When Saint John the Kind was alone again in his study, he pulled out an orb from his drawer. It was a magic item called Orb of Sending, allowing him to communicate with a partner who also possessed a similar item. The cleric closed his eyes and visualized his intended target: Bishop Canterbury.

Fortunately, his friend was able to answer right away. "Yes, Your Eminence?" the bishop asked. The item required constant drain of the user's mana to maintain the communication and thus, he wanted to keep the conversation short if possible.

"What do you know of a woman named Amelica? She works as a barmaid at The Noble Lady. I offered to arrange a political marriage with the Paget family for Brother Mulligan but he declined because he wished to remain faithful to her," the saint explained.

The bishop frowned and sighed deeply. He knew about her personal circumstances because he had ordered a secret investigation into her background after Amelica became the owner of The Noble Lady. "Matters of the heart are often foolish and illogical. Do you know of Baron Rupert Kingsbury? He has some land in Ipswich."

"Ipswich? That's located in the East Anglia section of the kingdom, correct?"

"Correct. Anyway, Amelica is his estranged daughter. When her father tried to arrange a political marriage for her, Amelica refused and instead eloped with a young, local hunter named Gendar; the two eventually had a son named Gendun. The father became very angry and disowned her," Canterbury explained.

"The former owner of The Noble Lady in Tregome joined the knighthood at the same time as the baron and knew the daughter. Amelica and Gendar eventually arrived in the town and worked in his inn. The owner was a lifelong bachelor who was secretly in love with Amelica's mother and treated her as his own daughter. He trained her with an eye toward having Amelica take over the inn," he continued. "Unfortunately, Gendar died while hunting in the woods and she became a widow."

"How old is she?" Saint John asked.

"Maybe early thirties? She's roughly the same age as Brother Mulligan. From what I've heard from local gossip among the town residents, Brother Mulligan is quite taken with her and he is also friendly with her son," the bishop replied.

"Does the baron have any other children?" the saint asked.

"No."

A plan slowly formed in Saint John's mind. "Thank you for answering my questions regarding Amelica."

Bishop Canterbury bowed deeply. He was curious as to what the church leader will do with this information. However, it was not his place to ask. And besides, the bishop had enough to deal with in the aftermath of the invasion of Tregome by Hleandros the red dragon and the brouhaha over the dojo's relocation out of the town. "May Lady Musa continue to watch over you." Canterbury severed the link and the Orb of Sending turned opaque.

After the orb was returned to the drawer, the saint sat in silent contemplation as he considered the information he just received. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. "Yes?"

"It is Gael, Holy One."

"Come in," the saint ordered.

When Gael entered the study, the old cleric offered the boy a kind smile. "Very good, Gael." The saint was pleased that the boy picked up the sense of urgency in his voice. "I need to dictate a letter to you to write down."

"Of course!" The boy took a seat and pulled the parchments on the table closer to him. He dipped the quill in the inkwell and prepared to write down the saint's thoughts.

The cleric nodded and began:

"To the Honorable Baron Rupert Kingsbury,

It is with great concern that I learned of your unfortunate estrangement with your beloved daughter Amelica, who is now residing in the town of Tregome on the western end of the kingdom. It has come to my attention that a certain gentleman of great prospects, named Lawrence Eugene Mulligan, wishes to pursue her hand in marriage despite her status as a widow and a commoner. It is my understanding that Amelica was your only heir but had been disinherited by you for disobedience to your decision to arrange a political marriage for her. The Church strongly desires Amelica to be restored to her rightful name and all the rights she is entitled to as your heir.

The pursuer of your daughter's hand is a candidate for the crown and I have enclosed a copy of his current status for your review under the strictest of confidentiality. Lord Mulligan has many rivals and enemies who would pay dearly for such personal information. It is my esteemed but humble opinion that the union of these two would elevate the status of the Kingsbury family greatly and the Church of Britannia strongly desires this reasonable outcome.

Won't you find it in your heart to forgive Amelica and restore her name?

In the name of Lady Musa,

Saint John the Kind"

The saint then pushed the copy of Brother Mulligan's player status report toward Gael. "Please make a copy of this and include it in the letter. Then send the two via carrier pigeon to Baron Rupert Kingsbury of Ipswich in East Anglia."

