"The damned guys know that I will skin them alive for such setup, no doubt part of their usual plans to avoid the in-doors training. But they are getting more intelligent! Now it's a helmet closing all of his face?!" Kaid laughed hard, the emotions released from this action being so forceful as to make me put my guard up, not to mention the more alert Dart. And that's even if it was pure joy and not actual anger at his subordinates, temporal ones, as we would learn from his explanation.

While Captain Kaid was indeed one of the six captains of the Megvuroz City Guard, he was rarely assigned to the gates, partly because he hated the job, preferring the active duty of patrolling the city, even the slums that other guards usually avoided. As for the other part? Let's say it mildly. Something as..? Terrozing the soldiers on the gates with different training, sparring, or otherwise active sessions while calling it preparation for actual guard work. Like today, he had been preparing a course meant to teach them how to act in cramped, badly-lit quarters, to which he not only disabled all the [Magic Light] orbs in the tower and even built some barricades on the upper floors.

But anyway, with me revealing only the part about the helmet, keeping the accent for myself, and not because of much love but a desire to kick the guy in the balls myself, the captain had no one to blame for the suspended training session, and so the topic died off. As for the matter that had brought me, along with Dart as an escort, here, Kaid quickly agreed to help as soon as I explained everything, and just a few minutes since our not-so-normal meeting, his aide, the unarmored guard I had interrupted before, was called into the office.

***

The captain's aide, named Land, appeared quickly to the summons of his captain. And without showing the sign of displeasure for being called out or any surprise to see me there, sitting just across the small, battered table in this office, he only asked what he could do for us, or maybe just the captain. Who can say which was true?

As for Kaid, he asked me to drop any titles - he just limited to explaining my plight, adding only some explanation meant for me about Land being the one in charge of most procedures, except the ones requiring strength.

"A cloth merchant? Some deal with Lady Arxibiela? And two girls that came to receive him? Hmm..?" Speaking out loud what he heard, Land went into a brief thought - one I had supposed could take longer, considering how many people passed through Megvuroz gates in a day - and just a few seconds later, he was already reporting, seemingly finding out the relevant information in his mind, "The merchant's name is Welo, and he arrived by midday, at least not later than the 5th Sun hour."

"And?" While Land went silent, I could not help but urge, even if it was not the correct procedure. Still, Kaid said nothing, only nodded towards his subordinate, and the latter quickly retold everything he recalled, and man, it was a lot! With average stats at everything but [Negotiation] and [Counting], was it even possible to have such a perfect memory?!

***

In short, Welo, the cloth merchant bringing some of the actual cloth that Arxibiela's shop handled, arrived around midday. He was pretty stressed and, while being allowed into the city, shared some information about how dangerous the lands of [Central] or [Central Midhill] became, something unheard of, as the Count of the region, Szalai D'raec, was no slouch or lazy ass, his lads being ones of the best managed and patrolled in the entire Kingdom.

In fact, Land would even stop his recounting to remind Captain Kaid about preparing a report for the Viscount and sending a few extra guards to the border with the [Central Midhill] County, considering that at some point bandits will definitively cross, or be forced to, into the Megvuroz Viscounty lands.

Kierra, who Land described as a comely young woman, and Angelique, who in turn was dubbed a little beauty, had arrived just a moment before Welo crossed the gates, and so they met right on the spot. With such timing, it would be logical for the deal to be done at the gates or for the small, three-wagons-only caravan to move towards [Xiela's Fabrics]. But as Welo had rushed everyone here, and from his words, they had some brushes with danger, he asked to lodge and rest first, only then sending the already paid cloth to Arxibiela's shop.

"He was very polite, and as such a shift in plans wasn't expected by what I assume to be Ile Arxibiela's employees, or maybe it is just his manner of treating people, he offered them two, who you, Maester Lindar, seek, to accompany them to the Traders House he always uses when in the city." Land seemed to have finished his explanation, but before I even asked where that place could be, he quickly added, "I am unsure if I am right, but it should be Kayn's establishment, just a few streets away from here."

A moment later, slightly hesitating, he added, "Usually all merchants that follow the [One God] faith stay with him, as while the owner is a known Zihetist, his place is known as one of neutrality even for competing merchants, no matter their faith or wellbeing."

***

With a new destination before me, I planned to excuse myself, thank both for the help, and quickly leave towards this Traders House, which I assumed to be some inn-like establishment, just more catered towards caravans and merchants. Yet, I didn't have the chance to do so, a person barging into the room while panting.

