“Enemies Unite?


    In a stunning twist of events, representatives from Melton, Carrador, Volksgrad, and a reformed orcish tribe have come together and approved a joint communique. Of note is a plan to build a series of defensive fortifications along the Frostwind Ranges which serve as both protection against the frigid north, but also as temporary homes for the influx of Ingramarian and orcish refugees. With tensions cooling in the north and encroaching Traxian ambitions in the south. Does this herald the birth of a new alliance to stand against the expansionist Imperials?”


    - Arterian Affairs, Political News Section, “Page 4”


    <hr><hr>


    If there was one thing that Sophie would say stuck out from their surroundings, it was the squad of templars that protected the structure. Though they did not obstruct anyone who entered or left the Scholar’s Rest Inn. They most certainly kept a keen eye on everything that happened. If the church really wanted to announce to the world that there were saints here, they couldn’t get any more obvious beyond holding a proper public ceremony.


    The guards glared icily at her as she entered with Aryana, the creak of the door barely concealing the slight metallic clink as their helmets shifted just enough to watch her movements. Within the inn, her world glittered with golden lamplight as a crowd of students and staff filled the hall with a cheery spirit. A few more of the dour templars stood guard here and there, particularly over a back section of the main dining hall that contained a few faces that Sophie recognised. The saints were stationed there and seemed to be having a good time, mingling amongst themselves amidst the revelry.


    The inn itself was certainly a pretty sight. Opulently decorated walls that were lined with trophies, paintings, and Academy related paraphernalia. Semi faded tiled floors still offered a sense of prestige just by stepping on them. A few marble statues and figures dotted the hall, mostly blocking the section where the saints were and the rest of the folk. To Sophie, it unsurprisingly fit the bill of a place where Academy bound nobles would likely enjoy resting in. The decor mattered little though, and it was seeing the sense of wonder that sparkled in Aryana’s eye that brought her the greatest amount of joy. Heh, if only we could stay here properly, Sophie sighed, business awaits though.


    Sophie shrunk a little to avoid escaping notice and proceeded to the bartender. Even the staff seemed to be dressed immaculately in puffy but elegant suits befitting of minor nobles. The bartender wore a large frilled blouse that was decorated with a few different sigils, signs of the Academy, fascinating. Seeing their approach, the bartender looked ready to welcome them when their gazes met. His eyebrow curled upwards but instead of greeting them, he simply tilted his head at a well dressed man sitting by his lonesome and reading some papers.


    Following his gaze, Sophie gave the bartender a nod before pausing, having spied a small concoction one of the students was drinking. It appeared to have mint leaves interspersed throughout an icy drink with a wedge of lemon upon it. Wordlessly, she pointed at it and held up two fingers. Amused but receptive, the bartender smiled and nodded.


    Sophie then walked with Aryana towards the strange man. Their presence made him look up from his work, his eyes examining them for but a second before he gestured at the empty seats around him. The duo dutifully sat down, the two looking at each other as they waited for the man to respond. Eventually, his papers lowered as their drinks arrived. He dipped his head slightly, indicating for them to enjoy themselves before going forward.


    Sophie took a sip and was hit with the disastrous revelation that she had in fact ordered two mint lemonades. It was delicious as it was refreshing, but for her it was a display of ineptitude and incompetence as she had failed to recognise such a simple drink. Stars, I’m forgetting how to be a proper maid. That’s something I should’ve clocked onto right at the get go, gah! Especially the stupid lemon wedge and mint, though I guess it could’ve been alcoholic. Aryana meanwhile, shared no such worries and happily sipped away, enjoying the drink greatly.


    “Enjoying yourselves?” The dignified, deep, almost soothing voice echoed from behind some papers. So refined, an aristocrat? Maybe a noble?


    “Yes we are, sir.” Sophie politely replied.


    “Good, good. Shall we get down to what you’re really here for then?” He gently put his papers into a stack.


    “Of course, sir.”


    “Wonderful. So I assume you have the gist of things?”


    “Two weeks, keep quiet.”


    “And you are, in fact, Sophie the knight?”


    “The Lily Knight, sir.”


    He looked up at her, looked her up and down while maintaining a neutral expression before scribbling something down in a paper. “The Lily Knight it is. And this one?”


    “She’s…” Sophie looked uncertainly at Aryana, she shouldn’t be involved, sorry Ary. Forgive me.


    “I am Aryana. A… a healer and helper to the knight.” Ary declared nervously before Sophie could continue. Shit, no! The man seemed more amused than impressed, but jotted something down nonetheless before looking back up at them.


