408 Trichia Duchy

Trichia Duchy: Duke of war's manor

Within the great hall, where the duke's head throne was located, Mary wore a devilishly red dress that ended around her thighs; Trichia's military cloak covered her shoulders and bosom whilst knee-high leather boots covered her feet. A ceremonial sword was upon her lap as she sat seated upon the seat of power.

With Asai de Trichia and Robin Sol both out, performing their duty and service to the kingdom.  The power and authority temporarily fell upon her shoulders as she was highly regarded as the most competent administrator and governor. Mary, being someone highly trusted by the duke personally, received hardly a complaint from her occupation. Even when most of the common people were highly aware of Asai's tendency to favour military and combat personnel.

Regardless of any discord and dissatisfaction. With both Clam and Gary, who were practically head of the army as the duke was hardly home, listening to Mary's orders, for mission reporting and information leads. No one within Trichia would dare voice any complaints towards the woman who appeared extremely ordinary and unthreatening, albeit only on the surface.

Standing before her, in respect to her position of power. Clam and Gary were both dressed in their own military attires that boasted heightened defence and durability, something that was in thanks to Trichia's business dealings with Gordon Gray from Vena.

Bethel, Mel, Olivia and Oliver stood at attention, dressed up as if they were ordinary adventurers in a mixture of default leather colours.

"Mel, are you sure about this? His Grace has already lost you once already..."

"She's sure-"

"-Silence Bethel." Mary glared into Bethel's red eyes in annoyance, pressuring her into submission. "Mel, tell me."

Since Mel had been entirely cared for, and had depended on Bethel to make all her decisions thus far, the girl now lacked the mental strength to voice her own intentions out properly. Especially when she was put in such a spot, in front of Mary who was flanked by man-at-arms dressed in full armour, Halberds leaning upon their sides.

Bethel, already having stepped out of line once, by speaking out of turn. Nudged the girl from behind, smiling as they made eye-contact.

"I- I'm sure. Being here in Trichia, has my mind and emotions going crazy. I don't know what's what, and who's who. And the only thing on my mind at night, is that woman who betrayed me, and essentially led me into slavery. I want my revenge, I want closure, and I understand that I'm being selfish..."

Within both Bethel and Mel's pockets, was Trichia's medal, the insignia represented their authority and power levels within the duchy, identifying them as captains. Whilst those in the know, would recognise them as Mary's agents.

Mary's gaze went from head to toe, inspecting the woman who was the source of her troubles. Before her, was the very exact woman who had taken Asai out of the orphanage at just 15 years old. Taking him into the quarry, claiming it to be a relatively easy and safe job. Within Mary's mind, this woman had honey-trapped Asai before she could, which had resulted in the man returning with little Robin in his arms, only to immediately venture out again in search for Mel.

And when the man finally found her? Saved her from captivity, along with Clam and Gary. Two boys who were also victims of Mel's party and their unreliable information. She had the audacity to leave Asai whilst the man was still in a coma, all to adventure with a former-bandit that was a lesbian, who had ended up stabbing her in the back at the end of the day.

Whatever happens from here on out, Mary would never allow Mel, into a position of any power or authority. God forbid, any knights she placed under the woman would basically be sent to death under such an incompetent leader.

Reaching into her breasts, she pulled out a report. 

"The woman who betrayed you entered our estate claiming to be Merilyn. However, by now she has changed her name at every given chance. Luckily for you, I managed to dig deep enough and find out her real name.

Jasmin the Banshee: Named so, because she enjoyed making the daughters of families wail and cry outside their door, before setting the homes on fire. Her other hobby, something you fell victim to. Is finding beautiful women to roleplay with, to latch upon, to see if she could catch richer and more powerful men through them.

If you had introduced her to Asai, I have no doubts she would've tried to sink her claws into him. Fortunately, you decided on adventure and personal glory over our duchy, thus, taking her away from us. Which I believe, led to her betraying you, as you were simply wasting her time.

Whilst she did interact with many bandit groups for dealings, somewhat controlling them by commissioning them for tasks; such as killing, theft, kidnapping and such. Her own personal organisation is known as Orca.

And I have managed to find their general location."

Gesturing to Clam, the knight took the report that detailed the supposed location of Orca, and passed it onto Bethel. Who was placed in charge of: 

As well as Mel, who was considered to be Bethel's personal assistant, and not to be regarded as second in command. If anything were to happen to Bethel, then the position of power would fall upon Oliver's shoulders, and then Olivia's.

Having long since performed their oaths of fealty to house Trichia, and received minimal training, Bethel and Mel clumsily saluted before marching out with the twins in toe. In which they gathered their disguised-knights who had been waiting out in the yard.

Seeing the 60 or so mercenaries exit the duchy, no one recognised any of them. The twins being fairly new, and haven't yet built up their own fame in comparison to Clam and Gary's. The group went entirely incognito, this was particularly thanks to Asai's knights and soldiers all being adamant in wearing the badges, insignias and emblems of the duchy in pride. As the people generally favoured them, bestowing discounts and freebies upon them.

As such, no one expected the loyal knights of Trichia to be disguised as rough, unkempt mercenaries.

...

Mary remained seated upon the seat of power, long since they had marched out. Hoping and praying that such young knights would return safely. As much as she wanted to send more with them, it risked breaking their disguise and also in turn weakened the duchy's security. The remaining knights and soldiers were already heavily strained with the ongoing rising monster/beast populations, dungeons, general-security as well as sending reinforcements up north to be placed under Chloe and Violet's command.

The two, who were still to this day defending Thrud Castle.

Pulling out another report from her cleavage, Mary sighed in anxiousness.

Prince Victor's 50,000 strong army had fallen by half. The dekans had launched multiple skirmishes upon the human and elf army. Supposedly, a thousand+ giant warriors had perished fighting the dekans. The sudden emergence of a fourth fighting-force had temporarily shifted the dragonkin's attention elsewhere, which allowed Victor to retreat, to reinforce the currently occupied keeps and castles within the deadlands.

Here the humans were worrying about extinction and survival, and yet, Mel was worried about retrieving her memories and getting revenge.

"This Mel, she better be worth it Asai..." Mary knew, that even if she didn't permit the woman to go. If it was Asai, the man wouldn't think much of it, most likely, he would even go himself.