The Death of a Mother

The darkened clouds hang in the sky, yet no rain descend. A quiet morning, a slothful morning, for the yesterday’s festival have drained the taverns and bars of the City’s supplies of alcohol. The streets, almost empty. The hundreds of boutiques, closed. But in front of a large building, though, Tanya and Cerinn stands, speaking to an eye-drooping man, “I, Tanya Orilldera, a handmaiden, am here on the behalf of my Mistress, Lady Malinda Tertin. She would be most pleased with your contribution if you open your store earlier today so we can browse your merchandise before the City fills with people.”

The man goes wide-eyed immediately with the utter of Malinda’s Honored name. And with a sluggish bow of the owner’s upper body, placing his hand on his chest while erecting an arm outward, he says in an overly polite way, “Honored Handmaiden, it would so gladden me to be of assistance to the Honored Lady of the Tertin household. Yet, I’m in this degrading wear to be a guide for you around the store. But if you could lounge for a minute or so, I’ll prepare myself to be more adequately dressed.”

The owner, a nightrobe-wearing man with a bushy brown goatee while his ruffled sleeping hair has laid itself on his shoulders. Rather too long for Tanya’s taste, though as she gives a nod, a reply sounds out, “We’ll wait by our carriages. Do go on, for my Mistress has strictly ordered me to bring whatever her lover wants. And I do not wish to be scolded, so please, do hurry.”

“Of-Of course! It’ll be but a moment!” the owner yelps, bowing quickly again then closes the shop’s door after him. Leaving the two handmaidens there on the cobblestoned street where noble stragglers and drunk people wander or lie passed out by the high walls that go around the shops, for they’re currently in the heart of the Inner Layer of the City, to visit the most expensive places. Because the list that Xe’Reth gave to Tanya, isn't something that regular people can buy by simply walking into any store. It’s the highest kind of supplies in the Kingdom, well, at least in the Tertinum domain.

“Is this what we’ll be doing all day, Tanya?” Cerinn asks, gazing up at Tanya’s relaxed atmosphere while standing beside her, dresses elegantly in her handmaiden attire with her fixed bun hairstyle.

With a head turning, Tanya looks down at the Shorty next to her. She sighs, “Yes, little one. As this is the first stop and the boutique that has—Well, I think it has the objects written on the list. Though…”

She gazes toward the carriages, where the servants who’re the exact same servants who came along to Xe’Reth’s rundown house yesterday. They’re laughing at jokes, giggling at embarrassing gossip, and talking regularly with each other, but with Tanya’s lingering gaze directing at them, they straighten themselves to be absolutely quiet.

However, they know Tanya’s personality, so they smile innocently while she opens her mouth to give out orders, “Listen up now ladies. All of you have gotten a replica of the list. When we begin to browse this store, take your time. No need to hurry… And you… Do try to keep your hands where they belong. Understand?”

Cerinn scowls with pouting lips at the baseless accusation, but this, this is indeed the first time she’s outside the boundaries of the Citadel, and her nervousness, at an all time high. For that owner’s hair and beard was something she has never seen before.

She had sat in the carriage beside Tanya on the way here, inspecting her surroundings. The built buildings of different shapes. The people of both male and female. She’s anxious indeed, but as she gazes at the other servants who’ve been out of the Citadel before, her head lowers in embarrassment, for they’re acting as if it isn’t anything to brood about.

Alike an all girl school, and the teacher guiding them around the City to explore its wonders, Tanya. Even though the other servants beat her in age.

“Do you understand, Cerinn…?” Tanya repeats sharply, leaning closer as Cerinn then unwillingly nods her wilting head in compliance. “Good, hmm… It was the first time I’ve seen her husband. She usually handles the store’s business, and not him. Maybe something have happened?”

“What’re you mumbling about…?” Cerinn sourly pouts, clutching her hands together to her chest as she gazes at her surroundings suspiciously, not aware of her own mean comment, ‘I just want to go back to the Citadel… I don’t like being out here… I want to be surrounded by high walls. And why do I need to follow her instructions? She’s the same as me, a handmaiden.’

“I’m just saying that someone else, his wife, usually takes care of this grand shop. I’ve had my dealings with her many times before. A gentle lady like myself,” Tanya smilingly says, touching Cerinn’s shoulder to try to break their conflict with each other.

“Gentle…? Humph!” Cerinn brushes Tanya’s hand away as she whips her head in another direction while still pouting with her lips. Being extremely grumpy. “There is nothing gentle about you. Just look! My new dress is getting all dirty at the bottom! I hope you’ll recompense me for this horrible activity. You’re a handmaiden…” she raises her proud head, “…Like myself. You only need to snap your fingers to send out servants—”

“Young lady! You’ll not speak in such a tone with me!” Tanya snaps, interrupting Cerinn’s controversial speech. Also shocking the servants. But she covers her mouth immediately with a grimace to calm herself down. “Please, just knock it off already. I’ve been very patient with you, Cerinn, but even I have my limit. And you do not want to reach that limit. I warn you for the last time. Quit it with your childish behavior, or I’ll have a word with Sir Xe’Reth in placing you back to your position as a servant, and not a handmaiden.”

