“The standard stands. Thus, our duty is not done. For as it holds tall, so do the hopes of the ones that rally behind it. So too, do the lives of those that it shields. But if it should fall, then we would have died for naught. So fight. Fight and fight and fight until we lay broken and battered. Fight until the last drop of blood spills from our veins. Until our duty is done. So stand until the end, comrades. For only in death does our duty end.”

  - Militiaman Yegor Yermolaiev, People’s Army Of Ingramar, “Speech To Rally Troops - 8th Battle Of Marsun”

  Sophie tightened the straps on her armor and made sure her buckles were shut. She breathed in, and out. Her hand travelled down to her sword, a standard iron blade. Nothing special, nor knightly about it. But against the undead, it’ll make do.

  “Didn’t think you were so uncouth as to take on a cripple for a squire.” Theodore tried to goad her.

  Sophie took in another deep breath and simply shook her head, ignoring the knight. He was Eva’s brother after all, and also the temporary head of household while the Duke and Duchess were out.

  The rest of her equipment, including her armor and royal sword were currently in Ary’s care. The girl wanted to do something while the others were away and promised to have a surprise for her. Sophie was worried, but she trusted Ary. After all, she had been more understanding of the whole situation than Sophie had expected. Alongside the inability to hide her true feelings with the cute little pout she was starting to wear wherever she went, Sophie decided to let her manage her arms and equipment, at least, what she wasn’t immediately using. Though Ary wasn’t exactly thrilled with the prospect, Sophie saw a mischievous little glint in her eyes as she switched up her tune to gleefully accept the charge.

  This however, did not go unnoticed by the additional guests that she had unfortunately picked up. Whether it was because of bravado, idiocy, or the inherent need of nobility to seek out new things, a certain knight had overhead their plans and forced his way into their entourage. Or rather, he would follow them regardless, ‘a quest worthy for a knight’ he had stated, much to both Sophie and Eva’s disappointment.

  Being a knight as duly appointed by the Duke and approved by the Grand Duke to represent House Rosengart. Theodore had also been able to maintain a retinue of his own, though presumably did not yet have a squire being that he was still far away from seniority. Like most young knights, he also sought to make a name for himself. Perhaps because of that, Eva’s meteoric rise in Carradorian society and Sophie’s own deeds had painted a target on her back.

  “One can’t be everywhere at once, Lord Theodore. If you recall, I am also an adventurer. This way, everyone plays their part.” Sophie tiredly explained, hoping that it would be enough for him.

  “A proper knight should always have their household in order and a base to call their own. Seeing your… roughshod nature, I suspect I wouldn’t be incorrect in assuming you don’t have one? Especially considering that you were knighted in Melton.” He smirked.

  “Mmm.” She grunted.

  “What? Something I said?”

  “No, Lord Theodore. I was merely voicing my agreement.”

  He rolled his eyes, letting out a disappointed tut.

  “How boring. Even back then you were so taciturn with the rest of us. Only little Eva, eh?” He tried another angle.

  Sophie just nodded, “She was the one who found me, my lord.”

  Before he could continue, a familiar disparaging click echoed from the other side of the room.

  “You can talk later during the trip, brother. For now, she is to meet with the inquisitors.” Eva chided him.

  “Tch, since when have you been so disrespectful?” He snorted.

  “Since forever, Theo. I know what you’re thinking. If you want to be involved, stay quiet. This operation is Sophie and mine. You can follow along, but don’t think I won’t just kick you out.” She snarled.

  “Bah, so insolent. I am your older brother. Unlike you, I did my part for the country. Quelled some monsters on the borders too.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say. Mo… the Duchess and Duke dote on you and Mortiz more than me anyways. So what does it matter?”

  Sophie arched a brow and Eva turned and scowled at her, having somehow predicted her reaction. Mom and Dad were words she rarely said nowadays. It was just something that Eva held close to her own heart. Mother and father were perhaps a more common phrase if she wanted to express closeness, but that was all. For every time the words would slip out, Sophie could notice that little bit of longing on her face. Of a life that was once lived, she would probably say. Heh. In this instance, bickering with Theodore took priority.

  Sophie wondered what that meant for her in that case. What her own past meant. She had been young when she was taken in by It. Presumably however long had passed before she truly grew ‘conscious’ whatever that meant. Not that it would do her any good to think about such things now. After all, it was partly why she was bound for the Frostwind, answers.

