"What do you mean, missing?" SJ said, panic gripping her.
Through bouts of tears, Yawnee tried to explain what had happened. "Lurtew went to the market to collect more tacks but hasn't returned."
"How long ago?"
"He has been missing since last night. The market is only two blocks away."
"Have you informed the guard?"
"Yes. They aren't interested. They said he hasn't been missing long enough."
"We will soon see about that. Where is Cristy?"
"She fell asleep not long ago; she had been awake all night worrying."
The sense of dread SJ had experienced in Killic when Cristy had gone chasing Bordon came crashing back. The panic and anger she had felt at Killic's town guard had been severe. She could understand the despair that Yawnee was feeling with Lurtew missing. The backstreets of the district were a rabbit warren, and after witnessing the gang fight on her first night in the city, she hoped Lurtew hadn't fallen foul to the violence that bubbled under its surface. After Yawnee explained to SJ what Lurtew had been wearing, SJ turned to Jay.
"Jay?"
"Yes."
"Can you take me to the closest guard post, please?"
"Of course. The one for this district is over on Fallow Street."
"Yawnee. I will speak to the guard again." Jumping back into the cart, Jay spurred the horse as fast as he dared through the narrow streets. Reaching the primary route, the street widened, and Jay shouted for beings to clear the road. He headed to the guard post. The building had four storeys, which reminded SJ of a prison block rather than a guard post. Iron bars covered all the windows, and the outside had scorch marks. Climbing from the cart, SJ walked to the front door.
The double doors stood open, and as SJ approached, she could see guards separating a scuffle. Two draconians were being held apart, hissing and snapping at each other, speaking in their own tongue.
"Looks like a blood feud. I think the one on the left has attacked the one on the right due to family ties," Dave said.
While the guard dragged the pair further into the building, SJ went to the front desk area. A human male sat behind the desk wearing Asterfal's colours. His uniform looked tatty, and he didn't give an impression of authority.
"Yes," he said, not looking up from the parchment he was writing on.
"I would like to speak to someone about a missing being," SJ said.
The human looked up casually, briefly looking at SJ. "Cedric, one for you," he called.
A portly man in a scruffy uniform, with what seemed to be half his breakfast spilt over his enormous belly, walked from a side office behind the desk. The state of the guard post and its staff was shocking. The air inside was acrid with the stench of stale tobacco smoke, sweat, and what SJ guessed maybe vomit.
"What do you want?" the man scowled, distaste clear in his words.
"I need to discover what is happening about a missing being."
"How long have they been missing?"
"Since yesterday."
"Pfff. Come back when they have been missing no less than seventy-two hours," the man said, turning back into his office.
"Excuse me!" SJ said, sharply.
"You heard me. Now clear off. Seventy-two hours is the minimum reporting time."
"That isn't good enough," SJ snapped.
"Good enough, you say," the large man turned and looked at her again. The man on the desk also looked up from his paperwork.
"No, it's not good enough."
"Really!" the large man said. "Well, I suggest you take it up with the district lieutenant then."
Both men laughed at the comment.
"Who is the lieutenant?"
"Lieutenant Jelart Hounslow. Not that, that will get you much joy. He doesn't care what happens in the district."
"Where can I find him?" SJ was trying to stay calm.
"No idea. Go complain all you like. It will make no difference." Again, both men laughed.
"And what are your names?"
The man at the desk frowned. "What has that got to do with you?"
"I need to know who sent me to see him when I find him."
"You think you can walk into our post and threaten us?" the large man snarled.
"I have not threatened you. I have asked a question, that is all. As city representatives, do you not uphold the council of Asterfal's wishes?"
"Wishes, you say. You definitely aren't from Asterfal. I suggest you leave and find out who you are addressing before something unpleasant happens to you," the large man glowered.
"I suggest you perform the job you are being paid for."
SJ hadn't noticed two other guards enter the barracks from behind her as she stood talking to the men. She suddenly felt her senses trigger, knowing there was a danger near.
"Watch it," Dave said.
"Sort her out, boys," Cedric said. "Thinking she can waltz in here and give us orders. We are the district authority, no one else."
As one guard grabbed her, there was a cry from behind.
