Part 5. Leading up to the next call I
(The public Quarter, Shopping Plaza, the following day)
(Flynn's point of view)
It's still hard to believe that lady Estellise was giving her body first to those smelly Lower Quarter thugs, and in the last month, to those corrupt and libertine-minded nobles and councilmen. And all this time, we failed to notice, never mind resolve that matter. I feel like such a failure, sigh.
And as upset about it as I was, Julia was even more so, what with her being lady Estellise's handmaid for the last three years. She, along with with Natalie and Hannah, have become good friends with lady Estellise, just that, nothing more.
Anyway, I'm with Julia, Sodia and Witcher as she was getting the groceries for today's meals up at the castle. She just finished the orders for today, and was about to go visit the apothecary when we heard a familiar voice. "Bonjour, Flynn. Bonjour Julia. Oh, and Bonjour Sodia and Witcher." We turned to see that it was Clara. "Ca va, everyone?" She asked in old Peyoccian.
"Tres bien, Clara." Julia replied as the two hugged. "Though I wish that was the case." She let out a sigh.
"Is something wrong?" Clara asked. "Does it have anything to do with lady Estellise?"
"More or less, Clara." I answered. You may remember that we told her that lady Estellise was acting unusual a month or so ago up in Halure(Read tangled tentacles part 2 for details, Author).
"Oh yeah, you mentioned that was showing little interest in her favorite hobbies, isn't smelling like bubblegum and wasn't wearing that lovely hairpiece I made for her, right?" Clara said, we nodded. "Well, I should've told you this earlier, but you can also add that she was getting her dresses all ripped up to the list. Dresses that I designed for her."
"What!?" We all exclaimed.
"Perhaps I should explain this over at Papa's shop over a cup of tea." Clara replied.
"I think that would be a good idea, Clara." I agreed, and we followed Clara back to the boutique. "Do you think this has anything to do with lady Estellise's 'trips' outside the castle?" I asked Julia in a voice just loud enough for her to hear.
"I'm afraid so, Flynn." Julia whispered back.
"I just can't believe this is happening."Sodia added. I told both her and Witcher what was going on last night.
We soon arrived at the Dior's fashion stall. "Ah, welcome back, Clara." Alphonse greeted. "Did you purchase the fabrics I asked for?" Clara nodded as Alphonse notices us. "Oh, I see that you've managed to find lieutenants Scifo and Fortescue, and Julia and Witcher. Welcome you two." He greeted us. "How was Shizontonia?"
"It was interesting to say the least." I replied. "A group of evil libertines and a rogue scholar tried to turn it back into 'Monsterburg', but we managed to put a stop to that."
"Not to mention, I saved a friend of mine from being framed, and helped take out a rather large, and equally revolting monster." Julia added.
"Oh, my!" Clara replied, hand dainty up to her chin. "Well I do suppose I shouldn't be surprised, Julia, considering that you, after all,(If the rumors are true) A knight in maid's clothing."
"Or my 'mentor' attire at the time. Hee hee hee." Julia snickered.
"Anyway, about those torn dresses, Clara." I said as we entered the shop.
"Papa, do we still have lady Estellise's ruined dresses?" Clara asked.
"We do, Clara." Alphonse replied, retrieving a medium sized chest.
"It started about four months ago..." He opened up the chest and pulls out what looks like the top-half of that pink dress that goes with lady Estellise's fancy riding outfit. It was completely torn at the midriff and the sleeves were gone.
"My word, what happened to it?" Julia asked as Alphonse placed it on the table.
"Well, around that time, we received a commission from the castle to repair one of lady Estellise's dresses that got damaged shortly after her birthday." Alphonse answered. "Councilman Nero told me that it was damaged in a horse riding accident." Something tells me it wasn't a horse-riding accident that caused it. "But there was something not quite right about this torn dress."
"What do you mean, Alphonse?" I inquired.
"Notice how clean it is?" Alphonse explained.
"No grass stains, no dirt stains, not even the smell of dirt or horse manure. Why go through the trouble of cleaning a torn-up dress when you're going to toss it anyway? When I asked why go through the trouble of cleaning it, councilman Nero replied it was so we would not be offended by the smell of horse manure. Fair enough, I thought at the time, so we made a new pink dress to replace the torn one. And I kept the torn dress, because I wanted to salvage the sleeves which I used in the replacement dress. I did not wish to use more Yurzorean silk than necessary, very expensive stuff that."
Clara continued afterwords. "Then a few weeks ago, while you two were in Shizontonia, we were called to repair her blue gown. Once again we were shown the ruined dress to repair. We noticed that the tears in looked suspicious, so I convinced my Papa to make a new dress like the torn one and hold onto the torn one to show you."
Clara reached into the chest and pulled out the ruined gown. "Like the pink dress, is was suspiciously cleaned, but..." She laid it onto the table. "Look at where it's torn."
We noticed that the white skirt and light blue back skirt was ripped right off, then Julia noticed something else. "The fasteners on the bodice are stretched loose."
"Almost as if someone violently pulled them open." Alphonse finished.
"So what did those councilmen tell you?" I asked.
"They said that she tripped and fell down the stairs, ripping her skirt in the process and the bodice damage was from one the escorting knights grabbing her by said bodice to stop her fall, but it doesn't sound right to me."