  Nine people, each representing a vested interest in the summarily named Eichafen Expedition stood around the table. Sir Hermann of the Red Hawk Order, Sir Taurox, Inquisitors Janos and MIla, Eva and Theodore, Suzuki of the saints, and Sophie and Sophia. Unlike most occasions however, Sir Taurox was the one who directed them, being the only one with real experience of the current state of the fallen city.

  “Our forward operating base will be here. The Grunwald farmsteads.” The minotaur pointed to a map that detailed the locality of Eichafen, “It’s just outside the city limits and should give us clear sightlines for any oncoming hordes or hostile creatures. If possible, I’d like a small contingent of the Curia here.”

  “Only what’s necessary.” Janos affirmed.

  “Of course. Here,” He then pointed to the edges of the city, “last I remember when helping Lord von Krantz with clearing parts of it was that the outskirts were relatively safe. Not as densely populated and not where the majority of the horde ended up.”

  He left the statement at that but the implication was clear. There had been no large-scale attempt to break out of the encirclement, or at least not successfully. Those within did not make it out in large enough numbers to affect the flow of the undead.

  “Then, from the southern entrance which should still be open, there are three paths we can take to press into the inner city. Here, here, and here.” He motioned to a few different branching streets.

  Sophie could feel her heart sink as she recognized them. A road up to a small elevated position, towards Wilfred and Maud’s inn. Ah, I still remember snuggling up to Riza, her fur was quite soft, heh. Her wistful expression dropped. And then everything else, hmm. The next road veered towards the town squares including Saint Rosendorf Square, in particular, the church that sat there. Once a beacon of the Goddess’s light, now, likely a ruin. The last road took them towards the guildhalls of the city, one of which being the Adventurers Guild. The place where she had delivered her information alongside Runebound before its fall. She could still remember some of the names of people there. Otto, Nyria, Guildmaster Albert, and… ah, tch, the Crows. The Crows, the ones who had betrayed the city and Annalise’s group, the traitors that had contributed to the fall of Eichafen. She felt a small scowl slowly forming on her face at the thought of them.

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  “Lady Rosengart and Lady Suzuki.” Sir Taurox addressed the two, “I wager that these areas will serve as the main operational areas for you.”

  The two nodded, but Eva raised a hand.

  “Yes?”

  “Why not any deeper into the city? Not that I’m questioning your judgement. Just curious. Too dangerous?”

  He half nodded.

  “Somewhat, Lady Rosengart. Danger wise, I cannot say for certain. What I do know is that during our sweep of the city a year ago, we weren’t thorough enough. We had a time limit knowing that there could be answers and survivors elsewhere.” He dipped his head towards Sophie, “But if there are creatures or things that survived the purge and the subsequent fires that scorched the city. The denser streets and rubble of the inner city make for lairs neigh impregnable without sufficient force.”

  “Too many corners. Too easy to ambush. The risk factor is too high even if I’m willing to approve of this joint venture in the first place. So don't push it.” Janos added.

  This time, Eva did not argue with the inquisitor, merely letting out a dull grunt of acknowledgement. Sensing no additional questions were forthcoming, the minotaur gathered the group’s attention back onto the map. His hand now drew their gaze towards the inner city, past the guilds and churches and through the town square to end up at some residential districts. Beyond them, he then pointed towards a semi fortified city district that looked almost comically expansive compared to the other ones. Manors, walled buildings, the nobility or artisan’s quarters? Didn’t get a chance to see them las time.

  “The Golden Quarter. Where the city’s more prominent families and figures used to live. A ruin now, of course. Empty and abandoned like everything else. Their walls kept the worst of the fighting out. But considering that in the aftermath we’ve heard nothing from them, I suspect that whatever is inside is likely just as deadly as the undead outside.” Taurox paused to let everyone study the map.

  When he seemed satisfied, the minotaur pointed directly at the connector between the districts.

  “The gatehouse. That is where our second operational post will be. No supplies, but it’ll act as a rally point for Sophie’s team and anyone else should you end up cut off or lost. As long as you follow any thoroughfare or road westward, you’ll be able to see it. I’ll say that this should be the absolute limit for most operations, templar or otherwise, if you have no problem with that?”

  “That is acceptable. I have no desire to lose anymore men without cause anyways.” Janos agreed.

