Hello everyone, sorry for the long delay, but I have been busy with a few things. Such as revitalizing the Shady Rest story. I was planning on doing something similar to last time. But then realized that sucked, so I am doing it a little differently and a lot more interesting than last time.
Nothing major to report, except that the reviews will be where they are normally and also the old chapters for Transcendence before the rewrite are on the Transcendence Fanon Wiki. So check it out if you want to read up on the old chapters. Also if you are interested check out the other pages available and you will like what you see.
Also I would like to thank Xbox432 for Beta-reading these chapter for me, he deserves much praise for his hard work. Thank you Xbox432 you make this story so much greater.
Now on with the story, three chapters for you all. Am I not kind.
Transcendence
Chapter 13: The Plot Thickens
Captain Vimes looked at the young boy and girl standing in front of him, the former had a scowl etched into his features while the latter's was only marred with concern. Yet they were not the only three within the room, behind the two teenagers were a dozen guards, ready to subdue them both should they try anything. Call it a little over precautious, but that boy got past three times as many, and the girl easily dispatched another. He would rather be certain they could be captured again than risk them attacking and escaping.
Ichigo Kurosaki, a name that he found hard to pronounce and also hard to figure out what tongue it is derived from. Adelina, a young Druid companion to the boy, although she looked young there was no telling her true age, she could easily be twice the age of the old captain.
Vimes stayed behind his desk and was watching the two like a hawk, silently studying them to figure each of them out. He could easily see the boy was a hot-headed teen, as were most of the youth at his age, rebellious and disrespectful to authority. But this one was on a different level to the youths he had to deal with when he was younger, they usually didn't disrupt the peace and run around with a sword.
The girl seemed mostly reserved, he couldn't really get a read on her, and she seemed very blank and didn't really show much emotion. Very strange that.
But he was only doing this to wait for Colonel Lorena to arrive; she had taken special interest in this when she heard that two guards were being accused of attempted murder. Vimes actually scoffed at that silently, he couldn't believe for a second that two men that serve in this guard would stoop so low. Yet he had to give the two a chance to make their case, despite their previous act of uncivil behavior.
The door to the room opened and Lorena stepped in, walking right for the table. Her long chocolate brown hair was tied into a neat bun, while a few strands framed her face and contrasted deeply to her pale face. Her eyes were hard, showing the strength and authority, that she expressed with her stare as well as with each step she took.
"Are these two the ones that are accusing two guards of murder?" Lorena inquired, looking at the two, her voice betraying no emotion as she looked them over.
"Yes," Vimes replied, looking at them both. "As much as you two have caused nothing but a pain for the guard since this morning, I am willing to hear you out because of the severity of the crime you are accusing two guards of."
"Pain? I was trying to get to Adelina before that son of a bitch tried to cut her throat!" Ichigo shouted indignantly, slamming his hand on the table.
The guards reached for the swords and moved forward, but a raised hand from Vimes kept them at bay. Although the older man's eyes narrowed dangerously as he glared at Ichigo.
"You need to prove he did that, and do so without causing anymore outbursts," Vimes warned, looking into Ichigo's eyes and forcing the scowling teen to stand back up and speak calmly.
"What about the one in that medical bay, he tried to kill me too," Ichigo stated, keeping himself composed enough so that he the guards don't throw him out and call this whole thing off.
"Yes, we found Private Durham unconscious in the infirmary, he says he was checking on you and you attacked him," Vimes replied evenly.
He wanted to see the boy's sincerity in his claims; he wanted to make sure he was telling the truth. But he would not deal with a temperamental child who can't control himself, even if it was true or not he did not like the boys tone.
"He's lying, he attacked me, as soon as I woke up he tried to draw his sword on me," Ichigo rebuked.
"As much as I would take an attempted murder seriously, you are accusing two guards, one of whom is of upstanding character," Vimes stated.
"Right and it's not like there have been 'upstanding characters' in the past who have gone off the deep end and showed their true colors," Ichigo replied irritatingly, actually air quoting when he spoke, he was reminded of Aizen and Tousen, both of whom he was told were said to be very popular and caring people. The latter even being said to be a firm upholder of justice and honor, and look how they turned out.
"I cannot say anything about the man who attacked me, or his character, but I can assure you he did try to kill me while my back was turned," Adelina stated, knowing that when she saw the narrowing in the two officers eyes that they were getting close to snapping and tossing them into prison.
"What reason would he have to do this?" Colonel Lorena inquired, looking at the Elf.
