a few days after prince hobart had left for the outpost. some nobles got worried by the lack of response. a quest was set for some adventurers to investigate. It was quickly picked up and they found the bodies of the prince and his group. They found the town destroyed and empty with little of value left behind. They brought news back to ST Baals and a message was sent out to kings island. The messenger traveled for a week to deliver the message to the royal castle.

“your royal highness! I bring grave news!” it sounded throughout the halls until the messenger reached the throne room. King Fulchard nobletalon looked sternly at the messenger and gestured for him to proceed. “your highness. The 3rd prince hobart has been found dead in the dark forest.”

The king seemed more disappointed than sad. “How did he die?”

“Investigation found a strange hole in his skull.” 

“from a crossbow bolt?”

“We're not sure sire.” 

The king gestured for the messenger to leave. “Send the news to launce, triston, madlin and ingaretta.”

The servants obeyed. 

***

2nd prince Triston and  2nd princess Ingaretta were in the palace garden when they received the news. Triston crossed his arms and stated “Hobart is dead? an accident or an assassin?” 

Ingaretta took a sip of wine as she read the scroll containing the investigation report “probably an assassin. Although the amount of assassins in that area is low and no one would even dare to even try this and a clean hole in his skull front and back? too small for a spear.  Maybe the dwarves have a new weapon?” 

The idea sounded ridiculous to Triston. “sister this is why you have no progress with the adventurers guild. the dwarves cannot make a cannon that small. clearly there's a new monster there.”

“one that spears a thumb sized hole through your skull?”

Triston shrugged, “it could be from that thing we saw a few weeks ago.”

Ingaretta shook her head as she filled her wine glass “we have no idea what it was or if it even landed. but the report said the slave crystals were shattered. gathered with the fact that his slave guards were missing and the town was looted. If that flying black castle landed, then its possible a group of beastmen found a weapon from it, used it to free the bearmen that guarded Hobart and killed him.”

“I thought Madlin had the leftovers of the beastmen on the run in the icelands.”

“Sometimes escaped slaves try to flee through the dark forest. There's a rumor of a small village on the other side of the desert. It was the reason Hobart wanted to explore the desert.”

The prince sat down, looked his sister in the eye and said “if that's it. I have an idea. I can go investigate with a party containing different races. making them think i'm an adventurer who supports all races. Maybe they'll approach us peacefully.”

“And where will you get these? I doubt most dwarves will be helpful with the way they've been treated.”

“Simple, one of my spies had their eyes on a skillful mage. At first there was an issue that she took in a dwarf but now that's an asset. I'll send word to prepare an enslaved elf at St Baalz. We can hide the collar with a cape and the mage can disguise herself as a beastmen. I'm thinking of a bunny.”

The princess buried her face in her hands “ugh were you already scouting for concubines?”

Triston grinned “Maybe, we also considered adding her to the research team because this one is quite a worker. but she looks pretty and comes with 2 more…”

“uuuuuugh what if this girl doesn't feel like doing your job for you?”

The prince pulled out a purple necklace “remember. Madlin told us these work on people too and I have more leverage.”

“The 2 extras?”

The prince nodded slightly. “I'll see how she responds during the trip to the dark forest.” he posed like a performer on stage “I'll sell her on a tale of a loving brother investigating his poor siblings death.”

Ingaretta cackled in response “and she's supposed to fall for you during that trip.”

“I had my spies do the research. Her father died to the lich's minions and her mother was found dead 2 years ago in an alley. seems some people ambushed her. she'll grow soft on a lost family sob story. I'll just tell her father is distant and I hate the idea of losing more siblings.”

“that last one's a lie. you'd especially love to see launce die.”

“true but only because he and Madlin are more likely candidates for the throne. you're not even a problem.”

Ingaretta tossed her wine glass at him. it shattered on his armor covering it in wine. Triston looked unimpressed, sighed and said “Madlin invented the gems and Launce caught the water deity. you on the other hand have been trying to convince the adventurers guild to work only for our kingdom and failed. I knew the other races would pull something and if i find out what it is and secure this creature or weapon. you might want to think twice about spilling wine on me then.”

