Mas Bagus

Absolved Will Be the Saviors

"More unusual than us, eh? You must see some interesting people out here on the frontier, friend."

"Oh you betcha! If it wos about bizarre appearance, then no folks can top those sarkaz mercs from Dagorlad. Come here once every blue moon for mercs jobs or just guardin' caravans. If it's bout personality, then those rogues from the guild should be the top contenders, play cards here for some nights while laughing and exchangin' tales bout their latest swindlin'. Those damn charlatans usually stopped laughing when they got too drunk and blathered up their latest source of fortune for everyone to hear."

The barkeep watched intently when the mercenary brought the food to his masked mouth, curious how the man would chew his meal, but then quickly realized that he had behaved impudently, so he continued.

"One thing for sure, fool as they may, no blokes with good heads on their shoulders would risk crossing to Sielse. Not anymore after the last winter, when the latest news about the latest batch of mercs stopped flowing. That's why I said they went on a one-way trip."

As for a 'one-way' trip, well... Whatever we're here to accomplish, I'm hoping it'll turn out two-way. I expect most of my allies here would agree."

"But, who knows how things will turn out. Tell you what, though, if I do return, I'll be coming back for some more of the best sausage rolls in the east."

The barkeep smiled.

"Then I owe ye some useful tips. Whatever your business might be in Sielse, better do it fast, and don't wait for anything, and I mean anything. Y'all must go home before November, lest yous will have to survive there until spring, and the more time you spend there the more it will mess your--"

The barkeep tapped his temple with his stubby finger.

"Things used to be more simple there a half-decade ago. On one side of the barn, you got that bloody loyalist, and on the other, there wos them heathen revolutionists. But these days I heard nobody can tell which pricks control that region. There used to be waves of refugees coming from Sielse, but today, all is quiet, like midnight quiet in a cemetery and we no longer see anyone trying to flee that no man's land. Sure, the bloody Tommies would detain illegal refugees, but surely staying behind bars is much better than staying in that God-forsaken land. Again, don't stay too long, do your duty and get back. Me inn's door's always open and yous can spend winter here."

@Valkon

Absolved Will Be the Saviors

"Knodel and Schweinshaxe sound wonderful for the main dish! Although, if possible, I would like a sausage roll with some black beer for the appetizer. I don't mind a reinforced breakfast, seeing the long way we probably still have ahead of us."

"I'll have the sausage roll. And some water please, thank you."

"Beer, more sausage. Nob! More of that swine legs and fried mashed potatoes of yours! And wother? Again? What's wrong with people these days?"

Seeing that nobody seemed to care about his cockney remark (not that he cares as long as they are ordering), Oswald returned to the kitchen to oversee the preparation and maybe give Nob some hand.

All dishes had been cooked, but before he put them on a tray and started serving, Oswald checked his list, not the kind he uses to keep everyone's order on the tab, but the list of people The Order had informed and their general appearance.

And their appearance was as insane as described, making the fat barkeep wonder what kind of faithful nutjob commissioned this mission. What mission? It was a secret they said in their letter.

He had everything served in no time, and since everyone was busy talking with each other, he decided to read the room and not meddle with his snarky remark.

"Quite a colourful bunch you have here." Oswald now sat at Rezello's table and placed a mug of beer and a plate of sausage rolls. "On the house." He gestured.

"Can't say yous are the most unusual though. I've seen more mercs like you folks cross the border in these past two years. Usually they got no papers with them, means one-way trip to no man's land. You, eh... got a similar purpose?"

Absolved Will Be the Saviors

“I think I’ll pass on the pig scraps and pickled cabbage. I’ll have some of that coffee, if there’s any left. And a sausage roll sounds like a hearty enough breakfast, so I’ll have that. Here’s hoping Carnatia’s meal doesn’t take up the too much of the Ktichen’s time to whip up.”

"Now we talk business eh! Goodd choice, simple and not bothersome." said the barkeep happily, pointing his graphite at Oswald. "Nah, no need not to worry about the bloody queue, Nob had made quite a batch this early morning, so sit tight! Coffee and sausage roll coming right up!"

Later, the eccentric man Ludwig called.

『 Ludvig 』 "Oh, I'll have some of that sauerkraut as well.
And some water, please. Thank you."

"Throat's getting sewer-ish I see. Don't worry mate, A water and them nasty cabbages!"

