“Strength Through Passion in Love and Life”

- Motto of House Rosengart

“That’s the house in a nutshell, at least probably a few generations ago I dunno, I mean the founders probably chose that for a reason right? As for now? I mean you’ve seen mom and dad, sorry the Duke and the Duchess. Bunch of narcissistic pricks alongside my brothers. “Ohh king this, kingdom that.” “Be friends with the dukes boy, don’t talk to that baron's daughter.” Pfft, what? Don’t give me that look, you’re going to have to learn to deal with them at some point. Fine, you win, don't give me those eyes, I do care about them somewhat okay? They're still family, and so I care, but you are family too!”

- Young Evaline Rosengart ‘educating’ a younger Sophie on the dynamics of the Rosengart Ducal Household

Evaline snarled as she swung her sabre down, sending the man panicking as he responded with a desperate parry. Pressing her advantage she pushed further and locked the man into a duel before she lunged forward and kicked him in the stomach. He doubled over and she quickly planted a debilitating blow as she cut into him, slashing at his arms and legs to disable him.

The second man threw his injured comrade backwards and raised his sword to strike. She jumped backward. He lunged once more. Seeing her moment to attack, with an almost inhuman dash back toward the man she cut deep into his shoulder. Staggered, he lost the grip on his sword and she quickly swept her leg into his and sent him tumbling. Seizing the momentum she stepped over him and bashed his head with her boot until he went limp.

Eva turned to the last gang member and the man seemed to regret his life choices. With a limp attack he clumsily charged and she sidestepped the strike to throw a punch right into his gut. The man let out an exasperated grunt and she quickly finished the fight by cutting into his shoulder and throwing the man into the wall.

Slumped over in unconsciousness and likely quite a bit of pain, the man went limp as she pulled the blade out, glaring at the two curious bystanders nearby.

“She’s looking at us.”

“By the saints run!”

She ignored the two and rummaged through the wounded and unconscious, liberating their purses and other such trinkets. Tch, nothing useful here, she grumbled and scattered the belongings with a firm throw over the alley. The Inquisitorial safehouse should be nearby. It has to be. With a disappointed grunt she headed back out into the street, the sound of fighting having attracted a few curious onlookers nearby.

Neun Carad was a glorious city, big mansions, towers, a royal military academy of its own and home of the Carradorian royal family. City of the nobles, boroughers and common folk alike, many went to and fro and the Inquisition was no different. Before Sir Baylein had left her he had advised her to search Hossmel Square, the slightly less fortunate part of Neun Carad for a potential safehouse. Taking his words to heart she lucked out in spotting and ambushing a church agent when she reached the city and through some percussive persuasion the man had helped narrow her search to a few city blocks. But the seedier the area, the more willing the residents were willing to look for a quick influx of cash. And many turned a curious eye at the dumb noble looking girl who wandered so far from home.

She had tried looking for stars and crosses symbols purported to be scribbled over the walls when the gang tried to corner her for a good time. She had thought they were some disguised Inquisitorial agents until their incessant chattering revealed them to be no one important. This is hopeless, I’ve already spent an hour creeping around, my minders have to be getting curious. Her gaze narrowed at the thought, she was meant to meet with a few staffers and other students bound for Arteria and hoped to investigate the leads Sir Baylein had helped find. But she chided herself for wishful thinking, as if any of that would be possible to do in a day.

Yet she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being watched by precisely the people she looked for. It was an eerily piercing gaze as if someone was trying to peer into her soul. But try as she might, she could see no signs of the actual Inquisition.

She just wanted a quiet life, a chance to enjoy things with Sophie and perhaps even Frederick, though she reassured herself that she positively totally did not have a crush on the prince beyond platonic, right? She grinned in spite of her situation, what a silly thought. Yet it seemed out of nowhere the world conspired to shatter her hopes, right on the cusp of potentially the most freedom she would ever have gotten and a chance to make it a reality. Bam, everything happened at once. Still, there was naught to do but try her best to right the wrongs. With a sigh and groan she decided to go meet with the group destined for Arteria before they got suspicious at her absence.

