The dust has now settled. Fall has come and with it new problems.
In the palace of Dihel, the king was listening to the problems of his subjects and solved them.
A merchant, who wanted to settle down and set up shop has come asking for land. The King granted him the land with compensation of five per cent of his profits for five years to the throne. The merchant left bowing, while a little unsatisfied with the result.
Behind him, a husband and his wife came. Their clothes were shabby. Their hair was black and their skin white. They knelt in front of the king while holding back their tears.
"You may now present your case to the throne," the court speaker said.
The two stood up hastily. They started to speak, but the wife was now weeping. Her husband tried consoling her.
"I am sorry my king. She has been like this for some time now," the man bowed.
"It is alright, tell me your problem," the king said kindly.
"My king, our daughter... Our daughter is missing," the man broke into tears.
The King went into deep thought and asked, "When did you last see her?"
"Ten days before my king. She had made some cake and wanted to give it to her uncle's place. It takes about one and a half days for getting there. When she didn't get back after seven days, I went there to ask. They told me that she left three days ago," the man said wiping his tears.
"Have you gotten everything, Hamilton," the king asked a blue-haired man standing behind.
"Tell Hamilton about your daughter's appearance. I will do what should be done," the king said to the couple.
The couple went to Hamilton, bowing to say the details. After which they left.
"How many are there now Hamilton," the king asked.
"Ten, my king," Hamilton replied.
"Amongst them, there are daughters of wealthy merchants. We should put a stop to this," a voice came from the court.
"Because of the destitute, the soldiers are already in disarray. We don't have men to spare for looking for missing girls," a blonde man replied.
"We should call him," a man said placing his fingers on his chin.
"Who?" The blonde man asked.
"The finder," the man replied.
The blonde man showed distaste on his face. "The finder? I have heard that he is a queer man."
"Queer or not, he will get the job done."
The King nodded to that answer. "Bring the finder," he ordered.
Nash Wintere was a queer man indeed. He was blonde and his eyes green. His hair was self-cut, making it shabby. He wore a pair of glasses. A gem of will glowed in its handle.
He did not kneel. He took a cigarette from the pocket of his brown overcoat and lighted it.
"How dare you. You imbecile," a man from the court screamed.
"You people called me because you were facing a problem. I didn't come here for showing respect, I came here to solve the problem," Nash took a puff and looked at the man.
"You will get hanged," the man screamed.
"Well, in that case, the problem will remain as a problem," Nash said.
Nash looked at the king and bowed." My king, lives are at stake. With your permission, let me start my job."
The King smiled." You may. Hamilton, give him what he needs."
Hamilton gave Nash reports regarding the missing women.
Hallie Wellse, daughter of Wilbur Wellse, a reputed merchant. She went shopping in the capital town, after which she went missing.
Piper Brown, a widow, was not seen after her last closing of the shop.
Annie smith, wife of Robert smith. Gone when her husband went out to get supplies.
Ash Caulfield, daughter of Roy Caulfield. Went missing during her journey to her mother's estate.
Zephrine, a nun of Flycecism faith.
Rae black, an engaged bride.
Odella, a prostitute working at a brothel in the capital town.
Eadele, who was working at her sister's florist.
And finally Nell, the girl who went missing visiting her uncle.
Nash read the reports closely.
"My king, I will be using men from my side. Will that be alright?" Nash asked bowing.
"Yes, you may. I want to put an end to these cases," the king said.
"Thank you my grace," Nash bowed and went outside.
He rode to his office in the corner of the capital town. He climbed the stairs, went to his room and laid down his coat. He tapped the desk three times loudly.
Three men entered the room. The first one was a tall lean man with brown hair and eyes. The second one was a short pudgy man with black greying hair and a receding hairline. The third one was the youngest, with black hair and a handsome face.
"Men, we are in luck this time. A case has come from the king himself," Nash said handing out reports.
"Benton, you will be gathering information about Zephrine and Lauren," Nash said giving papers to the first man.
"Elfric, here," Nash gave papers of Rae and Odella to the second man.
"Hale, gather data on Annie and Eadele," Nash gave papers to the third man.
"We will meet back with whatever we have gathered in ten days," Nash said.
In another place, a girl was suffering. She was in a cold dark room. Her mouth was gagged and her hands were tied.
A masked man was sharpening his knife in the corner. Sparks flew from the spinning whetstone and lit up the otherwise dark room. The man looked at the girl thirsty. He took the knife in his hand and touched its edge to check its sharpness. The girl struggled to remove herself from the shackles.
The man touched the knife's edge onto the girl's cheek. She winced in pain. Blood trickled down from the wound.
"Soon, you will be ready for our lord," the man's voice was like darkness itself.
More cuts were made on her, blood pooling and warming the cold floor. She tried screaming in pain, but it did not escape her mouth.