Idali leads the way through the main street’s crowd, opening the way for me and my cart. She leads us towards a quieter part of town, the east as far as I can tell. Meria smells… odd. It isn’t bad but not good either. There is a mixture of odors that go from sea products to freshly grilled meat. The docks must be close by, I’ll need to find a map of the city at some point.

The Sergeant slows down to walk by me when we are alone and places a possessive hand on my shoulder to guide me towards a cluster of buildings. She makes me make a few turns, taking torturous alleys until we stop in a tiny deserted corner.

Idali released my shoulder and makes her way under the shadow of a wall, laying her back and spear on it. She stares at me intensely, moving her head up and down, devouring me with her eyes. I shiver a little but don’t move. I’m kind of curious about what she’ll do and I’m sure I can beat her one on one.

“Come on.” She tells me to approach with her hand. “Don’t be shy.”

Idali unfastens her belt, slipping her guard uniform’s pants down, revealing her muscular thighs and black panties. I mentally shrug, laying my cart down to step closer.

“Take your time, use my name.” She orders with a lustful and malicious expression on her face, her breath shortening.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” I ask, controlling my anger.

“Hurry up, girl, don’t try my patience and call me Miss Idali.” The Sergeant frowns, glaring threateningly.

“Really!?” I mutter, baffled by the woman’s lack of shame.

My expression hardens and I suddenly rush forward, entering her personal space without warning. Idali startles but I don’t give her any time to react, I launch my left hand towards her throat and wrap my fingers around it.

She tries to take hold of her spear but I squeeze her windpipe a little harder and her eyes widen in panic, she hurriedly uses both hands to try to force my limb to let go, unsuccessfully. I pull her body off the wall to bring her ear to my lips.

“Don’t worry, I’ll just knock you out.” I murmur, slamming her into the building with half my arm’s strength.

Her eyes glaze a little but regain focus soon after, she starts hitting my wrist as she chokes, grasping for air. I barely register the impacts. I take a step back and throw her against the wall with a bit more strength, this time the back of her head hits the building and Idali crumbles to the ground.

I step up to her and start taking her guard uniform off, storing it in the chest. I snap her spear in half and then take the rest of her clothes off, throwing it all on a roof, leaving her naked on the bare stone. I flip her over on her stomach and kick her butt a few times, making me giggle as her cheeks wiggle under my boot.

I grab my fresh leather armor and chain-mail from the chest fit them on, fastening my belt around my waist and setting the mask over my face, injecting flow into the runes. I grab the heavy chest with my left hand and lift it to carry it on my back, taking hold of my hammer with my right.

I leave the cart there since it’s only a burden now and retrace our steps back towards the large street where I meld into the crowd, ignoring the curious glances that some throw towards my mask.

There are several shops on the avenue and when I spot that of a blacksmith, I make my way inside. The steward at the counter hurriedly welcomes me, he is young with brown hair and a green eyes. The counter is empty, save for some exotic weapons like barbed and twisted swords.

“Welcome, welcome, as you can see we don’t have much stock left but we will do our best to meet your needs!” The youth says with a smile.

“I have some damaged equipment I would like to sell, you’ll excuse my lack of manners in keeping my mask on but I am scarred under it.” I speak up.

“Of course, it isn’t an issue, my Lady.” The steward bows slightly. “May I see the goods?”

I lay the chest down, hiding its contents as I ruffle through it and take my old chain-mail and hard leather armor out, closing the chest before handing them over to the steward. The youth sets them on the counter, pushing weapons away to make space, inspecting the tears in the mails and rips in the leather.

“I can buy this for thirty silver.” He tells me after a while, apologetic. “Those are quality items and they’ve obviously protected you well but the damage is extensive so that is the most I can offer.”

“That is sufficient.” I nod and the steward makes his way to a backroom, coming back with three stacks of ten silver coins in his hands that he sets in front of me.

“Do you have some leather wear? I intend to join a hunt and this equipment is too restraining for an afternoon of enjoyment.” I ask.

“Yes, over there, my Lady.” He accompanies me towards a side room with an assortment of clothes set on wooden mannequins.

I ignore the most colorful and those that wouldn’t fit, finding a tight black leather outfit for women that should fit me perfectly.

“I’ll take this one.” I tell the steward, deciding not to ask what the price is since it shouldn’t be too expensive and I can’t really imagine a Noble haggling.

“I’ll prepare it right away, my Lady.” The youth bows and takes the tight leather outfit off the mannequin.

“Tell me, I’ve only arrived in Meria today and heard of a ball hosted by the Duke on behalf of Countess Lance, I would take it as a favor if you informed me of the time and location so that I can go pay my respects in person.” I speak up, that young steward isn’t likely to challenge me on my lack of knowledge before I’ve paid.

“Tonight, my Lady, in Duke Meria’s castle on the northern hill.” He answers, squinting in his eyes to look at me more closely. “Every Noble in the Kingdom is meant to have received an invitation… my Lady.”