She remembered the city fondly, she had often spent many a day just touring the streets in Frederick’s company. Poor Sophie had to spend most of those excursions stuck inside the servant’s quarters of the castle or the mansion of a host as no one wanted to see an elven servant around the third prince. The few times that she could travel with them under Eva’s and thereby Frederick’s insistence, she had been so bundled up one could’ve easily mistaken her for a cosplay of an old crone or a wise witch following the prince.

She smiled fondly at the memory and finally found herself in front of the bridge leading to Castle Carad, where all of Carrador’s bright and noble pupils gathered before being sent out. Though her scruffy appearance did see almost every guard stopping and searching her until she presented them with the letter of acceptance and an identification insignia that she was in fact, Evaline Rosengart, daughter of Duke Rosengart.

The grand hall was as magnificent as she remembered, the ceiling almost three stories tall flanked by numerous stone brick pillars and other assorted trusses, decoration or otherwise. A gallery fit for a royal court on either side for petitioners and lords to gather around as brilliant purple gold carpets and tapestries lined the floors and walls. Some with intricate designs and stitches that chronicled the history of Carador and the deeds of the royal family. Hung high on the pillars were flags aplenty, each emblazoned with the crest of noble families and numerous different sigils. Guards clad in both plate and lamellar flanked the whole room, purples, blues and occasional green cloaks denoting the different ranks and duties of each soldier. Including the two roughly carrying her by the arms towards a crowd of noble teens, three instructors, two priests and surprisingly the king and his honor guard.

“Lords and Ladies, apologies for the intrusion, we bring one Lady Evaline Rosengart, carrying the letter of acceptance and royal approval for education at the Arterian Academies.” A guard announced to the surprised crowd.

It was perhaps one of the most surreal experiences she had as the king flashed a face of recognition, after all, she and Frederick were fabulous friends, before it turned into horror at the state of her dress. The instructors meanwhile, kept a wholly annoyed if stern demeanor while their eyes reflected the same horror the king had. The other noble kids on the other hand, began to quietly giggle and point at her, nothing too unexpected there either. But it was the reaction of the priests that caught her eye.

The elder of the two she recognised as High Bishop Konrad Geissel, an aging man in fancy robes serving as the king’s main religious advisory in matters regarding the stellar activities of Goddess Astralis and the church. I think I got that right. The other however, she did not recognise. As opposed to the grumpy but kind face of Geissel, this portly man had the sleazy face of someone who perhaps shows a little less deference to the Goddess than would be expected. Though she knew she shouldn’t judge based on appearances, her suspicions grew even greater when his look was not just one of surprise, but of recognition. Bingo, Eva thought as she tried to hide the malicious grin spreading on her face.

“Oh my, Eva, what happened to you!?” King Edelin exclaimed in a voice tinged with concern.

At this the other noble children seemed to quiet, in the court rumours swirled that Eva was close with the third prince. But to have the king himself refer to the scruffy, dirty looking strange girl as ‘Eva' instead of Evaline in public? That all but confirms it for them, she groaned internally, knowing that one of the other noble kids will definitely try to pry.

“My liege are you certain?” One of the household guards, asked the king.

King Edelin sighed in despair, “Who else would wander up to the castle in this horrific state and be allowed in?” He turned his focus back to her, “So? You better have a good explanation for being late and in an absolute state of disrepair.” He barked.

She blinked and cried out internally. How do I answer this? A lie? The truth? Ah! A truth and a lie! Formal or informal? Definitely formal.

“My sincere apologies your majesty,” She pulled herself easily out of the guardsmens grasp much to their surprise, “I was waylaid by a street gang looking for easy money and decided to dispatch them in an alleyway. My apologies for being overzealous in…administering an undignified response.” She dipped her head low apologetically, or at least how Sophie would always do it whenever the Duchess or Duke was nearby.

