MALADIED

3. The Dawn of the Assassination I

Back at Fort Rye, the captain dismissed the official who then angrily stormed out of the office, clutching all his papers and documents that failed to convince the captain of his mischievous plans. The imperial soldier who delivered the news was left in charge of salvaging the remains of Rye Village with soldiers they could gather on short notice and those who had not left the fort.

As soon as the doors closed and the two left, a sigh escaped the captain's lips. He sank into his leather seat, his eyes were shut, and his breathing slowed down, but his mind was racing. Through the large windows, the sun was setting and the room started to dim, the captain's bulky figure casting a long shadow on the surface of the captain's desk.

Behind the closed large double doors, sounds of heavy iron armour clanked about and not even a second later, the door busted open, and a young woman boomed out, "Captain Reed! Is it true?! That Rye Village was attacked by the Maladied?!"

Guinevere Youngdawn's navy blue cape, embroidered with the kingdom's coat of arms, swished in the air, taking her helmet off her head, and revealing a distraught expression on her face. A migraine started to take over Captain Reed Lionheart. His eyebrows twitched; he just needed a quiet moment to think. However, he said, "If what Gabriel delivered is true, then the Maladied are already on their way to the capital as we speak. Gods forbid they have arrived in the capital."

Guinevere slammed her helmet on the desk letting out a loud thud that shook the whole desk. The captain raised his gaze to the young woman's eyes. Guinevere exclaimed, "Then, what are we waiting for? A formal invitation? We need to alert the guards at the capital! The people need to evacuate!"

Reed watched his young, hot-headed subordinate become impatient; her expression was only turning more intense. Sometimes, he wondered why Guinevere was placed under him in the unluckiest places of all the kingdom. Reports said Guinevere disrespected her previous captain and caused disturbance among her colleagues. Guinevere snatched her helmet off the desk, its long white helmet plumes swivelled around when she put it back on. She turned on her heel and marched towards the door.

The captain sounded, "Guinevere, one more step and you will be forced to remain in this fort."

Guinevere spoke, her voice echoed in her hollow iron armour, "I'm only acting what I think is best for the people! I will not serve a captain whose job is just sitting on his ass all day!"

Reed sighed heavily. "Alert the Imperial Mages Association now, we'll let them handle this," was all Reed could say after much contemplation.

Guinevere did not take it very well. That sentence irked her to her very core. There was nothing more that she hated than the very organization that kicked her out. Guinevere took a step, disregarding what her higher-up just said.

Reed slammed his desk in disapproval and boomed, "Guinevere! You alone cannot handle the Maladied! They don't even care for pawns like us! We are just not on their level!"

Guinevere paused, and argued, "Even so, I won't let them just waltz into the capital like that. They are heinous beings who seek madness and chaos. If one of them even as much as breathes the air in the capital, I have already failed as a knight."

"Just please alert the association, for Gods' sake!" Reed was now on his feet. He knew what the Maladied could do, he was scared and did not want anything to do with it.

"Oh, I will, captain," Guinevere said in a condescending tone before she clenched her teeth and disappeared through the double doors without turning back.

The captain collapsed back into his chair in defeat and muttered to himself, "At least close the fucking door."

***