Location: Survivors' Settlement – Outskirts of Nareth
Time: Morning
Calvasset and Drakovar soldiers moved across Jori and tomas settlement, their boots crunching against dry dirt as banners flapped in the cold wind. Rows of military tents stood erected beside jori and tomas tents as well, as they all occupied a small portion of land in the new town.
The air carried a sense of exhaustion within the survivors settlement, as old men sat in silence, some staring at the smoke from dying campfires, others mending old gear that no longer worked.
Women worked quietly, weaving and cleaning, trying to hold what was left of their families together.
Jori knelt among three children, his voice soft but lively.
"Got you!" he said, lifting one of them into the air and spinning them around.
The child shrieked with laughter as the other two jumped and called out, "Pick me next! Pick me!"
Their laughter brought a rare lightness to the settlement.
Far to the side, Tomas sat with a group of older men, their conversation slow and tired. They talked about home, about nareth, harvests, and the old market streets that no longer existed.
Then came the heavy sound of boots.
A small unit of Calvasset soldiers in green uniforms marched through the rows of tents. Their rifles hung neatly across their backs, and their synchronized steps drew every eye in the settlement. Conversations went quiet. Mothers pulled their children close.
Leading them was Captain Serric. A bottle dangled loosely in his hand. His face was shaved clean, his hair slicked back, but his stomach pressed against the edge of his uniform. Despite the bottle of beer in his grip, he maintained composure, and not the usual drunk captain serric.
Serric and his soldiers stopped a few feet from Jori, glancing briefly at the frightened children before they scattered to their mothers. Jori stood his ground, tense but steady.
"Jori," Serric said, his voice calm but firm. "Can we speak in private?"
"Tomas is right over there," Jori replied, nodding toward the far tent. "You'll want him here too captain serric."
Serric gave a short nod and signaled to Tomas. Then, turning away, he took a long swig from his bottle before heading toward a nearby tent. His men followed closely behind.
Moments later, Jori and Tomas entered the tent. Inside, the air was cool and quiet, both seeing Captain Serric sitting on a chair with two empty chairs set across from him.
Jori and tomas made their way to the seat gently, as they sit, exchanging a brief look before turning their attention forward.
Serric leaned back in his chair, studying Jori for a long moment.
"Jori," he began, his tone carrying a mix of respect and restraint, "turns out you were right."
Tomas's eyes widened slightly. He clenched his fist in joy, trying to fight the urge to smile as Serric continued.
Captain Serric leaned back slightly, the leather of his chair creaking.
"We got in contact with the morticians," he began, his tone steady but firm. "Turns out they never took the route leading to City Solmere. Someone else did."
Jori and Tomas exchanged quick glances, their curiosity piqued as Serric continued.
"We also spoke with two men, Rajar and Poj," captain serric continued, "they attended the fundraiser hosted by Liora of House Valesse. According to them, on the night of the attack, Liora left heading toward the direction of nareth."
Serric leaned forward now, his chair scraping quietly across the floor. He laced his fingers together, his voice dropping lower.
"Jori, Tomas… this case is important to the high nobles. Solving it could mean serious rewards for me, and for you as well"
He stood up, pacing slowly behind them as their eyes followed his movements. His hands clasped neatly behind his back.
"I studied the gear-wagon tracks myself," he said. "The trail leading away from Nareth was clear. It seems Liora and other members of House Valesse fled east, then veered either north or the underground. Why, I still don't know."
He stopped behind their chairs, resting a hand lightly on each of them.
"I've already filed the paperwork. My superiors have approved the search. We're to find them at all costs."
He leaned down slightly between them, his voice cold and deliberate.
"You two will help me do it."
Serric straightened and returned to his seat, his expression firm.
"I don't want this case solved by a Drakovar officer or any noble from their side. This one stays with Calvasset. You understand?"
Jori and Tomas didn't speak. Their faces were tense, nervous but controlled. Sweat glistened at their temples. Tomas swallowed hard, his fingers twitching against his leg.
Serric noticed. With a small snap of his fingers, a soldier entered carrying a leather pouch. The captain took it and tossed it across the table. The weight landed with a dull thud in front of Tomas.
"That's twelve thousand," Serric said. "Enough to keep the survivors of Nareth on their feet for a few weeks."
Tomas's eyes widened as he caught the bag, feeling its heavy contents. A grin crept across his face despite himself. Jori, however, remained still his eyes lowered to the dirt floor.
Serric continued, his tone now practical.
"I've also spoken with the local council. This town runs on breweries and trade. I put in a word for your people. The factory will take them in, and pay them ten crowns a day. Enough for food, and a roof over their heads."
He clasped his hands together again, watching Tomas with barely restraining his gratitude, while Jori sat in silence.
Jori finally raised his head, his voice quiet but steady.
"Captain Serric… we're truly grateful for the help, and for the money. But…"
The words caught in his throat.
Captain Serric tilted his head slightly, his tone calm but sharp.
"What is it, Jori?"
Jori hesitated for a moment before speaking, his voice low but honest.
"This mission to find Lady Liora of House Valesse… I still don't understand how it involves us," he said. "Tomas and I barely found a single clue about her. It's been days—it's nearly impossible. We're not soldiers or nobles, Captain. We're just bricklayers. That's all we've ever been. Going after her could get someone hurt… or worse."
Captain Serric didn't respond immediately. He just stared, his expression unreadable. Then, with a steady breath, he interrupted.
"Jori."
Then Jori looked up. For a moment, he saw something rare, Captain serrics pure focus, no drunk smiles or play, no trace of the usual smugness or easy calm Serric often wore.
"You're an intelligent young man," Serric said. "Both of you are. You found shelter for your people when no one else could. You followed wagon tracks the soldiers ignored. You uncovered leads that were supposed to be buried, and you did it without any professional training. Id say you've got a talent"
Captain serric leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees.
"You've got more potential than half the soldiers under my command. You're not just bricklayers, Jori. Don't limit yourselves to that."
Serric stands, and begins pacing around the table, his boots creaking against the ground.
"From now on, both of you will work under me directly. You'll report only to me, and you'll be paid accordingly. There will be other benefits… and risks."
Jori's eyes lifted, the heaviness easing from his face. Tomas straightened beside him, his earlier nerves fading into quiet pride. For the first time since the attack, Jori's expression softened, hope breaking through the exhaustion.
Serric noticed. The edge in his tone eased slightly as he continued.
"But this won't be easy," he warned. "This mission is dangerous. You'll see things you wish you hadn't. So be ready."
"Yes, Captain!" they both replied in unison, standing to their feet and giving a short, respectful nod.
Serric watched them leave the tent, their silhouettes outlined briefly against the afternoon light outside. Then he sat back down, cracked open another bottle, and took a long swig.
For a moment, the tent was silent except for the sound of fizzing beer and the faint murmur of life outside.