Dreisterne

CHAPTER 16

The healing temple was quiet, its soft, flickering candlelight casting long shadows across the room. The air was heavy with anticipation, and the sharp scent of herbs mixed with the faint traces of blood, the aftermath of the cow farmer's injuries. Dreisterne stood in a corner, waiting as the young landlady took a deep breath, her frail frame still shaking from the trauma she had endured.

Harald took a step forward. He turned to the landlady, his gaze intense but gentle. "Do you have the strength to speak, Fräulein? We shall not press you, but we need your words."

The landlady's tired eyes met Harald's, then flickered nervously to the officers of the City Watch who stood beside the bed, silently taking notes. She took a moment to steady herself. "I-I must speak. You need to know... all of it."

The room fell into an almost suffocating silence as Erica began her tale, her voice trembling but determined. "My name is Erica Miles," she started, the weight of the words sinking in.

Dreisterne was momentarily stunned by this revelation. The elusive Erica Miles, the former maid and sommelier who fled for her life during the Skinner incident, has appeared before them at last. Nathan recovered quickly, speaking up before the silence stretched on too long. "Erica Miles? Did you ever work for Chef Robinson Gusteau in Dunsgoil Hill?"

"H-how did you know?" Erica stuttered, the terror in her eyes intensifying. "Are you Skinner's-"

Keith's eyebrows furrowed at the mention of Skinner, and he quickly interjected, "We put that slimy rat behind bars months ago. His army of thugs has probably scattered out of the country by now."

Erica's eyes darted between the trio, driven by both dread and hope quite near to tears. "Is..i-is that true? They're not coming after me anymore?"

"Nein, Frau Miles. We have put Skinner and his sordid little schemes dead in their tracks," Harald stated, before continuing with a smile. "Also, my compliments on hiding the deed. That saved Chef Gusteau more trouble than you realised. Oh, and the man sent you his regards, as well. He was hoping to see you again one day."

Erica was overcome with joy and relief, finally released from months of constantly living on the edge. A Healer in attendance offered her shoulder, comforting the landlady as she cried, while Dreisterne watched on with gentle smiles, each of them understood what she had been through while Skinner was at large. They let her take her time to let everything out, and eventually, Erica's tears subsided. Her smile at them as she sniffled and wiped the remnants of her tears expressed her gratitude more than words could say.

"When I think about it, Ms. Miles did call her farm the 'Miles farm' when we went to Usctenheim. How come that never crossed our minds right then and there?" Nathan wondered as hindsight reared in its ugly head.

Erica and the Healer chuckled when Harald and Keith could only offer shrugs as their responses.

"...So, I fled to Uschtenheim," Erica continued, her voice growing steadier. "As I was safe there, I decided to remain on my family farm, working with my brother. He was the real landlord, you see." Her voice broke slightly as she swallowed, the memories of that night still too fresh. "But, it didn't last. One day, a group of adventurers came to the village. Their leader must have been of a noble sort since his men were all armed and armoured like they were going to war. They asked for food and supplies, and the villagers including my brother, blessed be their hearts, welcomed them. He even offered them lodging for the night."

Harald's brow furrowed. "Rich and well-equipped adventurers, you say...?" He trailed off, feeling a nagging sense of familiarity creeping in. The pyromancer continued, "Did you notice any peculiarities about these so-called adventurers?"