"A FIRE-G'D BAST'D SET TRAD' STRE'T AB'AZE!!!" The man, a guard dressed in soot-covered chainmail and unarmed except for a short sword, shouted out, uncaring that he was in the room or that his breath was failing him, some words being cut short.

"WHAT?!" Kaid jumped out of the chair he had just lowered himself into a few minutes ago, the action nearly shaking the entire tower. To his defense, though, I have to say he quickly calmed down and, in a far calmer tone, proceeded to ask about details, not before kinda ordering the new arrival to catch his breath, and sending Land out, "Land, order them to close the gates. Now!"

While the captain's quick thinking and actions were impressive, they had nothing to do with me, or at least I thought so. Yet, when I started standing up, planning to leave now that there was such an emergency, I was forced back into my seat by Kaid's words, each of them as they nearly pressed me back against the polished wood, "You. Stay. Here."

I had not even a chance to ask what the fuck, as Kaid considered the newly arrived, average in stats and a few blisters and burn data visible to my [Status Screen], calmed down enough for being questioned.

"What side?" Kaid asked first, and after receiving a short answer, "Both!" he continued, "Up to the wall?" being the second question, the guard only managed to shake his head as he was already barraged with the third one, "What about the culprit?"

Now, here the guard had indeed regained his bearings, time being of less value than the pressure he was feeling from Kaid, as his response was complete as it was quick, "A report of a suspicious man lingering around the warehouses and escaping the patrol took place, the nearest squad, part of the Viscount's guard responded but arrived late, several places being on fire already."

"Only one?" Kaid confirmed, his face crossed by a scowl as if he doubted it could be so.

"No, there are more. Il Dorle, who assumed command, thought the same, but with the fire around, he determined to capture one and order a rescue, not a search. Yet, after the capture, there were more fires, but so were reinforcements. Thus the search is ongoing." Nearly saluting by the end of these answers, the guard straightened as if expecting Kaid's words on the latter.

"I already ordered the closure of the gates, but what of the East ones?" Kaid, in turn, asked for further information.

"At the same time as he ordered me, Il Dorle sent another runner to the East. With the same petition for reinforcements and the order to close the gates as I was." No wonder the guard had not continued his crazed shouting, not with Kaid having sent the order to close the gates as soon as the guy arrived.

"You rest for a bit, then return. I will be taking a few men and going down there." Everything he needed found out, Kaid half-commented, half-ordered the guard before looking at me and in the same way adding, "The [Honest Campfire], Welo's place, is on the merchant street-" but before I could jump or even say anything, Kaid's head shook, "-but it's on the very northern edge of the street, it's wall nearly touching the hill's one. Still, we should make haste."

Hearing that Kierra and Angelique could be in danger, I was ready to run at my utmost speed, but I was a bit slowed down by Kaid, who chose to nearly block me as we left the tower and then moved towards the main street. To be fair? The stops were both required and quick, yet even if my mind understood that I really cursed at him, even if inwardly. After all, what did I care about who he would be taking along or else; If I was losing time?! A time that I could use to hasten towards the so-called Trade Street! Actually, Traders' Street, as I would learn a bit later.

***

Smoke, fire, shouts, and a myriad of acrid and molesting smells - such was the mix that assaulted my senses as soon as we arrived at the street in question, which turned out to be the one where the thirty or something guards from before I saw marching into while moving towards the eastern gates.

Tens and tens of people and dozens of animals stood and moved around near the street entrance, but even the ones that appeared signed, burned, or otherwise injured moved out of the way, allowing free passage for Kaid, Dart, me, and eight guards the captain called out to follow. Opening a path in the mess of people incapable of moving and the crates, sacks, and whatever else sprawled on the street!

To be honest? At that moment, I cared nothing about the sights, smells, or sounds. Yet, as I [Record] this, I can not help but recall the ignored feelings as I saw the pain and despair on some of the faces, especially the mix of both on what appeared the more richly dressed ones, though no wonder, as they, most probably, were traders and so were the owners of the stuff burning down.

I had no intention of slowing down at any point, not until I found the girls, even if a part of me did scream about the need to help - however, I could. But, as I attempted to break into a run, I found Kaid's hand on my shoulder, pulling me towards the smoldering ruins of what was some building, where a dozen of guards, nearly unarmed and their armor covered in soot and burn marks, ran about, searching for survivors or attempting to rescue what they could.