"I do not know, I have only spoken to him once before today," Adelina said, but the two officers did not believe for one second that two of their solders would try and kill random stranger for no reason.
"So you have no proof what-so-ever?" Vimes asked, looking at the two, suspecting they were simply trying to save face or appear to be innocent by placing an even larger crime on the guards they attacked.
"What the hell is this? Question them! They tried to attack us; don't you think it is odd that the two of us just coming here and then two of your guys trying to kill us is odd?" Ichigo said, completely shocked at the simply incredibility these people seem to have to their case.
"And what reason would they have? You come here last night and have no prior contact with Theramore, what reason do two guardsmen have to want you both dead?" Vimes stated, glaring at them both as he rose from his seat.
"How would we know? I haven't even met them before, or even been to this place," Ichigo shouted, moving forward and matching the older man's glare with one of his own.
"Why are you here?" Lorena asked, defusing the situation before it turns into a fight, she wanted answers not some damn brawl.
"I need to meet with Jaina Proudmoore," Ichigo said, his posture returning to normal for a moment before addressing the Colonel directly.
"What business do you have with Lady Proudmoore?" Lorena asked, narrowing her eyes at the boy, there was no way she would meet with this boy unless he was someone of note and she has had no word of this boy, name or otherwise.
"It's private," Ichigo replied quickly, he knew he couldn't tell them, after all Shandris and her Sentinels went crazy when they figured out what he was and it was worse when they just suspected him. Imagine what these people would do, probably burn him at the stake for witchcraft or some shit, or being a demon.
"This is going nowhere," Vimes groaned out, pinching the bridge of his nose as the boy's lack of cooperation and being less than forthcoming with evidence.
"Because you aren't taking this seriously!" Ichigo shouted, his attention and anger focused back again onto the old Captain.
"Quiet boy! You have little respect and the treatment you have displayed to the guard is less than desired!"
"Well when one of you guys tried to kill me as soon as I met one I guess it is not too hard to understand why I feel I should get the hell out of here before another one of you tries again!" Ichigo shouted back, slamming his hands on the table and moved his head inches away from Vimes, both glaring at one another.
"I gave you a chance and all you are doing is rambling and making false accusations, I will not tolerate this," Vimes growled, motioning the guards with a nod of his head.
Ichigo instantly turned to them and clenched his fists ready to fight. But Adelina moved forward and tried in desperation to defuse the situation.
"Please! We came here because of dire matter, Ichigo truly needs to speak with Lady Proudmoore, I was sent as a guide by Ranger-General Shandris Feathermoon. Lady Proudmoore must have received a letter detailing our arrival, please speak with her," Adelina pleaded, not wanting this situation to escalate.
Lorena held up her hand and halted the guards advance; they pushed their swords back into their sheaths and slowly moved back and to the wall. Turning to the elf she demanded an answer.
"What is this matter? So I may relay it to Lady Jaina."
Adelina was silent for a moment; she couldn't give away any information, especially regarding what Ichigo is. Saying anything would be dangerous, his name may do but she didn't know if it would be enough. Then it came to her, his title would be enough.
"Tell her… that the Shinigami is here," Ichigo said, hopefully Shandris put in that letter what Ichigo was, it could help them.
Lorena raised an eyebrow, but none the less nodded her head.
"I will tell her when this meeting is over," Lorena replied, and Adelina let out a sigh of relief as well as a smile in gratitude.
"Shinigami?" Vimes commented, not recognizing the term or the language it belonged to.
"Can't tell you anything, was told not to," Ichigo replied, although he suspected what would happen next.
"I am getting tired of this boy, you have been less than civil in this meeting," Vimes warned him, he was only a second away from telling the guard to take them to a cell.
"Listen, I do not know why he wanted to kill me, I only know he just did," Ichigo replied, being calm and serious in his statement, knowing that getting angry would mean the guys would try to take them. If that happened they would be fighting their way out of the city.
"We have no evidence that says Private Gyram or Durham tried to attack you," Vimes replied, his voice equaling Ichigo's, but the substitute scowled in irritation and let out a groan.
"Durham? Does he wear red armor with a winged helm?" Adelina asked, remembering something, could he be the one that was with Gyram the night she arrived?
"Yes," Vimes replied.
"I remember now, I met him with Gyram, he spoke with me a few hours after I arrived, he wanted to know what happened to me and Ichigo before we arrived," Adelina said, but she was surprised as to why both Lorena and Vimes seemed to be confused.
