Mas Bagus

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

Jazdia dismounted from the horse and caressed the animals' mane, still continuing the conversation with Solomon.

"Now you mentioned it, they do seem like a sibling. Though the maid was not as 'golden' as the admiral. Well, I did ask her about their relationship, and what is she to him."

"And her answer?"

"Just a mere servant, she said." Jazdia lifted a hand to let it bathe in the afternoon sunray and massaged her fingers as she continued. "If you ask me, her soul was not of the deceiving type, but she was telling an incomplete truth. Don't take my word for it though. It is safer to assume that she is also a Delving."

Despite saying that, Jazdia assessed that Solomon's theory didn't seem very cogent. If you are looking for someone who can influence someone with their power, that would be Baker. The Delvings' power seemed to be revolved around the barrier and utilization of cleansing magic. Usually, that kind of element would come with extra features like spell nullifiers, to mana siphoning.

But that was just a wild guess based on books she read a long time ago in the academy. A useful knowledge if you want to brag about your magical savviness amongst the commoners. Outdated and unreliable in the field application.

“Then again, from all I’ve heard, he may have finally fell victim to his own emotional turmoil." said Solomon, returning to the topic they had earlier. "He may have been suffering from internal conflict this entire time, and we failed to notice in our ignorance.”

The elf shook her head and stopped flexing her finger. It was apparent that Jazdia disliked the words Solomon had chosen and uttered, but she expressed that in her usual monotone.

"If we need someone to blame for his self-inflicted demise, that would be the man himself who craved an easy way out. I am sorry for the harshness of my words, but I have no respect for those who ended their life like that, no matter what words are used to twist it. Self-sacrifice, for the greater good, better to die honorable than to live in shame. That's hogwash all of it. Life is precious no matter what, and you should cherish your own."

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

Jazdia was aware that it was not a common topic to discuss, nor perfectly appropriate. But it was a mystery she wanted to be answered, both to sate her curiosity and for the formal rapport in the next meeting with Fredricus.

“I’ve done all I could. I cannot tell you he reasons, I do not understand them myself. But as it stands, I do not believe Chounan will be returning to us.” said Solomon.

Jazdia stopped her horse, tapping its mane akin to giving head pats to a boy. Solomon approached and properly faced her before continuing, “I would ask how you’ve come across such knowledge, but I know some of your ways. I assume you informed the others then?”

"I did, but it seems they were as indifferent as I was when hearing the news."

A pair of glowing, violet rings flared on the elf's irises as she channeled her magic into them. The change was barely noticeable in the place with sufficient lighting, but the gesture she made when focusing her sight usually enough to make people feel unnerved.

And with that, she glanced at the ground that was once blackened by the Doctor's shadowy spell, but then found no entity hidden beneath.
Shrugging, she added.

"My eyes could see the physical heart, but not what was going on inside it. Before we regrouped at Hdur, Chonan accidentally killed two restrained slaves during our effort to raid the Black Serpent Guild."

She wondered if everyone could notice the change in her expression. She had been trying to not frown, and recalling the situation in a distant tone, yet it still gave a bad taste in her mouth.

"It was the result of his own recklessness, an act of bravado to prove his worth if I could be so bold to assume. After the revelation, the man discarded his armor and hurt himself. We managed to have him back, but I presume the blunder has been gnawing his sanity ever since. Or it could be some other reason...? For a veteran with a lot of blood on his hands, the last collateral would have been rather insignificant. And he said he liked that Delving Maid. It was not something a suicidal man would say."

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

The wagon was a modest carriage with a fully enclosed cabin and an additional passenger seat on its back side. Layers of leather were used as its suspension, and the cabin was wide enough to be occupied by four people. But it has no air conditioning, a minimum standard in Helvitia for a nobleman's carriage but apparently was not the case here for some reason.

"It seems they really did what I asked. Too specific to be honest down to every detail, nothing less and nothing more."

"A wagon and horses detached from each other? Yeah, that's specific alright,"said Kaito, appearing behind Jazdia when the elf inspects the wagon. A set of towing harnesses could be found inside the cabin when they opened the door.

"Oh, looks like they were not forgetting it." snickered the elf, taking a step back and ruffling Kaito's hair. "Well, guess who will attach the horse to the carriage!"

The fox let her have her fluff for a while. "Can't say no to the boss, eh? I'll do it. Though if we do the math, we still need more horses to take us all.

It seemed everyone agreed on that assessment. And as Matilda started to ask what to do now in her trademark passive-frantic queries. Cedar was the first to openly propose a solution,

"Hey yo! Me an' da ol' fellar gonna go roun' up more horses. What do yer say?"

Jazdia looked at the bear. While Matilda grunted and Kaito shrugged.