“Stupid old granny…” Cerinn whispers, glaring at Tanya’s two globes of flame that widen at her comment. “Yes, you heard me. You act like an old lady. All that good behavior you try so earnestly to keep up is sickening, and I can’t wait to be rid of you. And, don’t you know…? I just need to tell Xe’Reth of what I’ve heard. You know, about your fellow old ladies’ club.”

“Cerinn…” Tanya utters in a quiet but extremely disappointing voice. Her scowling eyebrows pierce Cerinn’s mind since she did go a little too far. “Hear me, Cerinn,” she leans in closer to whisper secretly so the others can’t hear, “I’m sorry to say this, but we won’t take any of your threats. You’ll… You will be replaced by means you won’t like. I’m sorry, so you better start acting responsible or we, who’re in our Mistress’ faction, will remove you.”

Cerinn recoils with eyes ajar in hearing the usually gentle maiden being utterly ruthless. Remove? She can’t honestly mean what Cerinn thinks? Throw her out into this…? This horrible place? It’s dirty and unkept. Cerinn only needs to gaze at the ground to witness the dust, the unwashed cobblestones, and the unknown people who stare at them in slight curiosity. Sure, it’s the Inner Layer of the City, but even though nobles live here, it isn’t as pure as the Citadel, which’s the cleanest place Cerinn knows.

‘Damn you… you… you…’ Cerinn sighs with a drooping head in defeat, then nod her head as she responds, “Fine, I’ll behave. And I won’t complain anymore… for now…”

“Good girl,” Tanya says with a delightful smile, patting Cerinn’s head gently, but she whips it away with a sneer.

……

…

After several minutes of waiting, the door finally opens again, to reveal a ponytailed man with round spectacle glasses and a suit that fit his thin body that have no muscles.

With everyone’s eyes on him, he bows with a hand erected outward while sucking up to the handmaiden in front of him, “Do forgive my late arrival, Honored Handmaiden Tanya Orilldera. But my wife and I—Or my wife had drunk a lot yesterday since the celebrations did affect our regular business schedule.”

Though as his eyes finally travel to Cerinn, he flickers them in surprise. Same uniform, same hairstyle. But she’s a bit grumpy with those crossed arms, lowered eyebrows and mouth. A handmaiden. She wasn’t in the guidebook of the City’s ruling household. A rasping cough escapes from his throat as he postures himself to stand straight as an arrow, having his hands behind his back.

“Do forgive me again, but who might I have the honor of meeting, Honored Handmaiden…?” the man inquires without a shred of shame, because even though he and his wife own this large shop, they’re only commoners, not nobles. But, they’ve gotten permission to settle in the Inner Layer since their business has been highly sought out for in Tertinum, and only in Tertinum.

Cerinn is stunned. How does he know about her being a handmaiden? Of course, she doesn’t know that the clothes which she’s wearing mark her as a handmaiden. It’s a little bit different than the servants’ attire. Slightly diverse patterns from the waist down, and the symbol of the Tertin Household, engraved on the other side of her chest. Indicating that she’s indeed of higher rank.

Before Tanya manages to interrupt, Cerinn bravely speaks out her Honored name in exhilaration, gaining a proud grin, “I’m Cerinn Jeyver, the Honored Handmaiden of Sir Xe’Reth Quinery, who’s the lover of Lady Malinda Tertin. Pleased to make your acquaintance, good shopkeeper.”

“Ohh! It is indeed an honor. And I’m sorry for not recognizing you, but since you’re his—,”

“It is Sir Xe’Reth if you please, not his, him, or he. Do remember that next time. Since you wouldn’t want to anger Lady Malinda with your disrespect, right? She is utterly strict to those who speak ill of him and to those who dare look down on him in her presence,” Cerinn elegantly responds, bobbing her head up and down to wholly release her stuck-up personality.

When Xe’Reth and Malinda had sat down to eat breakfast, Tanya and herself also ate with them. And through an opened mouth, words escaped from Malinda’s lips, so Cerinn managed to hear all of the happenings of yesterday’s events.

That Xe’Reth was tortured in his home, though, they held back bits and pieces of what happened. That Malinda won’t let people show disrespect to him now that he’s her lover and those who does, well, Cerinn still shivers from how dreadful her expression got by just merely thinking of such events. Bending her silverware in her hands. Truly, her strength even though her body isn’t that of a muscled brute exceeds all.

Now here in front of this middle-aged man, she has used her gathered information to her advantage.

“I… I meant no offense… I’ll keep that in mind from now on, Honored Handmaiden… But, how old are you, if you don’t mind me aski—?”