"I don't have a report on that," Vimes stated, looking at the girl questionably.
"What?" Adelina looked shocked, more than she really should. "But you should all know we were there when the attack occurred; don't you actually know who we are?"
"What are you talking about?" Lorena asked, finding the girls surprise to be odd, why was she so worked up.
"You… you don't know?" Adelina asked, her voice wavering slightly, as if frightened to tell them.
"Girl, what are you not telling us?" Vimes asked, the girl knew something, very important from the looks of how she was acting.
"The massacre…," Adelina started hesitantly, several eyes widened slightly at those words, but an outcry of shock accompanied the following. "At Shady Rest."
"Massacre!"
"What!"
Both Lorena and Vimes shouted at them respectfully, their eyes widening at the sudden statement. They couldn't have heard that right, a massacre! Vimes leaned onto the table and levelled his eyes on the girl.
"Is that true! If you are lying to me girl, by the light…!" Vimes shouted, this better not be a lie, he would not tolerate more of these peoples actions. He would have them flogged for it.
"It is true, I was in Shady Rest, it is why Ichigo was wounded, he was hurt when the town was attacked," Adelina said, defending her statement.
Vimes kept his eyes on the girl, looking for anything to say she was lying, even the most subtle of hint. But he couldn't find one, either she was a damn good liar, or…
"The attack, what happened?" Lorena asked, her voice low, barely a whisper.
Adelina quickly composed herself and went on to tell them of the attack, their stay in the Inn and the sacking of the town. How two Tauren had attacked the inn and burnt it to the ground, Ichigo and Adelina only surviving because they fell into the cellar and escaped the flames. Then the aftermath, the charred corpses of the villagers were all that remained and a few standing pieces of wood that were the homes of the villagers.
Adelina looked over to Ichigo, and to her worry she saw his eyes were wide in shock as she finished her retelling of the events. She did not like saying this; Ichigo was very fragile when it came to death, he did not take the deaths of people well. Even after the battle of Feathermoon Ichigo had inquired as to how many were killed.
It was obvious to her that he valued all life, ironic considering his profession as a harvester of souls. But he always saw himself as someone who protected life, and to be stopped and allow others to die while he was there destroys him. It would be like tearing away the magical powers of a mage, the Light from a paladin, or the elements from a shaman.
"The Horde…," Lorena seethed, Adelina turned to the woman as her eyes narrowed dangerously.
"What you are telling us is not something that can be taken lightly, if you are right about what you say, and the Horde has openly attacked an Alliance settlement," Vimes stated grimly, the old captain's posture looked tired; it was as if he had aged considerably in the last few moments. "This would likely be the beginning of a first strike against Theramore and the Alliance; this may be the start of a war."
"Do you have any other witnesses, where there any survivors, we need to know if anyone may have survived," Lorena asked, looking at them with an unflinching stare, the thought of the Horde massacring civilians brought up horrible memories for her. But it was even worse for those who survived; being left in the ruins of their homes surrounded by their dead families was more horrible than anyone could understand.
"As much as it pains me, this is the truth, the town was attacked and everyone was killed, I do not know if anyone survived," Adelina replied, stealing a glance to Ichigo and her heart sank when she saw his eyes seem to darken and lose some color.
"We need to speak with Lady Proudmoore about this, she needs to know immediately," Lorena stated firmly, moving for the door, ready to deliver the report. She halted momentarily to look back at Vimes, waiting for him to follow, but he simply stood by his desk.
"I will join you shortly," Vimes said, before Lorena nodded and left the room, a few minutes later Vimes turned to the guards. "Leave us alone."
With only a moment to acknowledge the command the twelve soldiers turned and ushered out of the room. Ichigo, Adelina, and Vimes were the only ones left in the room, and an uncomfortable silence descended on the occupants. It remained like this for a few minutes, no one having the willingness to speak.
"What you say gives me great concern, for not only have you claimed to be victims in a plot to take your lives, but also survivors of a massacre that claimed an entire village," Vimes said, finally pushing himself off the desk. "I do not know if they are linked, Light I hope they are not, but based on what you have told me I will have Gyram and Durham detained for questioning."
Vimes could not believe this, but he knew that the girl would not make this up; she didn't seem the type to lie. And the boy, Vimes looked at him, he could see the pain in those eyes. That was not the pain of someone who felt sorry for those who died, or was traumatized from surviving the massacre. No, the boy looked as if he had lost something, as if the attack had taken away a very important part of him. The boy looked like he lost his reason for being.
