Morning.
The next day at the inn. It's still dark out. Caya is walking around the inn until there are heavy bangs on the door.
Caya: What in the world?
The second she opens the door. Guards barge in and knock her over.
Check everywhere! Don't leave a single room unnoticed!
At the tower in the treasury.
Zao: You called for me madam?
Treasurer: You know that little Inn that I just can't seem to get my hands on?
Zao: ....
Treasurer: there was word among the guards that she was holding underground grunts in some of her rooms. And that she's letting them stay for a .... Little fun. *giggle*
Zao stiffens. He knows for a fact that isn't true.
Treasurer: So I had commander Arnwall go and told him to take "Good care of her." Quite the shame isn't it?
Zao: That's absurd.
Treasurer: .... Huh?
Zao: Madam Caya would never do such a shameful thing. For one, she is far too sick to even stand up right. And two....
The Treasurer feels a sudden chill down her spine. Although Zao's face is covered by his helmet, it's clear he was furious.
Zao: she's mine. And I'll be damned if any of them lay a finger on her.
He storms out and takes off to the inn.
The sun is rising over the horizon. Gen is getting ready to head to the waterways when he sees Zao running full speed to the inn. Something was up, but he didn't have time.
At the inn, Caya is held by one of the other guards.
Arnwall: hold her still. But be careful with her. I can't have her damaged in anyway, understand?
Aye, sir.
Arnwall heads to the back door. The guard holding her grins behind his helmet. His hand creeping to her behind.
Caya: ...?! Stop it! Unhand me!
Quiet, you little slut. Let's get you a little tame shall we?
He drags her to the office behind the counter as she tries her hardest to struggle free.
Upstairs, the others slam every door open and drag the residents out of their rooms. One of them kicks Sicily's door open and is sent back out. Sicily stood glaring at him with her sword ready. She charges and knocks another one out. The resident he was holding scurries to a nearby room to hide.
Sicily: You bastards got some serious balls to try and get the drop on me.
What the hell?! Who dares shows resistance?
One by one, she knocks them out until she reaches the stairs. Arnwall had just returned from the back to find Caya missing. A guard is sent flying past his head and out the door.
Arnwall: wha...?!
He looks and sees a steaming Sicily in a night gown. She looks about ready to exploded. She looks around and hears screaming from the office door. In an instant, she jumps from the top of the stairs and knocks the door down. It shatters to pieces and the door knob hits the guard in the head.
GAH!?
Sicily grabs him by the collar of his chest plate and throws him out the room to the opposite wall. Finally she walks out, carves a star in the air, turns the sword to the hilt, and slams it in his chest plate. Air is knocked out of him as he's armor falls apart. He drops to his knees.
Zao just made it to the scene. He's out of breath. He scans the room. Arnwall to his right against the wall terrified. Sicily standing before a fallen man with nothing on him and broken armor around him. Zao walks to the office and finds Caya sitting on the desk holding her torn dress closed. Her legs were showing. They were badly bruised. He rushes to her side.
Zao: Caya!!
He gives her a hug. She hugs him back crying.
Caya: nothing happened. I'm okay thanks to miss Hale.
Zao: Thank god.... But you legs...!
Caya: I haven't taken my medication yet. It's alright. I'm....
She faints.
Zao: Caya?! CAYA!!
Zao picks her up gently and carries her upstairs to the nearest guest room and lies her in a bed. She has a fever. He walks back downstairs and grabs Arnwall by the collar, dragging him out in front and slamming him against the wall. He then walks back in and grabs the other defenseless guard and drags him out by the hair.
Ah! Aah~...!!
Zao pulls out his sword ready to slit the man throat. The man begs for his life.
Arnwall: Wait General! Please, don't! You can't have another one on your hands!
Zao: SILENCE!! Do have any idea of the pain I feel right now?! Do you?! I will not allow anyone to touch the residents of this Inn! I know I made that perfectly clear to everyone!!
Arnwall: stop!! General! Please!! He's my responsibility, sir! I'll take care of him!!
Zao: back off or your next, Arnwall!!
Arnwall: I said I'll take care of him, Sir!!
Zao looks to Arnwall. His eyes wide with rage. He sees Arnwall is just as upset, but for another reason entirely.
Zao: .... You.
He drops the guard and grabs Arnwall by the throat. Arnwall struggles to breath as he's lifted from the ground.
Zao: You know something, don't you?
Arnwall:... s-stop...
Zao: talk. Now, Arnwall!
Arnwall:.... T- the... ambassador and senators. All the highers were... spreading rumors.... Of the people. Gah... ah! They're trying to get rid of us. All of us! So.... So they say things to get under the guards skin. Get at our darker thoughts. I tried to stop the rumors when I heard what they said about Miss Caya.
Zao:... the highers?
Arnwall: Yes!! *cough* They're using us to empty out Sillia. I swear, I tried my hardest to tell the guards stop talking about it. I didn't want you to know. I couldn't let it get to you, Zao! I knew what you were capable of. Tried to stop it.... Zao... I.... Ah... Gah
Zao drops him. Arnwall collapses to the ground choking and gasping for air. Zao swings his sword at the other man and barely misses his head by a few centimeters. The man passes out from shock.
Zao: .... What will you do with him?
Arnwall: *cough* don't worry about what I'll do to him. Like I said, he's my responsibility. He disobeyed direct orders. You already know what it means to do so.
Arnwall picks the man up and throws him over his shoulder.
Arnwall: You should worry about Madam Caya. Please tell Madam Hale that I'll do all I can to make up for what has happened here.
Zao stands still as Arnwall walks off. Sicily walks out of the building.
Sicily: What will you do? She's stable, but I don't think she can handle the sudden shock from all this.
Zao: .... I'll take care of the tower.
He pulls his sword from the wall but doesn't sheath it.
Zao: please watch her for me. I have something to do.
He walks off. Sicily walks back inside and to the room were Caya rests.
Sicily: a corrupted government...? What has gotten the world of our nobles so rotten? What the hell is going on?