"Unhand her now," Jay's voice said. Flying into the guard post, Jay's fist connected with the jaw of one of the human guards, grabbing SJ. The man's head flew sideways from the impact, his eyes rolling as he staggered from the blow, dropping to his knee.
"How dare you!" Cedric called.
"I dare," Jay retorted, swinging for the other guard. The guard still had hold of SJ and twisted, moving out of the way of the blow and letting her go. SJ stepped back until she was side by side with Jay. More guards were reacting from within the post and arrived at the desk because of the commotion.
The guard who had let go of SJ drew his sword, and the one on the desk pulled a dagger from his belt. Using her identification skill, SJ prepared to defend herself.
District 3 Guard
Level: 24
Hit points: 129 of 129
Mana points: 55
Armour Class: 30
Attacks: Sword
Special: Nil
District 3 Corporal
Level: 26
Hit points: 130 of 130
Mana points: 55
Armour Class: 20
Attacks: Dagger
Special: Nil
"I suggest you come quietly," the corporal said, moving around with his dagger.
Jay stepped in front of SJ. "You need to get past me if you think you are going near her." Jay was a typical orc standing nearly seven feet tall. His broad, muscle-bound shoulders flexed as he snarled at the guards, appearing to fill the guard post's entrance. The guard he had struck was still reeling on his knees, unable to clear his head from the punch he had received.
"You are in enough trouble already striking a guard member," Cedric sneered.
"And what trouble do you think you are in attacking a council member?" Jay growled.
SJ knew she would struggle to beat the guard's head-on. If she had the initiative, she may take them, but not like this. Especially with more movement behind the desk and drawing more weapons as they moved.
The guard who had drawn the sword halted as he turned to look at Cedric. "He said councillor."
"She is no councillor. She is a dirty fae," Cedric replied.
"No, I am not just a councillor. I am also the ambassador to Killic. I am pretty sure that the chancellor will be interested in knowing what is happening in the district," SJ said.
"Lies," Cedric spat.
"She doesn't lie," Jay said, his fists clenched, not having drawn a weapon. "I am a tower driver, under her orders, and you have crossed a line you didn't want to." Jay stepped forward towards the guard with the sword, the guard instinctively lifting his weapon up. The corporal with the dagger screamed for him to attack. The guard's face told a different picture. There was uncertainty in his movements, unsure if he should attack.
Jay was not waiting for him to regain his composure and with a speed that defied his size, he launched a vicious punch to the guard's chest. Despite wearing chain mail, the guard could not withstand the force of Jay's punch, which sent him sprawling backwards. The wind knocked from him. The guard's sword clattered to the floor as he grabbed his chest. In revenge, the corporal went to stab Jay. SJ had equipped no weapons and stepped forward, delivering a swift roundhouse kick to the corporal. The strike from SJ took him by surprise as he went for Jay, catching him by his side. It caused no damage but stopped his momentum.
Turning on the man, Jay roared and brought his fist round in a wild swinging punch, catching the man across the side of his nose. His nose exploded like a ripe berry, the corporal's hands moving to his face reflexively. With just three punches, Jay disabled the three guards in front of the desk. The large guard screamed at the others to move forward. None of them moved. All looked at Jay cautiously, who snarled angrily.
A deep, commanding voice sounded from within the guard post. "WHAT IS GOING ON?"
Upon hearing the male voice, the guards who had approached the desk suddenly retreated as a short, powerful-looking dwarf stomped towards the disturbance. He took in the three guards disabled by Jay, then looked at SJ and Jay, frowning.
"Do you want to tell me what the issue is?" he said to Cedric.
"This fae," he said, spitting, "and this orc has attacked members of the guard."
The dwarf turned again and looked at them both. "What did they attack you with? Neither holds a weapon."
"The orc, sir. He hit them all."
"And disabled three of you with just his fists?"
"Fist, actually, I only punched each of them once," Jay said, lifting his fist, showing the stain of blood from where he had hit them.
"Maybe I should pay this orc to be the guard then if he deals with you so easily," the dwarf said, raising an eyebrow. "I still don't understand why they attacked you?"
Stepping forward, SJ spoke. "We attacked no one. My driver here defended me from the guards, who grabbed me and then threatened him."
