Strahnbrad...a year later...

Its been two years since Sierra graduated from Dalaran fully after eight long years.

13 when Zachary married at 21, and they have no idea if Richter married, so after her last report of cleaning up Frankland of too much monsters, her family tasked her to check on Richter as to why he's not answering letters.

Strahnbrad is a town full of tudor-style houses.

It was like a typical medieval town of this world.

Small population unlike Frankland.

Sierra made a beeline for her brother's house and put an illusion over her glowing eyes before she knocked.

What answered was a woman. His wife?

'Yes?'

'Is Richter home? It's Sierra.' said Sierra. 'Dad asked me to check on him before I travel again. You Rick's wife?'

'Oh, he's home and no, I'm his sister-in-law Leila.' said the woman. 'He's upstairs because my sister, his wife suffered her second still birth and we haven't an idea why.'

'Still birth?!'

And so...

'Hey sis.' Richter looked really gloomy in greeting his sister. 'I don't know why but my wife Trina keeps losing kids...it's affecting both of us horribly!' he choked. 'By the way, why'd you drop by?'

'Well, our parents asked me to check on you before I travel for real.' said Sierra. 'I wanted to learn more about our world before I can even think about pursuing being an Archmage.' she said. 'You're not answering letters at all.'

'Well, how can I say that we're going through a rough time? It'd be horrible and cause our parents to worry...' Sierra looked annoyed now.

'You dork, while we would worry, we'd find a way to help too.' Sierra bonked him on the head. 'Just because you branched out doesn't mean you're cut!' she sighed before conjuring a chair to sit by the bedside. 'Trina was it? I'm Sierra the family youngest.' Sierra smiled kindly.

'Hello...' Trina greeted glumly. 'We're sorry about this state of affairs...I'm eating well and resting a lot, I just don't know what's wrong...' she sniffled. 'People outside are calling me weak and a failure already...rumors are also spreading!'

'And now that's stupid. You don't blame a person for miscarrying, there are factors in Still Births! If you're eating well following our family cookbook, it's impossible to have dead children because it's all healthy meals because we're a military family!' Sierra exclaimed before using Structural Analysis on Trina. She found a substance flowing in her body in high dosages. 'Ricky, Trina, when you guys married, did you get gifts?' she asked a strange question.

'Well duh...' Richter sweatdropped, baffled. 'Standard gifts...why ask?' However, the question got Richter worried. His sister is a mage. '...what did you find?'

'...high dosages of poison that's causing your problem.' Trina, her sister and Richter choked. 'Ricky, what is your family consuming at home?'

'Well, standard food and we ate well thanks to the cookbook and our stock of Peacebloom Tea...but when Trina got pregnant at first, we're so happy but she gets typical pregnancy symptoms...so a friend gives her tea to alleviate morning sickness.' now Sierra got worried. 'Then when she gave birth, our child is a stillborn. We lost two sons now.'

'...what tea is that? Let me see.'

'I'll go get it!' Richter quickly ran downstairs. He quickly picked up on what his sister was implying.

'...what about the tea?' Leila stammered out as she had a bad feeling creeping on her.

'It might be the culprit...because medicine and drugs all come from plants and monster parts.' said Sierra. 'If mixed right it's helpful, but when mixed in other ways...' now the two women gulped.

'Trina...Jessie gives you this tea whenever you get pregnant...' Leila stammered out. Trina shook.

'It can't be, she's my best friend...she won't do this to me.' Trina choked out in fear and denial.

'Who is Jessie?' Sierra asked the women.

'She's my best friend who works as a florist not far from here.' said Trina. 'Her mother is a Herbalist so they also do side businesses like selling tea and perfume sachets.' she said. 'Their wares are popular in town.'

'Then when my brother started courting you, did other women show interest? I know my brother's good-looking, it runs in the family.'

"Obviously!" the two sisters thought because Sierra, the sister-in-law is one hell of a beauty! Who's the mother of these siblings?!

'Interest...I know some girls did, trying to flirt and be cute, but Ricky's set only on me.' Trina giggled.

'Well, our father didn't raise no flirt and no womanizer.' Sierra stated proudly. 'If our family men sets their eyes on someone, they won't let go. If a man possesses even a single vice, they're not a real man at all.'

