From Death, A New Beginning

James and Alex walked towards the city guard station after taking a moment to appreciate the morning fog hanging over the streets.

“So, what’s the plan?” Alex asked James as they approached the front of the city guard station.

“No plans. We are all on the same side here.” James said as they approached the city guard station.

The guards who saw James’s black uniform immediately stood to attention.

“Right, I suppose.” Alex replied

James hailed one of the guards. He motioned for Alex and James to follow him. They followed the guard into an office with a portly man in a steel armor with the orange bull crest of the Duchy of Augustein standing at a table with papers spread across it. The guard stood to attention and announced, “Commander Paul. Military Commissioner Mansfield and his attending knight, Alex of House Spiers.”

Paul had a brown mustache covered his face and his hair was in a disheveled mess. He nodded and the guard was dismissed. He looked at James and Alex nervously.

“Greetings. How can I assist you?” Paul asked.

“I’m James Mansfield. I’m a royal army commissioner dispatched to Svarostadt on a commission in the name of his majesty King Augustus and his excellency Lord Protector Manstein head of the Grand Military Council. I have a few questions to ask you.”

“Woo boy. Well, I suppose I have to now, don’t I?” Paul replied. He motioned towards his desk. Paul and James sat across from each other while Alex leaned against the wall.

Commander Paul was sweating nervously as James sat down across from him.

“There is no reason to be so nervous. Just want to ask a few questions.” James said not even looking up from his notebook.

“Yes, sir! I mean it’s just…I’m still not used to talking to anything from the Military Grand Council. If I may be honest, it’s still intimidating.”

“You didn’t talk to my predecessor Joshua?”

“Not that often no. He was a solitary man. That’s why his house on is on the outskirts of town. He would only come talk to us when absolutely necessary. When a criminal would be needed to be appended for the Grand Council, he would do it himself or simply pass over the details to us in the town guard with notes. The notes were also simple and to the point. Joshua was a quiet man, but you can tell he would be listening intently to what you were saying.”

“How long did you know Joshua?”

“Well, I personally known him after I became head of the city watch back three years ago. Joshua has born in this city actually. Why he and Edwin, the commander of the castle guard grew up together.”

“Did you have any comments his performance as military commissioner?”

“What? No. I mean Joshua was always professional. When he wasn’t working, he would go bird watching or hiking. That’s why we didn’t think much of him going missing for a while. We just assumed he was out for a longer trip until we were told by a group of travelers from the Blackreach they found his body.”

“Speaking of Joshua’s passing. What was the last contact you had with him?”

“I ran into him the afternoon before he went missing, he was going to meet with Edwin.”

James looked up at that statement,

“Any possibly for foul play by Edwin on that day?”

Up until that moment Commander Paul sounded nervous and hesitant. At the moment he looked James straight in the eyes,

“I can’t believe so. I’m not sure how it is in the south but a found family like what Joshua and Edwin had an unshakable bond. To betray that bond is a dishonor worse than death.”

James sighed and kept jotting down what was being said. He had no doubt Paul was being sincere. Being the truth is yet to be proven.

Northerners and their honor.

The reason why the civil war was so drawn out and vicious was northerner honor. Keeping them in the fight long after the war turned against them.

James rubbed his beard for a moment to reflect upon what he gathered so far. Joshua was not making finding his murderer easy.

“Do you have his key to his house?” James continued.

“Yeah of course. We didn’t disturb anything at his residence. We left it as it is after doing a brief check on his estate. He had no will so his house will be given to his father and mother in the future. They live in a small village outside of the city.”

“Good. I’ll take the key. I’ll be using his house for the time being until I’m done with my investigation.”

“You are going to use a dead man’s house?”

“Not like he could use it.”

Paul shivered, “I don’t know if I had nerves like that. I would be afraid of being haunted by a vengeful spirit, haha.”

“Spirits in my experience are relatively easy to deal with. It’s people that give the most challenges.”

“What? Spirits?” Paul asked wide eyed.

James put down his pencil and looked over to Paul, “a couple years back I was involved in a case over at Wittenden over in the Sachsen. A girl got possessed by a vengeful spirit. She tore her father to shreds and left the corpse in a bloody pulp before we could deal with her.”