When Oswald wrote it down that blonde lady finally ordered, what a time indeed.

"Mine is a sausage roll, please. And give me your recommendation for a drink that suits with it,"

"Fancy that roll of dem sausage I see," he remarked, only to frown upon seeing the last part of what he just wrote. "milady, this is a bar.
We serve booze here for the most part if you haven't noticed. If ye ask me a nice drink except for spirits? Then I say you've got wo'er... with sugar, savvy?"

****

On a wooden tray, another freshly brewed coffee, black beer and two mugs of water (one sweetened) were ready to be delivered. The barkeep seemed to work both as a bartender and server, and he had all the drinks delivered in no time. His paunchy frame didn't seem to slow him down at all.

Now, he had already retreated to the kitchen, and would soon return to the common room with a tray consisting of already cooked pastry, tongs, and three relatively clean plates.

"Nob hasn't returned, so the cabbage has to wait, me afraid. Enjoy!" He said enthusiastically, to both Oswald and Lynx after personally plating the dish.

"Sadly we serve no pastry, and this town ain't got any bakery as far I remember," he said to Carnathia, waving the tongs. "Unless you want to knock on ole' Brenda's door. Damned sure she always bakes that flaky dessert of yours. In the meantime, fancy some sausage rolls, ma'am?"

Absolved Will Be the Saviors

Oswald was brewing that stranger's coffee when more patrons came in, and as he looked at the front door, the barkeep realized that his trouble was getting even bigger.

"Beer? This early in the day?"

remarked one of those newcomers. Her hair was carrot-colored, and her attire was as pompous as those troublesome nobles on the business trip.

"Then again I've heard that it would pair well with some of the dishes served in this region. Very well, a mug of your finest dunkel, then. As for the dish, I would like sauerkraut as the appetizer, Schweinshaxe as the main dish, knödel as a side dish, and apfelstrudel as dessert."

Without giving Oswald time to comprehend, let alone write those long words in a damn paper, that dame had already talking to one of her companions, who seemed like a bratty panjandrum.

"Oy! Guv!" He called, leaning half of his body on the counter like an irritated horse. "Say whot again?"

Carnathia repeated his order, and by the time she started pronouncing sauerkraut and Schweinshaxe, Oswald no longer bothered writing them up.

"You know what, Guv? I say you went to the wrong establishment. There is a fancy restaurant five towns ago run by Varenheim Knive ears, they definitely got all you want. The best we make here's sausage roll! Da best in da east I say!"

"We can have 'em too boss?" the cook suddenly chimed in, bringing Ludwig's omelet and placing it on the counter. "Saurkraut is that fermented cabbage, boss, and for Schweinshaxe---"

"Scwein... what agen?" inquired the barkeep, slightly confused when the cook spelled the word proficiently.

"Sch-weins-haxe" the cook corrected. "I can fetch swine knuckle from our local butcher, it's still early day so he should have some. For the Knodel, I will boil the potatoes now."

The barkeep rolled his eyes and poured a black colored beer into a mug. "Whatever. Bloody Fritz and their unnecessarily long words. Just saying you want a black beer would suffice. What about your pals? They got mushy wet sour cabbage and pork legs too?"

The cook, a young man with afro hair winked. His voice was smooth. "I can make your order, miss, but the preparation would take a while."

Absolved Will Be the Saviors

『 Ludvig 』 "Hi. Yeah, can I have um... Coffee and an omelette, please? Any omelette will do"

The barkeep was a mustached, middle-aged name named Oswald. He had average height and was a bit too fat to be considered healthy. He wore a white, long-sleeved shirt that seemed to have seen better days and a black vest with two buttons, and then a bowler hat with the same dark color.

He leaned forth and stared at Ludwig as if he had offended him somehow before finally answering.

"Oy mate! We've got beer, and if yew ain't want beer you ain't buying!"

This peculiar customer now placed two silver coins on the counter and nodded, confusing the barkeep even more.

"Wot? Yew serious? Well, it ain't like we ain't have it, Castellan occasionally orders some for lads doin' night patrol. A vile drink they say and I agree, it tastes like sewage wo'er and I'aint blame em if they think they got it as some sort of punishment. Not me affair to judge yer drink. One cup of coffee then, have a seat.

He turned back before returning to the counter again.

"And omelet, whot kind again? Ah nevermind! One plain omelet, for a gud man. Charlie, you hear?!"