'The vices being gambling, women and alcohol.' said Richter as he got back with a jar. 'Those three things lead to an unhappy marriage.' he said, giving the jar to Sierra. 'Here sis.' Sierra then used her staff on the jar of tea bags.

'...while this is normal tea, what's mixed in is a small amount of a poisonous seed.' said Sierra, taking out a teabag, and opened it up, separating the leaves from a bit of crushed seed for them to see. 'This is the seed of Abrus herb. Its a contraceptive but causes organ failure over time, but if consumed while pregnant, it kills the baby slowly and being frail life forms, the damage in them is severe, that they die in the womb.' the family is now horrified.

'Because Trina gets these teas during pregnancy, she has minor organ damage already in the liver but the liver heals over time as long as one eats well. So she heals.'

'Sis, investigate Jessie.' Richter pleaded. 'Find Abrus in her family's flower shop! It's the only flower shop in Strahnbrad! Or find a paper trail! I'll speak with the town mayor about this!' he said, pocketing a tea bag. He was absolutely furious. 'You don't poison your best friends! What on earth is the motive?!'

'Alright. I'll pretend to buy herbs for healing potions.' said Sierra. 'But before that, I will purge the drug off Trina.' she said, taking Trina's arm. 'Trina, I will cause a small cut on your arm. I will use the wound as an exit point for my magic.' Trina gulped before nodding her consent.

With a glowing finger, Sierra caused an incision and Trina meeped in pain. Leila and Richter are now anxious as Sierra used her other hand to cause guiding motions over Trina's body.

Red blood came out at first but soon, Trina squirmed in discomfort.

'S-Sierra, something bulging is flowing in my arm!' she gasped out. 'It hurts!'

'Its the diseased flesh and blood. I'm extracting it now. It'll be done in a minute.' sure enough, the fresh red became darker red...and it became thicker, slowly dripping out like ooze, making an audible 'splotch' on the floor. The sight got the family nauseous. It was enough to fill a bowl. Trina felt faint from the pain and her blood loss and purge being internally-damaged, as Sierra quickly took out a Lesser Healing Potion to help Trina recover quickly. Her wound healed instantly.

'Phew...all clean now...back to eating healthy Trina.' said Sierra. 'You'll be fine. And never consume consumable gifts ever again. Trust only what you buy yourself. Avoid recommended things either as precaution when pregnant.'

'Alright...I thought I knew my neighbors too.' Trina lamented.

'I'll tell our parents while Ricky sees the Mayor.' said Leila with a dark look on her face. 'Sierra, how long will you stay?'

'Well, until this is done of course.' Sierra frowned. 'Nobody's going to get away from this!'

'I'd love to see them try run from you.' said Richter darkly. 'You're a powerful mage! Had you never dropped by, we'd never know!' and the two ran off, leaving Trina and Sierra upstairs.

'And I thought our family has no more drama after Zack's marriage.' Sierra sighed tiredly.

'Did brother-in-law have problems too?'

'Yes, but with magic, we avoided their scheming while still marrying the girl he wants.' said Sierra. 'His in-laws are awful human beings, to say the least.'

'Oh dear...'

'Did Ricky tell you stories about home?' rule 1: to avoid gold diggers, do NOT say you're a former noble!

'Yes...Ricky said your family has a military history while also being farmers, so he took a job in the Barracks as Military Instructor after proving his credentials. He earns 100 gold a month, so we're financially happy.' she said. 'Combat Instructor for Footmen during the morning, Farmer after Lunch. Doing two jobs gives him quite the paycheck.'

'Heee...well, do not diss what pays taxes and expenses.' Sierra shrugged. 'Military Academy isn't cheap after all. Especially Dalaran Education.'

'I heard from Rick that when you have mana, you're obliged to enrol out of duty as a mage instead...' Trina mused.

'Yeah, because some dangers can't be solved by swords and arrows alone. People capable of magic are in demand but very few born are capable of it.' said Sierra. 'To be a mage, light up the entire crystal, not just a bit of it. The price to pay was you can only marry a fellow mage so children are mages too.'

'Heee...'

'Well, when they're back, I'll act. I can't leave you alone even if you're better now.'

Meanwhile, Leila's Family...

Leila told her family the shocking discovery if not for a little bit of luck in the form of Richter's little sister Sierra. And Richter's out for war with a tea bag in his pocket as evidence to the Town Mayor to get justice for his wife.