"The process of attaching the horses would take some time, but that's not what concerns me. I see no healthy horses anymore after that blazing and wet light show--"

Jazdia sighed, before giving the druid a nod. Here comes the crucial part. It should have been brief, but dealing with this druid would require an elaborate do and don't.

"If you can improvise, you do it. But don't get yourself into trouble. No peasant would be willing to part with their mules at this time, even if the beast is a wounded, malnourished donkey that can barely stand on its legs. Search the Baron's stable. It is in the western part of the city. Go for it, double time!"

"Dat be a good point. I's understood. be right back."

As Cedar off for another adventure, Jazdia already felt Matilda's impatient breath down on her neck.

"What are you doing? We don't have time for more hide and seek!"

"Yes, but the shortage of transportation is not a negligible problem either unless you prefer having the two of us staying. Considering the potential dangers ahead and our doubt about the Delvings, that's a handicap we can't afford."

Leaving Matilda, Jazdia mounted one of the horses and had a test run by circling the wagon several times. She would need a healthy and agile steed to escort the convoy.

"45 minutes," she announced. "We will depart in 45 minutes, with or without them. That's acceptable enough for you, Mattie?"

The orc did not answer save a low grunt as she escorted the prince into the carriage. When Kaito was already working on towing the second horse, Solomon cathed up.

"Welcome back. I... assume our Samurai didn't make it?"

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

Matilda was annoyed by the proposition but found no reason to object to it, especially with the changes in the doctor's tone.

"We will not wait for him," she said, redundantly stressing what the doctor had implied earlier. "So don't take your time. If you can't find him, don't bother searching."
One more runner and betrayer would not make much difference now. If he was deserting, then we leave him. This way, His Majesty."

The group, save Solomon left the tower immediately and encountered Jazdia on their way down

***

"Oh, leaving so soon?" the elf chirped. Matilda, again didn't find it amusing and grunted as the rest of the party paused their descent.
"Isn't that what you want? What we agreed upon?" she grumbled angrily, but Jazdia shook her head. Stabbing her lithe finger toward the direction of the tower behind them, her eyes glittered with a violet color as she spoke.

"No, I mean... I thought there would be a movement of silence for that Samurai or something. I think Solomon found him now. He is lying on the floor somewhere in the building with his gut ripped open. Dead now, by his own blade. A suicide most likely."

The orc captain only balled her fist and knocked her metal armor with it, Saying nothing as she continued their journey down.
Jazdia took a deep breath, she would not grieve for him, not one bit. She had no respect for people who did not cherish their life, especially those who died cowardly by their own hands for an easy way out.

The elf glanced at the tower one last time before following the group again. Her mind raced back to the slave room and the victims the Samurai accidentally murdered during their raid on the Black Serpent HQ. The only regret she felt was Chonan died without a proper trial. The man must have felt the sheer pain of guilt torturing him before his untimely demise. Was this all a fair retribution for those he wronged?

There was nothing much happened when they walked through the ruined city. The evacuation effort had been mostly finished, and some civilians could be seen scavenging their belongings from what was left of their dwellings. Some surviving guards and Silas' naval officers were patrolling around, trying to maintain a semblance of order before the help from the capital arrived.

As they reached the city gate, three horses and Baron's wagon were parked near the city limits. Silas and his maid were nowhere to be seen.

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

There was nothing unusual when the orc arrived, except one particular person was not among the group.

The absence of the two bothered her somehow, but it was more on the Samurai. Jazdia was a wild card, yet her motive was clear; she would not abandon the investment she had worked so hard to rescue. She couldn't say the same Chonan however. That little man was a different breed of suspicious, he was a renegade, a quitter, and still a foreigner that has seen much of the nation's secret. She remembered how upset King Fredricus was when the foreign man resigned from his knighthood. His proposal was granted, true, but she marked him as untrustworthy from that day on. Why would the king hire him again on this important matter, she never knew.

"Where was Chonan?" the orc asked with a slightly agitated posture. "I did say to everyone to stay here and wait for us!"

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

When Cedar asked about the plan, the image of desperate civilians they just encountered played in her mind. It more or less represented the damage they had done on the surface, such damage would hard to miss. As much as she hated it, Jazdia and that damn Delving whelp were right. It was not the time to rest yet, and her option was limited.

"Where was that elf? Is she behind us?"

"Nay."

The orc shook her head and slowed her pace. And it was not because the elf went on the opposite way. No, that particular long-ear always had her own way of dealing with things, indeed seemed sketchy and suspicious sometimes, and she wondered if she had gotten used to it. The only logic that prevented Matilda from twisting her neck at any opportunity was because her king trusted her on a level she could never grasp.

He was all for a quick departure, but noticing that the prince was struggling to keep up the pace, she relented, and that was the reason.

"We get the heck outta here fast," she answered Cedar without looking back. The irony of such a straightforward answer was that she herself had no plan of how to do it. "There was an opinion concluding that we have been compromised, and suspected that enemy agents are inbound. That was why I ordered Solomon to send you the signal."

