Captive Knight

PT3

*A maid enters a bedroom carrying a teapot and a cup on a silver platter approaching a well dressed, red-haired, Peachy skinned woman who seemed to be worried. Her mind appears lost in thought as she fails to acknowledge that her tea has arrived until the maid light taps her shoulder ushering her back to reality.*

Maid: Lady Claudia, your tea will get cold if you sit idle.

Claudia: Right, thank you, Shaula.

*Shaula bows before leaving the room. Claudia drinks her tea and takes a deep breath as if she longed for something.*

Claudia: (It has been weeks since I heard any word about my sister's whereabouts. She couldn't have just disappeared off the face of the earth. The Engelgard Kingdom needs it's next heir to the Royal army...and I need my little sister to speak my name once more. Not a word from the mercenaries I sought to hire, she has sent no word about her current standing...oh, Elise, where are you?)

*In her train of thought, she is interrupted by the sound of a loud banging.*

Claudia: What is that!?

Shaula: It must be someone at the doo-

*A butler storms into the room interrupting Shaula.*

Butler: Lady Claudia, there's an evil-looking woman at the door carrying a blood-stained man who appears to be dead.

Claudia: What!?

*Claudia grabbed her golden Rapier and approached the front door with caution. She opened the door to see a tanned woman with red dreadlocks, barbaric clothing, metal wristbands, a club sheathed in her belt and a war ax in her hand.*

Claudia: State your business or leave.

*The woman throws the dead body at Claudia's feet causing blood to splatter all over the freshly scrubbed tile floor.*

Warrior: Yoja, the cannibal. Wanted for 60 counts of murder and blasphemy in this country. The Engelgard kingdom pays handsomely for his head dead or alive, no?

Claudia: That's true...who are you?

Rizzah: I am Rizzah. A mercenary from the south.

Claudia: Which means you're from Umbral, the country of shadows.

Rizzah: Correct, Claudia, the valiant.

Claudia: My reputation proceeds me...as does yours. You're a famous mercenary in your country. I dare say the world. Fine, you shall have your reward, but I wish to make you an offer to double your reward.

Rizzah: Triple.

Claudia:...

Rizzah: How badly do you want this done?

Claudia: Triple.

*Rizzah gave a devious grin to Claudia who invited her in to rest her weary bones from traveling from such a long way.*

Claudia: I rather you did not follow me smelling like that, so please take a shower.

Rizzah: Accepted.

*Rizzah is escorted to the showers where she is undressed and begins to bathe. Her clothes are taken by the maids who try their best to wash them using magic instead of normal means. In her room, Claudia equips herself with her battle armor and prays to the small shrine of her parents before leaving to meet with Rizzah once more in the foyer. Rizzah's appearances seem slightly different from before as the filth had been hiding her true beauty.*

Claudia: You clean up well.

Rizzah: For a mongrel?

Claudia: The others in this country think of Umbral as nothing more, than murderers and thieves, however, I think that the country is nice. Between you and me, I've visited on many occasions. I'm sure you've heard of the Iron Armed Maiden.