Her parents were shocked, but shock turned to anger, before visiting their daughter's home.

Ever since he came in, Richter was obviously well-off.

His house was built made for six people. Him and his wife and four children. It's a large, lovely sturdy house. And Richter was tall, muscular and handsome with a good personality he was quickly well-liked. He applied for Instructor at age 20. Because he was a clearly well-off bachelor, single ladies did their darndest to appeal to the newcomer.

However, after two years, he only liked one girl who later became his wife. It was a comical, clumsy, bumbling courting. Richter was competent in everything BUT wooing a girl. He was clearly educated. Enough credentials to be a Barracks Instructor and owned expensive armor and equipment. He was also the only Knight in town. Does two jobs a day that his monthly paycheck is as handsome as he is. Amiable and an all-around nice guy you can't find fault...until he began courting.

He had no clue how to deal with girls.

Said girls were immensely dismayed, and jealous of the girl he focused on.

But because he was an open book, Trina eventually answered him back and they married at the local church.

People thought they'd be happy...until misfortune happened in the form of stillbirths. They lost a first son and having a stillborn severely weakened Trina.

They thought it's just one time...but they named their deceased son before burying him.

But two stillborns!

Losing another son!

Rumors began spreading that Trina is taking miscarrying drugs on purpose, but Richter won't hear of it and the angry father and in-law harangued women and punched men who claimed so but nobody knows who the source of the rumors were. Due to Richter's strength, he broke bones in one blow they needed Holy Magic to get fixed.

However, luck came in the form of sister-in-law who's a graduated mage who purged Trina's body off the contraceptive that was also poisonous enough to cause liver damage mixed into the tea bags. The tea bags contained tea leaves, and a small piece of the poison enough to harm just the baby to hide the true nature of the tea!

Now that the family were there, Sierra could move as she could not leave Trina alone.

At the flower shop...

Sierra pretended to be the Archer she was and went to the flower shop. She used telepathy on the employees there.

The owners were Jessie's family, and they have four employees. They sell flowers, herbs included IF its a flower.

Jessie was indeed the culprit.

She was Trina's best friend since they were kids. Until adulthood when a big time bachelor came to town.

Jessie was among the girls who tried to get Richter's attention. Trina did not because she was a workaholic who was helping out at their declining ranch due to debt, she had no time for love.

Yet for all her efforts, Trina won his heart without lifting a finger, being pursued by the new heartthrob. She was baffled when last she checked, she hardly left her ranch.

Jessie tried getting his attention, but Richter would politely turn her down saying 'Ahhh I already have someone, sorry...' to her mortification.

Her anger at Trina grew. She did everything to win Richter's heart, which she did without effort! What does she have that Jessie did not?!

And when the wedding came? Trina has a gorgeous dress, custom made by the tailor who knows Lordaeron's latest trends. The tailor goes to the royal capital every winter to catch up on trends. And when wedding gifts were an issue as while Trina's family had gifts for the new couple yet Richter had none to his in-laws?

'Ah, Richter's Groom Gift to the family was paying off the 60000 gold we owed to save our ranch!' said Mandy, Trina's mother to local shocks.

WHERE DID HE GET THAT MONEY?!

He's clearly rich! He was a dream husband girls wanted and yet...!

Anger in Jessie grew more, as Trina had the dream husband who doted on her. Her new home was lovely and spacious. And she could own dresses of the latest trends.

Until one day, she got an idea.

Her mother was an Herbalist, trusted by the locals. She was also the go-to when unmarried women had premaritals and 'got something'. But her mother's books while having reliable notes, too dangerous and she'll be too obvious!

Then one day, she heard a voice.

Use only a small piece to conceal its true nature.

That was an old man's voice.

Once she's gone, you can move in, you know?

'Who...?'

I am a friend who answers to those in need...you only need to give yourself to my people, and you shall have your wish. My acolytes will aid you.

...it seems the Cult is starting anew...Sierra has to know who the Acolytes are in this town and who else are influenced by the voice!

She had gone to the Church where there was a Priest. Typically elven of course.

'How may I serve a child of light today?' he asked her kindly.

'My good sir, as you know, Lordaeron has purged a certain cult.' Sierra began grimly. The priest stiffened at her words. 'But it seems they're actively recruiting again.'

'May I hear how you got wind of it?'