"Yes, Holy One," the boy bowed and started copying the status report.

***

Remembering that this boy was the Regent's son, I bowed deeply to Kuerten Paget. "It's good to see you again, Lord Paget," I said politely. I wondered why he was here today. Was it a mere coincidence? Or did someone arrange for the boy to meet me? Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if divine intervention was involved for the two of us to meet again given the previous two encounters we had in Bristol. The first time I met Kuerten was while we were outside Bristol and the second instance was during the Melee Tournament.

The man seated with the teenager looked at me and stood up when he saw the Truth Stone around my neck. "I am Weston Paget and this is my nephew Kuerten." When he checked my caption and realized that I was also a nobleman, Weston bowed slightly to me.

However, Kuerten refused to acknowledge my greeting, forcing the uncle to slap the boy in the back of the head. "Remember your manners, boy!" Weston hissed.

With a sour expression, Kuerten stood on his feet and bowed slightly. He immediately dropped back in his seat.

Nonchalantly, I walked over to another table and sat down. I felt my bodyguards stand behind me.

Weston looked at me and asked, "How do you know each other?"

"We met at the Melee Tournament," I answered.

The older man's eyes widened in surprise. He stared at my face for a moment and then he remembered where he had seen me before. "Ah, yes! You were the one who defeated my nephew in a match at the tournament!" he recalled. "It was a marvelous display of swordsman," he praised and rapped his knuckles on the table.

"If that's what you call dancing like a cheap whore in a brothel!" Kuerten snapped. Losing to me at the tournament was one of the most humiliating events in his life and he decided he will avenge the loss today.

"Kuerten!" the uncle yelled and slammed a hand on the table. *BAM* "Why are you being so rude?"

The teenager ignored him. Instead, the boy pulled out his black gloves from his pocket and threw them at my face.

While I could have ducked under the gloves, I decided to stay still and permitted them to hit me. I had read enough fantasy novels to understand where this was headed toward . . .

"I challenge you to a duel!" Kuerten yelled out over his uncle's voice.

Yup, a duel. As I had expected.

*Clap-clap* Someone clapped hands loudly enough to draw our attention. When we turned around, we saw an old woman with long gray hair and dressed in a black robe. She had a displeased expression on her face. "Now, now, gentlemen. This is an orphanage. Violence is expressly prohibited inside this building. Even for you, young master," she admonished politely.

I looked at the person's caption and her name was "Headmistress Solina." I bowed deeply to her and introduced myself. "Greetings, Headmistress. I am Lawrence Eugene Mulligan. Saint John the Kind has sent me here to investigate the reports of runaways."

"I am Headmistress Solina." The woman offered a reciprocal bow. "The orphanage will cooperate fully with your investigation," she replied while eyeing the truth stone hanging around my neck.

"So you're the Church representative?" Kuerten spat out while gritting his teeth.

"Regretting the challenge now, boy?" Weston retorted.

The boy looked at his uncle with a sour expression. "NOT. AT. ALL." Turning his attention back to me again, Kuerten pointed a finger at me. "Let's step outside."

"Very well, I accept your challenge," I nodded. I rose from my seat and walked quickly to the exit. I opened the door. "After you, milord."

Kuerten Paget walked stiffly past me.

Weston gave me a helpless shrug as he passed by.

"You, too, Headmistress," I said.

"Thank you, young man," Solina smiled politely at me and then exited the building.

I walked out followed by my three bodyguards.

Kuerten marched down the steps and walked further out in the dirty street. He turned around and folded his arms across his chest.

I followed him and stood just a few feet away.

Weston stepped between us and raised his hand. "This will be a friendly duel using sheathed swords and following the tournament rules. Either duelist making three successful hits as judged by me will be declared the winner. Any objection?" he asked.

"None," we shook our heads in unison and untied our scabbards from our respective belts. Then each of us took our position while holding the scabbard.

The nobleman saw that we were both ready. "Begin!" he barked and jumped back.

Unlike our previous match at the tournament, Kuerten did not charge at me from the opening moment of the duel. Back then, I used the Slide Step technique to evade his charge and then countered to score a hit.

This time, the boy eyed me with a calm and serene facial expression. From our previous match, he knew that I was a defensive fighter with a preference to counterattack. Kuerten decided to take me out of my comfort zone instead by forcing me to attack him.

