was the result of the raid, wasn't it?"

"Yes."

Silence fell. Baker, again, waited for more, but Jazdia's confirmation would only be that simple yes that seemed to have multiple meanings. The Inn Owner put the drawer aside and leaned forward. His eyes searched her.

"Who was it?"

The words came out sharply. But it was far from being galvanizing enough to make the elf in front of her waver. Jazdia knew where this conversation led to, and whatever reason Baker had to antagonize her and her team was probably warranted, but she simply had her own judgment. The murderer was a valuable asset, and he was needed.

"I am not obliged to answer that. It's already your second question."

"Wait! So Gerradl's slave counts too?"

"You asked, and I answered..."

Baker looked like he was about to petrify on spot.

"When I looked at that dead woman, I think about Nina's elder sister. God forbid-- I was glad it wasn't her, but I wondered what if it was her. I wondered how her family would react, I wondered how they would think after knowing the other slaves are liberated but not her. I wondered how they would take it she is dead by the one who was supposed to set her free. I wondered what the so-called liberators would think after that ordeal."

He looked at the doorway and grimaced with ephemeral disgust. "To think they would eat, drink and celebrate sickens me..."

There was a pause. Jazdia closed her eyes briefly and then glanced at him with a concerned undertone, signifying that both elves shared mutual sympathy, but hers was leaned more on reality.

"Someone will be held accountable for that unlawful killing, but that will not be not today." Jazdia rose up from her chair. Her mechanical tone showed neither promise nor irresolution, but her blue, brilliant eyes glanced with hidden anger. Though there was no threat in Baker's condemnation, It was important for her to make her point.

"You might not see me as a person who sees everything in the bigger picture, but this time I must." she said, reaching for the compass and the ring and securing it in her bag.

"Until when you will hold on to this pragmatism?"

There was more pause. And it was a question she intended to not answer.

"I can't answer that. Thank you for your cooperation, Captain Baker."

Everyone save the bear was still in the common room when Jazdia exited from Baker's warehouse and climbed upstairs. Slowly but surely she opened the room where Gerrald's former slave was resting and found her sleeping soundly. She could feel her chest tightens, not because it was wounded but rather a newfound sympathy.

The girl remained undisturbed, her face was much more peaceful now, but her breath was still short. The elf held the ring and channeled some magic into it. The ring slipped onto the girl's middle finger easily, and then with a simple touch and magical command, it turned invisible.

——Who… is to blame for this?

Jazdia closed the door and walked into the neighboring room. What Baker said, and the living irony rested just by the next door pounded her head mercilessly. Perhaps a warm bath can ease it up a bit.

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

Not long after Cedar left the premises, a man walked in.

"I don't know we have a guest," he said, walking closer to the currently most populated table. A man of the same age as Jazdia approached with a carefree smile. Just by looking, he seemed like a good man who got along with women. He had a handsome face and droopy eyes, with masculine, chiseled features. His slightly long black hair had smooth waves and his eyes were the usual brown. His elven characteristic contrasted with his plain, natural attractiveness. One that does not showy and easily forgotten but still very pleasant to look at.

His traveling outfit uniform was worn-out, a ranger tunic like Jazdia wore, but his was adorned with ornamental plaid cloth hanging from his belt and a silver patch on her shoulder with a symbol of an eight-pointed compass in a circle. His voice was cultured and smooth, and he gave off a completely different impression compared to the brusque attitude that seemed to be the trademark of his fairer counterpart.

"Miss Jazdia. What a pleasant surprise!" he greeted, though, with a hint of sarcasm. The elf smiled back, but the man smooth yet evasively turned to Matilda.

"Wilyadin is the name, but folks often call me Baker. I am so happy one of the king's retinue visited my humble establishment! I should offer a handshake but that's not how an innkeeper expresses their hospitality. Ninaa!"

"No need to shout, I'm right here like I always am. How'd your meeting with the Guildmaster go?"

The owner wagged his fingers. "Tut! Tut!" Now is not the time. Have you prepared the food? Rooms and bed?"

Nina pouted, such a poor sight for a cute young lady. "I have! But we need to cook the stew again!" across the table and counter that separated the common room from the kitchen she showed the now-empty pot and placed it back on the stove. "If you have time to dally you should help me! I've asked Nob to fetch the grocery, we are short-handed at the moment!"

The owner glanced at her and chuckled "I am sure you can manage sweety! I have a matter to discuss with one of our guests!"

"But, Fatheeeerr!"

