A few days before Eiziest and his group arrived at Groven Burg…

“...aul! Gaul! Hey Gaultrus! Wake up we’re here!” a woman’s voice echoes as she shakes a sleeping man named Gaultrus as they ride on their horses towards Groven’s gate.

Gaultrus jolts as he lazily wakes up and holds onto his horse’s lead. “Yeah…! I’m up…” he says as he stretches his arms. “Mornin’ Angie… my dear sister…” he says to the golden-brown long-haired woman riding her horse next to him as he rubs his face.

Angie sighs, “It would help if you could take this a bit more seriously…”

Gaultrus laughs as he fixes his dark-grey slick hair, “Hey! I am taking this seriously! Is just that, it was such a long ride to get here!” he says as he slouches on top of the head of his horse. “Why didn’t we just use the teleporters to get their or just continue to carry me and fly us there…”

“The king advised us not to use any form teleportation as it may be tracked if we are ever followed. Flying is also not an option beyond the Alberio’s reach, as it takes away the element of surprise and… since you’re heavy” Angie says to Gaultrus bluntly.

Gaultrus chuckles and smirks, “Say’s the lady who eats more than me!”

Before Angie can speak back, the crystal on her armlet. She taps it and a holographic projection shows the Queen of Alberio. “Angie, Gaul. I would presume by now that you near Groven, correct?”

Gaultrus gives a thumbs up, while Angie nods and speaks. “Just about near the gate my queen. We can see the high walls already”

The Queen of Alberio nods. “Good, I would like to remind you to be careful with this. We still do not know how capable this cult is, all we know is that they were able to infiltrate the kingdom Aéthea and take Queen Eirene and her children with them. As to how they did it, is still a mystery…” as the queen says Gaultrus changes his demeanor to a serious one.

Gaultrus smiles and looks at the Queen of Aleberio. “Don’t worry, we’ll make sure they get what’s coming to them for pissing us off…” Gaultrus says menacingly with a grin.

Angie and the Queen of Alberio nod. “Either way, be careful and prioritize to secure Queen Eirene and her children’s safety no matter what…” as the Queen of Alberio says she ends the projection.

/=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/

Reaching the gates of Groven Burg. The guards posted at the gates scutter as they see Angie and Gaul approach.

One of the senior guards orders the others to calm down and watch their posts, as he approaches Angie and Gaul.

The senior guard looks at Angie and Gaul calmly, “Angelie and Gaultrus Brynggur… The Commander and Captain are waiting for you at the barracks…” the senior guard gest to Angie and Gaul to follow him.

Reaching the inside of Groven Burg, being led by the senior guard. Some of the people and guards look in awe as they see Angie and Gaul pass by. The senior guard leads them all the way to the barracks as he stops midway and points them to the stables.

Gaul notices a lot of new Royal Guards moving about. Some were at first lazing and laughing about, but as they see Gaul and Angie they suddenly returned to their duties.

Angie and Gaul placed their horses at the guard’s stables. As Gaultrus gets off his horse, he smirks and looks at Angie. “…Pretty sure some of these new guys ain’t even doing anything and just here for the free stuff…” Gaultrus whispers to Angie.

Angie looks at one of the guards coldly making that guard run away. “…We will deal with that later…” as she says, Gaultrus shrugs and chuckles.

/=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/

Angie and Gaultrus, then make their way to one of the guard’s barracks, to meet their Commander and the Guard Captain.

As the two enter, they see the Commander sitting on his desk with piles of papers all over, and the Guard Captain standing in front of a map of Groven as he speaks to the Commander.

Angie and Gaul were informed early on by the Queen of Alberio who they needed to talk to and information on who they are. The Commander is a well-built muscular composed old man, was at first posted at Alberio. Sent to Groven following the incident regarding the Queen of Aéthea. While the Captain of the Guards is an adult snarky wood Elf, posted at Groven for several years now.

The Commander and the Captain stop what they were doing as they see Angie and Gaul enter. The Commander looks at them in content, as he rises from his seat and comes to shake their hands, as followed by the Captain.

As the Captain shakes Gaul’s hand, he tries to introduce himself but was cut off by Angie. “…No time for formalities, just tells us what we need to know and let us do our work” Angie bluntly says to the Commander and the Captain.

The Commander nods, while the Captain looks at Angie disgruntled. “I agree…” The Commander says to Angie.

Gaul leans at one of the wooden pillars as Angie, with the Commander and the Captain, walks towards the Commander’s table. The Commander then begins to speak as he sits down, “…Regarding the news of the cult at Groven. A few people of varying races have disappeared for the past few weeks... Thus, upon my orders, we’ve prohibited anyone to just come and go within Groven’s walls. Regarding information about the Queen of Aéthea… I apologise, but we have none…” the Commander sighs. “But we do know a large group of the cult is in here, somewhere in Groven Burg. To what reason… we still as well do not know…”

Gaul chuckles at the corner, “…spectacular” he mumbles to himself.