"You're absolutely right, Alphonse." Julia replied. "A trip would've just ripped the white lower skirt only not the blue upper skirt. Furthermore the silk that you use in her dresses (and our maid outfits) are high quality silk, rather hard for such mere accidents to do the sort of damage that they told you."
We oughta know." I added.
"I've seen lady Estellise occasionally trip-up wearing those royal gowns, and take her fair share of tumbles while horse riding. In either incident it only leads to some dirtying that is easily cleaned up by Julia, and minor tears that are easily fixed by any one of the maids."
"True enough, Flynn. I have stitched up a few myself." Julia said. "So what's your opinion on what really caused this damage?" She asked Alphonse and Clara.
The two dressmakers looked at each other before Clara answered. "I feel that this kind of damage could only have been done by human hands. Which could mean that lady Estellise was, I fear, assaulted, sexually! And the ruined dresses were cleaned to remove the 'shame'." Cara was looking very concerned. "Tell me I'm wrong. Please."
"I, sigh, wish you were, Clara." I replied. Clara's face was white with shock.
"How! How could you let this happen to her, Flynn!?She was our friend! How could you!?" She looked like she was going to cry.
"I'm sorry, Clara." I apologized to the upset dressmaker. "We only just learned about it just last night. They were timing her excursions in our absence."
"Flynn, is it wise to tell them?" Julia asked me.
"It's clear to me that they're gonna figure it out on their own." I replied as the Diors and Julia sat down at the table, me, Sodia and Witcher then joined them. "And what they might do could put them in great danger."
"Just what kind of danger are we in, Flynn?" Alphonse asked.
"We believe that Ragou is drugging lady Estellise and is using her as a sex-slave to raise his rank in the nobility." I answered
"Not to mention those revolting libertines are quite determined to keep anyone else from finding out." Julia added. "So much so that they are willing to have anyone other than them who knows about it killed to keep this secret. We believe that's what happened to Wesley."
"In other words, you two, like me and Julia, are in great danger." I warned. "The best thing right now is to do nothing."
"Do nothing?" Clara replied. "But what about lady Estellise."
"We're gonna take care of it, Clara." I answered.
"We're going down to Saleam's apothecary to purchase an antidote." Julia added. "You remember him, right?"
"Oh yeah." Clara said. "He was that Krytian hippie you stayed with a few years back. I must admit you looked rather colorful in that tie-dye shirt you were wearing at the time. You know I should make you a dress with a similar tye-dye pattern."
"Don't see why not." Julia smiled. "I'll see if I can get you some of that fabric to make that outfit. Help get your mind off of lady Estellise."
"Merci, Julia." Clara smiled, despite her tears. "Making new clothes for my girlfriend always makes me happy. So do you want is as a brode or a promenade?"
"Promenade. Seeing as I already own a brode day gown."
"As you wish, mom amore." Clara smiled.
"We should get to the Saleam's, Julia." I suggested. "Diors, like I said earlier, go about your business like nothing has happened. Don't say anything about Estellise unless it's with us or sir Jurgis."
Alphonse and Clara nodded in agreement. We left their boutique and made our way downtown. After we made a stop at a hippie shop to buy nine square yards of tie-dyed cotton fabric to deliver to the Diors of course. Heh heh heh. Something tells me we need to let Bernard know about this, since Clara and Alphonse are family.
(The Fountain Plaza)
"Well, last time I was here was when you took me to that izakaya (Yurzorean restaurant), sir Flynn." Sodia commented when we entered the Fountain Plaza. "The food was pretty good."
"Well, Sodia, Natalie recommended that I take you to that restaurant..." I replied. "It's her favorite(and only) Yurzorean restaurant in Zaphias." They also deliver to the castle.
"Natalie? Oh of course, She's from Yurzorea isn't she?" Sodia asked, I nodded. "You know, next time we should bring those two along." She first met them three years ago prior to enlisting in the knights as age seventeen.
"Don't forget Shawna and Rina." I said. "Anyway that's not the reason why we're here."
"Of course, sir Flynn, we're here to see some really weird Krytian hippie apothecary to get some medicine for lady Estellise, ugh, I still can't that taste out of my mouth." Sodia commented. "I still can't believe that our own Imperial Council, one of the pillars of our empire, is making lady Estellise take drugs and have sex with a bunch of our more sleazy nobles."
"And yet, it's unfortunately true, Sodia." Julia shook her head.
"Hey, Flynn, what brings you guys down here?" Ned greeted us, accompanied by his younger brother Ted.
"We're here to see Saleam Rodgo." I replied.
"Gee, you're not gonna arrest him too like you did Yuri the other day?" Ned said, arms on his hips, giving me a hard look.
"Not really Ned." I replied. "I need him to make some monster drool antidote."
"Monster drool, Flynn?" Ted asked.
"It's a nasty stuff that a disgusting monster makes that makes girls act stupid." Ned explained.
"That's, ahem, putting it rather mildly." Julia replied.
"Okaaayyy." Ted looks at me. "I wish you and Yuri would get along, Flynn." Me too, Ted.
"Um, Sir Flynn?" Sodia interrupted. "Not to be rude but, who are these two?"