“I’m old enough!” Cerinn screams as she points her lightning fast finger at the eye-gawking man who now knows he made a huge mistake in asking. “Just because you’re taller than me doesn’t mean I’m a chil—Mhmh—!”

“Do forgive her, she’s a newly instated handmaiden to Sir Xe’Reth, and she still haven’t taken her vows of servitude yet,” Tanya interrupts, clutching with one hand to Cerinn’s mouth in a terrifying way. Even her nose is covered so she can’t breathe. But no matter how much she struggles with flailing arms, Tanya’s clasping hand remains.

“Sh-Shouldn’t you take away your hand…? Her eyes are rolling into the back of her head…” the man urges, witnessing Cerinn’s weak strength trying to fight back the greater force that holds her.

“Oh…” Tanya gasps while letting go of Cerinn.

“Haaaa…” Cerinn breathes in the life force, her face, blissful upon tasting the tasteless energy. “Are… *Caugh, cough* Are you out of your mind?! You almost killed—Aaaa… Haaa… Killed me. I should report you to the DLO for abuse! I should! I should!”

Tanya merely sighs with a shrug as Cerinn returns to her former self in a flash. Then direct her attention to the shopkeeper as if nothing happened. With a forced smile, she politely asks, “Honorable shopkeeper, where is your wife? Is she perhaps ill, because I’ve made all of my purchases from her.”

“Well, she has a dreadful hangover, a big one at that I’m afraid. Because I haven’t touched any beverage ever since our daughter died. So she drinks for the both of us when festivities are held,” the man says, growing extremely sorrowful-looking upon reminiscing about his dead girl, who died of the Fire-Brand disease. “Actually, Honored Handmaiden. We were going to have the shop closed for today to honor our dead daughter. Hence, no employees minding the store’s door. But having the blessing of Lady Malinda outweighs anything. And if you don’t mind me asking… Is this perhaps your first visit to any store that… well… For the sake of Sir Xe’Reth…?”

“Hmm… unfortunately, it’s not, but, you may take the honor for being first. In the memory of your deceased daughter. You can have all the advertisement according to how you see fit, though, do try to keep it to a minimum,” Tanya responds, nodding her head for her own kind-hearted self.

If the opportunity presents itself to Tanya, she willingly grasps it if it involves aiding someone in need. But her overly gentle way do have its disadvantages, which had happened before when much alike this time, Tanya had given permission that wasn’t hers to give.

The backfire: a feud against a couple of boutiques who so greedily tried to snatch any chance to have an Honored One as their customer. But of course, such information rarely get forwarded to the guilty party, because angering an Honored One would destroy their established enterprises.

As the husband clasps hold of his own hands, he rubs them in slight greediness. Gaining a somewhat glint in his eye to the opening of moneymaking. Though, as he gazes out at the large central courtyard, moving his eyes to the giant gate that lead to the Outer Layer, he flickers with his eyes in bafflement.

A caravan of carriages, horses, hounds, and walking DLO agents, marches into the square. And at the helm of the convoy, the Inquisitor gallops with a young lady riding on a white mare next to her. They’re fully dressed in the blue-coat attire, while on their backs, the standard issued crossbows hang fastened on all of the agents as if they’ve just come back from a successful raid in catching a criminal’s base.

“Dear Divine Queens, what might have happened I wonder…” the shopkeeper utters in bafflement since the convoy does blow out of proportion with their steel-clad horses, blue painted carriages which are filled with even more Agents, and the single roofless and wallless carriage that has a dead beast on it. A gigantic ebon-furred bear with several crossbow bolts stuck in its thick hide while it drips scarlet blood onto the cobblestone beneath, seeping through the wooden cracks.

An animal that Xe’Reth knows all too well. The mother bear in the mountain valley where his now destroyed garden lie. A bear that let Xe’Reth build in its domain. But where are the mother’s cubs? The offspring that sometimes found its way to Xe’Reth’s garden?

Those cubs, he let them go about carefree while seeing to them so they won’t climb over the fence to taste the Yran’Gilis flower. However, the mother was always nearby, peering with its pitch black animal eyes. Never letting her children out of sight.

Nonetheless, he enjoyed their company, no matter how little time they spent together.

Now there on that carriage. A mother lies dead on the wooden construct of mankind. A valley stripped to the littlest of details. Agents roam the mountain valley now, to find any clue to the perpetrators whereabouts.

A quest for the ghostly shade clad in black… has begun, yet not.

As the Inquisitor's eyes travel to Tanya, she scowls deeply at the handmaiden’s attire. A girl who she recognizes too well by her flaming hair. But with a shock, her eyes go wide in carelessness. The Inquisitor hastily pulls her rains toward them while yelling out, “Writer, continue to the headquarter at once! I’ll meet you there!”