The Captain then speaks as he walks towards the map of Groven Burg. “We’ve pointed out the locations on where these people were last seen and presumed to be taken at… reports say that the people who saw them last, saw them going through an alleyway with another person, sometimes with two or more with them…”

The Commander continues as he looks at Angie. “…We’ve haven’t yet told the public about the missing person cases yet, to avoid further distress to the people”

Angie looks at the missing person cases laid out on the board. “…How many?”

The Captain replies, “There are twenty-two confirmed missing, and at least three more still being looked into. All of which are adults of varying races…”

Angie nods, “…Is there anything else” she says as she crosses her arms.

The Commander nods, “…as to help ease the people’s minds. A noble, by the name of Gulius Osmous, has offered a plan to have a festival three days from now…”

Angie raises a brow as she hears, “…Gulius Osmous” she then raises her arm with the gem armlet. As she taps on the gem, information of Gulius Osmous projected from it. Gaul does the same.

The Captain smirks as he sees the information about Gulius Osmous being projected. “…A nobleman who lived in Groven for years, and willingly provided his royal guards to us in aid with our investigations!”

The Commander nods with a blank face, “…He plans to host the festival as means to round up most of the people to a certain location as our men and his search around at the alleyways…” The Commander leans back on his chair and crosses his arms, “…I don’t know much about this man, but many of the people of Groven says he can be trusted…” The Commander stands and heads towards the map on the wall. “Either way, I want your help on that day and keep watch on these specific alleyways where most of the reports say the people disappear at…” he says as he looks at the marked areas in the map.

Angie nods, “Understood…” she looks at the Commander seriously. “We’ve been told we have the freedom to do as we please as to any means to find the Queen and this Cult, I presume you’ve been told?” Angie bluntly says.

The Commander nods, as the Captain grumbles. “…We have been told, yes. Do what you must to assists us…” the Commander says as he walks back to his desk.

“Good… We’ll take our leave then...” Angie says as she begins to walk out. As Gaul follows Angie out the door.

/=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/

As night falls, Angie and Gaul walk towards the inn they were given to stay at.

Gaul continues to check the information they have, “…Gulius Osmous, one of those snotty nosed bird guys."

“…Avians” Angie says bluntly.

“Uhuh… Married and had a son, Loren Osmous, with his late wife who died about twenty years ago. He and his son own a few farms outside Groven…” Gaul chuckles as he checks Loren Osmous data. “…Loren Osmous has been pretty charitable, aside from his father whose notable deeds are just providing royal guards and hosting festivals!”

Angie ponders, “…Keep an eye on both of them” she says to Gaul sternly.

Gaultrus stops his projection and places his hands behind his head. “…Roger ma’am!” he says to Angie with a smile.

* * * * * * * * *

Days passed; the festival is on. Angie stands on one of the rooftops as she observes the area from above. “Gaul, how’s your end…” she speaks to her armlet.

= = = = = = = = =

Gaul is on the streets, looking at the necklaces being sold by a merchant. He has an earpiece on his left ear. “None worth mentioning, unless you like cheap silver…” as Gaul says he throws the necklace back into the pile and walks away.

“Keep your wits about…” Angie says over the earpiece.

Gaultrus laughs, “…Roger that sis!” as he orders some food at one of the stalls.

= = = = = = = = =

Angie sighs, as she continues to jump from rooftop to rooftop, and making sure no one notices her.

She then hears Gaultrus coughing and trying to tell her something. Angie stops, “…What is it?”

Gaultrus shouts as he clears his throat, “…I FOUND THE QUEEN!!”

Angie hastily replies, “Where!?”

= = = = = = = = =

Gaultrus sneakily follows, a man with the Queen and her children. “…They’re heading towards an alleyway, they’re being led by a drone of sorts…” he whispers to Angie.

Gaultrus looks around, “…Weird, no one seems to notice the Queen just walking around…”

= = = = = = = = =

“…Probably using some sort cloaking spell or device. Don’t lose them, I’m heading your way” Angie bluntly says as she runs and jumps over the rooftops.

As Angie makes her way, she lands at the rooftop at the other end of the alleyway. She then sees Queen Eirene kneeling on the floor helping a seemingly unconscious Xion, while Nora is rubbing her eyes looking like she’s crying.

The unknown man seems to be smiling and laughing at them.

Angie’s patience broke, “…Pin him down!” she yells to Gaultrus as she releases her wings and summons her spear from her armlet.

= = = = = = = = =

Gaultrus smiles as he aims down his rifle, as he crouches on top of the opposite rooftop from the alleyway. “…Roger…”

In unison, as Angie throws her spear, Gaultrus pulls the trigger aiming at the unknown man’s arms.