"Dorle!" Kaid shouted out as he approached the person standing farther from the ruins, seemingly giving commands, though the nearly silver-colored chainmail on him was nowhere clean but was black as coal, confirming that the man had not shied from the effort either.

Still being pulled by the giant captain, I couldn't help but look at the man closely. And my [Status Screen] made me aware of his stats and injuries, even before the man in question even talked about the latter.

NAME & TYPE LEVEL (Hiding anything below average) Strength 13 Body 12 Negotiation 17 Force 15 Quick 11 Close-Quarters 14 Slashing 12 Unarmed 13 Danger-Sense 16 Identification 11 Leadership 12 Command 13 Terrain: Urban 11 Health 78 / 100% Stamina 28 / 100% Wounds and Injuries: Right Leg, Lower, Burn, Serious.

"Captain Kaid? I thank the gods for your arrival." While said in a tone coarse from the smoke and one that denoted extreme tiredness - not surprising with his [Stamina] being at some 30% - the man's, Dorle, voice and emotions were honest.

_______

It may be uncalled for the situation, but at that moment, I couldn't help but note how Dorle was the actual epitome of a guard, of a true one. Not only his stats and efforts prove it, but even his looks!

While blackened by soot, scorch marks visible all around his equipment were complete, not even his burn, a painful one, I should think, being enough for him to disarm or remove any part of his armor. Muscular, even if not so crazily as Kaid, and tall, about my own height, the man was well built, and his face, at least what I could see under the ash powder-like cover, was open and even slightly handsome.

His conduct was above any scruple as well, as being the first to arrive, he had acted to the best, Kaid confirming it previously, and was among the first to rush inside the burning warehouses, stables, and inns. Having misstepped, in his own words, and by consequence, receiving a heavy burn as his plated boot heated so much, Dorle didn't leave the spot but took command of the small patrols arriving at the scene, ordering not only the rescue of both valuables and people in every accessible building but also sending people to look for the possible, to which there was no doubt by now, accomplices of the captured perpetrator.

Speaking of the latter, I also managed to catch a glance of the woman, one that looked as average as anyone else, with no stats, titles, or anything denoting someone capable of such in both my examination and Dorle's words, the latter having confirmed everything with a portable [Identity Orb] already.

Though in all truth, here I am lying even to myself. After all, my [Status Screen] did catch on something that no ordinary [Identity] or even [Analyze] treasure, spell, or else could have. Namely, a concealed, hidden title - one that I managed to see for some reason, only later understanding that basically my 100/100 [Analyze] had somehow identified what only the so-called [Divine Eyes] could.

Holy Flame, Bringer.

Not that I would tell anyone about it, not then and not later. And while the 'later' part can change, I can not feel anything else but correct about hiding it at that moment. And indeed, how would I explain, even if I used the spell openly, that I saw something not seen?!

In any case, returning to the events taking place, it was as I heard before, and Dorle now confirmed - everyone had assumed her to be a man, but on capture, they stripped her down to undergarments, in this case, a short, light dress-like gown, and discovered that it was no man but a woman.

Still, no matter how I was absorbed in looking around, the girls - Kierra and Angelique - were above anything else at that moment. But as I was close to jerking myself free, Kaid's words once again stopped me, as after sending his eight men to help how they could, literally ordering them not to return without result, he actually introduced me to Dorle and briefly explained why I, a member of the [Trade Guild] in his words, was here.

_______

"There were six more fires that started after we captured her-" Dorle nodded towards the bound, half-naked woman, "-but the most recent and farthest one was about mid-street, so there is nothing to worry about someplace like [Honest Campfire] which is by the very end."

With this, in his thoughts, being enough for me to calm down, even if slightly, Kaid actually let me go. And indeed, I didn't rush out right away, staying still for a few moments, just enough for him to ask Dorle if he ordered the further establishments and buildings evacuated or something else.

Still, as Dorle had just started his answer, I rushed upstreet towards where the still ongoing fires were, Dart following me right behind. How could I not?! When Dorle's opening words were. "All able people on that side of the fires are helping with the rescue, and most women, girls, and incapable of joining are tending to the injured."

I did hear another part, even if barely, the quickly increasing distance preventing me from hearing everything, "The situation up there is fairly bad..."