Sierra was investigating her older brother and sister-in-law's case and she was magically-investigating Jessie...the culprit behind her sister-in-law's still births using a carefully-dosed poisonous herb and how she treated her afterward to save her future ability to have kids.

'I see.' the priest wasn't too happy now. 'Seal the gates of Strahnbrad so that I may cast Holy Magic upon this town. Necromantic Magic and Fel Magic do not fare well against Holy Magic.' he said. 'Those who possess such evil magics, tend to react badly.' he stated with a dry smile.

'Yes sir!' with a wave of her staff, Sierra sealed the town, much to the disbelief of the Gatekeepers. 'I'll activate a barrier to contain the holy magic so the town remains basked in it.' she offered.

'Mm. I'll go to the belfry and cast the magic there.' and the priest left in a hurry to go to the belfry of the church. The priest went full-power.

"Wah, as expected of a Quel'thalas elf!" Sierra whistled as the whole town outside glowed so gold its like the sun came to say Hi!

She need only wait. People usually come to Church for injury help...

Worried townsfolk barged into the church, carrying three men who were smoking off of dark magic.

Normal people cannot see magical energy unless cast as spells.

'Pastor! Help!' a woman cried. 'These guys started crying in pain when Holy Magic was cast!'

'Pastor cast Holy Magic to smoke out evil in the first place.' Sierra informed them. 'For a cruel crime is planned by these three.'

'A cruel crime?'

'Yes...supplying someone with a poisonous herb fatal in normal doses, but if carefully cut down, the consumer is safe, but the baby dies.' the people froze and they know of the gossip going on. 'I am Sierra, Richter's younger sister.' by introducing herself, the handful of people gaped at her. 'Our family asked me to check on how he's doing and we're investigating Trina's still births.'

'Then is Trina...'

'No. My sister-in-law will not poison herself. My brother and Trina genuinely grieved for their lost sons.' Sierra shook her head. 'These evil merchants of death seek people whose hearts bear anger and hatred, and offer their help in exchange for a high price. And the true culprit is known to us now and we'll have them as soon as we obtain hardcore evidence to present.' she said.

'Oh my god! Then who's the culprit?!'

'You'll know soon enough. We need his holiness and the Town Hall to present our case.'

At the Town Hall, there was much drama to be had between two families when enough proof was obtained and horrifyingly,

Jessie heard the voice of an evil wizard and she became a member of the Cult of the Damned, an evil cult purged by the army not long ago for practicing evil magic and raising the dead for their bidding. She had to become a member, in exchange for Trina's death and Richter choosing her instead!

Jessie would normally be in prison for life for her stunt with Trina, but she consorted with an evil cult Lordaeron tried its best to purge. She was to be executed for joining the Cult of the Damned, and she was killed with the three acolytes who assisted her in getting Abrus Seeds.

While Jessie's family was innocent, they could no longer stay in town, for its now known that they are relatives of a poisoner and a cultist member. All bridges are understandably burned and they moved out, head hung low in shame for their daughter's deeds.

The atmosphere in Strahnbrad is now awkward. Trina was suspected of miscarrying on purpose for years when the truth is darker.

For Richter's safety, Sierra applied magical enchantments on Strahnbrad's walls and applied Magic Sentry upgrade on the guard towers she upgraded to Arcane Towers using resources mined from the nearby mountain that can detect people with malicious intent and users of necromantic magic...and cause the towers to shoot to kill, no questions asked and she had to send three reports...to the castle, to her mentor and to her family.

She also built Arcane Towers on the farms.

'Things will be alright now Ricky.' said Sierra. 'I sent the reports so we'll be active in hunting again.'

'I'm just happy Trina and I can start again anew. This time, with no crazy girls.' said Richter with a weak smile. 'This time, mom, dad and Zack won't worry about me anymore.'

'But we'll never forget the sons we lost for a shallow reason.' said Trina. 'I'd understand if Jessie actually loved Richter to pull her crimes off, but she wanted a fantasy and his money...she killed two innocent lives and sold herself for it...' she shook in dismay and anger. Her care for her best friend gone forever and what's left is resentment in turn.

It was now awkward for the other women in town who once flirted with Richter too.

'She has paid enough that she lost everything.' said Sierra. 'The most punishment you can give her is that she is simply not worth your thoughts. And ask Ricky why he chose you.' she chuckled before bidding the couple goodbye.