Seeing that my opponent was waiting for me to make the first move, I immediately obliged. I activated the Charge skill and jumped forward. Holding the sheathed sword above my head, I swung my weapon down at my opponent's head with all my might! Suddenly, dice rolled inside my head. "Strength check SUCCESSFUL. +25 XP."

The boy gamely tried to block my overhead strike. But he was no match for my overwhelming strength and his feeble block was knocked aside. *CRACK*

My sword smashed into his skull, knocking him out immediately! "Charge SUCCESSFUL. Status INFLICTED: Unconsciousness. DURATION: 5:00. +100 XP, -8 Damage (HALVED)."

Seeing that his nephew was out cold, Weston pushed me back before I tried to hit the boy again. "Match won by Lord Mulligan," the judge declared.

"Duel WON. +100 XP, +100 Reputation, +200 XP."

Van, Bila, and Dovarata applauded at the conclusion of the duel. They were confident that I will win the duel.

The guards who were guarding the carriage didn't know what to do. They were supposed to protect the young nobleman but this was a duel between two nobles. Furthermore, the duel was apparently approved by Weston Paget, the Regent's own brother. Thus, the men remained standing near the carriage and declined to intervene and arrest me for injuring the Regent's son.

The kids sitting on the terrace were amazed by my swordsmanship. The boys often played with sticks and branches while pretending they were swords. The boys began to idolize me. The girls, on the other hand, were more concerned with the well-being of the handsome nobleman.

Lord Paget pulled out a gold-colored potion from his pocket and slowly fed its contents to his nephew. It was an Elixir of Health and the potion should help the foolish boy recover from his injuries right away.

Sure enough, Kuerten soon recovered and opened his eyes. Finding himself on the ground, the boy swore softly. "I lost again." He was dejected and sullen at the result of this duel because he was now 0-2 against me.

"You need more training," the uncle admonished the boy. Weston pulled Kuerten to his feet. "Now what do you say?"

Kuerten looked at me with a sour expression. "I'm sorry for the trouble I have caused you." The proud nobleman bowed deeply from the waist!

"It's quite alright," I replied politely. The kid was certainly annoying but I didn't see him as an enemy.

Suddenly, a young, lovely girl with long blond hair and smooth white skin rushed up to Kuerten and embraced him in a tight hug. "Thank the Gods you're okay, Kuerten!"

The boy turned red with embarrassment and tried to push her away.

But the girl refused to let go, leaving him further embarrassed in front of us.

Kuerten sulked and looked away until the girl finally released him.

Although she wore a plain yellow dress, the girl had a dazzling smile which captivated us. "My name is Yanbrie, formerly of the House de Camoys." She gave us a proper curtsy.

"How do you know Kuerten?" I asked. I was very curious about her and how a former noble came to live in an orphanage in the slums of all places.

"We're childhood friends." She looked at me with bright blue eyes and answered honestly.

I noticed that Yanbrie was holding hands with Kuerten. Clearly, the two were more than just childhood friends but I decided not to press her in order to avoid embarrassing the proud boy further. Besides, Kuerten was glaring at me and silently demanding me to stop questioning her!

Someone cleared her throat aloud. "Yanbrie, please return to your duties."

"Yes, Headmistress," the girl replied with a curtsy and hurriedly returned to the building.

Solina turned toward Kuerten. "As you can see, the girl is doing fine," she said with a tiresome expression.

"If I may ask regarding her background?" I inquired, earning a glare from the boy.

"Certainly, Brother Mulligan," the headmistress nodded. However, she took note of the attention from the children sitting on the left terrace and stopped. "Perhaps we should continue our discussions privately," she suggested.

I turned around and saw that the kids were still having their math lessons on the left terrace. "Okay," I agreed.

Solina led us back inside the orphanage. She walked straight ahead, through the lobby, into the short hallway and then made a right turn. Soon, we found ourselves in her office. There were only four chairs for guests; consequently, Van, Bila, and Dovarata decided to remain standing behind me.

After we were seated, Headmistress Solina began the discussion. "Now, you were asking about the background of Yanbrie, Brother Mulligan?"

Before I replied, Kuerten interrupted and glared at me. "Is it really necessary to talk about her?"