"I want you both to remain in Thermore for the time being, you will be called as witnesses and give your testimony later, ones that I will make sure see the light of day," Vimes finished, taking his eyes off the boy and moving for the door. "Go to the inn, get a room and remain there, I will send someone to collect your statements in full."
"What about Shady Rest? Are you going to look for survivors?" Ichigo asked, Vimes could see the desperate plea in the boy's eyes.
Vimes knew that the boy was taking this further than simple survivors guilt, he felt responsible for those people, even if he barely knew them. Because he was there, he thought he should have been able to protect them, but Vimes could do nothing for the boy sadly. Only give him the reassurance that they would try to find any who may still be alive.
"We will send an investigator; he will conduct a thorough investigation of the area to see if anyone survived," Vimes said, turning back to the door, only halting when he opened it to give them one final goodbye. "Go to the inn, we will talk again in time."
As soon as he closed the door the old Captain let out a pained breath, this would only get worse before it got better. He knew that there was more to this than what was known, he just hoped that it did not go to the level of bad he was thinking about.
"That will be thirty silver," Janene said with a smile, holding out her hand to the two young adolescents before her.
Adelina put the pieces into the innkeeper's hand, silently and without a word before leaving to their room. Ichigo following after her, his head bowed and his face betraying no emotion other than regret. Adelina had never seen him like this before, and she didn't know how she could possibly help him. She had known him for only a short time and couldn't possibly know how to bring him out of this downward spiral.
Both of them entered their newest accommodation, a small square single room that looked like a simple bedroom rather than housing for them both. Two single beds were against the far wall, separated from each other by a small table, while also were nearly touching the adjacent walls. Beside the beds there were only two more pieces of furniture in the room, a wash table with a bowl filled with water and a small cupboard for storage.
It was a very cramped and likely the most mundane of rooms they had ever rented, but they could only say they have rented once before.
Adelina moved for the bed and took a seat, letting out a breath; things were getting more complicated than they should have been. First the attack and now it appears as if there is some kind of conspiracy brewing, and now a possible conflict with the Horde. But sadly that was not what worried her so, the main concern was the young Shinigami who was sitting opposite to her on the other bed.
Ichigo's head was still bowed and he had not said a word since the meeting with Captain Vimes ended. Adelina knew exactly why he was like this, she should have been more careful with her words. But even then the thought that the town had been destroyed would have still had a severe effect on him.
"Ichigo…,"
"Are you sure? That no one survived?" Ichigo asked, interrupting her attempt to speak, catching Adelina off center.
Adelina watched as he lifted his head and stared at her, his very gaze was pleading with her to tell him what he needed to relieve himself of some grief. To give him a shred of hope that there was someone that had not fallen, that even in all the death someone had survived.
"I do not know. I couldn't find any survivors," Adelina said, feeling pain herself as she delivered the spirit crushing words to the substitute, her heart sank even further when she watched Ichigo's head drop down. "I'm sorry Ichigo, I am so sorry."
He remained motionless for a few minutes, his hands gripping the sheets beside him in frustration. Soon he shot up from the bed and moved to the small open space between the beds and the door, pacing over the two meter from wall to wall. A flurry of emotions passed over his face and through his mind as he tried to come to terms with what had transpired.
Anger to the ones who attacked the town, shame in the fact he was bested before he could stop them, and grief for allowing them to destroy the town while he could have prevented it. The thought alone of what happened to them, how they died was driving him insane, filling him with unimaginable despair.
He should have been able to stop them, he was stronger than this, and he should have been able to save that town like he always did with Karakura town. He had taken on all kinds of enemies since he became a Shinigami, Hollows, Espada, and even other Shinigami whose power easily overshadowed his own. Against them all he always fought hard and in the end he would come out on top, no matter the odds, he would always win.
But Shady Rest, how had he not been able to stop them? How was he unable to stop a bunch of angry bulls from killing everyone around him!
Ichigo punched the wall beside him, the wood cracking under his strike and falling to the ground with a small thud. A scowl worked its way onto his face, he drew his hand to see a small bruise along his knuckles and a small cut. His scowl deepened and his teeth grounded to the core as he saw the small trail of blood pool around the cut along his knuckle.
How was it possible?
What kind of cruel joke was this?
Was he in some kind of twisted hell that continued to mock him and who he was?
"When did I become so weak…?" Ichigo murmured, leaning against the wall and using it to keep himself standing. "When did I lose the strength to protect people?"