The princess glared at her brother as he left. she took solace in the fact he did not notice something. namely Hobart had 3 bearmen as guards. the report shards of 4 broken gems. if it was indeed a creature it could be able to break gems enslaving it. She smiled, deciding to keep that bit for herself.

***

A few days later arce and bruce came to the castle after receiving an invitation through the guild. 

“A quest for us and  the 2nd prince requested us specifically.” Arce was a mix of excited and nervous.

Bruce was more worried. “I'm surprised I didn't think the royals would look kindly upon dwarves since the dwarven king locked down the city. as long as the request doesn't involve Brinthorn i'll consider it.”

“If you feel we should turn down the request. we will.”

Bruce appreciated her support. He had been living with Arce for the past few weeks and joined her on quests to repay her and he got a bit more saving than if he would stay at the guild. They were led to a hallway where the servant told them to wait. looking around they saw portraits of the king and his children. two paintings however were covered by curtains. looking over the portraits they noticed prince Hobart and princess Farflee were covered. They could see a glimpse of the painting of Hobart under the curtains. 

Triston came through the doors at the end of the hall “welcome mage and paladin. ah yes. my poor brother has been covered as well now.” he stood by them and looked up at the covered painting. 

“What fate befell him?” Arce asked.

“That's why I called you two. My brother was in the process of expanding our kingdom to the south when a town he was building was sabotaged and he was killed. The thing is we don't know by what. Now I believe you know our kingdom's reputation isn't too good with our neighboring kingdoms.”

Bruce scoffed “I'll say. My kind was opposed to the humans' actions with the beastmen and the elves wanted to stay neutral. but I've seen more elven slaves pop up in town.”

“Calm down my dwarven friend. I can assure you there's no hard feelings about the war and the elves have been taking actions against us recently.”

That was news to Bruce and Arce “What happened?” 

The prince gestured to the room he came from “let me tell you in the war room.”

The room they entered was filled with bookcases. In the middle was a big round table where a map of Pertuna was rolled open. a few small tokens lay strewn about the table. 

“A year ago the first elven spies were found in the city with plans to take down my family and me.” He placed some pawns indicating elves and humans on the elven forest border with the sea “since we've captured all elven spies in kings city and are repelling any from coming to the city. it won't be long before father announces their crimes and officially declares war. Now you may wonder. What does this have to do with my brother's death?” He brought up a pawn marked with a crown. 

Arce pondered “you suspect an assassination? but he was in the dark forest. It’s rumored to be a true adventurer's first challenge.” 

Triston placed the pawn on the dark forest near st.baalz “indeed and a few towns over from elven territory closer to the dwarves.”

Bruce raised his voice “but as far as i know my kind has no reason to kill your brother. sure brinthorn is on lockdown but that doesn't mean the king plans a war.”

“The strangest thing about my brother's death was a hole in his skull. the adventurers investigating it found 2 holes as if his head was pierced.” Triston faked a small cringe. “Whatever killed my brother is something unknown to us. if the dwarves did build a new weapon and by mistake took out my brother i hope you sir dwarf can help us keep things peaceful. We also suspect the flying castle from a few weeks ago might have landed near the dark forest. if a beastman or elf found a weapon on it they might have used it on my brother. worst case it could be a new kind of monster.” 

Bruce interjected “excuse me. But you want us to investigate? seems a bit risky for a party of two people.”

“I would not dare send you alone. i'll come along as an adventurer and we'll pick up an elven friend in St Baalz and investigate. This task is risky so I'll pay you 30 gold coins to prepare your gear up front and an additional 100 each when we return.”

This would be enough to buy a mansion near the main street. Arce at least could move away from the quarantine zone to a safer side of the island. She'd hate to leave the house her parents left her but it was getting too dangerous for the twins. 

Bruce figured he could at least ask “would you mind if I parted ways at St Baalz on the return trip? I've been thinking of returning home to my family.”