A voice from the kitchen answered. "Loud and clear boss!"

Absolved Will Be the Saviors

Carmen Friston

Unlike Rezello, who clearly needed some time for stretchings after their long travel, the eccentric performer had already flickered his presence toward the terrace of the inn he mentioned. 25 days was enough for Carmen to get used to this man's peculiarities, so he didn't mind. He just hoped that his habit of sneaking up on someone wouldn't get him into trouble.

"Just one, Carmen. I assume you are quite well known through these parts, right? Considering my... 'luck' with Westernant authorities, should some of them share our dear ex-inquisitor's opinion about me, It would be quite useful to have someone like you, captain, to attest to my innocence, since you know well how unlikely most are to trust my words. Even when those are true."

"Yes, I was a Cavalry Colonel on these parts, but many things have changed for the last five years. But worry not, I've already put some words about our visit, so no one will question you."

Except maybe some rowdy drunkards a staple in every saloon and bar alike, but that was nothing they couldn't handle. Heh, come to think of it, the locals too might spare her some unfriendly looks and exchange some hateful whisper about her and other things that unfortunately beyond his control. Better not leave them too long without proper supervision.

"I will be joining you before midday. There is something I need to discuss with the garrison commander about the neighboring region."

"I've known of Dragon's Maw but this is the first time I've visited. You seem to know quite a bit about this place, what are the places of interest? Some good restaurant for fine dining before we depart to Sielse, for instance? I've been meaning to try some Castediar Pork Tenderloin with Romesco Sauce and Patatas Bravas."

"I got to admit... the idea of a good local meal is quite attractive! Don't get me wrong, the travel rations were fine, much better than most stuff I had to eat while under the loving 'care' of a few of the most... 'passionate' inquisitors, but given the lengthy mission we have ahead of us, it might be a good idea to take every opportunity we have for a bit of comfort while we can, no?" Amaris said, agreeing with Carnatia's suggestion.

Carmen decided to let the jab from Amaris pass and let out an amused chuckle, he did not blame them. Almost a month living off dried provisions would make one crave something more refined. Still, though, they were not in Servielle. "I am not sure those are what our castellan have on a daily basis," he said while glancing at the fortress northside of the city. "But they have pigs here as a staple, so I guess you could check out the tavern and see what they have. Who knows they might do a custom order. Why don't you two go with Lynx? And take Rezello with you too. He seems could use some refreshments."

@13org@Randomguy@Soldat Elf@Valkon

Absolved Will Be the Saviors

On the way

25 days later

For most of the journey, the party had developed quite a steady habit: they would travel when the sun was still up, and camping the sun was no longer on the horizon. Restock sufficiently in every town, and make sure the horses are well fed and well rested.

It was never meant to be a comfortable ride for anyone, but at least their journey has been uneventful, and most importantly, safe. Many barren flatlands passed, yet no problem sprung out from the lonely grassland, neither from the hills nor steep riverbanks. Day or night didn't make any difference. Castediar really knew how to keep their vast territory conducive, and it made Carmen proud.

It was the Captain's turn to be the outrider when they approached the frontier city of Dragon's Maw. From here they could see the mountain range and iconic hills that stood tall beside the city, like a body of a giant wyrm that guards an encased jewel.

Still visible from here was Dragon's Maw Fortress. It was built on the hilly side of the town, right at the end of the mountain range. The morning sun shone on the citadel like some sort of divine light blessing a fully armored dragon slayer stepping on the head of a fallen wyrm.

Upon entering the city limit. Captain Friston announced. "This will be our last stop."

Despite being a frontier city, Dragon's Maw was a thriving settlement; the roads were paved, and the buildings were made of concrete, stone, and solid wood. It provided all services and needs commonly found in other notable cities across Westernant, making it a popular rest stop for merchants from Savoy, or Dagorlad.

It was, however an undisputed fact that Dragon's Maw owed its prosperity to the large presence of military activity around it. In every corner of the road, there were always Westernant Soldiers guarding the premises, the queue in Blacksmith's workshops was dominated by military orders, and the off-duty soldiers had always been the most frequent patrons for the local tavern.

For Captain Friston, this was like a homecoming. He was stationed here ten years ago and some veterans might still remember him

After going through Dragon's maw main road, he stopped the convoy in a military garrison near the city limit.

After speaking with a soldier who apparently knew him and had been informed of his arrival, Captain Friston returned to the group.