Always he had protected his friends and family, even people he never knew he would make sure they were safe. It was simply who he was, he would always make sure that no one would be in danger while he was around. One who protects, that was his name; it was who he was down to the very core of his entire being. Nothing was more important to him than that.
But ever since he came here, Ichigo has found that he can barely save anyone. Ever since this war began he has been facing so many things, and always he was failing to uphold that ideal. Every conflict he entered it would only get worse, every battle would sow more destruction and death. Caught in it all were the very people that he was trying to keep safe, people he was failing.
Orihime, Nel, Chad, Ishida, Rukia, Renji, Karin, Yuza, Dad.
He was meant to protect them always, but he abandoned them, what kind of protector can't even protect these few people? He had left them all and thousands of others to the cruelty of the Espada and Aizen. That was the greatest of failures, and from it more would spawn to further remind him of his weakness. He failed to keep people safe, ever since he came here people have been hurt and killed because of his inability to fight.
Every time something went down, where people were in danger he could do nothing to save them. He knew that he wasn't some kind of superman that could protect everyone, but dear god! He should be able to protect some!
He was there, he had the power and strength to fight them and beat them. He could have saved that town easily, and everyone in it. But he was beaten with only a wave of the hand from one of those Tauren. He was taken down by an opponent that he could have mopped the floor with and because of it everyone he was meant to protect is dead!
Ichigo thought he had the power to save anyone and everyone, but what good was power if he can't even protect a single god damn person. What purpose did he have if he couldn't even live up to his own name?
"Ichigo, it will be alright." Adelina said, kneeling in front of the substitute, trying to rouse him from the miserable state he was in.
"How can it get better? Everyone is dead!" Ichigo shouted, feeling his anger rise to the surface again.
"They will be avenged, those who did this will be punished, and we only need to ensure that their deaths are not left unpunished," Adelina replied, trying to let him see that there will be justice for the massacre, the people slain would be avenged.
"It doesn't matter, they're all still dead," Ichigo said, his anger evaporated into self-loathing. "I should have stopped it, I was there, why couldn't I stop it!"
Adelina was silent, not knowing how she could reach him or give him comfort. He had been though a traumatic experience with his near death. Yet it was not his own mortality that brought the proud Reaper so low, it was the death around him that struck at his heart. Adelina was lucky he was not conscious when she pulled him from the rubble of the inn, the sight of that place would have only caused him greater pain.
Adelina lifted herself up and walked to the door, planning to leave Ichigo alone for a while. There was nothing she could do for him; he would need time to overcome his grief. She just hoped that when the time came for him to meet with Jaina that he would be ready to depart, if he didn't, she didn't know if he could survive returning back to his home.
Adelina said a silent prayer to the goddess, begging that the Shinigami she had come to see as a dear friend could find some comfort.
Vimes entered the Citadel, the great tower that sat in the very center of Theramore. It was a massive spire of ivory stone that rose above even the great walls that surrounded the small coastal city. It overlooked the entire isle and far over the sea and even into the marshes, although the former was a much more pleasing view.
The tower was a multi-floored library filled with hundreds of tomes, ranging from historical to magical. Inside dozens of serfs and a few magi were busy sorting the different tomes among the shelves, or busy looking through them with great enthusiasm. Mages were entirely out of his comprehension, they were theorists and seekers of knowledge. Yet trying to get them to explain something simple was a chore in of itself, they were too academic to actually speak plain common.
None the less he gave them little thought as he moved up the winding staircase, rising to the top of the tower where Jaina Proudmoore was likely to be. After all it was her private sanctuary and a sort of throne room, although Jaina often denounced the latter statement saying it was nothing of the sort. But none the less it was the only place you could find the ruler of Theramore during most times of the day.
"Are you sure he said Shinigami?" Vimes halted in his step, looking up to the top floor where he heard the hushed exclamation. He could easily hear the worry in the query, and if made him even more worried when it came from their ruler.
"Yes, he said it himself, he didn't say anything else, and he said you would understand." Lorena replied.
Captain Vimes took one last step and finally stepped onto the top floor of the Citadel. He easily found Lorena and Jaina speaking off to the side; the latter appeared to be quite concerned. It was obvious that the boy being here was the cause of her anxiety, there was something more to this than he thought. He had never seen Jaina so unsettled before, and that gave him concern to be just as wary of the boy as she was.
"Lady Proudmoore," Vimes said with a bow to make himself known.