"This is Ned Mallory, and this is his little brother, Ted." I introduced Sodia to the two siblings. "Ned, Ted, This is my second in command in my squad, Sodia Fortescue, and the guy with the glasses is Witcher Milo." I introduced Sodia and Witcher.
"Pleased to meet you." Sodia said.
"Charmed, I'm sure." Witcher added, adjusting his glasses.
"Just as long are you're not collecting taxes." Ned replied. "Seeing as the last two got knocked in the river. Heh heh. Anyway, I got some deliveries to go pick up for our inn, so we'll see you later, Flynn. Oh, say 'hi' to Natalie and Hannah for me." Don't worry, Ned, I will. We waved as they took the donkey-cart to the river harbor to pick up some fish.
While we headed to Saleam's apothecary.
When we got there, I knocked on the door. But when it opened, instead of Saleam, It was his wife Jilan. "Greeting and welcome, Flynn Scifo. How may this this apothecary be of service?"
"I'd like to talk to your husband, Jilan." I said. "s he in, or all there for that matter."
"I'm sorry, Flynn, but he's currently out gathering ingredients to restock his supplies, and won't be back for a few days." Jilan shook her head. "Was there something you need him for?"
"I have a friend up at the castle that we think might be under the influence of Tentacle Syrup." I answered.
"So that explains it." Jilan replied. "My husband sensed there was a need for Tentacle Syrup antidote within the next few days, and when he noticed that the necessary ingredients were absent from our supplies and thus left."
"Mommy, who's at the door?" A little voice called out.
"It's a friend of my Husband's here to see him, Coris." Jilan answered. "Our boy is growing quite fast, look how tall he is." She introduced us to her son, Coris Rodgo. Last time I saw him last year, he was up to my knee, now he almost up to my thigh.
"Wow, he's even cuter than you, Witcher." Sodia smiled. "Hey there, little guy, my name is Sodia, nice to meet you." She introduced herself to the little Krytian.
"Hello there, Sodia." Coris replied. "Hello, Flynn, Julia."
"He's cuter than me?" Witcher said. "I don't know whether I should feel relieved or jealous."
"And who are those two?" Jilan asked.
"This is Sodia Fortescue, my squad second in command..." I introduced Sodia. "And this is Witcher Milo, a scholar and mage from the blastia laboratory in Aspio."
"My, my, He's certainly a cute one." Jilan commented. Witcher nervously hides behind me. "And apparently doesn't like being touched."
"Yeah, it seems that every girl that meets him seems to want to hug the air out of him. Heh heh heh." I chuckled. "Anyway thanks for your time. I'll check back in a few days."
"Very well, Flynn, I'll let Saleam know that the antidote is indeed needed and he'll make it as soon as possible. We'll let you know when it's ready, good day."
"Good day, Jilan, Coris." And we headed back to the castle.
(Jurgis Brigade office)
"So, the Diors were on the verge of figuring out what's going with lady Estellise on their own." Sir Jurgis replied after we explained the situation.
"Yes, sir." I replied. "So I had them brought up to speed on lady Estellise's situation and told then to keep quiet and go about things normally as if nothing's going on. I know we have put them in danger, but if I hadn't gotten involved, there's a MUCH greater chance that they might end up doing something that would've drawn the council's attention."
"Which would have led the council to sic Zagi at them." Julia added. "Something that neither me, Flynn, nor Bernard here would take lightly. ESPECIALLY me!"
"Or me either, sir." Bernard added, We brought him up to speed as well. "I just can't believe that lady Estellise was being used like that."
"Me, neither, Bernard." I replied. "To be honest, we wanted to keep you out of the loop, minimize the number of people that know, but when we learned that your father and sister was about to learn what was happening to lady Estellise, well."
"I can understand you guys wanting to keep this hush-hush and all." Bernard said "At least until we can get lady Estellise back to normal."
"Well let's hope the people in the know doesn't get any bigger, Flynn, lest we draw the council's attention." Sir Jurgis suggested.
So far the people that already know about the council abusing lady Estellise are sir Jurgis, sir Schwann/Raven, Hatchette, Myself(Flynn), Bernard, Sodia, Witcher, Chastel, Hisca, dame Margaret, Julia, Natalie, Hannah, and finally Clara and Alphonse. A total of Fifteen individuals that want to help lady Estellise, and all of them in looming peril of the corrupt council's wrath (or sixteen if you want to include Saleam). Hoo boy.
"Anyway, I'd like you to take your squad to the escarpment that borders Central and Southern Mayoccia and perform standard patrols there." Sir Jurgis said.
"Yes sir." I saluted.
"Oh, one more thing, lieutenant Flynn." Sir Jurgis added. "If you run across any Krytian hippies heading back to Zaphias, do be so kind as to bring them to the castle."
"Understood, sir." I saluted. I don't like leaving lady Estellise, but she does have the maids, and sir Jurgis and the twins watching her. Besides, I have a feeling on which hippie to watch out for.
(The Southern Escarpment, a couple of days later)
Things have been rather quiet on the southern passes that connect Zaphias to Shizontonia. We had a couple of caravans coming down from Zaphias to Shizontonia. One of the travelers told us that they had to take the long sea route from Torim harbor to Zaphias port because Nor harbor was practically closed off due to both bad weather and approaching ships being fired upon. And the closest thing we had to any sort of monster encounter was an egg-bear foraging well away from the road, too far to be a threat, so we left it alone, but we kept an eye on it all the same.
