***Lord Cavendish***
Marcus sat in the courtroom as it slowly emptied. Soon the last of the jeering crowd had left. He remained alone, well almost alone.
His bodyguard, Lyana, stood patiently to the side, waiting to escort him out.
She was a blonde and white kitvarian, standing in her full paladin's attire. Blue and white plate armour with matching feathers embellished into her left pauldron. She carried a rather menacing looking halberd; she knew how to use it too.
She was the one piece of his old life that he had managed to hang on to. She had been his support in times of need, a firm rock in the loose sand of his life.
He would never have made it this far without her. Just looking at her brightened his day.
"Something troubling you m'lord?" She said catching his gaze.
"No, no. I think I'll be alright now." Marcus said, allowing his feelings about the trial to wash away.
"Well then…you want to get going?" she asked, turning to face him.
"Yes, let's head home." Marcus said, rising to his feet.
***
The pair left the courthouse, the streets were almost dead. Marcus had no idea he'd allowed the proceedings to run so far into the night.
"What did you think of the trial?" he asked Lyana as she fell into step beside him, her armour glistening in the moonlight.
"Well, I thought the defence was downright awful, I'm surprised you didn't call a mistrial."
"I would've, if the evidence hadn't been so strong."
"Do you think there's any chance of his innocence?"
"There's always a chance Lyana, but you have to weigh the odds." He said, holding out both hands. "What can be true, versus what is incredibly unlikely to be true. Then you just add your gut feeling on top of that."
"Hmm."
"Look at it this way; yes, he could have been framed by a killer, anything is possible. However, to do that, the killer would've had to; enter Finch's home and plant a large amount of evidence, then convince a witness, to not only be mutilated willingly, but testify against an innocent man."
"It seems unlikely, I will admit, but not impossible."
"Yes, you are right, it's not impossible. But what other choice did I have? There was no evidence to the contrary." He said, placing his hands in his pockets.
"Apart from the fact he allowed the guard to search his home willingly."
"So they say. I did consider it. But letting somebody search your house doesn't change the fact that there are corpses in it. Or parts of them, at least."
"I suppose you are right." She conceded, "If it means anything, I think you made the right call."
"Well then I shall sleep better, thank you." Marcus said with a smile.
"Have you heard any more about what's going on down the road?"
"In Fenniton?"
She nodded.
"Well, they've certainly put some fire up the Crusaders' backsides." he said with a chuckle, "I expect they'll be back in greater numbers. I had no idea Fenniton could mount such a defence."
"Me either!" she said clasping her hand to her heart, "about time somebody put them in their place."
"Did you notice that Major Anmar was no longer with them?"
"I did actually, though they tried to hide it."
"I wonder what really happened. They didn't seem to have suffered massive losses, but there were definitely fewer of them than when they came through here the first time."
"Quite the mystery!" Lyana said gleefully.
"Indeed, there is a possibility we have a small rebellion on our hands."
"What side would you choose?"
"My own of course," he said flatly, "my loyalty is to the people of this town, and of course, myself. With that in mind, I'd obviously back the winning horse. Which as much as I dislike it, is probably going to be the kingdom."
"A shame really."
"I agree, but I don't believe in fighting battles I have no chance of winning."
"But what if there was a chance?"
"Of winning?" he chuckled sardonically, "If those felinian's know what's good for them they'll be running through the southern pass. Off into obscurity."
"I wouldn't be so sure." Lyana said on his shoulder, "the spirits have been very active these last couple days, something's got them riled up."
Spirit magic was one of the pre-requisites to being a paladin, it was quite useful and had helped them out of many a pinch in the past.
Although he seldom valued what the spirits told him through Lyana. Most of the time he suspected she just used them as an excuse to voice her own opinion.
"Probably all the misery and suffering." Marcus grumbled.
"No, not that." She smiled.
"Well, what then?" he grunted, adjusting his coat.
"Hope." She said with an annoyingly cheeky grin on her face.
***Boots***
Morning rolled around once more. A slight spring chill stung the air, the southern district of Brocton started coming to life.
Boots had spent the previous night studying with Oswald, he now considered himself reasonably versed in the various different peoples of the world.
He rose early and stood by the window, observing the morning mist creeping down the streets. Another day, another task. How he missed the days he spent lounging by the window, in his old kingdom. It was a simpler time.
He had been surprised to find out about the existence of humans. He had thought this was a world just for the wokenfolk. He supposed he was wrong; it seems humans even found a way to dig their fleshy fingers into this world.
Not that he minded particularly, he'd enjoyed quite a good relationship with humans in the past. He would happily enjoy Alex's company once again.
In fact, he could safely say he longed for it.
That chain of thought brought rise to emotions he was uncomfortable with. So he pushed these thoughts to the back of his mind where they belonged.
He could long for Alex's company another day.
He still had much to do.
"Oswald, the time for sleeping is over." Boots said kicking the sleeping lad's bed.
Oswald jolted awake rubbing his eyes.
A new day was upon them and Boots was keen to get underway.
***
The party met up downstairs and headed out into the morning chill. Boots was eager to get to the central district, being denied entry had annoyed him.