“Yeah, no, no, no. Keep me far away from that sort of stuff.” Paul replied as he pulled out a key ring and detached a key. He slid it over to James.

“Did you know what Joshua was investigating into before he passed away?” James asked as he pocketed the key.

“Joshua was looking into some God of Fear and Hunger cultists. There is a sect in this city, nasty folk who lurk in the shadows to prey on the weak and desperate. There have been orphans in the city who gone missing. Would not be surprised if they were involved in Joshua’s murder.”

James closed his notebook, “that’s all I have for questions. Are you ready to go?”

“Eh? What’s happening?”

“You will take me and my companion over to where you found Joshua’s body. I want to do some investigation.”

“What? I mean he’s been dead for a while now. What if I refuse?”

James just glared at him.

“Eep! That was a joke!”

“Not a very good one.”

“You sound like my mother.”

“Well, you know, like they say mother is always right.”

“Ah come on don’t be like that I can be funny sometimes. My guards say so.”

“Reflect upon your statement for like a couple of minutes and come back to me.”

Paul sighed and got up. He and James left his office and down where Alex was waiting. He had a group of guards around him as they talked and joked. Alex waved cheerfully when he saw James.

Paul looked over to the guards, “Gregory can I have you get us three horses we will be going on a trip. Olaf I will leave you in charge until I’m back, shouldn’t be long. I’m taking the commissioner over to the site where James was found.”

A guard nodded and left in a hurry while a dwarf guard called to the rest of the men, “Right, laddies. It’s back to work!”

Alex came over to James.

“What were you doing, Alex?”

“Just swapping stories. Even in a peaceful place like this there were some hair-raising stories, the Blackreach Marches sound more terrifying with actual firsthand accounts. Anyways where are we heading off to now?”

“The Blackreach March.”

“Son of a bitch.”

James smirked.

***

Alex, Paul, and James rode out into the Blackreach Marsh.

“You doing right over there Paul? You look pale.” Alex asked as they rode.

“The Blackreach always puts me on edge.” Paul replied.

“Haven’t you always lived in Svarostadt?”

“Yeah, I lived back in the city all my life. The more you lived next to the Blackreach, the more on edge I am being here. Cannibal soldiers, murderous ogres, poisonous waters, this is a frightening land.”

“Right, perfect place to execute a military commissioner at.”

“I suppose. Only the brave or the desperate travel through the Blackreach.”

“What does that make us?”

“The fabled third type. Stupid.”

“Ah, well fair enough.” Alex said with a chuckle.

“Here we are.” Paul said pointing out to a tree.

James and Alex dismounted.

“Not sure why you want to come here. Joshua has been dead for two weeks now.”

“Don’t underestimate a military commissioner.”

Paul sighed, “I guess I can’t complain. Always heard the military commissioners take the most dangerous jobs and go after the most dangerous enemies of the kingdom. Not for me. Going out here is already too much excitement for me. I’m taking my leave here and going back to work. If you need further assistance, you can contact any of my men and I’m sure we can figure something out.”

James nodded, “thanks for your assistance.”

Alex watched as Paul rode off.

James walked around the tree looking for marking or anything unusual.

He pulled a scroll out of his bag and read it out. The scroll lit up in a purple glow as James set it down besides the tree.

“What was that?” Alex asked

“A scroll of detect magic.”

“And that’s going to detect magic from like two weeks ago?”

“Yes.”

“Man, the military get all the coolest tools. Is glowing purple a good thing?”

“It means there is a faint trace of a healing magic being used.”

Alex folded his arms, “well that just makes this whole affair more of a mystery. Why would anyone cast a healing spell during an execution? Was there a struggle? I suppose that would mean whoever did this would be at least familiar with magic. Not everyone has that talent.”

James patted the ground around the tree, nothing. No scraps of cloth or metal left behind. He widened his search for a bit and found nothing. James didn’t have high hopes of finding anything but the fact he didn’t find any clues was a clue itself. Whoever did this was a professional and strived to cover his tracks.

After some time spent searching without luck. James stood next to Alex and opened his notebook,

“let’s review some facts. Joshua was kidnapped and murdered. There is no real suspect in this case except for Edwin the man who last seen meeting with Joshua and he is very unlikely to have committed the crime. There is a sect of the cult of the God of Fear and Hunger which was being investigated by Joshua. They seem more likely, but they are hidden in Svarostadt.”