One day we were patrolling at the top of the escarpment when Sodia called my attention. "Sir Flynn, I just spotted a horse and wagon coming down the road." She pointed in the direction of the wagon.
I get my binoculars to see who it is. "Hmmm, looks like the driver's a Krytian, wearing a tye-dye shirt?" I said. Not to mention that wagon was painted in a wild array of colors and patterns that can only be described as psychedelic and there was a sign on the front of it that said 'Farther'. "I wonder, Sodia, come with me, I want to go talk to that Krytian." We got on our horses and rode towards him.
As we approached, I noticed that the Krytian reigned in his wagon, looks like he noticed us. He got down and just stood there, as if he was expecting us. Come to think of it, if that's who I think it is, he IS expecting to meet us. "Hey there Flynn dude." Saleam waved as we rode up to him. "Who's your girlfriend?"
"Wh-wh-wha!?" Sodia blushed. "Do I look like I'm his girlfriend, you, you hippie!"
"I know I am, but what are you?" Saleam replied. "Anyhoo, Flynn, what brings you down here?"
"Well, Saleam." I replied. "Officially, we're doing a routine patrol on the southern roads that cut through the escarpment." I got down from my horse, Sodia did the same. "But unofficially, we're really looking for you."
"Guess it's because you dudes need my groovy skills to fix up a princess that's doing bogus drugs." Saleam said.
Sodia gasped in surprise. "How? How did you!?" She reaches for her sword. "That's supposed to be secret! Who told you!?" She points her sword at him.
"At ease, Sodia." I ordered.
"Yeah, uptight chick." Saleam added. "Chill, mellow out, switch to decaff."
"B-But, sir Flynn." Sodia protested. "He knows about what's going with lady Estellise." She turned back to Saleam. "How did you know?" She asked.
"Would you believe, it came to me in a vision while I was meditating under the influence of some fine Hypionian mowie-wowie?" Saleam answered.
"Wait a sec..." Sodia replied. "Did you say MARIJUANA!" I'm surprised she knows the slang for marijuana. Sodia points her sword at him again. "Open up your wagon, hippie!"
"The name's Saleam, uptight chick." Saleam unlocks and opens the door to his wagon. "Here you go."
"Don't talk back to me, you freaky hippie!" Sodia searches Saleam's wagon until... "AHA! I knew it!" She comes out with a couple of bags containing... "Hypionian cannabis seeds, as well as cannabis leaves! You were smuggling marijuana into Zaphias weren't you? WEREN'T YOU!? Men, arrest this..."
Then Saleam hands her a document. "Huh? What is this? Is this for wrapping your leaves in when you smoke 'em?" Sodia asked.
"Nope, uptight chick." Saleam answered. "It's for in case something like this happens. You might wanna read it."
"Alright, fine then, you hippie, I suppose before I have you arrested and your wagon impounded, I can amuse you by reading this..."
Sodia reads the document.
"Medical license to legally use and distribute cannabis within the Empire!?" Sodia's jaw hit the ground. "W-Wh-What the hell!? Sir Flynn, why does this hippie have a marijuana license!?"
"Heh heh he heh. Believe it or not, Sodia, Saleam Rodgo IS a fully licensed healer and apothecary." I explained to my somewhat flabbergasted lieutenant. "He sometimes uses marijuana to treat people suffering from nausea, nosebleeds, tapeworms, insomnia, headaches, gastrointestinal disorders, and pain, including during childbirth."
"In strictly controlled dosages of course." Saleam added.
"Don't wanna get my patients addicted, that would be bogus. Not to mention it affects Krytians differently from humans, in my case, when I use it in my weekly meditations my senses are greatly heightened that I can read other peoples chakras. That's how I sensed that something was wrong with that princess chick, I was checking her chakra(as well as my groovy friends and other patients) and noticed that something was VERY bogus. I even sensed the monster drool coursing in her very being. So I figured I should get a cure ready just in case, but noticed that some of my ingredients went missing, musta had the munchies or something so I headed out to get more."
I should mention Saleam visited the castle a couple of years ago to treat a sick Krytian councilman. Lady Estellise had her chakra read by him...
And then she unintentionally got high on his bong, but that's another story.
"I see. My apologies, Dr Rodgo." Sodia bowed in apology. Never thought I'd see the day she'd bow to a hippie.
"Anyway, Saleam, I'd like to discuss this a little further when we set up camp tonight." I suggested.
"Right on, Flynn." Saleam said. "Lead the way." And he followed our patrol for the rest of the day until we set up camp.
(Later that evening)
"Woah, so I was right that the princess chick was tripping on that Tentacle Syrup." Saleam replied after I explained to him about what was happening to lady Estellise. "Not to mention she's doing really bogus sex with some really bogus people, like those smelly dudes for instance."
"As well as some of our more libertine-minded nobles." I added. "Which no doubt would include baron Ragou, Nero, Bruno, archduke Kyle, duke Calvin, earl Gradana, and Kitano."