Jaina turned and quickly composed her features and welcomes the Captain with a smile and nod of her head.
"Captain, I am glad you are here, I have heard from Lorena of what has occurred," Jaina said, obviously changing the topic to the present one where they are now, but there was still a hint of worry in her eyes.
"Yes, Shady Rest was destroyed, and by the accounts of the two survivors, by the Horde," Vimes said, getting the matter down pat, this was not something with which to waste time with hollow wordplay and theatrics.
Everyone knew the implications of something like this, open war. The truce between the Alliance and Horde was shaky at best; it was even more unstable between the Sentinels in Ashenvale and the Warsong Outriders. Both these parties have been fighting in small skirmishes for the last three years in eastern parts of Ashenvale.
The only reason the Horde and Alliance had not dissolved into conflict was because the two forces have acted against the wishes of their leaders. The Sentinels, mostly the Silverwing sect, have openly tried to remove the Warsong from Ashenvale. While the Warsong have been continuing their lumbering operations despite continual disagreements with the Warchief and several Shamans.
Both of them have been fighting for some times, all attempts to stop the fighting have been impossible. As the Horde cannot stop their lumbering operations as they are in desperate need, and the Sentinels are still spurred with the Warsongs actions during the Third War to halt their acts of retribution against the Orcs. Luckily the fighting has only been isolated inside Ashenvale and between these two groups, leaving the rest of the Alliance and Horde in a state of ceasefire.
But this was not a skirmish, it was an open attack on one of their settlements; the accusation alone could lead to a reprisal and very dangerous tension. Maybe even ignite a few eager warlords into taking action against the Alliance for disgracing their 'honor'.
"War seems like the only inevitability here, and it is worse since we have nothing but the accounts of the two survivors," Jaina said, already trying to figure out a course of action out of this.
If they could somehow prove who was responsible, action can be taken to deal with them. She knew well not to simply jump to conclusions and simply point fingers, last time that happened Theramore and Ogrimmar were set to destroy one another. All because of the machinations of a demon and his cult, they needed to be smart about this and find the motive.
"That may be the case milady; the Horde may be preparing for an offensive, the destruction of Shady Rest may be the beginning of more attacks," Lorena stated.
"Thrall would not so willingly disrupt the peace, no matter the reason," Jaina said, she knew him very well and his ideals for the Horde. He would not take them down a path that could lead to their destruction or lead to the deaths of many of his people. He was better than that; he valued lives over conquest and power, it was what she respected about him.
"Yet eight months ago…," Lorena began.
"Eight months ago was the malicious dabbling of demons, not the Horde." Jaina corrected quickly before the Colonel could build steam, Lorena was not someone who trusted the Horde.
That she could understand, the Colonel's family had suffered greatly at the hands of the Horde when she was younger. Three of her nine brothers were dead because of the Second War, it was more than enough reason for her to hate them.
"Yet this time the case may be different," Lorena replied, she may be completely loyal to Lady Proudmoore but she did not share her sentiment that the Horde was more than just a group of savages and animals.
"Two Tauren were seen at the scene, one was killed and the other is still presumed to be alive, yet the other attackers were not seen and there are no other survivors present to testify," Vimes said, getting the topic back on hand and with the facts that were known.
"Sadly that is all we have to go on, without any actual proof of who was responsible we likely cannot make any claims as to who the attackers were or who they are affiliated with," Jaina said, thinking on this deeply, material witnesses were good, but material evidence was even better.
If they could link this to a group or a single individual they could easily try that person for the attack. Even if he was a member of the Horde the criminal would be tried for the attack on an Alliance settlement, although even if his crimes were serious the action taken may not be seen as just in the eyes of the Alliance. They would want to try the criminal personally, something Jaina would also desire, but she doubted Thrall would give up one of his own people. She would do no such thing if it was the other way around; it was a betrayal on a level she never dared to cross.
"I plan to send an investigator to the town to see if there are clues as to who was responsible, be it a rogue band of warriors or the Horde," Vimes said.
"Yes, send him out today, I want a report as soon as possible," Jaina said, nodding her head in affirmative to the Captains plan, but she quickly moved on to the next subject at hand. "Now about this other problem, from what Lorena has told me this incident has been reported earlier, last night in fact."
"Yes, it would appear that two soldiers, Privates Gyram and Durham, concealed the report and tried to murder the witnesses," Vimes replied; the Captain was bitter that two soldiers in the guard tried to murder innocent kids.