“Sounds like a real pain in the ass commission you dragged me into, James.” Alex said as he was sitting and resting on a rock.

“Oh, by the way, is the scroll turning a blue color is that normal?”

James looked up from his notebook, the scroll was a vibrant blue. Blue for illusion magic.

James felt the hairs on his arms shot up, “Alex ready yourself! We are in danger!” He started fumbling around for his sword.

Too late, shimmering out in front of him appeared three cloaked figures in dark robes armed swords came at James and Alex.

James barely got out his sword to partly parried the sword. The sword still cut at his side off the deflection. His opponent recovered quickly and tried a wild swing of his blade. James used his other hand to shove his attacker away and his opponent cut through air.

James felt sweat starting to pour, and he was starting to breath heavily. Even after all these years, actual combat always inducing fear out of him.

James gripped his sword tightly and then swung his sword at his attacker, steel clashed causing sparks fly. James felt the impact throughout his entire frame. James backed up and briefly glanced over to Alex who had already cut down one attacker.

No time, the robed man was already upon him, their blades clashed off each other. The robed man got in another cut on James, this time his arm.

James attempted to disengage with his attacker again when a brilliant flash of light came from Alex’s direction. The sound of thunder ringed through his ears. James looked over as Alex had a brilliant spear of lightning in his hand. Alex hurled the javelin of lightning and moved at great speed at the robed man attacking James. The bolt struck true and smashed into the man.

Electricity coursed along its length sending arcs flying, his robe burned bright red before he collapsed in a heap.

James walked over to his attacker and stood above his attacker. The man was staring back at James.

The eyes of the fallen, James had seen those eyes many times in his life.

What was he thinking in his final moments? As he looked up at James, the eyes where a mix of fear, anger, and resignation. It’s a strange feeling, staring down at the defeated. How does someone feel knowing they have only seconds remain alive? No matter how blessed a life they lived, death comes for everyone.

James thrust his sword downward, killing the man.

James knew in his dreams those eyes will haunt him, joining all the others.

“I thought you were a military commissioner?” Alex asked irritably as he came over to James. James glanced at him to see Alex had cut down two assassins.

James laughed.

Alex gave James a curious look. James took a deep breath and spoke, “what? Just because I was in the royal army, I should be a badass in combat? Why would they even bother to assign a knight to guard if that was the truth? I was an archer with Manstein’s retinue during the civil war.”

“Really? Why aren’t you armed with a bow?”

“Oh, yeah let me put you in shackles while keeping a longbow drawn.”

“Fine, point taken. Still, you started off as a lowly foot archer and ended up a military commissioner?”

James answered while wiping blood off his sword with the grass,

“I worked my way up from the war serving the kingdom loyally. This effort was noticed by captain recommending me to be trained up to be an officer. An opportunity that wouldn’t be possible without Manstein’s New Model Army. Got recognized by Manstein himself to be recruited to be a military commissioner for the royal army. I worked my way up through hard work and some luck. Not too bad for a son of a turnip farmer from the countryside, eh?”

“I suppose so. Well, I’m at least somewhat relieved by what happened.”

“How can you possibly be the case?” James asked while bandaging himself, the cuts stung but he wouldn’t die from them.

“It’s obvious, right? Our enemy is the cult of Fear and Hunger.”

“I suppose I can downgrade Edwin being the culprit as slightly less likely and the cult potentially more likely.”

“A classic battle between the forces of good and evil. The men of the glorious King Augustus against the dark forces of the cult of Fear and Hunger.”

“Good versus evil? What are you five? Life is never that simple.”

“How about you shut the fuck up and let me have this.”

“We need to get back to the city. I fear the worst someone wanted us dead who knows what happened back in the city with our absence?” James said as he finished bandaging his wounds.

“We need to get back so I can beat the shit out of Paul for leading us into an ambush.”

“Can’t just blame Paul for this, too many unanswered variables.” James said as he mounted his horse.

“We will see about that when I get my hands on him. Hiya!” Alex spurred his horse forward.

James shook his head and followed Alex, racing against the coming darkness.