    “Fantastic, well then, I suppose you know that I’m here to negotiate on our mutual acquaintance’s behalf. Let me get to the point, is there anything you might need in regards to alternative compensation? Considering you were already promised something for the work as a whole.”


    “What do you mean, sir?”


    “Our mutual contact has told me of a very, very, lucrative deal. I intend to capitalize on it. But since it would be likely lucrative, he has extended an offer of additional compensation for your assistance in this endeavour.”


    “Err… well, we are planning to head to Ostia afterwards. So I don’t really know what we might need.”


    “Hmm,” He rubbed his chin, “An interesting conundrum. Perhaps… Perhaps that might be your reward then. Have you already organised your journey?”


    “N-no?” Sophie half heartedly replied.


    “Huh, easier than I thought.” He muttered to himself, “Then that could work, perhaps I could interest the two of you in an all expenses paid journey to Ostia by boat?”


    “Uhh…” Sophie did a double take, “Really?”


    “As it happens, I have a merchant marine bound for the city. The captain would be more than willing to accommodate guests. Fast ship too, The Home Afar. “


    Aryana and Sophie traded a look, it certainly felt too convenient. But who are we to refuse such a generous offer? Unless… is it a trap? Aryana shrugged, leaving the decision up to Sophie.


    “I… I guess that would be fine.” Sophie answered.


    “Fabulous. Would there be anything else? Oh don’t worry about the drink, I’ll cover the tab.” The man smiled.


    “Err… thanks? If you don’t mind me asking, who are you anyway?”


    “Me?” The man seemed a bit taken aback before composing himself, “You didn’t know?”


    “Err… no?”


    “Huh. I thought our benefactor would’ve told you, miss knight. Well then,” He leaned over and extended a hand, “Sir Akarios Helinotos. Or Sir Acker, if it is easier.”


    Sophie firmly shook his hand.


    “You will, of course, also be traveling to meet without a benefactor through my caravan. It might or might not be attached to an Arterian troop marching towards Abenstadt, but safety and security is guaranteed.” He chuckled to himself.


    “Your caravan?”


    “My, my, not everyday you have someone so uninformed in the city’s politics despite being a knight.” He grinned, “To better educate one such as yourself then, let me say this. I am, the current director of the Southshore Trading Company, that ring a bell?”


    “Southshore… ah!” Sophie exclaimed before slapping her hand across her mouth, “That’s one of the big trading companies in the city, isn’t it?”


    “The very one.”


    “My apologies for any rudeness, sir.” Sophie looked ready to bow until Sir Acker waved it away.


    “Please, I’m not exactly keeping a low profile but I haven’t been too found out yet, so let’s keep it that way. At least you know that much now, so you can ease up knowing the weight my words carry.” He smirked, “But, seeing as our benefactor brought us together, I suppose he holds something over you as well?”


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    “Something like that sir.” Sophie nodded.


    “Hah! How unfortunate. But ah, I rambled. So a trip to Ostia then? That’ll be your… additional compensation. That sound good?”


    “Yes, sir.”


    “Hah! So formal. How amusing. But it is nice to have someone who knows what they need without much haggling. Here,” He sifted through his papers and pulled out a folded envelope from his pile, “There should be a caravan at Saint Konrad Plaza, ready to head out and catch up with the military troops. This will tell the caravan master all they need to know. Anything else?”


    “Uhh… no sir.”


    “Wonderful. Best of luck to the two of you then. Perhaps we may meet under less hectic circumstances, provided this endeavour succeeds.”


    “Why the doubt sir?”


    “Southshore prides itself on making the right choices when investing. When our benefactor approached us with this deal, it sounded like a very good way to curry favor with more… influential circles. Of course, as with all good things that sound far too good, the chance of failure is there, no?”


    “I suppose that’s true.”


    “It is. And while I don’t intend on gambling everything for the sake of our benefactor’s rumors of success, I do hope he succeeds. To do that however, that’s where you come in, apparently. So best of luck. For both our sake.”


    “Thank you sir.”


    The duo then carefully left the table, Aryana cutely trying to imitate Sophie’s curtsey. However, as they began walking away, Sophie could feel someone gazing directly at them. She didn’t know who it was, but didn’t want to turn around and scan the crowd. Whoever it is, let’s just pretend we don’t notice anything. But I’ll need to get Ary prepared in case of an emergency.


    <hr><hr>


    Southshore trading company was the smallest of the six great trading companies born from Arteria. That said, even though they only owned perhaps two percent of the ships operating out of Arteria. When the total operational number was in the thousands, that still meant hundreds of ships likely were contracted to its fleet, a not insignificant number when it came to hauling cargo across Cyndralia.