"I wouldn't be surprised if those bastards had her do a sympathy call with sir Cumore and Mimula *shudder*." Sodia added. "Considering their rather foppish and somewhat libertine bi-sexual behavior *shudder*. Trust me, I oughta know. It's a miracle I got outta there with my purity intact *shudder again*. I'm telling you, that just wasn't my first five months *shudder some more*." Sodia shuddered in revulsion from remembering her five month stay in the Cumore Brigade before she transferred to my brigade. And maybe imagining sir Cumore (and maybe Mimula) having sex with lady Estellise *shudder*.
"You know, Flynn, you should introduce me to these guys here." Saleam suggested, pointing at Sodia, Witcher, and Bernard, who were all sitting around the campfire. "Starting with the uptight chick."
"If you say so." I nodded. "Everybody, this is Dr Saleam Rodgo, A Krytian from Myorzo, currently living in Zaphias. He's an apothecary and healer, and full time hippie." I introduced then to Saleam. "Saleam, you've met my lieutenant, Sodia Fortescue." I intro'd Sodia.
"Sure did, Flynn." Saleam replied. "You know, Sodia, I could prescribe you some herbal tea to help you unwind a little."
"No thanks." Sodia replied.
"So you like being tensed up, huh?" Saleam replied. "Not the best thing for your chakra, just saying." Sodia just silently stared back.
I continued. "This is Witcher Milo, a mage prodigy from Aspio, I'm his legal guardian by the way." I intro'd Witcher.
"Charmed, I'm sure." Witcher coldly adjusted his glasses right before "OWWWW! Sodia!" Sodia raps him on the head.
"Don't be so rude, Witcher!" Sodia scolded. "You ought to be more polite when you're being introduced. Even to a hippie."
"You know, Flynn, those two are funny." Saleam commented.
"Sometimes, Saleam. Heh heh." I chuckled. "Anyway last, but lot least, corporal Bernard Dior." I intro'd Saleam to Bernard.
"Pleased to meet you, Dr Rodgo." Bernard offers his hand, which Saleam shakes.
"Now that's how you should introduce yourself, Witcher." Sodia lectured. Then she turns to me. "Sir Flynn, this now makes at least fifteen people that know lady Estellise has been turned into a drugged-up sex-slave and want to cure her. I fear that the council's gonna know about this sooner or later and take drastic measures."
"I agree with the tense chick." Saleam agreed. "Getting bumped off ain't on my to do list."
"Nor mine, Saleam." I replied. "Have you got the ingredients to make the antidote?"
"Sure do, Flynn." Saleam replied.
"Good." I stood up. "Alright, first thing tomorrow after breakfast, we head back to Zaphias. As soon as we get there, Saleam, I want you to brew up your antidote. We need lady Estellise cured as soon as possible."
"Got it, Flynn dude." Saleam nodded.
"One question, sir Flynn." Bernard raised his hand. "Are we gonna have Saleam use the castle's kitchen to make the antidote?"
"No, Bernard." I replied. "This won't be a repeat of what happened ah knight's HQ in Shizontonia." Both Sodia and Bernard sighed with relief. "Saleam will make it at his apothecary. You and Sodia will guard him and his family as he makes the antidote. Make sure you wear nose plugs."
"Not to mention I'll need to get some of my equipment ready to check her highness for pregnancy." Saleam added. "And maybe perform an abortion if worse comes to worse. I know it's bogus terminating a life before it's born, but Tentacle Syrup users are known to occasionally suffer really painful, and really bogus miscarriages."
"So what kind of equipment do you need brought up?" Sodia asked.
Saleam told us what equipment he wants to bring up. "Oh, yeah, I heard that some female knight and a scholar got themselves tangled up in some bogus outta this world tentacle monsters' tentacles when I was in Shizontonia getting ingredients." Saleam commented. "Um, was it you, Sodia chick?" He notices Sodia blushing.
"Yeah, it was me." Sodia blushed from the embarrassment. "How will I ever get married?" Her face became even redder.
"Bummer." Saleam sympathized. "I also heard that said bogus outta this world tentacle monster was then chopped up by some four-eyed scholar chick using a pair of machetes despite getting tangled herself, and then that thing was torched after that she crippled it. I'm telling you, Julia's sure came a long way since she stayed at my pad three years ago."
"Wait a sec." Sodia interrupted. "Julia lived with you? Aren't you already married?"
"Yep, Sodia chick." Saleam answered. "Julia, along with Natalie and Hannah crashed at my place for a few days before they became castle maids. There's quite a story to it. But it's getting a bit on the late side, so I'll turn in for the night. See you guys tomorrow." And Saleam entered his wagon.
"Okay everybody, let's get back to our tents as well." I ordered. "Bernard, you take the next watch."
"Yes, sir!" Bernard saluted. And we headed back to our tents to catch some shut-eye.
(Zaphias, A few days later)
The journey back to Zaphias was reasonably eventual, other than Saleam telling Sodia the story behind why three of our current maids was staying at his pad.
"Man, talk about a topsy-turvy few years that Julia gone through." Sodia commented. "First time I saw Julia, She was with her 'master', Gradana when he tried to propose to me. Course I verbally shot him down in a contest of wits. I just didn't like him, with that idiotic face and that equally idiotic haircut. Even more so after what he did to the twins." Sodia shook her head. "If I remember at the time she had longer hair and was wearing an outfit similar to what lady Estellise wore when she went to see archduke Kyle."