"Do we have a motive?" Jaina asked, wanting to know why they would conceal such a dangerous thing from them and try to murder those who brought it forward.
"No, but I will be interrogating them soon enough, they have been confined to the stockades as a precaution," Vimes replied, nodding her head in understanding Jaina moved to the final topic that she had saved for last.
"The survivors, where are they now?" Jaina asked, the concern in her voice was hidden well, but she could not control how low her voice sounded as she asked the innocent question.
"I sent them to the inn, they should be there now," Vimes replied, he was very concerned at Jaina's obvious unease towards them, specifically the boy.
"I would like to speak with them," Jaina said quickly.
She needed to speak with them on two very important matters; the events of Shady Rest were paramount at the moment. But Ichigo Kurosaki was someone she needed to deal with now, he could not be left alone without her speaking with him. He carried a power that she did not fully understand and with him being in this city was a great concern to her, as she knew nothing personally about the boy who carried it.
"With respect Lady Proudmoore, the young man seems to be severely traumatized, when he learned of the massacre, he… appeared to blame himself," Vimes said, the boy was a hot head and a pain, but even the old man could see that the kid was not heartless.
Vimes saw the way his face contorted into horror as he was told of the town's destruction; he felt the pain of those people dying. The boy was a fighter, maybe not one who looked to start them or revel in a battle, but he did take the lives around him very seriously. The Captain didn't know why he felt like that, but he knew the boy needed to recover before he was interrogated.
"Traumatized," Jaina stated, looking surprised before a sort of understanding dawned on her. "I understand. I would like you to check up on him later, to see if he recovers, it is important that I speak with him, but only when he is well enough to speak."
"Yes milady," Vimes said, bowing slightly before turning off to begin his interrogation of two possible traitors.
"Who is this boy?" Lorena asked, curious as to why Jaina needed to meet him.
He sounded and appeared to be a hot-headed teen to her. But the way Jaina reacted to his presence being here made it seem as if Archimonde himself had just stepped into Theramore. Lorena did not like it when there was a possible danger in this city, but she trusted Lady Proudmoore's judgment if she kept it secret. Though she would need to keep an eye on the boy, just in case.
"He is a unique individual, that I can say for certain, almost contradictory to his profession," Jaina said, almost to herself as if she was having an even deeper conversation within her mind, giving little coherent information to the Colonel. "The nature of that boy I cannot reveal, so please do not try to press the matter further, I will handle it."
"I understand, but if he starts running around like a madman again I will put him in the stockades," Lorena replied, bowing to Jaina before turning off and making her exit.
Jaina watched her leave, and as the Colonel finally was out of sight she let out a breath of exhaustion. Things were getting more problematical than she would have liked, and more than she could deal with at the moment. For the last week the Shinigami was someone who had taken up most of her attention.
'A God of Death,' Jaina thought to herself.
When she first received the letter from Shandris she suspected that she was sending this Shinigami to her to figure out how to contain him, trick him somehow into being contained. After all beings such as Primal Gods are dangerous and very malicious entities that do not usually care for the lives of mortals. She had heard many times that the Trolls of the Gurubashi and Amani empires actually used beings such as these against the High Elves of Quel'Thalas.
So the thought of powerful beings that could topple entire armies was something she took very seriously. They were dangerous and violent, as most were, but it would seem that this boy was not the case. In the letter, Shandris showed that the boy possessed qualities that she would call almost childish for a being of his power and position to have. She said he was honorable, kind, and valued the lives of those around him; even his enemies and people he saw as complete strangers.
Shandris said that during the battle at Feathermoon, where an army of Naga had assaulted the stronghold, Ichigo had not taken a single life. Every enemy he defeated he did so without taking a single life, even protecting some of her warriors from harm. Jaina found it surprising, to say the least, a powerful god that would protect others and was unwilling to kill even his enemy.
But the real surprise came when she said he claimed to be from another world in the Greater Dark, having been thrown through the Nether by another powerful being. How he survived in the realm for several days evading capture before finally being caught and sentenced to execution. Only to be miraculously saved by being summoned.
'Too convenient,' Jaina had thought at the time, something that both Shandris and her shared.
But despite it all the boy offered a very compelling story, after all Shandris had sent him to her to find help. Jaina trusted Shandris with her life, but she had no idea where to begin to help someone of his power. Or even what he expected her to do in getting him home.
'Valued the lives of all around him…,' Jaina mused to herself quietly, remembering what Vimes had said about the boy being traumatized to learn of the attack and the people that had died there.