A chorus of murmurs filled the hall as even the King pinched his nose at the ridiculousness of her answer. But before he could respond one of the nobles, a tall but muscular boy, with a regal if a little excessively fancy outfit and the most pristine jawline Eva ever did see spoke.

“So are the Rosengart knights just completely incompetent? I mean how in the hells would any houseguard ever let this happen? And to let you dole out the punishment?” He asked incredulously with a few more of the other students echoing his sentiments with nods and murmurs of ‘yeah, what’s wrong with them.’

“I asked to travel alone.” Eva replied, “I see my time at the academy as a chance for me to…learn to thrive on my own and I didn’t want my father’s shadow lingering over me.” Technically true. “The journey was mostly smooth, though I confess I explored the streets of the capital a bit too eagerly which led to the predicament and my current state.” Also technically true.

Everyone seemed baffled by her answer, it was one thing to let your kids stretch their legs out in the world before assuming household responsibilities, but it was another to let them willingly engage in street brawls. Yet again, the chunky priest seemed to show the least surprise, as if someone had appraised him of her situation beforehand, as if he already had someone watching me.

She grumbled about the possibility and quickly spoke up to steer the conversation away from her fight, “If your majesty pleases, may I quickly refresh myself before I receive a stern talking to from the instructors?”

The three instructors visibly grew more upset with her but King Edelin at least, was mostly just annoyed. He was used to her ridiculousness, she hoped.

“You missed the meeting, all the important information from the instructors and you would boldly interrupt your liege?” He said coldly.

Or I could be very wrong, she gulped.

“Your majesty…”

“I expected better from you Evaline Rosengart.”

Uh oh, full name no titles.

“You know which guest room to use, be back in under twenty minutes, the instructors and the students deserve more respect than this from you. You will be representing Carrador in a foreign land, see that you don’t act so rashly in the future.” He wrapped up with a sigh and an apologetic tilt of his head towards the three instructors. Safe after all!

“Don’t worry your majesty, we'll instill some manners into her.” One of the instructors replied, glaring at her the entire time.

Gingerly performing another apologetic bow she ignored the spate of giggling emerging from the gaggle of nobles as she walked off to a side corridor. She had just barely avoided a close call, yet she still felt uneasy, as if she was missing something. That sleazy priest knows something, but how the hells do I get to him?

Turning back for one last look at the crowd she found the priest smirking at her and a chill ran down her spine. I’ll get you, you just wait jackass.

Eva found herself at a loss, the halls and rooms felt so empty, so foreign without the warmth and friendliness that usually followed in Frederick and Sophie’s wake. Thankfully as far as supplies goes even the guest rooms were well stocked. She looked pretty fly, in her eyes at least. Though she looked more like a pirate captain than a noble she was pretty certain this would be passable in the eyes of the courts. Right? Sophie would definitely get a good chuckle out of this though heh.

A knock on the door startled her and she hopped away from the wardrobe in a fright.

“One second!” Eva quipped as she quickly strapped back on her boots and scurried over to open the door.

What she saw unfortunately, were two black clad soldiers bursting through the moment she opened and she jumped backwards as she saw the blades in their hands. Fuck, assassins. Her instincts took over in a split second and she dashed over to launch a stool at the doorway. The men dodged in surprise and she quickly summoned her wellspring of strength to lift the table, sending the little trinkets on it crashing to the floor. With renewed vigor she dashed back forward and smashed the table onto the first soldier, downing him in a single blow.

The second one tried to jump at her but she managed to side step his attack and found herself behind him. Without hesitation she tackled him into the wall and in a startlingly similar scene to earlier, she bashed his head against the wall and knocked him out as well.

Grabbing his sword she turned back towards the door as another set of footsteps approached. If they want me dead they better try harder. Growling with fury she launched herself forward only for a sudden force to throw her back into the room. A sickening thud as she smacked against the guest room bed frame stunned her momentarily, and as she pushed herself back up the portly priest emerged from the shadows, his hands outstretched in front of him. The spell-casting type, shit.