"If you want to know more, Julia wrote a book about her time as Gradana's slave called 'Scattered Flowers'." I said as the city came within our sights. "It was a decent seller a couple of years back, and she's thinking about writing another book based on our recent adventures in Shizontonia. And later on, publishing her experiences as a tribute."
"I remember when she had her long hair braided before she got it cut..." Saleam added. "She almost looked like that D12 archer from her games, I think her last name was 'Evershot'."
"Uh huh." Sodia nodded. "I watched that game six years ago. Can't believe that Evershot girl shot her own partner before Julia revived and nailed her."
Yeah, that's that barbaric game for you. Anyway, we soon entered the city. I sent the rest of my squad to our barracks as Me, Sodia, Witcher, Bernard and Saleam headed to the fountain Plaza.
(The Fountain Plaza)
"Well well, long time, no see, Flynn." Hanks sr. the mayor of the fountain plaza greeted us. "So what brings you to this neck of the woods?"
"It's nice to see you too, mayor Hanks." I replied, getting off my horse. "I'd thought I'd drop by for a visit."
"Just call me Hanks Sr., Flynn. No need to get too formal." Mayor Hanks smiled. "I see that you found our resident hippie." He comments on Saleam. "You didn't get into any trouble with knights, Saleam?"
"Well other than almost getting arrested for legally transporting mowie-wowie, not really, pops." Saleam replied. "You might wanna be careful around that chick with the braid there." He pointed at Sodia. "She's a bit wound-up"
"Hey!" Sodia objected. "I ain't that wound-up! Am I, sir Flynn?" She asks me, I just shrug. "Sir Flynn!"
"At ease, Sodia." I replied, then I turned my attention to mayor Hanks. "Mayor Hanks, I'm going to leave both Sodia and Bernard here to Guard Saleam."
"I thought he wasn't in any trouble with you." Mayor Hanks said.
"He isn't, Mayor Hanks." I reassured. "But I need Saleam to make something and deliver it up to the castle this evening, that's all."
"Okay then, Flynn..." Mayor Hanks replied. "By the way, when are you letting Yuri out?"
"I believe he should be out tonight, mayor Hanks." I answered. "Hopefully, he won't get into any trouble anytime soon."
"Me neither, Flynn." Mayor hanks replied. "I know he meant well when He dunked those two tax-collectors, but still."
"Yeah, Well I should be getting up to the castle now." I said. "I'll need to turn in my report."
"Guess I'll see you later then, Flynn." Mayor hanks headed to the Comet. "Better go warn Roy and Anna that Yuri's gonna be home tonight."
"Well then, better get started on that antidote, dudes." Saleam cracked his fingers. "As well as getting my stuff ready. See you when I see you." Saleam, along with Sodia and Bernard head up towards the apothecary.
"Hey, Flynn, I want to help mr Rodgo with his antidote and equipment." Witcher requested. "I'd like to see how he works."
"Granted, Witcher..." I replied. "But I should warn you, you might get a bit smelly."
"Well if it keeps me from getting hugged." Witcher smiled. "Hey, Guys! Wait up!" And he ran off towards the apothecary, leaving me to head up to the castle, sigh, by myself.
(The Castle)
As soon as I entered after stabling my horse, I was confronted by baron Ragou and his two cronies, Nero and Bruno. "Ah, you must be Flynn Scifo." Ragou greeted.
"Greetings, baron Ragou." I bowed. "Were you here to see lady Estellise?"
"And may I inquire what concern is it of yours?" Ragou asked me.
"She's been acting rather unusual in the last few months, baron Ragou." I replied. "The castle staff, and me have been getting concerned. And so was master Ioder before his disappearance."
"Ah, yes, that, huh." Ragou stroked hes goatee. "Maybe it's because lady Estellise is choosing to start acting like an adult, putting away her unladylike activities like horseback riding, fencing, using bubblegum scented perfume, and wanting to see the world beyond the barrier."
"I don't see how fencing and riding is unladylike, baron Ragou." I replied.
"Show some respect, Scifo!" Bruno snapped.
"Now now, councilman Bruno." Ragou replied. "I merely was saying that such activities are inappropriate for such a delicate young flower such as lady Estellise, seeing as she'll never leave the confines of our fair city of Zaphias." We notice lady Estellise approaching. "Isn't that right, lady Estellise?"
"Yes, baron Ragou." Lady Estellise nodded, rather submissively. "I just don't see the point of studying fencing, as I am quite well guarded, nor horseback riding, as I'll never get to to use it for I no longer have any interest is ever seeing the outside world."
That's definitely doesn't sound like the lady Estellise I know.
"And bubblegum scented perfume is just so childish as I am now eighteen, so I will henceforth use a more appropriate perfume in keeping with my now adult duties." Yeah, that's certainly not her.
"Oh yes, I almost forgot to mention." Ragou stroked his goatee again. "I certain you've no doubt heard that lady Estellise has been allowed to leave the castle on council business as part of her new, ahem, adult duties."
"Yes, baron Ragou. I was recently informed of this by lady Estellise's governess. Just what kind of tasks is the council having her do?" I asked, wondering how's he gonna spin this.
"Merely giving sympathy to the people of the Lower Quarter." Ragou smiled, showing off his gold false teeth.
Ragou continued. "Lady Estellise performed her new duties quite admirably for the first two months since her birthday." Ragou explained, conveniently not describing just what her 'duties' were.
