Intermission II
1087 Words
In Maltrom City, there was a meeting held at the town hall where nobles gathered as the duke was the host.
“Now, everyone, I want to remind you that something happened terribly from the last two days where a mysterious explosion set off near the northern gate, mysterious sounds from the sky, and our knights being killed by something mysterious. Therefore, our meeting topic is all about the ‘mysterious’. All of you are welcome to give some opinion about this matter.”
A man in his middle age, wearing an expensive-looking robe lined with golden linings. He is the Duke of the western region, Earl Dreyfuss.
During that scenario, he was sleeping peacefully in his bed until a deafening roar sounded outside, causing him to wake up abruptly. He was irritated by this and thus ordered his knights protecting the mansion to investigate what happened.
On that day, the knight returned to the mansion with the result of their investigation. It was reported that a sound from the sky was caused by an unknown, the explosion from the northern gate creates a huge crater, and lastly, the knights stationed in the prison were killed.
After a more in-depth investigation, the knights also reported that one hour before all things happened, they captured three mysterious people from another country wearing odd clothes. They were sent to prison but after the explosion, they found out that the three mysterious people are gone.
All the participants of this meeting were given this information beforehand.
“Our only lead is those foreigners who escaped...We don’t even know their origin and can’t speak the language of another country. They are the only ones who could’ve done this, sir. There’s no mistaking it.”
An old plump man furiously said, his emotions are understandable as three of his knights were killed in the prison. Of course, even though they are useless to him. The fact that someone destroyed his property infuriates him.
“Killing a knight without hesitation is purely a provocation from another country. Do you think that the Kingdom of Almedia, could’ve done this?”
The moment he voiced out his opinion, all gazes were shifted onto him. This startled him and blurted out additional information.
“Well, Almedia Kingdom is a country that hates us because of territorial disputes and different ideology right? Do you think that they sent a spy here from this city and was captured by our knights?”
“Fool…” Duke Dreyfuss interjected at his conjectures, “Did you even read the report before going here?” He scowled, “They were wearing odd fine clothes, and what could’ve possibly the Kingdom of Almedia to get from a less developed region of the Kingdom of Euphoria?”
“I’m sorry for my lack of insights, sir” The noble who angered the Duke lowered his head, showing his sincere apology.
“Well, what about the little things that killed our knights?” Another nobleman snapped his finger and moments later, a knight entered carrying a small sac containing something.
Receiving the small sac, he put his hands inside it and picked something from within.
It was a lump of round metal, squashed in front. This was the first time they saw an odd thing that killed their knights.
“I’ve had our blacksmiths investigate this lump of iron and reported that this small metal is made out of iron. However, he doesn’t know how this lump of iron killed and pierced a knight’s armor.”
“Could it be a new technology created by another country?” The duke guessed.
“Unfortunately no sir. Our blacksmiths here are one of the best and told us that even he doesn’t know about this lump of iron. So I think it’s safe to say that a country like Almedia doesn’t have a new weapon that can use a small lump of iron.”
The Duke chuckled, “But someone did right? We just don’t know yet.”
“That’s quite correct, sir.”
“Okay enough, we’re not getting anywhere with only small information. It’s useless to discuss this for now. Now that you know what happened from the last two days, I believe that you don’t have any questions do you?”
He glanced over the table and no one interjected.
“Very well, setting that aside, let’s move onto the next agenda. This is about the refugees from Willow Town. According to this piece of parchment, they only provided us an iron ore enough for them to stay here for three months. There’s only one month left before the winter ends. What do we do to those plebeians?”
“Well if they can’t keep up with the contracted supply, then there’s no choice but to send them out from this city. They are becoming a huge burden in the city and some of our people here are complaining about their presence here.”
“Duke Dreyfuss, I believe with my fellow noble here.”
“But it’s still winter, is it really okay to send them out? I think they will die on their journey?”
“You jest, they are dying because of food since they didn’t oblige to give us the ore we needed. I don’t pity them, in fact, I despise them.”
Hearing all the opinions of the nobles, Duke Dreyfuss has no choice but to give his decision.
“They have no choice but to comply with our orders, issue my decree and tell the people of Willow Town that they only have one day to pack themselves before leaving.
“Okay, sir!”
…
One day later, everyone from Willow Town is lining up to exit Maltrom City, nearly every one of them is wearing shabby clothes and doesn’t have any insulation for the winter.
This treacherous journey will cost them their lives but if they were to choose to be killed by the knights of Maltrom or leaving, they chose the latter.
An old man that resembles Gandalf leads them back to Willow Town, as the mayor of the city. He shall guide his constituents back to where they belong.
- Writer
