Old Friend

1 Saovine 1217

"I would like to get the help of the League of Assassins for a simple thing. I wish to find my little sister, who disappeared many years ago."

Saibus looks at the Duchess with an inexpressive face. "You want us to find someone missing for several years? How many years do you mean by 'several years'? Five years? A decade?" Saibus asks several questions at the Duchess's request.

"My little sister disappeared about 14 years ago when she was 7. She vanished on a trip to the kingdom of Nilfgaard, more precisely to the capital, Nilfgaard, or The City of the Golden Towers.

"Before making a decision, I need more information on the ins and outs."

"Perfectly. As I said earlier, I wish to engage the League of Assassins to track down my little sister, who disappeared on a trip to the City of Golden Towers fourteen years ago. According to the information I have gathered, she disappeared after crossing the Alba River east of Vicovare. Her escort was found massacred. The tracks suggest a huge monster like a Tschart or a Fiellon, but I don't believe it. The evidence of a monster attack seems to me to be fabricated. To me, the evidence points too easily to a monster."

"When it's too easy, chances are it's a set-up or truthful. So you can't rule out the slightest lead."

"I know, and I was thinking the same as you, but I got some news. News that makes me question everything and ask for your help."

"And what is this news that has your heart so turned upside down, Duchess?" questions Saibus.

The Duchess turns to her dressing table. She opens a drawer and pushes a button that triggers a click. She then opens a false bottom in the drawer and takes out several letters.

"Here, letters were written by my sister's hand. They include letters written before her disappearance and after her disappearance. In addition, they are all signed with an FM standing for Fringilla Marta, sister of Karolina Roberta, from my maiden name Marta."

Saibus takes the letters handed to him by Karolina and reads them diagonally. He inspects them quickly and then places them on the bedside table behind him. "You want to resume or continue the research on your sister based on letters from Vicovare. You know there are many possibilities that it is not your sister. It could be someone who has learned to imitate her handwriting to perfection. For what reasons she would do this, I don't know, maybe lure you, impersonate her."

Saibus continues describing the possibilities. "She may also have died during the monster attack, and that is effectively a spoof. Another hypothesis that works with your sister's death is a Doppler that has taken on your sister's appearance and characteristics. Especially since you have been looking for her for 14 years, you may not be able to find her..."

The Duchess then interrupts Saibus.

"Enough, enough. I know all that. I've been looking for her for fourteen years. I have already mourned. But I would like to know if I have the slightest hope of finding her, of knowing that she is alive and well even if she no longer wants to see me. She is my little sister, and I have sworn to always care for her. I will do everything to keep my word. But, even if she is dead, I wish to bury her in our family vault here at home properly."

Saibus looks at the seriousness in the Duchess's eyes. She won't back down until she knows what happened 14 years ago.

"Well, if you are so serious, perhaps we can agree. But before that, I need to have a little chat with the other members of the Council."

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1 Saovine 1217

In the dance hall of the castle, Aya and Aguilar are socializing with others. Aya is talking to influential women and is quick to show men that women can also be robust and effective, whether in politics, war, or other areas where men think they are superior to women. These women influenced Aya when they knew that Aya could fight.

Aguilar is out in the courtyard on the balcony. He watches the stars and the people in the outer courtyard chatting together. He sees some of them escaping from prying eyes to enjoy the luscious fruit and warmth of each other.

The two former apprentices of Saibus go about their business without really enjoying their time at this festival. Aguilar and Aya would have preferred staying home and indulging their passions and hobbies. Both would have chosen to be on a mission than at this party, showing how much they dislike social events. Another thing that comes from their former mentors.

Speaking of their mentors, Saibus returned to the reception room after chatting more with the Duchess. Leaving her to finish getting ready, Saibus headed to the buffet to sample some luxury foods. Grabbing a plate with some shrimp, salmon, langoustine, crab, and a glass of white wine, Saibus heads to a secluded spot in the courtyard. He sits down on a bench in the shade of a tree, as shady as in the night.

He quietly enjoys his moonlit meal. Then, he watches the show he is offered—an exhibition consisting of a theatre group singing and animating the outside courtyard. Enjoying the front, another person sits beside Saibus with a glass of red wine.

"We haven't seen each other for a long time, Saibus. What have you been up to?" asks the person who seems to be a man from his deep voice.

Saibus turns and looks at the man to see his interlocutor, who seems to know him.

"Oh, Robert, it has been many years since we have seen each other. Since that sad day at the castle," says Saibus.

"Sad day indeed." Robert's face went grim for a few seconds but quickly recovered.

"Let's not talk about our more than atypical meeting. Let's talk instead about what brings you to this party. From what little I know about you, you're not the kind of person who attends these events."

"Indeed, I prefer to stay in my house in the warmth, but when the Duchess of All Saints invites you, the least you can do is show up before you leave. Especially since I can also see a friend in the area."

"You're right. Royalty can be very vindictive if you don't come to the receptions held in their honor."

"You speak from experience, it seems."

"Sad experience indeed. I have become a respected knight in the service of the King of Redania, so I have the honor, privilege, and obligation to attend the receptions held by the King. Believe me. I'd rather go to the battlefield to protect the widow and the orphan than have to play the snake. But when we have no choice, we keep quiet and suffer silently."

"I can see you talking to the nobles at court and refusing duels with young nobles who want to impress the fine ladies." retorts Saibus with amusement.

Robert laughs at Saibus' remark. "You don't know how many requests I have had to refuse to preserve the image and honor of these young people. Although usually, they understand after some explanation from their fathers, some don't, and so it ends up with a few bruises on their bodies."

"Robert, the Lionhearted Knight," Saibus said sarcastically.

"Please do not mock me. You are only too close to my knighthood. But, unfortunately for you, I do not wish to be known for it or for the one for which I have a certain reputation," said Robert with a touch of sadness and disgust.

"A nickname is a nickname. Whether it is good or bad is not important because there will always be people to be with or against you, even if you call yourself the Saviour or the Hero. As long as you live, it is not your reputation and nickname that makes you Robert, the Knight of Redania, but your deeds, which have earned you the honor of being raised to the rank of knight. All ranks are earned, and all nobles are noble because their ancestors did great things. Right or wrong, it depends on one's point of view," Saibus said, looking at Robert.

"This is the second time we have met, and you have already given me more advice and help than many." retorts Robert taking a sip of his drink.

"Because you have met me at two important times in your life. I sense that you have made a difficult decision. I don't know what it is, and I don't want to know because it's your business, and I wouldn't want anyone poking around in my life, but I want you to know that there are many people you can count on. The members of your order, Haytham, your King of his personality and as described."

"My order?"

"Yes, your order. You wear a collar with a cross, and your armor last time had that cross too. At first, I thought it was your family crest, but I saw the same pendant around Francis and Haytham's necks. So I conclude that you are part of an organization with this as a symbol", says Saibus, pointing to Robert's pendant.

(Image pendant)

Robert takes his necklace in his right hand and runs his thumb over the cross.

"It represents what I believe in, my values, my beliefs, and my Vow," Robert's voice took on a firm and solemn tone.

"I believe in a free world where war and famine no longer exist. A world where every child can grow up with their parents without lacking anything. That's why I became a knight. To ensure that wars no longer take away the fathers and mothers of children and that we can live in peace together without problems. I have vowed to make such a world come true. And I will do it even if it takes me sixty years or I must die."

Saibus does not respond to Saibus' statement.

"I hope you fulfill your Wish, Robert. I would like to see such a world.

"So do I, Saibus... So do I."