INVESTIGATION TEAM

In the rural areas, and indeed in every shire is a law enforcement group assigned by the Monarchy called The Watchmen. They would be tasked by the current King with maintaining order, collecting taxes and also performing military service.

Chief Louis appointed Yellowleaf's designated tax collector, Mr. Murphy, accompanied by the Fanzhal Watchmen's Sheriff Molt, to investigate the recent goblin attack. After hearing the summons, Sheriff Molt returned to the Watchmen headquarters to immediately assemble his team for the mission.

Murphy was deeply distressed for Ms. Sarah and the Orphanage's safety. He prayed to the Gods that they were able to escape Yellowleaf before Goblins have razed the village to the ground. He prepared a caravan and requested food rations, and medical supplies, just in case they encounter survivors from Yellowleaf. Sadly, he is only allowed to bring a minuscule amount since the top ministers have already concluded that the unfortunate village is already in shambles. He became furious with the ministers' decision, so he secretly embezzled additional supplies with him.

Murphy immediately summoned a caravan from the citadel and departed for Yellowleaf Village. Beside Murphy, sits an old, white-haired muscular man named Sherif Molt. He was a war veteran, loyal to the previous King Edward MoSanchez II. His exploits and war efforts have reverberated throughout the military. Although he is already past his prime, his strength is not something to take for granted. Ever since he sustained a serious leg injury due to a skirmish, he can never participate in the frontlines again. He is too valuable to Fhanzal's military morale.

Along with Murphy and Sheriff Molt, are two Watchmen Operators namely deputy Rita and junior deputy Daniel. Sheriff Molt personally selected these two for their outstanding abilities for the current mission.

Deputy Rita excels at investigative cases that no one can simply handle. She recently unraveled the "Gastronomer-Billy" Case, which involves the disappearances of young women during the night, in Fhanzal City. The Suspect always leaves cryptic messages about the atrocities of the wealthy and the current king. The knights have failed to capture the suspect for a very long time, so they decided to employ Deputy Rita for her services. She posed as a blond airhead to draw out Gastronomer Billy, and subjugate the suspect with her skills in fighting with a short rapier, hidden under her dress.

Her Rapier and cloak style is based on the assumption that you've ended up in a combat situation with little or no warning, and are using what you have readily available for defense; in this case, her cloak. But soon, her family formalized the style as well. Different sects have challenged Rita's family, before the previous King Edward MoSanchez the II using seven kinds of weapons: axe, pike, rapier, dagger, rapier and buckler, rapier and cloak, and with two swords.

Fighting cloaks are typically the shorter waist-length cloaks that were popular in the Renaissance, wrapped once or twice around the fighter's hand and forearm for additional protection. The cloak style is perfect for espionage as proven during the Gastronomer case since she can conceal any hidden surprises such as spikes, daggers and even poisoned needles under the cloak.

Junior Deputy Daniel is a simple administrative worker, employed in Fhanzel's Watchmen. Although he is not too adept at combat and espionage, he is a top-class historian and is well informed on Fhanzal's geography. He has assisted a large number of military skirmishes by placing their military troops at terrain advantage. There are no dungeons or mineral mines he is not aware of in Fhanzal's domain. Since the mission has something to do with the Goblins' place of origins, he is tasked to find the reason behind the attack that night.

"Maybe the Border guards have simply slacked off?" said deputy Daniel while reading a map of Fhanzal territory.

"Impossible. The Higher-ups are panicking. They are dead-set on looking for someone to blame. The surrounding border walls have already been inspected for goblin tracks or disturbed foliage in the forest, but they found nothing." said Sherrif Molt.

"So, we missed a goblin nest in our forests," said Rita, while using a small Whetstone on the edge her dagger.

"I also find that very hard to believe. The reported number of Goblins doesn't seem to fit with Fhanzal's forest area. Simply put, the forests in our territory cannot sustain that many Goblins. Couldn't we have bought a regiment at least? Those Goblins still possess a threat while they are in the city after all." asked Daniel.

"Sadly we can't. The king's orders were very strict. All he wants for now is information about the Goblins and their movement." Sheriff Molt reminded his deputies of their mission.

They are there to investigate the Goblin attack and not to subjugate them. Everyone frowned upon being reminded of the King's mischievous schemes. The King wanted two things. First, he wanted to know how the Goblins have appeared in his domain, Second, he wants to take advantage of the situation and use the Goblins to get rid of unnecessary mouths to feed. The Current King Edward does not care for the lives of the poor at all. He would be more than happy to get rid of Yellowleaf, so he could make an excuse to embezzle more tax funds by rebuilding a new village.

"I know what you are all thinking, so its best to drop the matter now." reminded Sheriff Molt. He was warning everyone that it's dangerous of harboring such thoughts against the king. Powerful figures have already tried to topple the King. But Instead, their heads have decorated the city square ever since. It's a mystery how these powerful men were easily defeated by this weak, arrogant king. In the end, no one was strong enough left to revolt.

After a while, the Caravan started to move strangely.

"Mr. Murphy, it's quite dangerous for your mind to wander while steering the caravan. You've been quiet for some time. What's the matter?" asked Sheriff Molt.

"I'm sorry. Yellowleaf was our Family's hometown," said Murphy.

"By Gods! Where is your family now?" curiously asked Daniel.

"Don't worry, that was a long time ago. Ever since my mother died, My Father and I have moved to the Citadel and worked there ever since It's simply hard to imagine your hometown being ravaged by bloodthirsty Goblins," answered Murphy.

Murphy is actually worried about the Orphanages' safety. He just couldn't admit it directly to his team. Lunchtime was approaching, so the team decided to make camp and prepare food. Murphy led the horses to the nearby river to let it drink water.

Among the team, only Rita knew how to cook. She only prepared the beans stew, since there is nothing more to be done with the salt-cured beef slices and hard bread. They simply dipped the hard bread in the stew to make it easier to chew.

"Rita, I've heard from your superiors that you can cook. Don't you have enough maid-servants in your family to do such menial tasks?" asked Sheriff Molt.

"My family didn't just teach me simple infiltration skills. I will have you know, that being a skilled maid-servant has helped me eliminate my targets effectively," said Rita.

"Sir Molt, how is your leg?" asked Murphy.

"It hurts from time to time, but I can still move and fight properly," Sheriff Molt stretches his legs often, to ease the pain.

"You should visit our Apothecary shop sometime Sir Molt, My family idolizes you and your heroic feats!" Said, Daniel.

"Then I'll gladly visit your family, once the mission is over," said Sheriff Molt.

After thanking Rita for serving lunch, Sheriff Molt and Deputy Daniel started to pack their belongings back in the caravan, while Murphy fetched the horses. They resumed their journey to Yellowleaf village.