“As ordered, Madam Inquisitor! Agents, you heard, onward!” the spectacle-wearing man yells, raising his arm up in the air, then with a forward sweep, they continue in haste. Causing the whole caravan to speed up as the Inquisitor and a particular young girl rides to the side, letting every Agent pass before traveling toward Tanya, who gaze in confusion at the sudden attention from the woman of power.

With strutting movements coming from the two lone horse riders, they steer their reins by pulling them toward the carriages situated on the west side, in the central square of the Inner Layer. The shopkeeper gulps nervously since he has never had the pleasure of meeting anyone higher than an Honored Handmaiden.

“Is that who Lady Malinda talked about at the breakfast table…?” Cerinn asks, squinting to catch everything that those riders have at their disposal; the Inquisitor’s hair, a braided crown, while the young girl, too, has a braided crown.

“Yes… Be alert, show no fault… because that woman is supposed to be meeting my Mistress at this moment… But she isn’t, she’s here, riding all carefree,” Tanya replies as she squints too.

She lowers her eyebrows in slight anger, for if she’s here, then that would mean her Mistress isn’t with her. Either it was a short meeting, and the Inquisitor has managed to return from wherever she came from, or that she’s making her Mistress, an Honored One, wait. And that, even for Tanya’s caring self, is something that can’t be forgiven.

As the clanking of the horseshoes declares their arrival, the Inquisitor greets by raising her hand, “Greetings, Tanya Orilld—,” but before she finishes, Tanya interrupts.

“Inquisitor… What is the meaning of this? Aren’t you supposed to be meeting with my Honored Mistress?” Her eyebrows lower further down to display her irritation, forming a cross under her bosoms with her arms.

“Mm… Ah, yes. I did have an appointment with that girl today, didn’t I?” the Inquisitor recollects as she raises her head to stare up at the sky. Completely unaffected by Tanya’s mean guise that she’s showing. While a hand gestures in boredom. “Unfortunately, I had other… more important affairs to attend to. So it outweighed that girl’s simple quarrel. Though, I’ve put two younger Agents on the case in finding the perpetrators that tortured her lover.”

“And who’s that, Orilldera?” the Inquisitor asks while catching the little handmaiden standing there glaring at her.

“Rissara… She is the newly appointed handmaiden of Sir Xe’Reth,” Tanya replies, putting her hand on Cerinn’s shoulder while smiling with closed eyes. And as she opens them, they glare.

However, the seated girl on the horse beside Rissara has wide eyes of surprise. For it’s the daughter of the fat slob. Her breathing, uneven as she gazes at Cerinn. Then out of nowhere, she too glares with clenching teeth.

Her peaceful life had ended because of Xe’Reth since Malinda wouldn’t have sent her father to jail if it weren’t for him. Him who she hasn’t met but hates with all her heart. Her father at this moment sits in prison for murdering her mother and for the monstrous acts he had committed.

“What are you looking at!” Cerinn barks, not liking those globes of hatred directing at her, which startlingly wakes the girl up as she recoils with her head at the sudden shouting voice. “Haven’t you ever seen a handmaiden this young before?! Well, I am!”

“Cerinn…!” Tanya snaps at her vulgar outburst. Tightening her grip on the shoulder to calm her down.

“She’s but a child. Though, you were also a handmaiden at that age, weren’t you, Tanya. But nonetheless, watch what you say, you little infant. You’re in the presence of someone far superior to you,” Rissara growls, not liking the tone she spewed out at her successor. However, this young woman next to her has changed a lot since yesterday. For witnessing her father’s maddening screams wrecked her mind. Rissara had to take her in, to her own household, and the papers of adopting her have already been finalized.

A successor and a daughter.

“Rissara… You need to return to the DLO headquarter at once. My Mistress is waiting for you at this moment, and you, you dare make her wait? For what? Explain yourself!” Tanya bellows angrily but being extremely curious at what critical business Rissara had to deal with.

“I do not need to explain myself to you or anyone else, but… Since it involves Tertinum…” Rissara interrupts herself, gazing at the shopkeeper who flickers his eyes at the unexpected attention. “Good trader, leave us, for this business doesn’t involve you. Now leave. Go inside.”

“Y-Yes, of course, Madam Inquisitor!” the shopkeeper nervously complies, walking backward with a bent upper body, and as he’s inside, he says to Tanya, “I’ll be waiting, Honored Handmaiden.”

The door then closes with a faint click.

Servants, two handmaidens, and two from the DLO. They gaze at each other while the servants have retreated somewhat because of the recent quarrel. Like a pack of frightened ducks clumping together.

“Tanya… an illegal base have been located on the east mountain. It lies in a forgotten valley. It’s a drug site. And those who found it, my Agents, they almost didn’t escape with their lives,” Rissara reveals openly, without holding anything back, for handmaidens and servants that live in the Citadel have been sworn to silence. To hold their tongues outside the boundaries of the Citadel’s walls.

Who can they speak to other than their fellow women of servitude? None.