I turned toward him and answered calmly. "It's clear that this girl is very important to you. If someone is seeking to hurt you or the Paget family, then she would be the perfect target especially if she was formerly a member of the nobility," I explained.

"Fine," the boy sulked and looked away. "Please go ahead, Headmistress."

"Thank you, Lord Paget," Solina bowed deeply to him. Turning her attention back to me, she said, "Yanbrie's father, Gideon, was the bookkeeper and in charge of the family finances. The head of the de Camoys, Jonathan Pierce, learned that Gideon had been embezzling money from the taxes collected for many years. Gideon was executed and his immediate family was disinherited. Yanbrie's mother had died when the girl was young. Since no one from the extended family dared to take in Yanbrie and risk angering the family head, the girl was sent to this orphanage."

The headmistress turned toward Kuerten. "Lord Paget has been visiting the orphanage weekly in order to see her."

The boy scowled. "No, I'm just concerned about the reports of the runaways because it would sully the Paget name. That's why I'm conducting weekly inspections of the facility and ensure that the children were treated properly," he claimed.

"How thoughtful of you," I replied with a grin.

"If I knew that you are going to be the investigator assigned by the Church, I would have asked them to send someone else," Kuerten replied with a frown.

"Be that as it may, I am here now and I intend to fulfill the assignment given to me by Saint John the Kind himself. He has taken a personal interest in this investigation and he is very concerned with the fate of the missing children."

"I see," the boy said with a slightly wavering voice. Kuerten thought he was the only who cared about the orphanage. Learning that the leader of the Church had taken an interest was a ray of hope in the darkness.

Suddenly, an idea popped into my head. "Since you are very concerned for the safety and well-being of your childhood friend, I think we should pull her out of the orphanage," I suggested.

Kuerten shook his head. "I tried. Believe me, I tried. I asked her to come live in my house and work as my personal maid. She refused because she did not wish to burden me with her presence. Damn her stubborn pride!" he griped with desperation.

I traded a knowing look with his uncle. Yanbrie wasn't the only stubborn person here. "I know someone who runs an inn and she could use some help. The owner was also disinherited by her noble family. I think she will be sympathetic to your friend's personal circumstances. May I make the arrangements for Yanbrie to work at this inn?" I asked.

"Where is the inn located?" the boy asked.

"The inn is named The Noble Lady and it's in Tregome, which is located on the western end of Britannia," I revealed.

Kuerten swore softly. "It's even further out west than Bristol?"

"Yes," I nodded.

"Then how am I going to see her?" he complained.

"Milord, surely you can hire a mage with access to travel magic?" I reminded him.

The boy turned toward his uncle, who nodded in confirmation. "Fine. I will talk to her and try to convince her to go there." He turned toward me. "Can you take Yanbrie to Tregome?" he asked.

I turned around and looked at Dovarata, who nodded at me. "Yes. In fact, we can go today if you want and you can also come with us," I offered.

"Can I go?" Kuerten asked his uncle.

Weston looked at me. "You have access to the Gate spell?" he inquired.

I stood up and turned to face Dovarata. "This is Dovarata. She is a spellcaster with access to travel magic. She can take us to Tregome," I confirmed.

"I see," the nobleman replied. He thought the dracon was simply a bodyguard rather than a mage specializing in travel magic! The status and prestige of a nobleman were often reflected by the company of his followers. Being able to convince a powerful mage like Dovarata to follow me elevated my status greatly in Weston's eyes.

I turned toward Kuerten. "Milord, can you talk to Yanbrie right now and convince her to leave the orphanage? In the meantime, I have further matters to discuss with Headmistress Solina."

The boy looked at the two of us with suspicion. He reluctantly nodded. "It might take some time to convince her to leave. She is stubborn, after all." Lord Paget stood up. "I will return shortly," he promised and then walked out of the office.

Weston Paget rose to his feet and looked at me. "My nephew has been very concerned about his close friend's personal safety. If The Noble Lady in Tregome will harbor Yanbrie and alleviate Kuerten's worry, then the Paget family will owe you a favor, Lord Mulligan." He bowed slightly and left the office, closing the door softly behind him.

I turned and faced forward, looking directly at the headmistress. I held the truth stone in my right hand. "Now that we are finally alone, the official investigation of the runaways will commence--starting now," I announced.