Outskirts of Veil

“Deth wait. We’re not going through the main gate. I don’t think we’d make it past the guards. Guards and knights will have been informed of your existence however, civilians and workers won’t know who you are at all.”

“Okay, so what’s the plan?” I catch him glancing towards my body where the wounds and cuts were. Still in disbelief maybe?

“I’m going to head in first, since my family directly serves the Veil family, I’m pretty well know. I can get past security easily. I’ll head in and get you a change of clothing, a disguise or something.”

“That sounds like a decent plan, but I’m not going to wait out here. That’s boring.”

“Well then, what do you want to do?”

“Richard, the walls aren’t that high I could easily scale climb over. Do you know what’s on the other side?”

“The sleeping-quarters for the guards. A little further back and you’ll find the servants quarters.”

“Okay, great. Richard, I want you to cause a commotion and whilst you gain their attention I’ll scale the wall” Is that anxiety in his eyes? “Believe in me, as I believe in you.” I give his back a good shove and he is on his way.

In position, hidden behind a tree relatively close. I am ready to climb the wall. I watch as Richard approaches the gate. I scan the walls and wait. The commotion gathers the attention of the guards. At the first opportune moment, I scale the wall landing on the other side and entered the closest building.

From the looks of things, I’ve entered the servant’s quarters and by luck, it was empty. The room is filled with laundry. Perfect. I disposed of my rags and adorned the outfit of a working-servant, a maid’s uniform? It’s rather cute on me. The name-tag on it read Bethany, it will do for now until I rendezvouse with Richard. Now, I could either wait here or, I could do a little exploring. Thankfully, Vitae my blade is small enough to be hidden within my skirt. Well, I’ll be honest. I’m a little excited to be mixing with civilization, albeit a little wary.

“You there, all maids are to gather at the villa today. Have you not heard? We’ve a special visitor and lord Henry wishes to please.” Should I feign ignorance? But doesn’t this sound like fun.

“Yes sir.”

“Yes sir? A simple bow would suffice. You’re a servant not a soldier. Are you new?”

“Yes, that is correct. In fact, it’s my first day here and I’m rather lost.”

“First day and already being placed on laundry duty, what a horrible head-maid you have there. You know what, it’s my break right now. I wouldn’t mind showing a beauty like you the way to the lord’s villa.”

“I’d very much appreciate that, thank you.” This is how civilized people speak right?

“For someone of such low status, you’re surprisingly educated and well-mannered huh?”

“Sir, you flatter me.” I bow slightly. He gestures to me to follow. Well, a free tour-guide, I can’t complain.

Lord Henry’s Villa.

Joe, the guard who is taking me directly to Henry enthusiastically guessed that I must be from one of the nearby rural-villages and so, it was to his delight to tell me about this town. That due to the presence of the Pope’s Templar knights, this country doesn’t fear war as St. Haven’s geographical positioning places them at the forefront of any would be war and Veil to the utmost south is last. 

It is said that the Pope’s army is so powerful our neighbouring country to the north knows better than to do anything stupid like attacking, which explains this sense of security and peace. And so, because Veil isn’t called upon for war Henry, the lord of Veil has been focusing his funds towards the development of the farms. However, as this implies Veil is lacking any real military might. Hence, the small militia. Which in truth, is mainly there as a farce to enforce further security for the people to counter the presence of the witches, but Veil isn’t proactive regarding the Witch-hunt.

Joe also tells me of an interesting rumour, so he says. That the King’s army doesn’t reside in St. Haven, but rather in Rockwell. The people say that the King only has the royal guard at his command. And in truth, the army belongs to the Pope. Thus, making the King obsolete in control and power.