Soon they were underway, back on the road. They had decided to leave the horses at the stable. They would have little need for them in town.
As they arrived at the gate, they found a steady flow of people moving through it. The guards were no longer asking for papers.
The party moved through the gate and onto the cobbled stones of the central district.
Boots noted the immediate change in scenery. They were surrounded by clean looking stone buildings, the streets looked swept and fresh. There were small bushes and gardens everywhere, a stark contrast to the rest of the town.
This is where the wealthy lived and worked, the whole district was a flaunting display of their elegance. Boots felt as though he was dirtying the place up just by existing within it.
They made their way through the streets with the flow of people heading to market, taking in the sights. There was everything a town this size needed, right down to jewellers and banks.
Eventually, they found themselves outside the town hall, it was several times larger than the one in Fenniton and had an adjoining courthouse.
"Hmm," Boots mumbled, considering the building, if memory serves, it should sit right opposite Lord Cavendish's house.
Boots put his back to the town hall and looked for the building.
There was a nice manor mouse directly to his front. It had a low perimeter wall and several guards stationed outside.
"That looks promising." Boots smiled to himself.
"It fits the description," Maria said following his gaze, "I doubt we'll be able to get in though."
"Really?" Boots said, slightly puzzled, "Why is that?"
"Well, because we're nobodies." Maria said sheepishly, scratching the back of her head.
"No-bodies?" Boots said, looking down to check.
He did, in fact, have a body. Quite a good one, or so he thought.
"I don't know what you're implying." Boots continued, "But don't you think a local lord such as Cavendish, would at least be interested to speak to the leader of the resurrection on his doorstep?"
"Well….I suppose…" Maria said after some consideration.
"If he doesn't, then he's a fool." Simeon added, adjusting his pauldron.
"We've still got to get past his guards first." Maria said with a shrug, "They're the ones you need to convince."
"Hmm," Boots considered, "Good point."
The guards could be a nuisance, they had already discovered that for themselves the night before. The thought of those nitwits on the gate made Boots's blood boil.
"Well, we'll not get anything done just standing here," Boots said to the group, "let's go try our luck."
The small party made for the manor.
Upon arrival, it was clear to see they would not be getting in so easily.
"Oh, for the love of…" sighed Simeon.
"You must be joking…" grumbled Maria.
"Oh no…" Gasped Oswald.
"Hmph." Boots snorted angrily.
"Oh-oh ho, well, look what the CAT's dragged in Bovie!"
"Well, I don't believe my eyes Carl! Could that be our friends from yesterday? The ones without any papers?"
"The very same I do believe!" said Carl.
"What a lovely surprise! Coming all the way over here to visit us!" chortled Bovie.
It was none other than the two guards from the night before.
Boots could feel his temper rising.
He really didn't have time for these two idiots right now.
"So, what do you lot want?" Bovie said curtly.
"We need to see the Mayor." Boots stated with a sigh.
Carl and Bovie exchanged mischievous grins.
"Do you have an appointment?"
Boots grumbled under his breath, "No."
"What a shame! It appears you're as unprepared today as you were yesterday." Bovie said with a snigger, "On your way then."
"We need to see the mayor." Boots repeated sternly.
"We. Don't. Care." Carl said mockingly, leaning on his spear.
"Don't you know what's going on? There's been a revolt in Fenniton, and you are looking at it's leader, Lord Boots." Oswald said pleadingly, gesturing to Boots.
Carl and Bovie paused for a moment, sizing Boots up.
"Nice try kid." Carl scoffed.
"Yeah! There's not been a Lord in Fenniton for over a hundred years." Bovie said dryly.
"Now piss off!" Carl spat.
Boots felt his temper reach boiling point!
'Whap!'
His body had moved on its own, his right paw swiped ferociously through the air and found Carl's cheek, sending him sprawling with a clatter.
"Wh-" Bovie managed to squeeze out, before the pommel of Simeon's dagger embedded itself into his forehead.
Both guards were on the ground, Carl was clutching his cheek, while Bovie was out cold.
"W-wait!" Carl stammered as Boots descended on him.
Boots Grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and yanked his face in close.
"I do not have the time or patience, for your vulgarity." Boots said as he pulled him in for a monstrous headbutt.
'Crump!"
Carl was out, his nose a mess.
Shouting came from the street behind them, their actions had not gone unnoticed.
"Right, come on, let's find the Lord before we get locked up." Boots said with urgency.
The party wasted no time, charging up the front garden path towards the front door. Boots saw the flicker of curtains moving in one of the upstairs windows.
Somebody had seen them.
If they didn't act fast this could very quickly get out of hand. By Boots's reasoning, if he could just get in front of Lord Cavendish, he could explain the situation and smooth things over.
Maybe battering the guards wasn't the best strategy.
Even if it did feel good.
They thundered up to the front door and Boots put all of his weight behind his shoulder and flew against the door!
'SMASH!!'
He splintered it into kindling and skidded to a halt in the entranceway.
There was a grand staircase before him. At the top of it, was a very well armoured looking Kitwarian with a halberd.
A halberd that was currently levelled at Boots's party.
"Surrender or die. Your choice."