When the gang leader took the young assistant with him to the city to sell the stolen goods, the boy escaped at the first opportunity that came his way. Since then, he had been wandering the city, getting by with random jobs. As soon as he heard about the reward being discussed by the beggars in the corner he had chosen for his lodging, he rushed to share everything he knew.
The boy was left in the room with instructions for the servants to feed and clothe him. The knight, having promised the innkeeper, who was still trying to stop the bleeding from his broken nose, a torturous death if even a hair fell from his guest's head, went off to a rendezvous with the fence.
The respected city merchant, who had been unfortunate enough to find himself in the vampire's clutches yesterday, was unaware that the city's underbelly had no knowledge of his small side business.
A female mage who tried to cast the "Lightning" spell was sent flying with a chest ripped open by a "Fire Arrow." Another mage who burst out from behind a door received a blow to the head from the back of an axe. It seemed the blow wasn't severe, but it shattered her skull. The guards were dealing with the security.
It could be said that the merchant's courtyard was cleared quickly and... The "Fire Lance" shattered against a "Shield of Power" and scattered fiery debris several meters around. Another mage, standing on the landing of the second floor, was casting another spell. She was prevented from completing it by a guard who jumped from the courtyard and knocked her off her feet.
"This merchant has an unhealthy obsession with female mages," Alexander thought, watching his guard handle the opponent. The owner of the estate was eventually caught in the back yard, attempting to leave his property. While extracting information about where he kept the stolen loot, the city watch arrived.
— What is going on here? — asked the senior of the four brave guards.
"They showed up quickly. That's what it means to be in a respectable part of the city."
After roughly tossing the battered merchant aside, the knight approached the tense lawmen.
— I am Sir Alex Blood, carrying out a personal mission from Her Grace, the Duchess of Kass. This man is guilty of the death of Her Grace's younger sister, — at these words, the guard paled. He had never seen Sir Blood, but he had heard of his exploits the previous day, and the recent disappearance of the duchess's sister had made quite a stir, — So, quickly summon more guards and send someone for Captain Vilor.
The half-sergeant did not try to assert his authority or show any arrogance but promptly and efficiently followed the instructions of the unfamiliar knight, who had already become famous in the city in just one evening. Under the watchful eyes of the city guard, the merchant was continued to be interrogated.
By the time Captain Vilor arrived at the estate, the stolen items had already been neatly stacked in the center of the courtyard, collected by the vampires and guards from the house and the warehouse. Surveying the scene, the knight leading the duchess's troop only grimaced. The courtyard contained no less than twenty city guards; it seemed the centurion, having learned the specifics of the case against the merchant, took the initiative and brought a larger contingent of his men.
Following Vilor into the courtyard was the duchess herself. Naturally, the captain had not informed her, receiving a vague message from a breathless guard, but the young maid who witnessed their conversation relayed the news to her ladyship. Her Grace decided to come personally; she could not be dissuaded.
Alexander said nothing, merely catching the guilty look from Captain Vilor, which indicated that he had been powerless to do anything. Approaching the woman and greeting her, he guided her to a small box lying on the ground.
— These are the valuables belonging to the noble ladies who were recently robbed and killed in the Daer barony, — the vampire said, lifting the box and opening it to show its contents to the duchess.
The woman mechanically sifted through the jewels until her hand suddenly trembled. She pulled out a simple gold ring with a small sapphire stained with blood.
— It's her favorite, a gift from her father, — she whispered and began to sink to the ground.
The vampire did not allow her to fall completely, catching her limp body in his arms.
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