"I will need to meet him to be sure," Jaina said, moving off to her study, she would have a lot of work to do and little time to do it.
First would be Shady Rest, for she would not put anything else before her people. Then when this entire situation was finished, she would see if this Death God was as he was made out to be.
Vimes descended into the stockades, but in truth, it couldn't really be called that. All the stockades were was a single massive cellar beneath the barracks that were used for storage. They had a few cages down there to put in any troublemakers, most of the time they never used them. Only using them when the boys in Northwatch brought in the occasional pirate for questioning, and that was rare, or drunks.
The cages were filthy and also looked rusty, not the perfect conditions to keep a prisoner sadly, but when you haven't used them for three months you tend to forget about them. There was no crime in Theramore, no thievery or even punch ups. In fact at one point when they told a recruit to send a drunk to the stockades he replied with: We have a stockade? Goes to show how much actual police work we do around here.
But today was different, very different; two guards were now in the cages as criminals. It was a sad day to see two men of the guard being held as criminals, especially when it was your own men. But Vimes swallowed his disappointment, as well as some disgust, he had questions for them.
"I think you know why you're here," Vimes questioned, looking at the two men, stripped of their armor and left in simple clothes to keep them modest and warm.
Although Vimes noted that they looked to be eating, he guessed that was not a real problem. They were still their men after all; special treatment was to be expected.
"Sir, we did not try to kill anyone, I was escorting the girl to the Mill," Gyram said, rising to his feet quickly and saluting.
"Why? What reason did she need to go to the mill? And why did you need to escort her?" Vimes asked.
"She needed to speak with Lady Jaina, but as she was indisposed I saw one of her handmaidens, and thought she could help her," Gyram replied.
"I only know of one handmaiden that serves Lady Jaina, and I know for certain she was not in that lumber mill," Vimes stated, finding the boy's obvious lie not to his liking.
"Sir, we are soldiers of Theramore, we are not criminals," Gyram tried again, attempting to save himself in any way he could.
"Both of you are being accused of attempted murder, and while there is little proof or motive I am forced to find out why you would try to commit such an act," Vimes said, glaring at them both.
"Sir, there is no reason, we have no motive to want either of the people who accused us dead," Gyram said, pleading for his Captain to understand.
"What about Shady Rest?" Vimes inquired, looking at the two men, noticing Gyram's eyes widen and his complexion pale slightly. "You withheld vital information, information that could lead to possible war."
Vimes narrowed his eyes, they knew, they knew about Shady Rest and withheld it voluntarily despite the danger.
"No sir, we didn't know anything, we didn't know what happened at Shady Rest!" Gyram said, to frantic to be believed by the Captain.
"Yet these two people, people who were said to be nearly killed, one spoke with you both, and told you about Shady Rest," Vimes replied evenly. "What does that tell me about you?"
"Sir, please I swear to you I knew nothing of the attack on Shady Rest," Gyram said hysterically, grabbing onto the bars and looking at his senior officer.
"Attack? What attack?" Vimes asked, feigning ignorance to get a reaction, and watched as the Private fumbled in surprise and tried to recover, again he lied.
"I… I heard it from the guards; they said we were being held for not telling them of the attack!" He quickly put out, but his lengthy explanation was not to the Captains liking, it was an obvious lie as were the many other excuses from the Private.
"You're lying to me boy, tell me why you did this and we'll make sure you are not hanged for withholding information that could result in war with the Horde," Vimes growled out, stepping forward and slamming his hand against the bars, making them rattle.
"Sir, please I am begging you, we did… we didn't…," Gyram coughed and stopped himself momentarily, trying to continue his defense. "I was only…"
Gyram slouched forward and kept coughing, clutching at his stomach and sagging down slightly. As Gyram tried to stand he failed to speak once more, instead he fell to his knees still grasping at the bar and his stomach and he descended into a coughing fit. Vimes saw this and then looked to Durham; who shared the Captain;s surprise.
Durham looked at the Private as he fell to the ground and continued to cough and thrash around. Looking at the food on the plate and the slice of bread in his hand, he knew exactly what happened. He threw the food away before kicking away the plate, running to the bars, and trying to get Vimes help. But the old Captain already knew what was happening, they had been poisoned.
"Guards!" Vimes called out.
He heard the door open, but as he turned back he saw Durham slouch to the ground, coughing hard. Gyram was worse off; he continued to cough, vomiting up bile and blood.
Hope you enjoyed, don't forget the other two chapters.
