The Guide

Ashwiya has made it to New Marit City. Currently she is standing in front of a building named The Nova Marit Hotel. A building about 9 floors tall with balconies on each floor from the third floor onwards. Each balcony containing lush greenery overgrowing from their colourful vases and onto the metallic fence. Ashwiya looks down at a letter to double check the address, 'This is definitely the place.', she thought. She gave out a long sigh and walked through the glass doors of the hotel.

As she made her way into the reception hall and towards the front desk, she noticed that the guards that stood in the hall and by the entrance were watching her, some even repositioned themselves slightly to be closer to her. She gave a slight sigh and internally thought about how much harder it was for the orcs.

When she reached the reception desk, a blonde human woman wearing a well ironed black vest with a white undershirt. The woman gave her a slight smile towards Ashwiya when she reached the desk and asked, "How may help you, miss?".

"I've been sent by the Freefolk Agency to meet with a Sir Davin Scientia.", Ashwiya flashes a star-shaped badge with the icon resembling a broken chain to prove her identity. "He should have arrived about a week ago.", she continued. The guards that were previously wary of her immediately dropped their focus on her and went back to keeping an eye out.

"Let me check our current guest list miss.", the receptionist said. Ashwiya watched as the woman flipped through a book that was filled with information on guests, such as their names and length of stay. After going through a few pages, the receptionist turned back to Ashwiya and said, "I am so sorry miss but the guest seems to have cancelled their reservation."

"What?", Ashwiya said in a surprised tone, "Where'd they go?", she asks.

"I am sorry miss but I do not know."

Ashwiya lets out a long sigh, "Thank you for your help.", she says to receptionist and leaves. The receptionists giving a slight bow in return. As she left the building she was thinking of where to go next. 'Considering Captain Ruth's warning I don't think I can I go to our base in the city. If he's cancelled his reservation, he must have found a place to stay in. Maybe he met someone on the ship and is staying with them.'.

As Ashwiya was pondering her next move, she heard a newsboy yell out, "Extra, Extra, read all about it! Prisoner transport ambushed by True Kalian Patriots!". She turned towards the boy, hearing him mention the TKP. There, buying a piece of newspaper from the boy and walking away, was a small goblin man. A goblin was not unusual to see especially in New Marit City but one so well kempt and without even a single bulb not even a tiny one was exceedingly rare. 'It's him', she thought, 'How lucky I am.'

"Excuse me.", she called out to Davin. Davin turned to her with a brow raised, "Yes miss?".

"Are you Sir Davin Scientia?", Davin looked at her with suspicion, trying to ascertain who this stranger was.

"May I ask who you are to ask of my identity?"

"I'm the guide from the Freefolk Agency. I've been sent by Captain Ruth.", Davin looked at her confused. "I thought I had already informed of your captain that I would need a guide no longer as I would be leaving for Gran Republica some time soon.". Ashwiya was shocked at the news, she had spent all that time and effort travelling and preparing for him. She would not leave empty handed and since the captain said he would be in her debt, she wanted it to be as big a debt as possible.

"I could at least guide you until you reach Seca City.", she suggested.

"I do not require a guide to use the Cross-Kalian Railway."

"But you do need one to help deal with the local tribes there. Not all of them have moved into reservations and there are hostilities between them and local groups."

Davin paused for a moment thinking about her suggestion, his eyes was looking at the headline for the newspaper he was holding. It would be a bit rude to brush her off if she was sent all the way here and is trying so hard. He then let out a long sigh. "I am currently staying in one of the manors near the outskirts of the city. It is the only one with a blue roof, very easy to recognise. Meet me there at dawn tomorrow, me and my fellow travelers plan on leaving for the station then."

"Thank you sir, I'll see you soon."

(Later that day)

Ashwiya decided she should at least drop by earlier so she could introduce herself properly to the man's companions. She had been searching for some time and after some wandering and asking around she managed to locate the manor. The manor was very standard except for the immense use of cold colours with a painting of a sailing ship on the side of the house.

As she walked up to the door she could hear a conversation behind the door, it was muffled by quite a bit but due to her enhanced hearing she was able to make it out quite well.

"Where is Ryu?", Davin asks. "Still in the study.", Ashwiya heard a woman's voice answer.

"I'll just tell you for now then.", Davin said with an exasperated voice

"Must be quite serious for you to drop the formal tone.", the woman mockingly said.

