Location: Outer courtyard, Sphaira
Date: 3rd day following capture
Witness: Squire Halbrecht
Transcript:
Sir Alaric: (Reviewing report) The skirmishes outside the eastern gate were brief, but not without cost. Alendria scraped together what they could.
Squire Halbrecht: Yes, my lord. The last of the wounded have been accounted for.
Sir Alaric: Good. Ensure the magistrate receives the tally.
(Alaric’s gaze lingers on the old city walls.)
Sir Lorenz: (Approaching) By the gods, this heat is a punishment. And the dust—look at my sabatons. Caked like a peasant’s boots.
Sir Alaric: We’re not finished here.
Sir Lorenz: Let a magistrate sort it. We’re knights, Alaric. Rocheforts. We have better things to do than count corpses and broken spears.
Sir Alaric: It’s our duty.
Sir Lorenz: (Sighs) Well, I’ve learned of a new task. Just as horrid, but it might get us home quicker.
Sir Alaric: What task?
Sir Lorenz: Rumor has it some of the western battalions negotiated safe passage through goblin territory… along with other dealings with the foul creatures, only the whispers know quite what… Anyway, the goblins bear no love for the King of Alendria. They offered gold and safe return—on one condition.
Sir Alaric: What condition?
Sir Lorenz: Their goblin "King" wants the Theodor of Landon's most valued possession. His daughter, the Princess Elara.
Sir Alaric: (Pauses) She’s a noble.
Sir Lorenz: I know, it’s so horrid and uncivilized. The base machinations of the those creatures is a scandal to ears of men of worth. But, it is a shame the former regent neglected his duty and failed to protect what remained of his legacy. Now she is a wretched crownless girl. Such is fate.
Sir Alaric: I’ll apply to Lord Otto and to Konigsheim for a proper resolution. This is out of order.
Sir Lorenz: ... I’d advise against it. I know on good authority her transfer was commanded by a noble of ... great value. Making noise about it would be... well... Far more trouble than than a slave girl. Your career is just beginning. And could you imagine the scene in Konigsheim if my name were scandalized in some story about my brother pitying the spawn of an utterly immoral man.
Sir Alaric: (Silent)
Sir Lorenz: Look. We ought to serve The Cause. Duty, right? Close accounts and forget about it. The world turns, Alaric. And society waits. We'll leave at dawn, deliver her, return at dusk and all this business will be done.
End of Transcript