“Vos Vigar Shorne.” The priest murmured with his hands and staff signing an incantation and Eva felt herself being pushed forcefully onto the ground.

Her limbs pinned, she summoned what strength she had and roared a battle cry, her muscles straining under the intense pressure before she managed to punch on arm through whatever sorcery he had cast. Her continued resistance seemed to tire the man as sweat formed on his brow and exertion seemed to overtake him as she could see him shake from the effort.

Eva felt her muscles tear as she struggled against the force only for it to suddenly disappear and she staggered forward in shock as momentum carried her forward. She turned to face the man only for him to lift his staff and cast another spell.

“Vos Vigar Astror.” He cried and she could see the tip of his staff light up before she was sent flying. She crashed into the wall of the room and sent her pile of old clothes flying. A pained grunt escaped from her lips as the wind was knocked out of her.

With another fierce cry she pushed against the bindings, tearing into her energy reserves as she sought to brute force the priest’s spell. Though her body began to cry out in pain, the temporary boost was what she needed as one final effort led to something shattering. As if the magical bindings had simply snapped.

The immediate recoil of the broken spell sent the priest crashing backward onto the floor as he stared back at Eva from across the room.

“Enough you fool girl-” He yelled just as Eva closed the distance, his staff barely raised in time to hold against the powerful slash she threw at him.

“Where is she!” She screamed at him as she pressed the sword into his staff, slowly but surely cutting into the ornate wood.

“Let-” He grunted, “Me-” So focused was she on pushing the staff, Eva couldn’t react in time to his knee connecting between her legs and flung herself backwards, doubled over in pain. “Speak.”

The sword fell from her hands as she howled in pain and cradled her injury. Tears welled up from the corner of her eyes and she clenched her teeth to stop herself from crying out anymore.

“Vos Divinia Natium.” The priest mumbled tiredly and Eva looked up to find him drawing an intricate sign. As she tried to move she suddenly found the terrible ache fading and gasped in relief as she turned to look properly at the priest.

Tired, exhausted and far more frazzled than he seemed earlier, the man kept his staff pointed at Eva, his hands shaking slightly from the effort. “I…came here to talk…fool girl.” He managed to spit out the words.

Eva wanted to charge forward but paused, her mind carefully assessing the reliability of the statement. But the assassins, though he did heal me. She tensed up once again but didn’t move, waiting for the man to continue. Her eyes searching for the right moment to pounce.

“Who knew you’d be…so…damn jumpy.” He looked at her tiredly, finally lowering his staff, “I sent…these two idiots to make sure the room was secure.” He gestured at the two knocked out soldiers.

Eva begrudgingly turned her attention to the two before looking back at him.

“Ahem, I…we…know you’re an outlander, Lady Rosengart.”

At this Eva tensed, she didn’t want to kill but, her being an outlander was something the church shouldn't know. But how? Was it because Baylein and I were too quick to hop onto the trail? My fighting style? But her thoughts were quickly interrupted by the man waving a dismissive hand.

“We’ve known for a while, but no trouble means no need to bother.” He sighed and sat himself down on the remaining chair not thrown at someone during the fight. The wood groaned under his sudden weight and he looked down sadly at where the table used to be and where it was now. “After all, we have many Saint candidates. But that’s beside the point.”

“So why are you here?” Eva finally spoke, her eyes never leaving his weapon and continued inching towards her discarded sword. Damn the castle guards for holding my actual saber.

“You’re looking for your friend.” He said in an exasperated tone and Eva stopped moving. ”Ever notice anything weird about her?”

“What?” Eva was so bewildered by the sudden question she just stood there and continued staring at him.

Perhaps surprised by her confusion the man hurriedly raised a hand, “I speak ahead of myself, please, take a seat on…your bed.”

Eva glared at him, no way in hell she was letting this sleaze-bag get away with anything to do with her body.

