From Death, A New Beginning

As they arrived at Svarostadt, James paused to admire the city at a distance. The crown jewel of the north after the sack of Kristiansburg. The city managed to avoid most of the destruction of the civil war and flourished as many flooded into the city and the Duchy of Augenstein in the aftermath of the war. Svarostadt stands as one of the largest cities of the north and as a testament to the resilience of the northern people.

“Finally, civilization again! We can sleep on a real bed soon.” Alex proclaimed.

“Not quite, we will have to meet with Duke Rudolf and notify him that we have arrived. You are the nobility between the two of us. You know anything about Rudolf?” James asked

Alex rubbed his chin a bit before replying, “well it’s been a while. I met Rudolf and his late father Fredrick once. I found Frederick to be the more reasonable of the two.”

“Ugh.”

“I know.”

“That’s why I don’t like you nobility, hedonistic, arrogant just because of a birthright. Offense hopefully taken.”

“And that’s why I don’t like the military. Upstarts who believe they are somehow better than the natural order of our kingdom.”

“Upstart? I’m old enough to be your father.”

“Whatever.”

James smirked as he led Alex into the town.

The city gate guards straight up quickly as soon as they saw the black uniform of the Grand Military Council. They checked James’s papers in a hurry and sent them on their way.

They continued riding down main street toward downtown where all manner shops stand along cobblestone roadways filled with townsfolk passing among each other laughing loudly. There was music coming from street performers playing instruments from flutes to lutes mixed seamlessly.

“How does someone with such a scary face end up as a military commissioner? Like were you born with your face or like did you get that face after you joined?” Alex asked as they rode through the bustling, twisting streets of Svarostadt.

“The scar is from the war. The war was more exciting then growing turnips.” James replied

“A farmer boy, eh? From the sticks and now feared by everyone, I can respect that.”

“And yet you seem to have no respect for me.”

“Hey, respect your elders only if they respect you.”

“You have to earn my respect.”

“Ugh, I’m glad you aren’t my father.”

James chuckled, “That’s one of the wisest things you said so far on this trip.”

“You have kids?”

“Yeah, two sons, Jaime and Hans. Jaime, the oldest one is about your age. He’s a blacksmith.”

“Does he ever come to visit?”

“What? You think I’m estranged from my children?”

“Yes actually.”

“I’ll have you know I have a good relationship with my children.”

Alex just rolled his eyes, “said every father ever.”

Alex and James arrived at Augenstein Castle.

The castle’s architecture reflects the opulence and grandeur of a bygone era when the people of the north dominated the Kingdom of Lyris. Its traditional half-timbered design adorned with intricately carved details. The wooden beams, darkened with age, create a stark contrast against the pale stones that form the foundation. Vines wind their way around castle giving a feeling of a structure that stood the test of time.

The two men were lead from a quaint courtyard and into the castle hall.

Upon the throne was a massive, overweight man in fine clothes and furs. He was feasting on some pork. By his side was a bespectacled brown-haired elf.

Alex gave James a quick aside glance before bowing towards the duke. James bowed as well.

“At ease you two. I welcome you two from the Strausehaven. I must apologize you came while I was having my second dinner and it would be such a shame to waste such excellent food.” Duke Rudolf said while still chewing on his food.

“Ah you must be Duke Spier’s boy. It’s been a while since I seen him. Last time he attempted to torment me by forcing me to join him in his training. He’s too intense!”

“I can imagine. That definitely sounds like my father.”

Rudolf finished his bite and had another long drink of wine before he continued,

“That man needs to learn to relax. Back the capital they have the best steaks, so juicy and tender that it melts in your mouth. They know how to raise up cattle well back there. Paired with a nice wine, one can forget all the problems of the world for a meal.”

James coughed.