"Amigos, we will replace our horses here and resupply. Accommodations for you have been booked in the inn we passed earlier. Feel free to check it out, or stroll around the city if you please. But don't forget to get enough rest. We will leave tomorrow morning by horse. The carriage will have to stay here for security reasons. Any questions?"

Absolved Will Be the Saviors

Where it Begins

____
Captain Carmen Andario Friston walked through that corridor again, not a step wasted without a silent prayer. Sharply dressed with his trusty Galero, he wore a blue navy uniform with black trousers and a traveling coat. His sabre had been polished and now dangled on his left hip.

He had woken up early, but he was hardly the only one. The Helvetian clerics had already started their daily routine before the rooster began crowing, ready to man their stations. Some had prepared their breakfast, while the others attended morning Prayers with the archbishop.

Everyone was already there, so he sat down, recited another prayer, and participated in their communal breakfast.

****

"This tunnel leads to Arche, a village east of the capital." Said Saunière, gesturing to his disciples to open a large trap door in the Church Library. "Our ancestors built it many years ago as an evacuation route and no one besides the congregation knows where it ends."

The thud of that wooden door and the dust that puffed out afterward made the archbishop take some steps back.

"I am sorry Children, I wish there was a better route than a dusty old tunnel to start your journey."

"It's out of necessity, so it is what we'll take." Carmen said.

"Indeed. The supplies and your horses have been waiting for you in Arche. One of my disciples is standing by at the crossroad to guide you to your transport."

"Thank you, Archbishop." Carmen bowed, and Saunière patted his shoulder. "Bring them back safely. I know you can. You too, Mirielle, I can't say your journey will be easy, but try to face everything with compassion and patience. May God protect you, and may you never stray from the path of righteousness."

When Carmen made his way down to that tunnel, followed by the others, their journey had begun. The last prayer Saunière recited was still echoing in his head.

****

Meanwhile, at another corner of the city, The Peacekeeper current director Jazdia Crystalspark was enjoying her tea time at the HQ's cafeteria when a concierge approached her.

"Good morning Frau Crystalspark, I hope you don't mind the intrusion, but I have a letter for you. From Seine Exzellenz Saunière."

"The Archbishop?" the elven woman inquired. "He delivered it in person?"

"Nein, gnädige Frau, one of his klerikerinnen did, said it is for you."

The concierge showed her a white envelope and carefully placed it on the table. Meanwhile, Jazdia wondered what this was all about. Didn't she already sign the clearance yesterday? Why did they have to pester her this early in the morning?

She glanced at the concierge, acknowledged the letter with a nod, and thanked him.

"Not another mother's sob stories again, I hope."

The letter was... unexpected. It was a recommendation letter for someone named Amaris Mallory, a Sarkaz who apparently had been in The Order's detention for almost a decade and probably needed asylum because she held important information.

Jazdia folded the letter and stored it in her satchel bag.

"Unexpected and unusual," she muttered, squeezing a slice of lemon into her cup. The letter looked more like a distraction than anything, why now, why today, and why that person? And more importantly, Who was that person?

Surely she would find a record or two about this Amaris in their database, but God knew her schedule wouldn't allow that. Was this some trick to make her spend all day inside an archive room? And they thought she would fall for it? Come on.

For someone as cunning as Saunière, he should have tried better. That Pontifical Guard slash ex-inquisitor knew better how to get his job done.

She sipped her tea and recalled the meeting yesterday, believing this bizarre letter was meant to veer her attention from The Order's biggest complaint; The Council's reluctance to send off a rescuing party. And to respond to that, they sent their high-ranking field officer to negotiate.

"Stubborn...", Jazdia thought, with a bit of amusement, rare was the day when someone could claw something out of her hand.

This Ex-Inquisitor Carmen Friston insisted that whether or not she signed up that clearance was irrelevant, but he had hoped that she did. Because they will go regardless, and they will use all resources at their disposal to besmirch the credibility of her organization if she keeps stalling this mission. Decades of tenure in this line of work convinced Jazdia that it was not an empty threat.

So she had the clearance letter inked, hoping nothing disastrous would come out of it.

If it were up to her, she would show him the door, but her idealism would only get her so far in this political circus. Saunière too had played his role in this by rallying the families of those who went missing with Thomas; Those who had influence used their privilege to send formal requests to the council, while those who were less affluent would directly storm into the HQ and make her afternoon tea time less enjoyable.