"And why did they grab you?"
"When I reported a missing being, they told me to go away."
"Who is the being?"
"He is the uncle to a ward of Killic, under my care."
"What is a ward of Killic doing in Asterfal?" the dwarf asked, confused.
"She accompanied me and the mayor for the inauguration ceremony."
"You have been at the ceremony?" he asked suspiciously.
"I am the ambassador to Killic and a regional council member."
The dwarf couldn't keep the look of shock from his face. "You are the one."
"I am not sure what you mean by the one, but yes, I am the ambassador to Killic, and it is a friend of mine who has gone missing."
Cedric, the large man, stood by the side of the dwarf. "More lies. She needs locking up," he turned, spitting on the floor in disgust. Without turning, the dwarf threw his arm backwards and up, clattering Cedric around the side of his head with his gauntlet-covered fist. Cedric's feet went from under him with the ferocity of the strike, sending him flying onto his back.
Turning slowly, he looked down at Cedric. "Corporal Chatfield. I suggest you keep your mouth shut. If this is the ambassador to Killic, you have all just lost your jobs."
"She is no ambassador," Cedric spluttered from where he lay with a blood-filled mouth. The dwarf turned and glared at Cedric, who shrunk under the ferocity of the dwarf's gaze.
"Do you have proof of your position?" the dwarf asked.
"What proof do I need? Is my word not good enough? Are you aware of any other fae on the council?" SJ had seen no other fae in Asterfal apart from Fran's sister and companion in the tower.
"Do you not have your sigil?" the dwarf asked.
"I have taken the oath. Is that what you are referring to?"
"Henry. Get the monocle." At the words from the dwarf, one guard turned and hurried back into the guard post moments later, returning with a small silver box. The dwarf opened the box and removed a golden monocle.
"This does not identify you. It only shows councillor status. Do you mind?" the dwarf asked.
"Not at all."
Placing the monocle on, the dwarf looked at SJ and said a word she couldn't understand. After a moment, he removed the monocle, placing it back into the box. Turning, he looked down at Cedric.
"I told you she was no ambassador," Cedric said, sneering, his face already swollen. The dwarf reached his hand down to help the man up where he was still sitting, cushioning his bruised jaw. Lifting the man to his feet, the dwarf waited until halfway up before hammering him in the face full-on with his free fist. Cedric flew backwards onto the ground, his head bouncing off the floor with significant force.
"Arrest these three," the dwarf said, waving at the corporal and two guards who Jay had dealt with initially. "And get this piece of trash thrown in a cell," he finished casually, pointing at Cedric.
Protests erupted from the three guards but to no avail as their colleagues from moments before, who had arrived to support them, now roughly grabbed and dragged them off further into the guard post. They roughly grabbed and dragged Cedric's unconscious form off unceremoniously.
"Ambassador. Please accept my sincere apologies for any problems that they caused you." The dwarf bowed as he finished speaking.
"You don't need to bow. I just want to find my ward." feeling angry and frustrated by the entire set of events.
"I will get Henry to deal with the issue personally. While I sort out the insubordination. Councillors are rarely seen in the outer districts and even less so in District Three. Unfortunately, we do not have the draw for trade as other districts do."
"Fine. Can I please get the report filed so my friend can be looked for?"
"Please," Henry directed SJ to the office Cedric had come from. Within five minutes, she had filed a report with the guard post, and patrols were immediately sent out to search the area around the marketplace where Lurtew was last known to have gone. She asked whether they had rangers that could track, but Henry explained that tracking was impossible in the city because of the number of beings. You couldn't reliably track anyone using skills.
"We will find him. It may take time, though. You have my word that every patrol we have available will be searching."
"Thank you for your help, Henry." The extra time wasted because of the original guard had frustrated SJ beyond belief. Disheartened by the incident, SJ left the guard post and, with Jay, headed back to see Cristy's aunt.
"Thank you for your help back there," SJ said to Jay as he drove the cart.
"My pleasure. It's not often I get to pound the guard these days."
Commenting on these days captured SJ's attention. "What do you mean these days?"
"I started on the streets of Asterfal. We regularly used to have run-ins with guards," he said with fondness in his voice.
"It seems you used to enjoy them."