Rudolf let out a boisterous laugh,

“Ah, I suppose you will want to get straight to business. I can see it in your eyes, military man. All you military types are always so serious. Ever since that Manstein has taken over control of the kingdom, the north has been overrun by you lot. Not that I’m complaining. An iron grip means stability and business has been good in Augustein. Ah, I’m rambling again. You are here for the investigation on the military commissioner Joshua. Well, I’m sorry to say I wouldn’t be much help on this matter. Joshua was also too serious and while he was based out of this fine city, he barely talked to me.”

James resisted the urge to face palm. This noble was useless.

“I see. Well, who did speak with Joshua regularly?”

“My ever-loyal city commander Paul, he would be someone to talk to. Through you will have to speak with him tomorrow. He’s been relieved for the day.”

“Understood. Where would I find him tomorrow?”

“In the morning, at the main entrance into the castle. In the meantime, you men will need some accommodations while in the city. I can assure you I can set you up in the finest establishment in the city.”

“No thanks, I rather not bring any unnecessary attention to ourselves. Where would a nearby inn close to the castle.”

Rudolf shrugged, “fair enough. There is Fey and Fiddle Inn. Faralon, could I have you write a letter to innkeeper Karl letting him know we will have the military commissioner stay for the duration of the investigation and an appropriate payment for their accommodations.”

The elf pushed up his glasses, “it will be done my lord.”

Rudolf looked back at James and Alex, “if you would wait out in the courtyard for a moment, we will get things taken care of.”

“Thank you, Duke Rudolf.” James said as he motioned for Alex to leave with him.

Out in the courtyard, James sat by the fountain and opened back open his notebook and started writing. Without looking up James asked Alex, “so was your impression of Rudolf was the same as reality?”

“Uh I mean. He was interesting…”

“In what way?”

“Ah come on do you really want me to spell it out to you.”

“Of course, honesty is in important.”

“I didn’t expect a land whale! By the Sky Father, Hrafnagud, was he was just a pile of fat stuffing his face in. No wonder my father got so irate seeing Rudolf. He probably would be whipping him into shape if he could.”

“Sounds like your father.” James said as he then flipped through his notebook, “Your father is Count Trenton of House Spiers ruler of the County of Cashubia on the southernmost part of the kingdom. A fervent supporter of Manstein and royal army.”

“What? Do you have notes on all the nobility of the kingdom?”

James sighed, “no. I did get a copy of your papers given to me by the Military Grand Council before we set up from the capital. I glanced through them.”

“Oh yeah what did they have to say about me?”

“That you were a petulant man child, you wet your bed until you were sixteen and you had a mole on your left ass cheek.”

“Literally, none of that was correct.”

James heard a hearty laugh from the side, he looked over to see greying man in armor with the crest of the bronze bull of Augustein.

“My lord is perhaps not as you put it a land whale, but he is quite plump. Some exercise would do him some good however he avoids doing that whenever I bring it up.”

Alex jolted when he saw the man and bowed, “I’m so sorry! I must apologize for insulting, Duke Rudolf.”

The man waved him off, “It’s quite alright young lord. To tell you the truth I heard everything, I quite enjoyed the banter. Where are my matters my name is Edwin. I’m the commander of the castle guard, a pleasure to meet you two.”

“A pleasure sir Edwin.” Alex replied.

James looked up from his notebook and looked into Edwin’s eyes. There was an edge in his eyes, a sharp look sizing up Alex and James. How he carried himself as he stood away from James. A respectful distance but far away enough that Edwin could easily react to any sudden movements from James.

James closed his notebook, “are you a veteran?”

Edwin cocked his head, “oh? What makes you assume that I’m a veteran?”

James shrugged, “call it a hunch.”

Edwin chuckled, “I’m a veteran, yes. I fought with the Restorationists to be frank with you. I did not see much action as part of late Frederick forces. Does it bother you that I was a Restorationist?”

“No. The war is over. You were only a soldier like so many others. I guessed you were a veteran because of your eyes. In your eyes there is some steel behind it.”

Edwin gave a faint smile, “doesn’t always have to be war to gain new scars on the soul. I been commander of the castle guard for years.”