“A drug site in Tertinum, and so close to the Ebon Wall? How is that even possible…? What have your organization been up to? To let such a criminal refuge be established?” Tanya asks in bafflement. Sure, she might not care for simple illegal practices, but a base just outside of Tertinum City? It can only get worse from there.

“Yes, you’re completely right. But almost no evidence was left by the heathens. They blew up their base of operations, leaving only dust and ashes behind. But don’t worry, we’ll find the perpetrators in due time, for we have a lead that some of my senior Agents are looking into,” Rissara explains as she still sits on her horse, while her adopted daughter also sits, but silently.

Silent she gazes at the little handmaiden. Peering with eyes of hatred. However, it’s an animosity that’ll not be sated. She’s young, and she has a bright future ahead of herself to starve, to never truly be rid of her loathe for Xe’Reth and Malinda.

“A lead you say? Care to reveal it to me…?” Tanya curiously asks, being completely taken in by this news of criminal activity. She removes her hand from Cerinn’s shoulder as she steps a few paces forward to be closer.

“I guess it wouldn’t hurt,” Rissara shrugs, moving her head side to side in a suspicious manner. Then directs her eyes to Tanya. “It isn’t a big lead, but… We found an arrowhead that might be traced back to a smithy. And since there are only a couple in the city, it won’t take long before we get some news. Or it can be made from somewhere else.”

“Madam Inquisitor! I’ve brought what you ordered!” a DLO Agent shouts as the wagons of cages trundle into the square. The Agent leads them towards Rissara. She turns her upper body to catch whoever yelled at her.

“Ah, good, they’re here,” Rissara says with a smile, then her eyes travel to Tanya again. “Tanya, witness these bear cubs and remember them. For it may be that they’re the last of their kind. The Ebon Bears, unlike their natural ilk, their pitch black fur and eyes are truly something magnificent.”

“Yes, I saw the deceased one being towed toward your headquarter. Why would you slay such a rare beast for? As you say, they might be the last of their kind,” Tanya says in pity as she shakes her head at their cruelty.

“It killed three of my Agents…” Rissara replies in sorrow with closed eyes. “The Agents explored the mountain valley, and they met that bear at its lair, but they were taken by surprise. With one swipe, one of them died instantly. Such a powerful creature. Though thankfully our crossbows were able to pierce its thick hide… Hmm… No wonder… A male Ebon Bear was hunted a year ago and killed… Did you know, those of the Ebon species are incredibly long-lived? Sure, they can be killed, but they stop growing at adulthood. It’s said that they were… *Cough* No, nevermind…”

She evades her sentence so she doesn’t reveal forbidden information.

“Umm… Tanya…? Isn’t there something you’re forgetting? About a certain Lady, that’s waiting?” Cerinn interrupts, smiling, or more like grinning at Tanya’s readily busy mind.

“Huuuaaahh” Tanya gasps loudly at her own terrible way of losing herself in her thoughts. She whips her head to Rissara, then screams, “Rissara, you must return quickly! My Mistress have waited long enough! Go, now!”

“…I’ll do as you say, Honored Handmaiden. Though, I’ll tell your Honored Mistress of our lovely… long… conversation. Good day to you all,” Rissara muses, gaining a smirk on her lips as she pulls her reins to the right. To then turn her head to her adopted daughter, “Come now dear, I’ve shot up my meeting with Lady Malinda for too long. Hopefully, she hasn’t left yet.”

“Yes, Riss—,” she pauses, but then calls her by her rightful title, “Yes, mother.” The girl smiles, steering her horse onward toward the massive gate at the other side of the market square in the Inner Layer.

In the central, a flat surface of four-cornered cobblestones. A large open space for traffic to travel from one Layer to the other.

As the cage-filled wagons arrive next to Rissara, they too follow her while the bear cubs grizzle out in a panicky search, wanting their mother’s company. But their mother, dead. They won’t even meet her again.

They will be sent away to be kept as a spectacle, for those bears would heft a pretty excessive sum if sold, which’s exactly what’ll happen to them. If they’re sold, the DLO headquarter here in Tertinum gets the biggest amount of it. The rest is sent to the capital where the Main DLO branch lies.

A rare species. But those of the Ebon kind still roam in the wild.

For those who wear darkness on the outside are stained by the Old Gods. A mark for something to come. To be revealed.

A secret it has been kept over the eons of time since the Old Gods vanished. Why would they be branded in darkness with their sun-absorbing eyes and appearance?

None knows.

“Damn that woman… Miss will be having a fit if Rissara tells her…” Tanya mumbles, being incredibly pissed off at herself, and at Rissara’s mocking tone. But she sighs out in dismay as she walks to place her hand on Cerinn’s shoulder, “Oh well, come, let’s begin to shop, shall we?”

“Hmm…? Ah, okay…” Cerinn responds in a daze as she traces Rissara and her successor riding toward the gate with squinting eyes. Not liking that stare which the girl gave her. But she too sighs out to turn toward the shop’s door…

Then with a fist forming, Tanya knocks with two knuckled fingers on the wooden embroidered door.