"Not now madam. Trent and the other mutineers escaped on that prison transport.", Davin sniped back with a hint of annoyance

"That's impossible, they haven't even gone to court yet they're already being sent to a prison?", the woman asked rhetorically. "Also how do you know who escaped? That wasn't revealed in the paper this morning.", She continued asking, still shocked at the news she is being told."

"To answer your second question, it wasn't that hard but I did have to spend all day looking around and pulling some strings with the local law enforcement. However for the first, I think it should be obvious."

"The Five Suns.", the woman finished.

"Yes.", Davin responded

"To think they could have influence even within law enforcement and likely even the TKP. I doubt their involvement was a coincidence.", the woman pondered.

"But why in such a flashy way? Why not just use their power and influence to have them be released?", Davin questioned.

They both stood in silence, pondering why the Five Suns would act in such a manner. "A message perhaps?", Davin suggested. "But for who?", the lady asked back.

"I don't know anyone else who knows of the existence of their cult but us and your former crew. So it is likely to tell us that they are everywhere.", Davin answered. They stood there in silence, likely processing all this new information.

Ashwiya, who was standing outside the door and heard everything, was in a state of shock and confusion. 'What are they talking about? Who are the Five Suns? How are they influencing the TKP and law enforcement?', she thought. 

However while she was distracted she felt herself being restrained a dagger was put on her neck. "Who are you?", she heard a male voice ask from behind her. Her mind began to race but she kept calm, 'I should not flinch at this.', she thought to herself. She then calmly answered, "I'm here to visit Sir Davin Scientia and his travel companions."

She felt herself being freed from his restrained as she heard the person behind her, knocks on the door. Looking behind she saw a well built male who was as tall as the door with purple eyes. The door opened to an elven woman with black hair and blue skin holding the door and Davin. Ashwiya did not who they were but she already correctly assumed that they were traveling with Davin.

"What are you doing here guide?", Davin asked

"I just wanted to introduce myself to your companions since we would be staying together for a good amount of time.", Ashwiya responded as she kept glancing between all three figures.

"I see.", said Davin, "Well this is Madam Mer and that is Ryu.", he continued while pointing to both respective figures. "No need with the formalities child. Just call me Charlotte.", said Charlotte, "Come in, let us fetch you something since your here.", she continued on, gesturing for Ashwiya to enter.

As Ashwiya made her way into their living room, she saw there was many things related to the sea scattered all about the house, she saw there were quite a few memorabilia of ships and swords and paintings of Charlotte in a captain's uniform or naval battles. "I painted them myself.", said Charlotte, who seems to have noticed Ashwiya gawking at the paintings. "Had to pick up at least one hobby over the decades.", she continued on.

The living room was simple with a large sofa and a small sofa surrounding a coffee table right in front of a firepit. After they all sat down, Davin says, "You heard everything?". "Yes sir.", Ashwiya answered.

"Can you pl-", before Davin could finish Ashwiya interrupted him, "Please let me join you investigation. This is my home too and the TPK is hurting innocent people. If these people you are investigating are responsible for the power behind the TPK then I want to help.". Her eyes were alight with determination and fire, causing Davin to stutter a bit before Charlotte answered for him. "Child this is not your fight, leave this to the grown ups to handle."

"What about him?", Ashwiya pointed to Ryu, "He seems about my age, it doesn't seem fair that I'm being excluded but he isn't.", she pointed out, desperate for an answer. Charlotte had nothing to argue back with and Davin sighed before saying, "Fine. We would need a guide anyways, we'll see if you stay once we leave the USUK."

Ashwiya grew a smile and bowed, "Thank you so much for giving me this chance.".

"Just go back already.", said Davin.

"Yes sir!", Ashwiya said excitedly as she gave him a mock salute and made her away out of the house. "Why were you so rude to her?", asked Charlotte. "We do not know where she is from or her true affiliations. For all we know she is a spy. If she is it would be easier to monitor her activities if she is with us.", answered Davin.

"I doubt that's the case. What do you think Ryu?", Charlotte asks. Ryu who has been sitting quietly and stiffly like a statue the entire time answered with. "It does not matter to me. If she is enemy then I will be able to strike her down. My focus right now is my own life."

Charlotte gave out a sigh and said, "Both of you are so stiff and formal.".

"Maybe you should just act your age instead old lady.", Davin said mockingly. However as he finished that sentence, his world dark as he was knocked out by Charlotte, a noticeable bump forming on his head. "That's what you get you rude, little, snobbish prick.", she said while stomping off. 

"You should not bring up age with women senior.", Ryu said. Though he was only met with silence.