“I suppose you have a point. If I, may I have a couple of questions to ask you.”

“Ok, what do you want to know?”

“What happened on the last day you meet with military commissioner Joshua?”

“Ah, investigating into his death? Well, I met with him for dinner of sauerkraut and fried pork at Fey and Fiddle Inn. We shared some beers and old stories over some chess. He left to go home …and I never saw him again.”

“What did you do after he left?”

“Oh? I suppose it would be natural for you to be suspicious of me. I stayed behind to play chess with Karl that night, several witnesses saw me absolutely dominate Karl.”

“Sounds like you have a solid alibi.”

Edwin shrugged, “it’s not like I’m trying to prove my innocence necessarily. More I feel some shame that I wasn’t there for him. Joshua was a good friend. He did not have many friends left after the war. He lost one of his closest friends, Jakob. He was slain in the fighting outside of Gdanskig.”

“You knew him well enough then. Did he have any enemies or anyone you would be suspicious of?”

“Surely you jest. Joshua kept to himself and his few friends and family. Him personally, no. Him as a representative of the Grand Military Council? Many potential enemies. You have seen for yourself. Northerners don’t take too kindly to being ruled over by a bunch of southern nobles and military commanders even if the Lord Protector Manstein is a northerner.”

James tapped his pencil in annoyance after writing down what was said, “well who would you recommend we speak with? Who was head of the investigation?”

“City guard commander Paul. I warn you to temper your expectations. Paul is no expert investigator like Joshua was.”

“Duly noted.” James said as he wrote it down. He turned over to Alex, “have any thoughts?”

“Sure, sure. I have a quick question for Edwin.”

“Ask away.”

“You know how to use that?” He said while pointing at Edwin’s sword with a wide grin on his face.

Edwin smirked, “trust me. This old dog knows all the tricks of the trade.” As drew his sword for show, it was a black blade with red vine pattern engraved on the blade.

Alex whistled in admiration,

“Care to spar with me?”

“Of course. I’m always for teaching the younger generation a thing or two.”

“It will have to wait.” James interrupted as he saw Faralon the steward approaching.

“You are no fun.” Alex replied.

“Yes, yes. Eat your vegetables and always says please too.”

Alex rolled his eyes.

Edwin looked over to James, “Ah Faralon is helping you get settled into the city I assume? Where will you be staying?”

“The Fey and Fiddle Inn.”

“Ah that place has some great chicken I highly recommend. I will notify my guards and let them know where to find you if anything else comes up. My lieutenant Andrew across the courtyard is someone you can reach out to if you can’t find me.”

James nodded.

Edwin bowed gracefully and left with a dark-skinned knight of Augustein waiting for him across the courtyard.

Faralon was a beady elf with a slender body and glasses.

He handed over a coin purse and a letter over to James.

James inspected the coin purse, there were a dozen silver coins inside the bag.

James checked the letter. It was written in neat script letting innkeeper Karl know to have a room for James and Alex.

James sighed in annoyance as he folded up the letter, he didn’t like relying on the nobility.

Faralon seemed to be rather talkative, he was telling Alex about the various sights in the city.

Faralon then said to James, “I hope the room will be satisfactory for you.”

“Thank you.” James replied curtly as he put the coin purse into his pocket and the letter into his notebook.

“If I may Faralon I have a couple questions for you as well.”

“Certainly, what is it that you would like to know?”

“Do you have any records or witness reports regarding the murder of the late military commissioner Joshua?”

“No sir.”

“Did you know Joshua personally?”

“Yes, he was a member of the city guard before his appointment to the military commission. I worked with him on a couple cases, and we would have some drinks together. He was a bit of a loner, but he was good man. It was a shame what happened to him.”

“So, it would seem, that’s all.”

Faralon bowed politely leaving Alex and James.

“Well, shall we get going?” James asked.

“Yeah, let’s go. It’ll be nice to have a bath and sleep in a proper bed.” Alex said as they both left the castle grounds and headed back to the Fey and Fiddle Inn.