Chapter 98

"What is the meaning of this?!" Samuel came bursting into the guardhouse along with Ida, Akak, and Asice.

"It has come to my attention that someone in your party has taken a bag of coins from one of our servants," said an older gentleman in light plate armor. This was the guard captain Jervis, who was also a veteran warrior. "This offense will not be taken lightly!"

"Julian is this true!?" Samuel glared at the thief.

"That man over there has no idea what he's talking about. I always planned on returning the coins."

Samuel found that hard to believe. He had to solve this quickly and finely. He turned to the mysterious warrior who had apparently been the one accusing his teammate.

"Are you sure about this sir...?"

"Kade," replied Kane, choosing not to disclose his real name. "I apologize for the disturbance but it is not befitting of a sellsword apart of the adventurers guild to be stealing from an employer's property."

"You are right. Helen, did you see any of this?" Samuel turned to the only other member of his party who was around when Julian was arrested.

"I did not. I was there when uh Mr. Kade came up to us."

"You wouldn't dare trust a word this stranger says right? Look at his ID he is brand new to the guild!"

"Yet he has more honest values than you do," said Jervis who saw as one of his guards found the coin purse in Julian's belongings.

"I would have returned it!" Julian was about to spout more words before Samuel came over and punched him.

"Sorry, Sir he has always been troublesome. Please don't let his actions reflect on the rest of our groups. I am sorry Julian but we hereby renounce you as a member of our party. He is all yours, Sir Jervis."

"You are pathetic! I swear you will pay! I am innocent! I am ah...!"

A rough but well-made blade poked out of Julian's stomach.

"Any crime committed on his lordship's estate will be heavily punished," said Jervis wiping the man's blood off his sword.

Samuel and his group looked on with shock and disbelief.

"Sir, was that really necessary? Wouldn't jail have been enough?" asked Samuel.

"We do not have one. Any crimes here have one end only. You can leave and this incident may be forgotten. Keep doing your work and you will be rewarded properly. Sir Kade as a thank you for your help you may have this saps payment. I will also inform the lord of your service."

The man bowed and left with his men.

Samuel soon left with his group as well.

"Well this is a mess," commented Samuel.

"Indeed I always knew his greed would catch up to him. May his gods forgive him in death," said Akak.

"Honestly he deserved to pay with his life. He probably never served any gods. Alone for eternity is his end" said Ida.

"Our first day here and this really had to happen! Come on! Glad we didn't get blamed for that idiot's mess. And why did they kill him? Can they just kill us like beasts?" said Helen.

"Whatever we have to deal with it. And be careful all of you," responded Samuel.

"As troublesome as this is I have one relief that has sparked curiosity in me," said Akak.

Everyone looked inquisitively at the man. Even his sister.

"That Kade does not sound like one of my tribesmen. His name is not Kazaki either."

"So maybe his group really is just a bunch of mercenaries and not here to hunt you down" said Samuel.

"Yes, I think so. But I am still curious why those tribesmen became adventures. I have never heard of others such as my sister and I."

"You can ask" suggested Samuel.

"Please don't upset him though. He seemed to be on Julian's case. I would not trust him" commented Helen.

"I shall be careful. Asice, wait for me in the room," said Akak.

She looked reluctant to stay but listened respectively as he walked toward the direction that Kane walked off to.

Helen turned to Asice.

"Cheer up, you can come to get some food with me and Ida. They apparently have extra that they leave out for us near where we stay. Also, I hear they have alcohol as well."

"Perfect! I could use a good drink," said Ida.

"What about me?" asked Samuel.

"Fine you can come," said Helen playfully. As much as Julian's death shocked them all they seemed happier that he was gone.

As they walked toward the key to forgetting their troubles they did not realize they were being watched by a mysterious figure on top of the estate's wall.