Shit, he’s suspicious after all. I try to discreetly step in between the youth and the door in case I need to block his escape. My movement doesn’t seem to worry him as his gaze focuses on the counter in the other room, gazing over my shoulder to stare at the bloody equipment laying on it.

“You’re Elizabeth Vil!” He exclaims with wide open eyes.

“What?” I ask, baffled. How does he know my fake name?! I tense, expecting the youth to start running or calling the guards but he just stands there.

“You are famous, my Lady!” His expressing turns bright, jaw hanging slightly as he stares at me. “The story of your duel with Lady Lance is all over the city!”

“Is… is it now?” I stutter a little, too surprised by his reaction to gather my thoughts.

“Yes! It is said that you were stricken by her beauty and skill on the spot, forcing the Rykz to agree to a truce for her!” He says with admiration.

So much for my hope that I could get around without being recognized, good thing I decided that my bloody helmet was too noticeable to wear.

“Are you here to pledge your service to the Countess?” The steward asks with expectation.

“Something like that.” I answer uncomfortably.

“Are you as strong as they say? Can you really tear steel armor apart with your bare hands?!” The youth continues on.

“I… probably can’t.” I shake my head, wondering how I got elevated to this. Why he isn’t condemning me like the Nobles did, calling me a traitor. “I didn’t think my actions would be looked on so favorably.” I admit to the young man.

“Oh. Everyone was really relieved by the truce and your part in it, besides, if I can dare to say… our Lords and Ladies aren’t very popular at the moment.” The steward says, looking abashed. “I, I understand that the measures are necessary for the Izla, b, but many say that they are going too far.”

“What do you say?” I ask, relaxing a little.

“That forced conscription and punishing the smallest crimes by front-line duty is too harsh, people are already worried about making it through the winter with the army taking priority over what reserves we have, my Lady.” He replies, a bit more confidently.

“I agree.” I nod. “I’ll tell you a secret.” I whisper playfully. “The Rykz are here because Caeviel’s Nobility provoked them, not to invade.”

The steward freezes on the spot, blinking a few times, seemingly unable to wrap his thoughts around the revelation. I take the leather outfit off his hands and make my way to the counter without waiting.

“Is that true?!” He asks, hurrying behind me.

“It is. They captured one of the Rykz Nobles and the creatures came here to retaliate.” I put the leather outfit in the chest. “How much do I owe?” I ask.

“Fifteen silver, my Lady.” The young steward answers, running his hand through his brown hair with an astonished expression. “Is that why you were with the Rykz, my Lady? To right a wrong?”

“I’m not so altruistic as that.” I shake my head. “But I am doing what I can to mitigate the damage.”

I can see, in the youth’s green eyes, that he took what I said as modesty. I groan a little and tap the counter near the stack of silvers. He gets the message and takes back two piles, pushing the ten silvers towards me. I put them away in my pouch and grab the much lighter chest.

“Good luck.” I tell the steward, moving towards the exit.

“Thank you, my Lady, I hope you succeed!” He cries out behind me.

It must not be known that I’m also responsible for Castle Lance’s fall, I don’t see why the rumors would glorify me if it was. Rumors and stories really distort events. There was nothing laudable about the decisions I made.

As I make my way deeper into Meria, I engage on the less crowded streets as I try to find an isolated Inn between the docks and the Duke’s castle. Except, every establishment that I walk by has a ‘full’ sign in front of it.

I find a tavern with a second floor, there isn’t much time left until night falls completely and I don’t want to miss the ball. I take my chain-mail and mask off, putting them away inside the chest before entering.

Inside, I find a crowded main room, most are wearing simple clothes and there are even some guards having a drink without their weapons at hand, likely off-duty.

I walk up to the counter, slipping between two sailors and tapping on the wood to attract the barmaid’s attention. The woman is tall with a large frame and graying hair.

“What can I do for you?” She asks in a deep voice.

“Do you have an available room? Only for a short while, I’m in between units.” I tell her, implying that I’m a warrior.

“Got suspended, huh.” She misunderstands some of my meaning but it works in my favor. “I do, but I don’t want any funny business in my tavern. Got it?” She asks with a glare.

“I wouldn’t dare.” I reply with a disarming smile.

“I’m Alana, ask me if you need anything. Your room is the one on the right, corner of the second floor.” She takes a key out and slaps it on the counter. “Two silver a night, food included if you’re here.” Alana tells me.

I take four silvers our and give it to her in exchange for the key. I make my way upstairs, through the corridor and into the room. Inside, there is a simple bed with a low table next to it and a window. I can hear a lot of noise coming from downstairs but that’s not an issue, it’ll serve to alarm me that something’s wrong if it quiets down all of a sudden.

I lift the mattress up, taking my hard leather armor off to lay it there with my chain-mail and hammer. I stick my bloody helmet in the corner and put the mattress on my equipment to hide it.