"We had some good brawls." Pointing at a scar on his upper arm. "This one was from a long sword. He got me good and proper that night.," he said, smiling.
"Why did you fight with the guard?"
"I was a brawler in the underground fight circuit. It spreads across all the districts and I was affiliated with a local gang in District 7. Occasionally, when one of the guard officers lost, betting on a fight, they would decide to raid and prove that they were still in charge. Fun times."
Hearing about an underground fight club shocked SJ. She knew she would have to question him further as they arrived back at Cristy's aunt and uncle's. Jumping down, she went straight to the door. Yawnee answered almost immediately, still distraught. SJ explained she had reported Lurtew missing and that patrols would search for him.
"It's all my fault. I wanted to get my barrel finished before the guild collection. He shouldn't have taken more than half an hour."
"Jay. I guess you know where the market is?"
"I do."
"If we leave the cart here, can you show me?"
"Of course." Jay climbed down from the cart and secured the reins to a post on the street.
"The cart will be safe," Yawnee said.
"It has a tracker anyway," Jay smiled.
Frowning, SJ looked at Jay. "A tracker?"
"Yes. The stable master can track all carts. He has a fancy map in his office where he can see where they all go. Some magical thing or other. I don't know," he shrugged.
As SJ turned, her display triggered.
Quest - Missing
Discover what fate has befallen Lurtew
Rewards: 1000xp
SJ accepted the quest, knowing 1000xp wouldn't take her to level 20.
Leading SJ down the street, they left Yawnee at the house and worked their way to the market square. It didn't take long to reach, and on arriving, it wasn't what SJ had expected. The town square of Killic was wide and open, with traders all surrounding the town's fountain. This square was dark and dismal. Few traders were still working on the rickety wooden stalls spaced around its edges. The roofs of the surrounding buildings prevented much light from reaching the street level.
Walking to the nearest occupied stall, SJ asked if the trader had seen Lurtew. The dismissive shrug of the trader's shoulders added another layer to her frustration. If she had been in Killic, every trader would have been helpful and forthcoming. Here she was, just another being and a fae as well. After speaking to the stallholders, none of them could remember any gnolls of the description that SJ gave. As they were about to give up hope and head back, waiting for Lurtew to return home, SJ had an idea.
Sat at the edge of the market square under a cloak was a dishevelled-looking dwarf. Walking over to him, SJ caught the smell of strong alcohol. He wore tattered and worn clothes with holes in his trousers and buttons missing from the shirt he wore, which was much larger than he was. SJ didn't fancy guessing at the food remnants and other dirt in his matted beard.
"Hello," SJ said.
Looking up, the dwarf's face was black, his hands and fingernails just as dirty. SJ would have thought he had just walked out of a coal mine if she didn't know any better.
"What?"
"I don't suppose you remember seeing a gnoll here yesterday? He would have been wearing coopers clothing and a black apron?"
"Aye, I saw him. Don't get many gnolls round here."
The nerves SJ had been feeling changed into hope and her heart skipped at him, saying he had seen him. Yawnee, having told SJ what Lurtew was wearing. "Where did he go?"
"He had an argument with a stallholder then was walked off by two others, towards the warehouses."
"Is the stallholder still here?"
"Ain't seen him today. Big fella he was, barrel chested. Asked him for some copper and he spat at me. That's why I remember him so well."
"Which direction?"
"Down Sissons Street," the dwarf pointed across the square to a small road leading off.
"Thank you," SJ said, calling a silver from her inventory and dropping it in the dwarf's hands.
"Bless you," he said, his eyes widening as he immediately pocketing the coin.
"You know this area?" SJ said to Jay.
"Well enough."
"Let's go then." SJ knew it could be a wild goose chase considering the time that Lurtew had been missing, but this was the first clue to his whereabouts and she would not give up hope of finding him.
"I can't understand why he would walk off with anyone?" SJ said to Jay as they walked down the street.
"It's a big city. Strange things happen all the time. This street leads to the warehouse district. I know some that work there that I can ask if they are still working at this time of night."
Checking the time it was now 18:46 she had a few hours before she needed to be at the Black Griffin. "Great. Let's hope they have seen him." SJ said, hurrying down the street.