*Knock, knock*

………

……

…

In a brightly lit decorative room of azure, two individuals reside. One standing, one sitting. The room, Rissara’s office, and the two people, Malinda and the secretary of Rissara.

“Sorry for the wait, Lady Malinda… Please, enjoy,” the woman says, putting down a porcelain teacup with a patterned saucer which’s placed on the desk in front of Malinda. As she straightens, she steps backward without turning while hands position on her lap in a docile way.

Malinda, however, who’s sitting on one of the three chairs at the main desk, glares with lowered eyebrows at the hand-fiddling secretary. Making the woman stare away from those evil eyes.

“You still haven’t told me why she isn’t here yet. I’ve waited for too long. Tell me, where is that awful woman?” Malinda hisses out her grievance, taking ahold of the teacup, then smell the aroma, but she puts it down again while raising a lip in disgust.

“Is it not to your liking, Lady—?”

“I won’t ask again! Where is Rissara?!” Malinda shouts, whipping her head up, toward the secretary as teeth clench hard upon gazing at the recoiling woman who has hands covering her face. Because from yesterday’s events, she’s much more frightened of Malinda’s personality. Yes, her usual appearance, benevolent and composed, but when she earnestly wants something done, her air changes to that of a person who’s strict and unforgiving beyond words.

“Please, Lady Malinda, calm down, she’ll be arriving shortly. It… It’s because of a recent happening that she had to postpone your meeting… It happened yesterday evening. A couple of Agents who were exploring the east mountain came upon a hidden cave entrance, and through it, they found a valley that belonged to a group of criminals. A drug site, a large one at that,” the secretary explains, not withholding any information that the Agents had fabricated to reap the honor of finding such a site. For if they had revealed that it was only a man, they would be the laughing stock of the DLO branch in Tertinum.

“What…? A group of lawbreakers? Are you really sure about that?” Malinda asks in bafflement, widening her eyes since Xe’Reth had indeed said that he took care of them quickly with one of his Yran’Gilis bombs. But is the information that the Agents said real?

Being outplayed by a single unknown man? No, of course, they wouldn’t give such a report to Rissara. ‘I better ask Xe’Reth about it later to be sure.’

“Yes, the information is sound. Our Agents managed to fight off the criminals so the scum retreated through the cave entrance, but one of our Agents suffered a significant leg injury. To say the least, he won’t be walking for some time, maybe even never,” she reveals with saddened eyes while her lips tighten at the mention of the lean man.

Malinda’s eyes narrow in curiosity, “You know that Agent well…?”

“I do… He was once my lover, but we broke our ties with each other since work was more important. And well, a DLO Agent isn’t actually supposed to have a relationship. Because it can distract from one’s own responsibilities as I know too well.” She sits down next to Malinda as she sighs out in fatigue, not even noticing Malinda’s glaring eyes at how she can be so casual in her Honored presence.

“My lover was tortured, and you honestly think that I should listen to your complaints? Have Rissara even investigated the whereabouts of the perpetrators yet?” Malinda glaringly doubts, not having any mercy to this now wide-eyed woman next to her. “Do you know how it feels to see the one you love lying against a door with blood covering their whole body? A body that doesn’t move…? Well, I know. I know how it feels, and I’m not here to listen to your pathetic drivel. This disrespect that you and your boss have shown me today is something I won’t ever forget.”

Malinda strikes forth with one hand as she grabs hold of the woman’s wrist.

“My Xe’Reth was lying there in his home while he tried to protect his mother with his body, and you’re telling me something else is more important than finding my love’s torturers?” Malinda madly professes, her eyes widely open as they stare intently into the secretary’s widened globes of horror. She tightens her grip around the wrist. “Tell me, who did Rissara put to the case in finding the torturers? TELL ME!”

“Ah-Auuh! Please, please, it hurts! I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you!” she wails and grimaces as Malinda’s clutching hand squeeze harder, then she releases her wrist while a gasp of relief bellows out from the secretary.

“Now tell me, which Agents did she assign in finding the torturers?” Malinda asks, narrowing her eyes with a frown on her brows.

“It’s a team of two. Two young graduates from the DLO school here in Tertinum. But even though they’re young, they excel in their field of choice. And their choices are four classes. They were allowed to bend the rules because of their excellent graduation scores,” she quickly says as her tone of proudness escapes from her mouth. A smile sprout forth as she continues her words of praise, “They were ranked first and second in the last year’s scoreboard. So they were allowed to become a two-man team. Well, they’re brother and sister, twins. They compensate one another for their own weaknesses.”

“They’re at the moment tracking down Rissara’s adopted daughter’s uncle to apprehend him. And while I’m at it, we’ve done as per your brother’s, Lord Maldoran’s request. All of the free DLO personal have been put to work around the City to hold everything in order. Until the Lord have finished with his own investigation of the City Guard.”