The boy peered back at the talking bear as if saying "I told you so"

"Err, about Admiral Silas. Did you meet him? Was it really him I heard earlier?" The young prince fidgeted after several attempts to remind Matilda of his unanswered question. Even in the dark tunnel, the enthusiastic glitter in his eyes was apparent.

At that question, Matilda sighed. "Yes."

"Is he going with us?"

"No, we sent him away." she answered and bothered a moment to curse Jazdia under her breath before turning to the boy again. "Doesn't mean he wouldn't try. Young Majesty, the information about your circumstances is very sensitive, please refrain from interacting with anyone save those who I have introduced as your rescuer. Please understand that it is for your own safety."

They finally reached the door leading to the cellar, and Matilda immediately stomped her way back up.

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

The maid tentatively escorted everyone including Jazdia out of the crumbling building. As the crowd dispersed, however, the elf remained; it was the first time for Jazdia to see directly the devastation the city has suffered. If she had words to describe it, it looked like both war and disaster had ravaged this place on the same time.

"Is there something else I can help you?" she maid asked. There was still a substantial distance between them, but Jazdia could hear her clearly.

The urgency to complete this mission clicked and shifted aside the empathy. What was done is done, now she should be focus on the task ahead. To that call, elf smiled as she walked closer. "How lovely of you!" and paused her words in a chortle. "There was one actually, would you mind taking me to your admiral?

"Well...I am sure you can find it yourself. If there is nothing else I gotta--"

"No, please! As you can see I am a stranger in this land and going alone would attract problems. There are always riff-raffs at the most difficult times, and nobody wants that. It is important, you see... regarding the plan we have discussed earlier."

Despite her calm disposition, Jazdia was trained enough to see a slight change in her expression before the maid could quickly force a smile. It seemed that the request was both unexpected and to be expected at the same time. Jazdia did not discounted the chance of Delvings planning some nefarious plan to abduct the prince, thus explaining their unexpected encounter. But recalling the event, she sure Matidal had left with the prince before this maid could gain an entry. A pure coincidence? Maybe not, but even so, the opportunity had passed away.

One thing for sure, the word admiral and plan convinced the maid. She played along, both women did not detach their mask cordiality and decided to prolong their charades.

"Of course, be happy to help."

"Splendid! You lead the way, yes?"

Despite saying that, the elf walked passed her and took the lead, resulting in the other woman following in sheer confusion, trying to keep up the pace.

The maid now walked beside her. A young woman in her early twenties she was, wearing a white dress that seemed too fancy for a mere servant uniform. Her weapon was a full-sized, two-handed sword she was currently carrying by having it rested on her shoulder, making the showy placement betray her usually cheerful demeanor as if her blade was ready for sinister employment should she decide to slash the sketchy elf beside her.

"Who was he to you anyway?" Jazdia asked, it was not out of curiosity, just to break the ice, and nothing more. And in exchange, the maid gave her an inquisitive look.

"Pardon?"

"Admiral Silas. He is a capable man, surely he doesn't need a bodyguard."

It took her some time to reply, and when she did, both her voice and expression were almost unreadable, save a small hint of displeasure.

"I am his servant."

No more words changed as they walked through the muddy road of Fanghorn. The tension has unintentionally remained so since their unplanned encounter at the bunker, and it seemed her last question only exacerbated it. Did she push a hidden button just now? Perhaps.

The Admiral was not far, just a block away from that collapsed building, seemingly busy with coordinating the evacuation effort with the two of his men. When they glanced at the approaching blondies, the effort halted, his men alerted, while some civilian males sounded a lecherous whistle.

Silas maintained a dignified posture as he greeted her. "Is there anything I can help you, ma'am?"

"We talked about your plan," said Jazdia without a preamble, and only continuing after brazenly pushing the man a few steps away from any possible prying ears. "You will ride ahead of us, keep your presence minimal to the rest of my team, but don't get too far. For that plan, I will need your horses, three of them."

The Admiral answered with a few nods.

"Understood. My men will stay to assist the commoners. Is there anything else?"

"Yeah, ask one of them to find a carriage. Our late Baron had one stored in the storage room inside the inner wall. Once you find it, park it and the horses near the city gate, and begin your outriding. Don't worry I will know it when the preparation is completed on your end."

Jazdia shook her head and swept her forehead, excusing herself to vent the accumulated frustration under her breath. At least Silas seemed to share the sense of urgency she felt right now. How reliable the man playing his role in this plan was still remained to be seen however.

"Sorry. This will be my last request. I will need your coat, take it off."

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

Matilda did not stay there long. When the trapdoor successfully wrecked open, the knight captain already escorted the prince through the tunnel. She, of course, had a glimpse of the reckless entry that Delving woman performed. Was it a coincidence? Was there a nefarious plan behind all of that? Maybe, but she was too tired to find out.