Ignoring his 'daughter' plea and possibly underestimating the possibility of having cooking utensils thrown at him, the Baker continued. "I am very tempted to ask what's the occasion, but I guess I will invoke the old saying that ignorance is bliss." He shuffled his gaze on Matilda, then to Veronica, Solomon, Kaito, and lastly Jazdia.

"I assume your visit is not coincidental, eh Boss?" he said, still smiling.

"No, not really." answered the elf after a long and heavy sigh. "I need to take some of your old equipment with me. Could that be arranged?"

The elven owner flinched, but his jolly persona remained unchanged. "Goodness gracious, how long has it been? Ten years? And Your P's and Q's have not improved a bit. Of course, I still have them, and I will lend them to you if you have the password~~"

"Those are the property of CSA, and can be recalled or confiscated if needed."

That cheerfulness faded almost instantly. "But you disbanded it... have you not? And you are retired. Then by what right do you demand me to surrender my mementos?"

Silence, while Jazdia kept her deviant look, other patrons also looked at him uncomfortably. Then, a smile cracked on his face. The amiability returned, but this time it was laced with cautiousness. "Of course, I was just messing with you. You can use COMMS. Anything else is off-limits though. This is Kindeance. If you want something, you have to offer something else in return. Well, let's have it settled then. Ladies, and gentlemen, please enjoy the food and drinks... and atmosphere." He bowed, and as the man straighten up, he winked at the other two ladies.

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

Jorr jolted slightly. The words were delivered slowly, but emphasis after emphasis made it sound demanding. She straightened herself in an apprehensive posture. If she was making a mistake, she would say sorry if she didn't do what she was supposed to do she would do it, if she had to be silent she--

"I want ya's ta be yaself-- Knows yaself-- owns yaself-- decides fo' yaself-- and knows what yas likes, dislikes, and wan's fo' yaself. ... ... I kin tells this a big thang ta ask fer. .. .. Dun wurry 'bout it. I kin tells ya ain't ne'er done nut'n like at afore. But I'l be aright---'ats w'at I wants, and all I wants from ya. Nuttin' else. "

Cedar's words sounded like nothing but pity. And for Jorr, her first instinctive reaction to it was to be wary. Decided for herself? What was that? The concept was strange as it was fearful to her. As far as he could remember, her life was always decided by others; by her parents, by the merchant who bought and sold her to a master, then to another, and another. She had experienced the pain of making her own choices and had paid dearly for it.

Cedar's words, though encouraging were full of rambling nonsense. Part of her wanted to defy it, screaming lies! at the top of her wounded lungs, but she had been so conditioned with years of servitude that the only thing that came out was the word "Yes."

Without 'master'.

"Bein' free ta choose be da birthrigh' of E'ERY thinkin' bein', lil' lady. " "An 'at include you too."

Is that a request or demand? She could not fathom, not now, not today. After what happened, she only wanted to be left alone. To weep a bit more, to think... what was thinking? To decide? The silliest phrase was somehow engraved strikingly in her mind. She looked at Cedar, and her reply came in delay.

"Jormungand..."

The name now brought up some mixed memories about her deceased master, yet she uttered it not because it was given, but because it was hers. "My name is Jormungand. Please call me Jorry"

It was the first thing she had decided, and she looked at Cedar and searched for approval, but she found nothing of sort. Only a thin grin from his elongated jaw. Did I do it right? Is it okay to ask for more?

"Cedar-- I'am--" she reached for the bread and showed it to him a like child showing off a handmade toy. "Can I have this?"

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

@wierdw
"She seem nice enough on firs' glance 'dou."

"She reeks of old hatred!" the girl declared tensly, then she looked down, and trembled again as if realizing that she might have uttered something she shouldn't.

"I--I am sorry. Thank you for helping me--" Her voice was muffled, and Jorry clutched the hem of her dress. "Your kindness will never be forgotten... I will do my best to be of use."

The situation became awkward and only eased up when Nina suddenly returned with a tray.

"Heeey, it’s lunch time!"

The three stared at each other for a moment. Bear was sitting on the floor and was in a deep conversation. It was impolite to interrupt, but the door was open and she did say she would return. Ugh!

"It’s heavy. Hurry and take it!" Nina grumbled, then Cedar stood and reached for a table so Nina could place the tray safely

The menu was soft bread, vegetable soup with chicken and colorful beans, fried potatoes and onions garnished with salt, garlic, and pepper, roasted beef with sauce and fruit cake as dessert. That was the usual in this inn. Plain and simple food but homey and wholesome.

"Dig in you two!" Said Nina, smiling, but soon she smacked her forehead after realizing how big Cedar was. "Err... maybe call me later if you need something else?" There would definitely be a call later, but Nina just put up the last defense from bankrupting her entire kitchen.