    Their land based caravans it seemed, also operated in a similar fashion with wagons of goods being pulled by two horses each. To match them, each wagon had only two guards, meaning that their caravan only had twenty guards for a ten wagon caravan. It wasn’t a small amount, but certainly less well protected that other large caravans Sophie had seen in Carrador before. Or even other ones from Arteria. In order to supplement this, the company had cut a deal with the commander of the Arterian volunteer force, offering to dedicate a wagon to carrying the troop’s supplies in exchange for a small detachment of riders to patrol around the caravan.


    The caravan master was an ape-like man standing head and shoulders above Sophie, with a gruff, no nonsense demeanour who only spoke in aggressive grunts and the occasional word or two. His bushy beard told of untold days spent on the road with little time for grooming, but his eyes spoke of a veteran who had already seen the suffering that world offered and now cared little about everything. He had angrily led the duo to a wagon that seemed to have some space made specifically for them. Once they settled in, he grunted and the caravan was off.


    Aryana had fallen asleep against Sophie’s shoulder once more and the half elf finally theorized that perhaps the redhead really enjoyed being rocked to sleep. Important to remember for the next time I need her to rest. Though she chuckled at the revelation, her eyes looked down in despair at her charge. She’s here, she’s really here. Goddess above, please keep her safe if something happens.


    The girl had a remarkable ability for surprising Sophie at every turn, romantically or otherwise. Yet, when she had declared herself to be ‘the knight’s healer’ instead of just ‘friend who would now excuse herself for a bit’, Sophie had been caught off guard. She had waited in silence as Mr. Acker wrote down Aryana’s name, the precious few seconds to correct the mistake had been lost when he next spoke. She had seen the nervousness hiding a ferocious flame that had lit up Ary’s eyes when she declared her position, it was a feeling of desire that Sophie could understand. And who am I to deny her that? The best I can do is protect her however I can.


    At least, that was the lie she told herself. Truthfully, she feared for Aryana’s safety more than anything. Though the inquisitor had written that there wouldn’t be any trouble, Sophie was more than wary about such a claim. Furthermore, she had seen Ary’s reactions wherever she recounted her experiences to the redhead. There was always a sense of horror and terror before the girl would offer comforting words to Sophie. And if she were to have to experience something like Melisgrad or the orcish kidnapping again because of me… Sophie shuddered, I would not be able to live with myself.


    Deep in her heart, she knew that Aryana was probably not ready for such horrors as that of Saclia, the girl having mostly shied away from such topics even when the two of them spoke. Hells, I don’t even remember the last time she delved that deeply into something that hurt her… Goddess, I feel awful. Worse was the fact that she knew Aryana had realised this too, the girl having shed herself of her normally go lucky demeanour with an uncharacteristic quiet gloom as she clung onto Sophie when they had left the inn. Nothing to do about that now, though when we get to Festheim…


    Festheim would be their rally point where they separated from the caravan. The caravan master had told them as much when they met up, stating that it would be where the majority of Southshore operations regarding Abenstadt took place. According to him, the sleepy but fortified seaside town contained a port suitable for cargo bearing vessels. With the outbreak of war however, more and more of Southshore shipping skirted Abenstadt entirely to avoid being attacked by Traxian raiders. And they want us to board a ship from there in two weeks… are we just assuming that the war wouldn’t reach us by then?


    She didn’t entirely like this plan, its flimsy aspects being a bit too flimsy even for her. Yet, she had no choice. She didn’t even know what exactly the Inquisitor wanted. Though he played his hands openly, Sophie knew better than to believe the simple show he had put on. Considering that he had also roped in the apparent chief officer of Southshore on board with this scheme. She just knew that there was much more at play than simply ‘repaying her debt’. It was a feeling that sat ill at ease within her heart. But we’re in it to win it now, might as well see this thing through.


    With a sigh, she scrubbed what worries she could and returned to her second favorite activity, gently snuggling up to Aryana. They had two and a half days to spend cooped up in a caravan, she figured she might just try to make the most out of it. Goddess, if only you weren’t here you silly goof, she pecked Aryana’s cheek, I don’t want you to get hurt and here you are. Silly, silly. Sophie pet Aryana some more and closed her eyes, might as well rest up.


