99 A fitting reward (1/2)
The job was supposed to be an easy one.
He was tasked by a particular client of his to infiltrate the village of Einsberg and kidnapped the Lady whose presumed to be alone. The information of the Baron and his two sons who are away from the village was also provided to him as well by his client; thus, he was confident that he would succeed in his task without difficulties.
Which begs the question…
'How in the fucking names of the Divines did I end up here?!!' The kidnapper, who recently woke up from his unintended unconsciousness, was currently flabbergasted as to why he is inside a jail, evident by the prison cells that he saw right in front of him accompanied by the sight of the darkroom that he is in. His hands were also bounded with chains to restrict his movement and comfort.
No longer was his belongings among him as he was stripped entirely of it. When one is unconscious, anyone can get access to one's Inventory, similar to looting. Currently, he is dressed in ragged clothing instead of his leather armor that was indeed taken away from him unwillingly.
Despite his troublesome situation, the man forcefully calmed himself down to think for a moment at how he ended up in this fuck-up situation of his. The last thing he remembered is the unbearable pain on his head while carrying the Lady inside the sack before his consciousness faded away.
'W-wait, is magic the cause of this misfortune?' The man's eyes widen in realization. 'There's no other plausible explanation for this. Damn that bastard!!! He never told me that there's actually a Mage here in the village!!'
Of course, the man never knew about a particular elven Arcanist visitor as he was only provided with the information of the absence of the Baron and his sons before making his way here in Einsberg.
He was proud and confident of his skills as a stealthy Rogue, and that resorted to his downfall aside from his lack of latest information.
”Oh, look, you're finally awake from your beauty sleep.”
The man was snapped out of his thinking as a guard greeted him outside of his cell.
”Trying to abduct the good Lady now, would you?” The guard mocked the prisoner with a sharp look. ”Scum such as yourself deserve to be beheaded by our Executioner.”
”H-how?” The man attempted to get some answers to clarify his circumstance. ”How did I get caught?”
”You are not in the position to be asking the questions here, outlaw trash.” The guard immediately berated him. ”Only we have the authority of such matters. Speaking of questions, you'll be accompanying us to the interrogation room where we'll be asking you… nicely regarding your foul deed. Of course, if you are willing to cooperate, maybe we'll lighten up your punishment.”
The man had no other choice but to comply with the guard as the latter opened his cells and dragged the former to where the questioning will take place.
***
Naturally, everyone inside the Manor has now woken up and warned about the attempted kidnapping as they were all alarmed by the village security being compromised.
As such, Gray and Lily were seen inside Stephania's room, where both of them are accompanied by the Lady's trusted person, the maid Helena. In the case of Isamu and Selena, they don't need to be additional space inside the room, so they opted to stay out instead.
Gray was allowed access in Stephania's room because he was her savior, and Lily was allowed because she's a healer and will be able to check for Stephania, who was seen being tucked on her bed by the maid Helena.
Once Stephania is secured lying on her bed, Lily began her check-up to determine if any other harmful effects were somehow induced to the Lady. After a short while, Lily was done and told Gray and Helena that there's nothing to be worried about, and she'll be good as new when she'll wake up.
”Oh, thank the blessed Divines!!” Helena sighed with complete relief at knowing that her Lady is finally safe. ”Of course, I also would like to thank you, Lord Gray, for saving her. I dread the thought of anything sinister that shall befall unto her.”
”It's nothing.” Gray smiled at the old woman's genuine concern. ”You must really care about her, huh.”
”You're correct, my lord.” Helena nodded happily in response. ”I've known Lady Stephania ever since she was a wee newborn babe on my arms. With the passing of her mother, the late Baroness Vivian, during Stephania's birth, the maternal responsibilities fall to me as I raised her into a prim and proper noble lady of the Walcot family. The same thing also applies to her brothers. As such, I came to treat and love the Walcot siblings as if they are my own, and I want nothing more than their happiness and good health.”
”I see,” Gray answered with a tone of approval. ”Then I'm glad that I could be of great help to you and the family that you have been taking good care of. It's an honor to be of assistance.”
Helena bowed her head down, gratefully at the elf's kind words.
”Well, if she's going to be alright, then I believe our work here is done.” Gray declared, gesturing for Lily to come with him to leave the room. ”If the Lady has awakened, let us know so that we can say our regards in person. Lily and I will remove ourselves from here so you two can have some privacy. There are also guards stationed outside, so you don't have anything to worry about anymore.”