The priest let out another exasperated sigh, “Never do field work. So tiring.” he grumbled to himself before turning back to her, “Don't worry I’m not planning anything untoward you, lie down because it's going to hurt, a lot.”

A moment of silence passed between the two as Eva stood her ground. He thinks he can threaten me?

“The spell I cast is for pain relief, not healing. That relief will only last so long as my concentration fades.” He said just as he shock from the sudden breaking of a spell.

Huh? Eva thought, but it was too late, within seconds the pain flared back up and she found herself collapsing to the floor in a heap.

“Seeing as you’re at least present, Miss Rosengart, I come to you with an offer, a partnership if you will.” He sarcastically quipped, the first of the two to recover.

“Agh!” Eva screamed in pain.

“Let me try again, I am Oraetor Vitellius representing the Astral church. You have my word, under oath that your friend is fine. We intercepted a letter from her for you, I will place it…on this cupboard for when you recover.”

That little tidbit caught her attention and she grit her teeth to process the information, Sophie’s alive at least. She forced a pained smile at the thought as hope blossomed within her once more.

“As clearly evident by…your combat skills…I…by the saints I need a drink.” Vitellius paused and pulled out a small flask, gulping down a large mouthful to Eva’s surprise.

She winced from the pain but pushed herself into a sitting position and looked at the priest whilst still gently massaging her injury. It was a dirty move, she seethed. Seeing her attention the priest quickly closed the flask and turned to look at her.

“Listen, I don’t do formal really well. The fact of the matter is this, we suspect dark tidings are happening and you and your friend are somehow involved. So I…well we, the church, need your assistance. With me so far?” He casually asked.

Eva nodded quietly, surprised and horrified at the sudden change in personality from the impious priest.

“Your friend is fine, see?” He threw the letter at her, “Read it later. For now let me tell you as it is. We suspect dark forces are currently building up for something big. Big enough to involve demons, monsters the whole lot of them. Since you’re an outlander I suspect you are at least somewhat more aware of what I’m talking about than what's in the myth and legends.”

What in the…? Eva nodded in spite of her confusion, gently grabbing the letter and holding it tightly in her hand.

“I saw how concerned you were earlier at the mention of outlander, so let me reassure you. I at least, have no intention of saintifying? Sainting? Making you a saint of the church. So you can rest easy there.” Vitellius scratched at his head and wiped away some sweat from his brow before taking another swig. “What I’m here to offer you, is simple. I have agents trying to find your friend, we’ll make sure she is fine and can…reunite with you. In return, when you arrive in Arteria I’ll have a contact meet with you. The church needs someone to help train other outlanders and we’re sending a recent bunch over to be educated in the ways of the world, so to speak.”

“Me?” Eva pointed at herself, flabbergasted.

“Yes you. While I believe individuality is important, the crisis may be upon us sooner than we like. As such having someone relatable but knowledgeable, within the same age range and a proficient fighter act as a mentor figure would be invaluable. So imagine the fortuitous turn of events when we redis…learned about you and your friend.”

Eva stared in confusion, the pain but a sideshow in this rollercoaster of events and emotions, other outlanders? A bunch? More people from earth? She looked down at the letter and gave the Oraetor a furtive nod, and they know where Sophie is, and she’s safe? Admittedly, Eva was doubtful, but this was the most she learned in the weeks since Sophie’s disappearance, and if they could really reunite the two, she was willing to play along.

“Start from the top, just so I can understand.” Eva said, her voice strained, but still echoed clearly in the half destroyed room.

Vitellius looked around with his mouth aghast, as if offended at the notion. “Oh by the damned sa…the damned asshole of a kobold. Your instructors, the time! I can’t just sit here all…” He raised an eyebrow only to be met with Eva’s determined look and sighed, “Fine, so you’re willing to listen at least? Without trying to skewer me?”

A nod.

“Very well, in that case my apologies for sending armed guards ahead of myself, but here’s what needs to happen…”