"I am sorry but we have to climb again, Your Majesty."

It felt relieving to be able to call the prince by his rightful title again.

***

For Jazdia, it seemed Matilda had already delegated the effort to see if there was any nefarious and dishonest intention behind this daring rescue for her to solve. Not that she minded it anyway, the bear was so focused on his roleplay as a pet he barely moved or talk, and both Matilda and the boy had already left with nary a word.

Knowing that their abrupt encounter had created an awkward atmosphere between them, Jazdia tried to not be a bother by moving aside and waiting. A simple gesture that barely eased the tension in the maid's face, no matter how well she hid it with her bubbly chuckle. The attentiveness she showed when helping the first survivor down to the twenty was genuine, to say the least.

There was no other survivor left, and no words were spoken between the two blondies until Jazdia walked closer and reached out her hand asking to be pulled out.

"Would you be so kind as to help this old lady? She missed the first queue..."

She only nodded and clasped her hand tightly.

And at that moment, Jazdia knew this maidservant with a frilly white dress was no joke.

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

"Matilda!' the boy cheered, and immediately handed the shovel to nearby townsfolk as he strode forward to the orc captain. "What happened there? I heard someone familiar and I thought..."

The orc only stood there. "All is well. It's time to go."

Her voice came muffled under her helmet as if she was unsure what to say. But it seemed the prince was as tactful as she hoped to be.
As he walked there, however, Cedar nudged his muzzle at the young boy and looked at him like a lost puppy. The boy nodded and seemed to acknowledge the request.

"I heard there was someone else up there." said the boy as he went closer to the orc. Half whispering, he asked, "Was it Admiral Silas?"

There was a sharp stare being sent to the elf behind her, but the non-human in question only shrugged with an indifferent expression. "I suggest we talk about it on our way back. This place is risky."

The word risky didn't seem to faze Matilda at all, or anyone within earshot. As the orc observed the room, she remembered there were two Von Kruber's servants amongst the crowd, but none said anything dared to make a move, yet.

"Agreed."

"Fools!" said someone suddenly. An old, desperate village who have been hunkering not far from them. "Go back there? To your deaths? Hahaha? Go! Go! fewer people to waste the air anyway!"

Matilda paid him no head, nor when the prince expressed his concern about these people. The orc simply snorted as she guided the prince back to the tunnel. "These people can use the same path we took."

***

When the boy finally returned to Matilda, Jazdia was glad everything went smoothly. Just a few troubled glances as the prince was being escorted away, but surely The orc captain fared better with words than her in this situation.
Standing beside Cedar, Jazdia decided to not ask, but surely she had a lot of things to note regarding their furry squadmate. That would be a headache for another day, it seemed.

"It's been a long day, huh?"

It was at that moment she heard a faint female voice calling out from above, followed by heavy footsteps and whirling noises of iron being swung with great strength. The floor above was solid concrete, but it felt like something heavy was falling above them. The civilians hunkered and covered their heads, some screeched in panic. Yet nobody dared to venture back to the tunnel.

"Sorry! Would you please stay away from the door? The handle is broken!"

A triangle metal thing suddenly jutted out from the gap, followed by a sound of wood being pulled apart. The afternoon sunlight fell down to the room from that broken trapdoor, followed by a makeshift ladder, and a certain blonde maid.

"Yes! More like...Twenty people here! Hello! No need to panic, please evacuate in an orderly manner. Women and children first."

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

To maintain a healthy level of mana reserve, Jazdia deactivated her eyes. They had her torches, anyway.

It was exactly how she imagined it to be; a long, tunnel that makes Jazdia wonder what its purpose actually for. The latch, as she imagined, was an iffy, redundant safety measure that could backfire horribly in case... well that was actually happening now. When the other side was blocked and the invader managed to overrun the fort, all it took would be a single nudge at the lock to trap those people alive. Not really a pleasant aftermath to think about.

"Hey, Mattie. Do you mind holding the torch and taking the lead? The prince recognizes you better. Thank you!"

Saying nothing but a grunt, the Orc Captain took the glowing arrow and walked in front. That was some sense of relief, actually. Besides the tactical advantage, at least Jazdia would not worry about Matilda twisting her neck from behind. They were not really at the friendliest term anyway.

After some quiet walks, the duo finally arrived at the end. The room was even more miserable seeing it up close; dark and cramped, full of people with only two candles lit to serve as the beacons so they won't bump at each other. Taking the most significant space was Cedar the Bear who now walked in four with the Prince beside him.

The young royal, now disguised with peasant garb could be seen offering help to break the door, which barely suffered any damage from the hard labor earlier.

It was Matilda who immediately addressed the boy. "Mil- Kid, we have to go now."