I take my simple clothes off and throw them in the chest, dressing up with the hunting leather outfit and sliding the guard uniform I stole from Idali over it. I rearrange the clothes so that they feel comfortable and pin the Sergeant insignia over my chest. Lastly, I attach the mask to my belt and use the uniform to dissimulate it.

The window is large enough for me to get through but the question is whether or not I can climb down to the alley under. I push the wooden flaps open, gazing down. There is a large wood beam sticking out of the wall, one of this floor’s supports, I sit on the window’s frame and pass my legs over to stand on it.

I close the window’s flaps but don’t lock them, I assemble a quick strengthening construct to reinforce my legs, glancing down at the alley, a few meters below. I jump down, impacting the ground with my feet and bending my knees to absorb the shock.

“Ugh.” I grunt, the air in my lungs escaping all at once.

The streets are a lot less crowded than they were earlier, people are going home. I make my way towards the castle, the street surrounding it is six meters wide, there are several patrols of soldiers that I can see making rounds around the three-meter tall low-wall and two dozen guarding the gates. They’re all wearing tabards with a stag’s head on it, the Duke Meria’s crest.

I take a deep breath and confidently cross the street, heading straight towards the gate like I mean it. The soldiers notice me almost immediately, following me with their eyes, they don’t look alarmed by my presence. The guard outfit and sergeant insignia are no doubt helping me.

A middle-aged woman wearing a ceremonial uniform with a silver star on her chest steps forward. I hide my left hand inside my sleeve and bring the other to my heart in a salute.

“What is it, Guard Sergeant?” She asks me.

“I was given a message for Countess Lance by someone who presented herself as Lady Elizabeth Vil,… Lieutenant.” I flounder at the end, unsure of the meaning behind the silver star.

“It’s Captain, Sergeant, but I wouldn’t expect a guard to know that. You can relax a little.” She makes a thin smile. “What did that person look like?”

“She was a little short and wearing a bloody helmet.” I reply, my voice sounds nervous to my own ears.

“A little short, she says!” One of the soldiers exclaims with a laugh. “You don’t need to be polite with us, Sergeant, that woman is a bloody Red Dwarf.”

“Cool down, Jonah.” The Captain utters in a flat tone. “What’s the message?”

“She simply said ‘I expect to receive my first dance tonight.’” I answer.

The soldiers start laughing and whistling, tapping on each other’s shoulders and exchanging a few salacious remarks. I feel myself start blushing.

“Alright, enough. Quiet down.” The Captain orders with a wide smile.

“Do, do I have to deliver it in person?” I ask, stuttering a little on purpose.

“You better, Sergeant, I wouldn’t want to make a titled Noble hunt me down for questioning. Besides, we’re going to have to start searching the area if the Red Dwarf really is coming here tonight.” The Captain tells me, sighing. Obviously not putting too much hope on their chances to find her. “You can go.” She waves me along.

The soldiers part to let me pass and I walk inside the castle, somewhat surprised that it worked. I don’t know how else I could have gotten in with so many patrols in the street.

The space between the castle and the walls is covered by a green lawn, there are groups of richly dressed Nobles scattered around, discussing and laughing with expensive transparent glasses in their hands. I slowly make my way along a gravel path that courses around the keep itself, enhancing my hearing with a construct.

“I agree that the Countess’ call to arms was necessary, but its contents were naive. Serving Caeviel is well and good, but we all have lands to care for, I think that the proper promise of a reward would have brought many more Nobles to the Izla.”

“Who in their right minds would believe in our ability to pay up after hearing that these creatures are ravaging the Izla? It was a young and naive message, yes, but look at how many young Lords and Ladies it attracted to Meria. You can’t deny that it worked better than any of us expected.”

“She spoke not of duty, but of honor and sacrifice. Those are words that touch youthful hearts. Gold and lands would tempt even the wisest among us, but that same wisdom would stay our hands because we know that the risk is greater than the promised reward. The Countess made the right choice, in my opinion.”

I don’t dare to look towards the voices despite how measured they seem to my ear, focusing on placing one foot in front of the other on the path to keep my nerves in check.

A few minutes later, I reach the gardens, previously hidden by the castle. There are intricate hedges who grew like walls to split the terrain in many smaller fields of flowers. Roses, tulips, gardenias, camellias, and much more that I don’t recognize.

There are groups of younger Nobles, mostly pairs of them, strolling across the garden and along the corridors formed by the hedges, sometimes stopping to admire a flowerbed. I nervously inspect the area and sigh in relief when I don’t find my Lady. This wouldn’t be a good time to meet her with my face laid bare.

I head towards the very back of the garden, where the shadows are the thickest and step behind a thick shrub to take the guard uniform off, throwing it inside the foliage with the insignia. I set my mask over my face and adjust the tight leather outfit.

There is a small tent to the right of the largest gathering of Nobles, I hunker down and make use of the shadows to approach and hide behind it. Well, I’m inside now. How do I get my dance and escape? Probably should have thought this through a bit more before rushing here to see my Lady.