“Hmm… to hear that actually gladdens me. Continue, they must’ve found that pig’s brother by now… Wait… Did you say, adopted daughter…?” Malinda questions as her eyes flicker in confusion. It can’t be. Rissara wouldn’t accept a child that came from a murderer and a rapist. Though as Malinda gazes at the head-nodding woman, her mouth goes agape.

“Yes, she’s now her daughter. Rissara forced the father to release his bonds of kinship through a written confession to ease his sentence so he won’t be hanged for his monstrous acts. Even her relatives aren't her family anymore. A clean slate. She even wanted a new name for herself, because she’s sickened to bear a name that he gave her… Haaa…” she sighs as she does a headshake.

While standing up, she takes a few steps backward to then bow before Malinda as a plead for mercy ensues, “I beg of you, Honored Lady Malinda Tertin. Don’t do anything that can shatter her new life that she deserves. She’s such a frail girl, a kind girl, and an innocent girl. Please, whatever happens, don’t doom her future of becoming the next Inquisitor of Tertinum. I beseech you, Lady Malinda.”

“Humph. As long as the torturers are found and brought to me, I won’t meddle in your plans in putting that little piece of damaged goods on the seat of power. But, if they aren’t found. Rissara and that girl’s reputation will be dirtied beyond redemption. A daughter of a rapist and a murderer. An Inquisitor that released him only because that girl was his daughter. Corruption runs deep. And do you know what would happen if I bend the words a little? Yes, they’ll replace Rissara… but maybe that’s for the better, hmm?” Malinda threatens with a grin, not going easy on the phrases.

Her expression, dead serious with those glaring azure eyes. But her casual sitting pose displays her composure. She wants Xe’Reth’s perpetrators found. She wants to squeeze their miserable lives until they beg for death. Maybe when they’re found, she might…

Malinda shakes her head to get out of those dreadful but wanting thoughts.

“Those two Agents will find them, I promise, so no need to say such horrible words. They’re lethal Agents skilled in combat arts. And their investigation abilities, flawless. Their speech of persuasion, uncanny as if they can even convince you, Honored Lady,” she ensures, being completely proud of her cadets since she’s the secretary of Rissara. Every report Rissara looks at, she sees. Everything Rissara orders, she knows. She’s a hidden card, but a useless card nonetheless if it never gets shown to anyone but Rissara herself.

“What matters to me now is results. If they can’t find them, demote them to the lowest rank you have. I’ll give the search two days, if the torturers haven’t been found by then, then I really mean it, Rissara and that damaged girl won’t be escaping. And tell her that she made a huge mistake in making me wait,” Malinda says with her whole heart behind it as she stands up, to move the chair to the side since the entrance is behind her. And as her eyes glare at the secretary, she gives her a mocking smile. “Until we meet again. Remember what I said, I mean it.”

“What, you’re leaving already?!” the woman gawks, shaking her head unconsciously while Malinda starts to move toward the double doors. “No, wait, aren’t you—“

“—supposed to be meeting Rissara…? No. If she shows such disrespect to me, I won’t simply sit around waiting for her. You heard what I said, so do tell her of my verdict. She can’t hide behind her title as an Inquisitor, because, well… She isn’t an Honored One… heh,” Malinda smirks, knowing that her own connections outweigh Rissara’s. With Malinda’s back turned away from the woman, she gives a wave gesture, then she leaves through the doors, slamming them shut upon exiting.

……

…

In the long hallway outside Rissara’s office, Malinda strides with her plated legs and boots, though her expression has turned sour, extremely sour with those scowling brows and squinting eyes while her fingers have knuckled together tightly. She did out do her welcome at the DLO for saying what she said. But on the opposite side of the corridor, a woman walks while holding against her bosoms, a rectangular journal.

As Malinda raises her brow in wonder, the woman stops in her track as they make eye contact. The woman stunned into motionlessness. However, the closer Malinda comes with her frightening armor, she takes a deep breath as her whole body cascades into a flowery curtsy of her life.

“Honored Lady Malinda, greetings! It’s a pleasure finally meeting you!” she welcomes as she raises her head to give the Honored Lady her most exalted smile, but what meet her, an unfazed appearance from Malinda. Though she has stopped in her stride to gaze upon this… DLO Agent. The blue-coat uniform dazzles in its glory, for the woman fit in it perfectly.

With a callous nod, she returns the greeting, “Yes, greetings.” But a brief one nonetheless. “What do you want…?”

“N-Nothing, Honored Lady… I… Well…” the Agent averts her eyes, clutching her journal harder, trying to think of something. Then with slightly widened eyes and a proudful smile, she daringly asks, “Have you perhaps heard of the criminal base that my team found in the east mountain?”

“Your team…?” Malinda questions with a tilting head as she crosses her plated arms.