    <hr><hr>


    Sophie grumbled awake as her ears strained themselves instinctively to try to hear something. Her eyes opened to find herself covered with a small cloth and Aryana’s pack resting next to her. The girl however, was nowhere in sight. Stranger still was the fact that she felt no more vibrations, the caravan had come to a halt. Yet there were no sounds of conflict or distress, meaning that there probably wasn’t anything to worry about. Concerned but not yet alarmed, she roused herself from her slumber and climbed out of the wagon to find herself in a wholly unfamiliar environment. Still on the road, looks more like trees and plains.


    A multitude of smoky plumes belched upwards in the clear night sky, cutting between the moonlight with dark puffy trails. Interspersed between them were hundreds of tents and even more sources of lights shining in between those. A thousand souls or more flittered between the campfires, the distinctive metallic clinking of weapons and armour as they moved. Around the caravan itself were a large stockade in which all the horses were hitched and allowed to rest, a scattered handful of campfires and tents also set up.


    Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Aryana sitting around a campfire with a few caravaneers and two soldiers. As if she had activated a sixth sense, the girl turned and looked towards Sophie with delight, beckoning her over. Gingerly bobbing her head, Sophie relaxed her own stance and headed over, the sheathed sword at her hip garnering the attention of those few who noticed. By the time she arrived, something prompted a round of laughter from the caravaneers, with Aryana joining in.


    “Oh ho! Lookee there, that must be the proper knight the lassie was talking about.” One of the soldiers bellowed. The well trimmed but stubbly man eyed her up and down, an officer perhaps.


    “Dunnae about that.” The other soldier drawled with a heavy Meltonian accent, “Seems kinda young to be… knightly.” He was a little more unkempt with a thick bushy beard, but still looked relatively groomed. An assistant or sergeant.


    Another round of low laughs swept through the gathered group, though this time, Aryana just beamed at her instead. Sophie dipped her head respectfully at the others, making herself comfy next to Aryana as she shook off her weary muscles from being curled up in a wagon. She did, however, flash a cheeky smile at Aryana, making the girl blush slightly.


    “Aye, aye. When we was askin bout how she gonna keep safe, the little lassie talked a big game about a knight. Though she was going to meet one but it was you all along!” One of the caravaners exclaimed.


    “Thought you were just a bodyguard or something.” Another agreed.


    Sophie looked to Aryana for guidance. The redhead however, could only sheepishly grin before looking away slightly.


    “I… little bragging.” She whispered as she held her fingers up.


    “Little bragging?” Sophie arched an eyebrow.


    “Brave, strong, powerful knight.” Aryana tried to hide her voice.


    It evidently carried however, and the group broke out with small chuckles.


    “Hah! Instead we got this twig!” The second soldier guffawed, “Err, no offence.”


    Sophie shrugged, “None taken.”


    “But is she for real? You’re a proper knight?” A caravaner asked.


    Sophie carefully considered her options and looked at Aryana. Cheeky goof, I wonder what she actually said about me?


    “Yeah.” Sophie replied, gauging everyone’s reaction before slipping it in, “The Lily Knight.”


    “Oooh, a titled knight? Yer lookin quite younger? Though er, I wouldn’t presume your age.” The soldier grunted.


    “Heh. She could be a hundred something for all we know.” A caravener chuckled.


    Sophie just smiled politely and nodded, “Was knighted in Melton.” She added with a whisper.


    “Melton?!” The sergeant instantly shouted, his eyes perking up, “Yer Meltonian?”


    “Apologies. He’s from Melton, you see.” The officer added.


    “No worries. Not Meltonian, sorry.” Sophie replied.


    “Oh… then how… a twig at that...?”


    “I was there during Melisgrad’s fall. I helped… House Rutley in its final moments. This knighthood was their... Lady Rutley''s gift to me.” Sophie spoke more softly, her mind flashing back with the chill of the lemurach, her fingers brushing against her ear where the lily once rested.


    “The fall… wait, you were there during the fall? What happened? How’d you survive? Weren’t there almost no survivors?” The sergeant asked, an almost searching and pleading look in his eyes.


    The others seemed equally interested in the tale and Sophie sighed, shooting Aryana a look as the girl simply giggled. Though the events still weighed heavily upon her soul, even more so considering her confrontation with the Crows. Yet, at the same time, she did find it easier to explain things the more she had to recount the tale. It was an unpleasant feeling but she was no longer revulsed by the memory alone. I wonder what plans the Entity has now. Fuck, I almost completely forgot about the towers. Goddess, I just hope everything turns out fine.


    “We… that is, the companions I was traveling with before, escaped from Carrador. The undead threat you see. From there we made our way deeper into Melton…” Sophie began once more.