Then Nero added. "But then we had to temporally suspend her duties following the rather unfortunate death of one of her guards, Wesley DuBellette of the Cumore Brigade."
"Was Wesley's killer ever found?" I inquired.
"Unfortunately, no." Bruno answered. "So when lady Estellise resumed her new duties, we deemed it would be safe for to carry out her tasks in the safety of the Noble Quarter."
"Is this true, lady Estellise?" I asked.
"It's quite true, sir Flynn." Lady Estellise answered. Wait a sec, she never called me 'sir' Flynn before.
"Well, Flynn, I do believe that's all you need to know." Ragou stated. "Recently I've been feeling a bit, ahem, unwelcome in the castle ever since that four eyed maid came back from Shizontonia. And speak of the devil..."
We noticed Julia approach.
"Aren't you gone yet, Ragou?" Julia said, giving Ragou a cold, icy stare.
"Ah, Julia." Ragou smiled at her. "It's a pity that I never had a chance to sleep with you three years ago when you were sir Gradana's mistress. He'd often told me just last how good you were."
That, not surprisingly, made the bespectacled maid shudder in sheer revulsion.
"Oh don't deny that you enjoyed the sex and the drug, Julia." Ragou sneered. "Even though you now pretend to be such a perfectly refined and cultured prim and proper young lady with an upper-class pedigree that serves as a maid. To Nero, Bruno and your former master Gradana, you'll always be a wild sex-obsessed libertine-minded whore-slave, and you still be serving the carnal desires of men." Nero and Bruno nod in agreement.
She just glared back at them, turns her back to them, nose in the air. "Honestly. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll have to prepare supper." And she marches off, nose STILL in the air. "HUMPH!"
Ragou sighed, then turned back to talk to me. "What a cold-hearted person she has become. Anyway, inform your captain that I'm headed back to Capua Nor tonight to oversee a little project that I'm currently overseeing." He adjusted his glasses. "Nero, Bruno, see to it that things are taken here of in my absence. I've already made the arrangements."
"Understood, our baron." Nero and Bruno bow as Ragou turned and left to take a carriage down to his personal schooner which was departing tonight.
"And that will be all from you, Flynn." Nero said to me as he and Bruno escort lady Estellise to her room.
"Please be safe, sir Flynn." Lady Estellise said over her shoulder as she walked away.
"Don't worry, lady Estellise." I thought as they went around the corner and out of sight. "In a few more hours, this will all be over."
(The Dining Hall)
I later met Julia in the dining hall as she and Hannah were getting the tables set. "Hello Flynn." She greeted. "How did your patrol go?"
"It was reasonably quiet, Julia." I replied. "Also..."
I walked up to them and talked just loud enough for the two maids to hear. "We found our man."
"I see." Julia replied just loud enough for me to hear. "Is he making the antidote?"
"He is." I answered. "Sodia, Bernard and Witcher are with him right now, and they should be up here in about a few hours."
"Oh dear." Julia placed her hand on her chin. "And those three are going to be rather putrid."
Tell me about it. I remembered her, Rita and Simon spent a couple of hours afterwords in three separate bath tubs filled to the brim with tomato juice after they brewed that antidote for Reiko.
"Hannah, as soon as we are done with setting out the plates, I want you and Natalie to get the bath hall readied for four guests, three male, one female, and their baths are to be filled with tomato juice instead of water."
"Certainly, lady Julia." Hannah nodded. "Though I fear this is going to greatly impact our supply of tomato juice for a while. And dame Margaret may not approve."
"If she does, tell her that I'll take full responsibility, Hannah." Julia reassured.
"Arigatō, Ojou-sama." Hannah bowed.
"Oh yeah, I god some good news and some bad news, ladies." I said.
"So what's the bad news?" Julia asked.
"Councilmen Nero and Bruno are still in the castle." I answered. "I fear they might be up to something."
"And the good news.?" Julia asked.
"Baron Ragou has left the castle and is taking the ship for Capua Nor tonight." I smiled.
"Oh goody." Julia grinned. "Now I don't have to look at his rather unpleasant, oversized nose. Or is that his mole? Hard to tell the two apart at times."
We had a bit of a laugh at that one, There are quite a few private jokes here in the castle that involve that oversized mole on the right side of his nose... Or is it the other way around considering that it's almost as big.
"By the way, Julia, I noticed earlier that councilman Nero had his right wrist all taped up." I said. "What happened?"
"Oh that..." Julia replied, resting her chin on her hand. "I had to teach Nero a little lesson about private space."
"Julia." I gave her that look.
"What? You didn't expect me to keep allowing him to grope my breast." Julia explained.
"You couldn't just slap him, huh." I smiled. "Well anyway I hope he's learned his lesson."
"Me too, Flynn." Julia smiled. "Anyway I have to get back to setting up the tables." She went back to setting up the plates.
"Right. Meanwhile, I have to go get my report readied for sir Jurgis." I turn to leave. "Talk to you later." And I headed back to my room.
(Flynn's room)
Well, Yuri's about to be released shortly and will soon head back to the Comet, no doubt Anna's gonna give him an earful. Heh heh heh.
And right now, I'm in my room filling out my reports for sir Jurgis when I heard a knock on my door..."Who is it?" I called out.