“Indeed, Honored Lady. I’m the leader and the Writer of the team that found the entrance to the cave that led to the hidden valley. We almost didn’t make it out alive because of the criminals, which were nesting there, spreading their filthy practices,” the Writer says as her lips move as if everything she says is true. “But unfortunately, one of my—“

“Yes, I’ve already heard everything. Tell me, you say criminals… but yet you didn’t catch a single one of them? What kind of training have you gotten to carelessly let them escape? Well? What do you have to say for putting Tertinum at risk?” Malinda demands while pointing straight at her. Not giving any praise, only Malinda’s cold-hearted response to this woman that has taken that which belong to Xe’Reth.

This woman, she made him lose the only sustenance that brings him relief. The Yran’Gilis that’s needed for his mother’s medicine. But because of her and her team, he must work hard to rebuild his garden once more. And that, that causes Malinda to feel a scorching rage toward this woman, who has become stunned again as a gulp resounds from the Writer’s throat.

“I… We couldn’t risk…—“

“—your lives?” Malinda finishes with a shameful headshake. “Typical of DLO Agents, afraid for their lives… Not knowing how a real battle feels. As soon as you get a whiff of danger, you run away with tail between your legs,” Malinda continues to shake in a shameful manner. Bringing the Writer’s defense at an all time low. “Didn’t you have your dogs with you? What happened to them? Did they not chase after the criminals? After all, they’re only animals that can be replaced. Well?”

“The… the criminals put them to sleep by using some kind of bomb that was filled with Yran’Gilis dust… That’s why they couldn’t chase, Honored Lady,” the writer explains with evading eyes, not daring to gaze into those azure orbs that seek answers.

“It is disappointing at how little your find revealed. Only catching a criminal base… tch, tch… Disappointing, really,” Malinda sighs but peer at the woman’s nervous expression as she tightens her clutch to her journal.

“B-But, Honored Lady, we put a stop to their organized drug site, even though they blew it up as they made their escape. So I would say that it was an excellent find on our part,” she says in justification, but Malinda is unimpressed as she closes her eyes. She doesn’t want her to become someone of importance because she reaped a reward that hurt Xe’Reth. However, she can’t act as if she knows too much, though who would even dare suspect an Honored One to be in league with criminals?

“Tell me, did you see some kind of leader among them?” Malinda asks, opening her eyes to lean forward as the Writer takes a step backward in surprise.

“Yes… Yes, there was a man clad in black who was giving out orders to them but… We didn’t catch how he looked like because he was covering his face. However, we do know his height and build. Also, we found an arrowhead that’s being investigated. Soon enough, we’ll know who bought it, I hope,” the writer answers as she gains a victorious smile on her lips. “He’ll pay for injuring one of my team members.”

“An arrowhead…?” Malinda asks with furrowed brows. ‘Damn, he was careless. I can’t let them trace it back to Xe’Reth… What can I do… what to do… Should I return to the Citadel and ask him about what to do next? He should know how to handle it… Yes… he’ll know, I’m sure of it.’

“I tire of this conversation…” Malinda says, holding in her fury.

“Honored Lady…? Honored Lady Malinda…?!” the Writer shouts as Malinda walks straight past her without saying anything more, only ignoring this bitch’s voice.

While Malinda strides through the long hallway, she ponders of what she can do to avoid… No, wait. Xe’Reth must have some kind of precautions for using arrows such as that. Maybe he meant to leave that arrowhead?

‘Damn that bitch and her team… why did they need to find it now?!’ She scowls deeply with her brows, making the people as she comes out to the main hall of the DLO headquarter, gawk at the pissed off Honored Lady.

She pays no attention to the people standing in the short lines as they wait to speak to Agents behind various lined up counters, for she must return quickly to the citadel to warn Xe’Reth of what she has heard.

Placing her hands on the knobs of the main entrance, she yanks the double doors open, to then be blinded by the rays of the scorching sun.

The clouds have broken apart to shine light onto the City.

With a hand covering her eyes, she squints between her fingers, to then intently glare as she begins to climb down the staircase.

To return to the Citadel…

………

……

…

Thanks for reading and I'm sorry for the delay in releasing chapters. Hopefully, IRL will calm down. Though do expect if a chapter isn't released in a one week window, that it'll probably be delayed again.

Rather a relaxing chapter I guess. The consequences are catching up to Xe'Reth. Though, really, what can a simple arrowhead do to him? If you're wondering where that arrowhead came from, it was from when he shot that last Y'G bomb.

And a lot of other events will be happening.

Btw, if you're also wondering about the landlady, aka Banshee girl. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about her. She's going to play her part later in the story, but not in this timeline, unfortunately. Do send me a PM if you can figure out what kind of part.

I do wonder what will happen to those ebon cubs. :)

Don't forget to voice your thoughts!

Anyhow, I'll return to fix grammar thingies. Help is appreciated.

Until... Next Time.

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