While relishing in the pool of beautiful red, I proceed to pick up a few more things. Daggers, knives, and extra pocket change. I leave the rest as is, without tampering my alibi, I go back to Orphnaeus.
"Let's be a little theatrical," I giggle, mounting on his back.
Orphnaeus runs at full speed to the next town. We reach by early morning. Seeing Leon at the gate, I unleash my theatrics.
"Help! Please someone help!" I let out a blood-curdling scream.
Hearing my screams, Leon and other guards rush over.
I dismount, and run to them reaching my hand out, crying.
"Please! Save them!" I fall to my knees, grabbing Leon's hand.
They look terrified. Of course, they should be. I'm covered in blood, tears stream like an open faucet.
Leon frantically asking,
"What happened? What happened?"
I point toward the direction of which I came from.
"A high troll," words getting caught in my throat, "the men need aid!"
"High troll?" people start to whisper.
"Let's have you treated first," he sweeps me off my feet, "Grab a healer! We have an injured person" he shouts to the distant group by the gate.
I cover my face with my hands, unable to hold back laughter.
"It's going to be alright! Don't worry," Leon says, carrying me to the healer.
Still pretending, I try to tell them about the attack of the high troll against the Duke's men. The healer continues using magic to help.
I can see James running frantically toward us.
"Urgent!" He shouts.
"Urgent, Sir Leon," James pants, waves a letter.
Leon looks conflicted,
"What now?" He grumbles, ruffling his hair.
James takes gulps,
"High troll sir, spotted not far from here. Dukes Alaire's men have died."
"No! They can't be!" I interject, voice raspy from sobbing.
Leon places his hands on my shoulder, and shakes his head.
"It's unfortunate," he says, somber.
Leon kneels, eyeing my miserable state,
"We will need to get your witness statement late, but for now try to get healed."
Leon gets up and tells James to inform the supervisor.
"We are done here. You should be alright now." the healer nods their head at Leon and leaves.
"Take care," he waves his hand, before heading to the rest of the team.
I turn to Orphnaeus,
"That was well done, good job boy," I pat him.
I rise to my feet, and take a stroll through town to get some new clothes.
I step into a run down shop— cheaper, and less likely to raise suspicions.
If only I could spend this money lavishly, sighing, I sift through clothes.
I pick out dark articles that won't make me stand out. I head up to the counter to pay, when I notice something on the shelf.
Just a hilt? Where is the rest of the sword?
"Oh, You've got a keen eye," an old lady smiles, walking to the counter.
She picks the hilt from the dusty shelf, and places it on the counter for me. The design is intricate. Beautifully carved, and melted.
Hm, it is missing something in the middle, I pick it up to examine.
The old lady sounds overjoyed, seeing my take interest in the antic.
"I'll give it to you for free, if you promise to come back to show me the sword," she says lightheartedly.
I don't have time for games.
"It has a lore behind it," she continues, "It hasn't found an owner yet, maybe you are the one it has been waiting for." she winks.
"Sure," I tell her, knowing I won't be back.
Nothing in this world is for free.
I ask for a place to change my clothes.
"Yes, this way," she gestures.
I take off my bloody clothes and throw them in a pile. I realize she didn't ask me about my state of being.
I'm covered in bloody clothes, this can hardly seem normal, even for regular hunters.
"It looks like I came from a warzone…"
I quickly change and head out to her.
Not again… I groan looking at the now-empty shop.
"What is this? Can't I just enter a normal store?" I clench my teeth frustrated, running into one mystery after another.
I go back to pick up my bloodied clothes, and head out to Orphnaeus.
"Let's go give the witness statement first, then find ourselves an inn to stay," I tell Orphnaeus, climbing his back.
Nearing the gate, I see bodies in stretchers are being rushed somewhere. People are crowding to see what is happening. Whispers of worries for safety begin to spread. I pull on the reins, and dismount
I smile wickedly, hiding within the crowd. I ask a nearby bystander what is happening, just to stir the pot.
"A high troll seems to have attacked people," the person replies.
In a louder tone I pretend to be worried about the state of affairs,
"Why would a troll even be here? Doesn't it seem like someone purposefully lured it there to keep their position?"
Insinuating that Duke Alaire has done this to his own people, to make himself seen as a powerful force to be reckoned with. For his own political affairs.
"Yeah that makes sense," someone in the crowd agrees.
If you want to cause trouble for me, then I'll do the same for you, bastard Alarie.
More begin to rally together and I quickly disperse from the crowd, and hum my way to the side. Acting somber, I head over to give my witness statement.
After such a flawless show, I deserve an award.