"It's me, captain Jurgis." Sir Jurgis answered on the other side. I got up and opened the door, saluting my captain as he entered. Accompanying him was my lieutenant, Sodia. "Good evening, lieutenant Flynn, I trust your report is ready."
"It is, sir Jurgis." I replied, handing him my report for my recent patrol.
Sir Jurgis reads my report. "Hmm, good. Very low monster activity, normal traffic. Found specific Krytian hippie, returned him to Zaphias. Satisfactory, lieutenant Flynn." He smiled and saluted.
"Thank you sir." I returned the salute. "Speaking of that hippie." I turned to Sodia, which I noticed was smelling a bit ripe. "Judging from the odor coming off you, Sodia, I can assume that Saleam has made his potions. Pee-yew." I waved my hand.
"Yes, sir." Sodia saluted, I again returned her salute. "He's already brought up the antidote and his equipment, which is currently being cleaned and readied in the castle infirmary. He's currently in the bath hall, getting that stink removed. I hope he doesn't leave a ring around the tub."
"You guys are certainly doing a lot of saluting tonight." Said a voice behind us. We turn to see that it belonged to Hannah, who was carrying a basket full of cans of tomato-juice.
"I just about got your own tomato-juice bath readied, Sodia. I suggest you go and take it right away if you wish to remove that unpleasant odor." she recommended.
"Thank you Hannah." Sodia replied. "I'll go take it right now."
Just then. "AAAIIIEEE! FLYNN! HELP MEEE!" Witcher came running pell-mell down the hall towards us chased by a maid named Natalie. "THEY'RE GONNA FORCE ME TO TAKE A BATH IN TOMATO-JUICE! I'M SCARED!"
"C'MERE YOU STINKY LITTLE PIP-SQUEAK!" Natalie shouted as she gave chase. "YOU'RE NOT STINKING UP MY CASTLE ON MY WATCH! SOMEONE STOP HIM!"
"Very well." Sodia spun around, casually puts her foot out, causing Witcher to...
Trip head over heels. "AAAIIIEEE!" And land with a thump on the floor. "Sodia!? Why'd you do that for?"
"One fleeing squirt you wanted stopped, stopped, Natalie." Sodia smiled as Natalie...
Finally grabbed Witcher. "Gotcha, you smelly little twerp!"
"NOOOO!" Witcher cried! "Flynn, save meee! I'm too cute to be washed in tomato-juice!"
"Thanks for tripping him up for me, Sodia." Natalie smiled as she held on the frantically squirming Witcher. "I swear that little pip-squeak and Saleam smell worse than those two dark-skinned oversexed jackasses, Eric and Stan... And that's saying something!"
I agree. I've had my fair share of run-ins with those two, both before.
"C'mon you! It's bath time!" Natalie dragged Witcher away by the collar.
"AAAIIIEEE!" Witcher cried as he was dragged to the castle's washroom. We followed them to the washroom where we saw both Saleam and Bernard sitting in the main bath, which was filled with tomato-juice instead of water. There was a partition separating one of the auxiliary tubs from the rest of the room, that must where Sodia will be washing.
"Okay, Sodia your bath's over there." Natalie pointed at the partition. Sodia nodded and, accompanied by Hannah goes behind the partition. "Now for you, pip-squeak!" She starts to strip Witcher.
"Uwah! Ah! Oh No! Stop! Please!" Witcher begged as Natalie pulled his smelly clothes off.
"Oh, quit your bellyaching you!" Natalie replied. "Besides, you're just a kid! Now GET IN THERE!" She flung Witcher into the bath.
"AAAIIIEEE!" A now naked Witcher yelled as he spun head over heels through the air before he...
*KER-SPLASH*
Slashed into the tomato-juice. "Is this any way to treat a mage?" Witcher' head pops up and looks up at Natalie with forlorn eyes.
"Didn't know that this bath hall came with a tidal wave." Saleam commented, both him and Bernard now dripping in tomato-juice.
"Only if we throw a kid in it." Bernard added. Both me and sit Jurgis were laughing…
Along with Saleam and Bernard, Natalie and Hannah, and Sodia, who poked her head above the partition.
"Now that makes my day. Ha ha ha ha!" Sodia laughed.
"Well I don't think it's funny." Witcher replied.
Suddenly, we heard footsteps running down the hall. "Flynn! FLYNN! Dammit! Where are you!? FLYNN!" That sounded like Julia, And she sounds rather upset.
(End Part 5)
Author's Notes:
From Wikipedia; A libertine is one devoid of most moral restraints, which are seen as unnecessary or undesirable, especially one who ignores or even spurns accepted morals and forms of behavior sanctified by the larger society. Libertines place value on physical pleasures, meaning those experienced through the senses.
Kinda best describes quite a few of the upper class villains like Ragou here in 'Scattered Moon' and Gradana and his cronies in 'Scattered Flowers' doesn't it.
Saleam's wagon paint job and name are based of a well-known hippie bus called 'Further' which was owned by Ken Kesey and the 'Merry Pranksters' from 1964 on.
Here in Canada, believe it or not, medical marijuana is legalized. Although it's only partially legalized in the U.S.A., And still Illegal in Japan, where TOV was created.
Any that's it for this chapter, next chapter, we're gonna the cover what was happening at the castle while Flynn was out on patrol.