Come to think of it, whether she signed that permission or not, they would be the least of her problems soon, well, for the time being, at least.

"Miss Jazdia, our ship will be departing in one hour." Announced a woman with long blue hair styled in a silly-looking cut. Jazdia answered with a troubled smile.

"I will be ready in ten minutes."

Right, a trip to Kindeance. The Council's current focus for the time being. Kindeance and Mecedonion's peace talk was scheduled for the next month and she would act as their mediator.


Taking the last sip of her soured tea, Jazdia stood up from her chair and checked her notebook. It should be the time to put the matters regarding Tretagor in the back of her mind, but somehow, she recalled this one moment of their banter yesterday.

"Tell me, Señorita, don't you want to join us? To amend past mistakes? To make things better?"

To which she replied.

"Unlike you, Colonel Friston, I don't engage in the futility of fixing a broken mirror."

Absolved Will Be the Saviors

Carmen Friston

『 Ludvig 』 "Oh. Which way is the kitchen?"

"Straight ahead, and then go to the right. The infirmary is on the left wing of the temple."

And then that weird performer was gone.

If it wasn't for his hat (which he had put back on when done with his meal) the facepalm would be epic. What was that just a moment ago? In his entire life as a noble and officer who had seen many kinds of soldiers, not once had he ever seen someone act so ungentlemanly as if all common sense had been temporally absent in his head.

Where did Saunière get this guy? Yes, in the circus, but why?

Despite the inappropriate and shocking turns of events, Carmen noted that the guy moved faster than the wind. Maybe that explains his eccentricities. To think this man was just a mere circus performer was quite a waste of talent, he thought.

A moment passed, and Carmen still mulled over the recent mishaps, meanwhile, Amaris told the rest of her story. He didn't put any thought into it, it sounded like one side of a story that made a lot of sense but was unverified nonetheless.

"This kind of mischief will not happen again." He said finally, partly to Amaris as an indirect apology, and to everyone else, as a light warning. "I am sure everyone here knows what is appropriate. I don't take ignorance as an excuse."

Standing up and taking a moment to fix his hat, Carmen added. "I will head back to my room first. If I am allowed to give a word of wisdom, don't stay up late, we will be leaving early this morning."

When walking through the corridor to the dormitory floor, Carmen wondered if he should employ a more traditionalistic approach for this mission. This new team looked like one hell of a group to work with.

Absolved Will Be the Saviors

Carmen Friston

Saunière had left, again, leaving Carmen, who seemed in deep thoughts. The Head of Pontificals Guards had prepared himself for this kind of revelation, or at least had predicted it. He already knew about the transfer, and the fact that it would be here of all places, surely it was not a mere coincidence.

He just didn't expect the archbishop would really enlist her in this mission.

It seemed the trouble was already brewing. Mirielle would start it, and that... again, wasn't surprising at all. The outburst was a stark contrast to Amaris' gentle proems.

Surprisingly the female inquisitor was calm enough to let their Sarkaz guest finish her introduction. Not saying the entire process was happening in cordial terms. Mireille was fuming, and Carmen could feel her penetrating gaze already bore through his skull. The Sarkaz's insouciant attitude when she grabbed her plate and started eating was not helping either.

"Please eat first," Carmen said in a slightly detached tone but still smiling at her to maintain the welcoming atmosphere. "This should be a feast, so make yourself comfortable. Questions and answers can wait, but if you insist, I am Carmen Andario Friston, I will be the captain of this mission."

Then he turned to Mirielle and shook his head, signaling to her that "Now is not the right time."

Come to think of it, Saunière should have told her about his plan instead of him. Would make this entire arrangement a lot easier for both of them.

As for him, after a brief consideration, he actually didn't mind The Sarkaz's participation. From the news he had heard, in 9 years she was in The Order's custody, there were almost zero accidents reported regarding this particular individual. It at some point intrigued him, but he just didn't have the chance to know The Order's newest hunting tools better.

Today the chance had presented itself in this very hall, to see the Witch herself in the flesh, and he must admit that he felt slightly bad for her. The moniker felt undeserved, and treating her like a tool feels wrong. It was a real person sitting and eating in front of them, not some uncivilized beast with no conscience. Although he did not discount this sarkaz's sins and her ill-famed ancestry, it was only fair that she was given a chance after almost a decade of relative obedience toward the Order's teachings.