  “And what about us?” Theodore spoke up before the minotaur could continue.

  Sophie swore the room chilled a little when the minotaur turned to face him. Unlike Eva though, he likely only saw Theodore for what he was. Eva’s brother and knight, nothing more, nothing less. Though probably a few degrees of foolhardy and stupid for signing up to such a venture in the first place.

  “Hmm, a fair question.” The minotaur rumbled, “I believe your troops would be best suited to patrolling the outer quarters and aiding the templars.”

  Almost instantly, she could see Theodore’s nostrils flare a little. But well aware of who he was speaking to and who else was in the room, the knight displayed a surprising amount of self control to restrain his emotions.

  “What does that mean?” He growled.

  “You’re trained for maneuver warfare and overwhelming force.” Taurox responded calmly, “The ruins themselves let alone the windy streets of the fortress would prove a hindrance enough.”

  “We could push through.”

  “Potentially. But not without unacceptable casualties for a minor operation of this scale. The chances of success to loss ratio is simply not favorable enough.”

  Sophie reasoned that it was because Sir Taurox was a known seasoned warrior that Theodore’s usually more abrasive questioning had been put on hold. Though to be fair, the minotaur did have a point. The city was potentially a hellscape right now, no place for mounted knights lest that got cut off by rubble and debris. At least his desire for glory hasn’t overridden his survival instinct yet. Still wish he wasn’t joining us though, Sophie grumbled to herself.

  With Theodore remaining silent, the minotaur then motioned to the center of the golden quarter.

  “Sir Taurox?” Sophie queried.

  The minotaur nodded.

  “That is where I recommend you search. If memory serves me correctly, then that is where we found the majority of the city’s defenses once the outer walls fell. Alongside Saint Rosendorf Square, it’d be the most likely place that would yield any yet uncovered information about the events that took place that day. Though let us pray we don't need to go in that far.”

  “Understood.” She replied briefly.

  Unlike Theodore, she had little need for questions. After all, her task was the simplest but most difficult one. To uncover the timeline of events that took place here and to discover more evidence about the fall of the city. There was little wriggle room beyond accepting the daunting task that was presented to her.

  “Finally there is castle Eichafen itself. There was little sign of life when we swept the town a year ago. But given that it’s now actively being encroached on by the Mistveil with little to stop the darkness beyond its walls. I dare say more horrid creatures than you might expect would only be too happy to call such a place its lair.”

  “Ugh, disgraceful vicious beasts. To defile a noble’s residence so.” Theodore muttered under his breath.

  Sir Taurox paused and remained still, acting like he had concluded his briefing. Yet, Sophie could sense that the minotaur wasn’t quite done. That there was something else he was expecting. She followed his gaze towards the most unexpected member of the gathering, the knight of the red hawk.

  Feeling the sudden attention on him, Sir Hermann stood a little straighter, the knight looking like he finally started caring about the discussion that had been happening.

  “Ser?”

  “Yes?” Taurox stated, acting as if he hadn’t expected this reaction.

  “What about our company? Our mission is to ensure her compliance with the mandate.” The knight didn’t even spare Sophie a glance.

  “What about it?” The minotaur replied just as casually.

  “Pardon?” Sir Hermann let out an affronted scoff.

  “Your mission. It is to see her accomplish her task of uncovering the mysteries of Eichafen for Carrador. Either you accompany her to the heart of the ruins, or you help guard the gatehouse checkpoint with patience to await her return upon successful accomplishment of her goal. That is all.”

  “That’s… I suppose that is the case.” The knight reluctantly grunted.

  “Exactly. Don’t worry. I’ve taken the scope of this mission and its participants into account. Each team will have a part to play. But each part is important in its own way. Any more questions?”

  Sophie traded a glance with Sophia as the rest of the room shook their heads. Her twin shrugged.

  Better to have help than be on our own, she quietly told her.

  Fair enough, Sophie agreed.

  Sir Taurox then looked at her. She sighed and nodded her own affirmation.

  “Very well then. If there are no concerns, have your respective units prepare themselves. We’ll head out within the hour. Remember, dense forests and rough muddy terrain. Keep that in mind.”

  Sophie took another deep breath as she watched the room slowly gather themselves to leave. So it begins, she shivered, back into the Mistveil I go. Fuck.