Heading up north, Saul was escorted to an outpost station. The architecture is very reminiscent of that of a police station he would see back in his world but it was made out of pure cinderblock. But before arriving on the inside, he sees Renaldo glaring at him from the wooden tumbler he’s on. But he is being taken behind the station while Saul going through the front. Inside, he sees dozens of men at desks writing down dozens upon if not hundreds of documents at once while others are inspecting their weapons such as a sword or flintlock rifles. However, Saul didn’t have time to look around as the captain was escorting him across the room and taken into what appeared to be an interrogation room.
The room itself was dim-lit despite having a chandelier of candles above the room. In the middle of the room was an old wooden table with a chain on one side of the table. Seems like it would be used to interrogate prisoners or criminals for answers.
“Please have a seat, I will be back momentarily.” The captain said.
Saul nodded and took his seat on the table and waited for the captain to come back. Sitting in the room was very unsettling for him. Both the table and the chair he’s sitting on looked very worn down. His side of the table had dents and chipped-off wood. Even the chair he’s sitting in is uneven, probably from abuse by whoever was ever being questioned. There’s even a bit of dried blood on the floor. Some of it was washed off but there are some that are hard stains that not even a mop can wipe off. The captain then returns with a clipboard and a tray with a hug pitched and two wood mugs. He sat on the other side of the table while also putting the tray down. Saul grabbed the pitched and poured some out for the captain and for himself.
“Thank you, lad. Please state your name for the record.” He said as he writes down on his clipboard.
“Saul Torres.”
“Good. You’ve acknowledged to testifying for the events that transpired earlier today, correct?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And you further acknowledged, that depending on your testimony, it changes what might transpire from one side of the story from the other. Correct?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Very well. Start from the beginning.”
Saul then explained from the beginning. How he and the others entered the café, Saul leaving for a moment to the restroom only to return to see Renaldo harassing not only Sara but also his “sister” who he is referring to as Jonna. However, this also catches the captain’s attention.
“You said she’s your sister?”
“Yes.”
“Were you both native here or somewhere else?”
“We’re both from the Eastern city. We were planning on migrating here to the south but then, both of us got separated when were ambushed on our way here.”
“When was this?”
“… a few years ago.”
Saul had to carefully lied for himself and for Jonna for it to be convincing towards the captain. Otherwise, he’ll grow suspicious about him and Jonna.
“By a mercenary band?”
“Desperado.”
“Damn them, are they really that desperate for anything?” he said to himself.
“I’m sorry.” Saul asked.
“Oh no, forget I said anything. But you’re working for the Sanstia family as well, correct?” the captain asked.
Suddenly Saul's heart sank when he was asked. This worried him the most, he had to come up with a convincing story that could hide his true identity as a human and make sure Sara is under fire for bringing a human into the realm. If word gets out, who knows what they'll do to her and the family.
“I guess I was lucky to have been saved by them. For a few years, I’ve been transferred from camp to camp and they worked me over as a slave. Doing their laundry, polishing their weapons, and making their food. If we got out of line we'd be punished.”
“With your sister?”
“No, she was sent off in another carriage and I feared what they might have done to her. And when we were reunited…. My fears came true.”
“What have done to her?”
“They…. They cut out her tongue.”
The captain then slams his fits to the table its as it flips upwards knocking both the pitcher and mugs off of the table. Saul didn’t know if the captain was on to him or he was mad about something else. However, the captain takes a deep breath and grabs his now bent quill pen, and continues to write.
“How did you manage to get out?” he asked.
“The camp I was in was being raided. All I remembered was arrows being rained above and the ones that tortured me cruelly were being slaughtered like animals. I got away but I had no idea where I was running to. All I could do was run and hoped they couldn’t catch me. When my legs finally gave in, I passed out but I didn’t know where I passed out at. By the time I was awoken, I was laying in a bed and treated for my wounds. And then, I met them.”
“The Sanstia family.”
“Yes. I told them about my circumstances and they agreed to let me so long as I prove my worth.”
“You mean they hired you?”
“As a butler yes.”
“But you know how to fight as well?”
“During my time in the Eastern City. My sister and I would get into fights with some street gangs who thought we were easy pickings. But my lady thought I should know more than just serving her and the family.”
“So they trained you as well?”
“Yes, although, Lady Sara's methods of training are rather…. unorthodox to say the least. But deemed it necessary for me to serve the family.”
“And how long have you been severing the family?”
“For about a month. I am still learning a lot about my duties when it comes to being a butler of the Sanstia family.”
“Like any job boy, you’ll soon get the hang of it.”
The captain then finished writing on his clipboard as he sets it down on the side. He tried to grab his mug but then remember he slammed his fist against the table and it fell. The captain was about to get up until he hear some yelling in the hallways.
“Get your filthy hands off of me you maggots! I will have your badges for this time!” Renaldo’s voice yells.
“I’m assuming this isn’t his first time being here, is it?” Saul asked.
“Unfortunately, no. It isn’t.” The captain said as he rubs his temples in annoyance.
“He’s been for much worse I take it?” Saul asked.
“Yes. Though I must admit boy I am impressed by you." The captain commented.
"Really? How so?" Saul asked.
"You say you're from the East but your English is superb." The captain replied.
"I've learned it during my imprisonment. My sister and I planned to move here after all. So I had to learn the language quickly. Though my sister didn't learn the language itself so I have to be her translater on her behave until she does learn." Saul added.
"Smart lad. Thank you again for your testimony. I will contact your mistress to have come to pick you up.” The captain said as he stands up and extend out his hand to shake.
“It was my pleasure, sir.” Saul stood up and shakes the captain's hand.
Meanwhile, Renaldo was being dragged down in the holding cells. However, he was being taken down to the deepest one where it was below the normal holding cells. Down at the end of the hall of holding cells was a stairwell that led deeper to another section of holding cells. They reached the end of the hall as guards opened the door and chained him up against the wall itself. Renaldo continues to yell and make empty threats as even the guard themselves have had heard enough of his voice. Later that same night, Renaldo was begun to rest his eyes when he heard a noise that disturbed him. He looked around and sees to his right a cinderblock was losing up and was pushed out of the wall. Out from it was a small hunched person crawling out of the wall as greeted Renaldo.
“I was wondering what was that racket was coming from.”
“Ratichist”
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