The prince nodded “of course. I'll arrange for your reward to be a small gold bar of equal worth. so you can take it home. Perhaps we can have you arrange an audience with your king. so we can pull our countries out of this sour relationship and at the very least be on speaking terms.”

Arce and Bruce agreed to the terms.they planned to leave in 3 days and received their advance for their equipment.

After discussing some more details, Triston walked them to the castle front waving them off. on the way out they passed the 1st princess madlin while respectfully greeting her Bruce heard her mutter “i guess he does like to play with dolls.” as she passed. Bruce wondered what she meant. 

When Triston saw his sister arrive his mood turned sour. his sister greeted him “Brother how are you? were those your new pawns?” 

The prince smiled a bit forced “yes, which reminds me. might I ask about my request?”

“We usually keep elves out of the southern continent. But don’t worry, your elf will be prepared in stBaalz. I've sent word to my people to get a strong and pretty one and hide the chain. as for the unused gems.” she pulled out 3 necklaces holding them by their ropes “crafted them myself. I hope you get good use out of them.” She sounded like a true salesperson.
Triston was careful not to let the gems near him while she handed them over. Madlin smiled eerily “don't worry I won't use it on my family. as if I even need to. I'm closing in on the last beastmen settlement and once that's done…”

“Oh but you've been closing in for months now. I half expected you to have arrived with an announcement of victory.” Triston turned and mumbled “and it might not be the last one.”

“as if it makes any difference. Father has no intention of choosing his successor anytime soon. Besides, it gives me time to develop more warmachines and tools. Even if he doesn't pick me, I'll still end up as the richest among us. whoever gets the throne would ask me for a loan” she laughed.

Her laughter dimmed as she noticed Triston was laughing too. “we'll see. there's a chance that my investigation might uncover something that makes your work pointless. oh right you have not seen the giant flying castle since you were beyond the mountains in the icelands.”

“I heard the stories. Are you planning on finding it?”

“I might.”

“aaw you couldn't think of anything yourself so now you're taking launce's idea to go find treasures.” she patted him on the shoulder as she entered the castle. “if your plan fails maybe you'll get to at least keep your dolls.”

***

That evening at Arce's house Bruce was anxious. the word ‘doll’ had been stuck in his head all day. he looked at the twins amy reading an old an overused book while ariel practiced som seaming. he snapped out of his trance when Arce came back from next door “miss isabelle agreed to watch the twins while we're away.”

“we’re 14” Ariel snapped 

“until you’re 16 i still consider you children.”

“Did you tell your neighbor about the prince?” Bruce asked while Arce put her robe  away and started to prepare the table for dinner 

“Well of course. Are you still wary of her?”

“No that's not it... what did she say?”

“She wished us safe adventures like always and as usual she's a worrywart.” Arce got silent for a second “she said she'd look after the twins even if... you know.”

Bruce thought deeply. if anything did go wrong he should prepare now. “i'm going out for a bit. just get some fresh air before dinner.” he looked at Arce as he left the house. The girl was smarter than this. Surely she had a plan?

When he stepped outside he saw Miss Isabelle clean her doorstep “good evening Bruce. I heard the news. it sounds like a grand adventure.”

Bruce just shrugged, “We'll see how it turns out.”

“not too confident?... to be honest Arce wasn't sure either. she never left the island before.”

Bruce looked up at the stars “what's the worst case plan?”

“You two think alike. She left some of her savings with me. if it comes to it i'll leave the island with the twins. I hope it doesn't come to that. I like this house and all its flaws”

Bruce thought for a bit. her house was missing some bricks, the roof looked like it could fall at any second. He pulled out his coin pouch and took a medal bearing his family's symbol out and gave it to her. “if you show this to the guards in Brinthorn. Then my family… they… might help." "how nice of you." "It's only been a few days but the girl is a great mage. trustworthy and kind. almost made me want to keep adventuring after this.”

“what do you plan on doing after the adventure?” 

Bruce returned his eyes to the sky “probably go home and take a guard job like my mother wanted, maybe improve my blacksmithing?... I hope the future is better than I expect it to be.” he returned inside. Leaving Isabelle to her cleaning.