Nostrum: Tales of Valor

Maciofim's Finest

High stone walls appear on the horizon as trees on either side begin to clear, leaving nothing but a dirt path ahead and fields of wheat. As they top the last hill separating them from their destination, the rooves of homes, businesses, and even The Bethel can be seen. With The Bethel being the tallest of all the buildings and residing near the center of the city, the break of dawn casts its warm light on the pointed towers at each corner; giving off a peaceful impression. As if The Bethel remains a beacon of hope, even now.

Lee pulls the wagon alongside the gate, where a young and eager boy waves him down. As Lee stops, he, Hael, Marne, and Yuler step away from their belongings and join together at the front, where the boy collects a small fee from Lee's hand.

"I'll be sure to keep your things intact, Sir!"

"I should hope so. It's all we've come with." Lee scowls at the boy as he gives a nervous laugh in return and heads to the wagon, taking the reigns and slowly riding it off towards a large stable with a hay roof. "Come, let's not waste what extra time we've found ourselves with." Lee sniffs hard with a crinkled nose. Obvious distaste with the lack of sleep they've all gotten still resting heavily on his mind.

As they come upon the main gates of the city, they are met by two more faces. A guard posted on either side of the entrance step forward and plant the butts of their lances against the ground. A common motion that suggests they wish to speak with whomever it is they are approaching. Lee stops once again and gives a huff as his eyes drifted to the sky, then back at the guards.

"Halt. State your business within the city, and the names you claim."

Lee says nothing. Instead, he unbuckles his coat, exposing a curious, white ascot at his neck. As the guards spot the material, they quickly straighten themselves out and relax the grip they each have on their weapons.

"My apologies." Comes the guard's voice once more. "Have you come to assist with the manor?"

Lee cocks a brow and looks back at the rest of his party. Then, back at the guard, which he eyeballs up and down.

"What information have you been given on the subject?"

The guard appears to become uncomfortable with the question. As if he is now uncertain of whether or not he was meant to be told anything, or share such information. Yet, he continues on regardless.

"Decwick Manor's territory has been subjected to nesting grounds of some sort, but the information provided has been limited, Nostrum...?"

"Nostrum will do just fine." Lee blatantly states, refusing to share his name. "We'll be sure to make our way there most urgently."

The guards step aside and allow the gates to open up. Once they have done so, the party moves on towards the inner city in silence. Lee, acknowledging this, looks about their surroundings. Determining that no one else is near enough to them to hear him speak, he begins to explain himself to the others; Excluding Hael.

"It is a symbol of Bethel Nostrum."

"What might be?" Yuler questions, not wanting to make an assumption.

"The ascot. Hael has brought hers as well." Marne and Yuler turn to face Hael, who pulls her own from beneath her overcoat and allows it to lay across the front of her attire. "They were issued to us many... many years ago."

"Wait," Marne begins, remembering the story Hael had told them back at the cottage, "does that mean-"

"It does." Lee states, knowing that he needs not to be retold any of what has already been spoken. "Hael's story was our own, even if we were cautious to tell you."

"It was something we knew you two would discover in due time. Thus, we chose not to share it until the time was right, or irrefutable."

Marne and Yuler look to one another. An uncertain expression of guilt crosses each face, as both have secrets of their own that stem from Lee and Hael. Yet, neither wishes to share just yet.

"Well, this is no place for us to spill such things." Hael assures, clearing her throat and taking in a deep breath as the smell of fresh bread fills her nostrils. "Let us make our way to the manor before we get too distracted by a thought or the amenities littering these streets."

"Of course." Yuler agrees, trying to shake off what amount of thinking has consumed her mind. "Will this manor offset us any?"

"It is unlikely." Lee offers, looking off towards a far corner of the street ahead. "The Decwick are a curious lot. Last two of their bloodline, if I'm not mistaken."

"That is if they're still around." Hael adds bluntly.

"'Course they're still around!" Lee exclaims with a shake of his head. "They might be a small number but I've yet to hear of one being slain by... well... anything for that matter."

"There is always a chance of it." Hael assures.

As they reach the foot of the manor's property, they are met by yet another gate. Black metal bars twist and turn, forming something of a flower in the midst of the two swinging doors. Lee wastes no time admiring the handy work as he approaches it. He simply pushes through the creaky gate and marches on towards the manor ahead. As the group reaches a large, circular road, they travel along the left side; Being sure not to disrupt a colorful garden of flowers in the middle of the circle. Once they have reached the door, he goes to knock, yet before he can, the door is pulled ajar from within. Lee puts his hand back at his side as the pale face of a young man emerges. His lengthy hair rests against his shoulders as he looks over his visitors. Then, he offers a smile and pulls the door further open.

"Welcome Nostrum, to Decwick Manor." Placing a hand out before him, Lee takes it and gives a firm handshake with a subtle bow. Then, Hael, Yuler, and Marne proceed to do the same. "Please, come in! I assure you, the kitchen staff has been expecting guests and we will have a grand meal ready for you in our commons." The group huddles into the entrance hall, where their host has placed himself at the front of them with both arms extended from his sides. "Again, I welcome you to our home. My sister will surely be done any moment and, oh-" Looking behind himself and up a curved stairwell, the frame of a woman is made known. A long, silver dress covers the entirety of her body below the neck, with the exception of her forearms and hands. The obvious impression of a nearly due pregnancy presses the fabrics at her abdomen outwards as she is assisted down the stairs by a maid. "Earlier than I might have expected, dear sister."

"Always." She admits, a thin smile resting on her thin lips.

Marne acknowledges that the two of them share unusually pale features, and yet, their hair differs greatly. The brother's hair, being something of deep, curling oak, and the sister's being more of a straight, pearly white.

"Curious." He whispers to himself, watching a second maid come from a room at one side of the hall and whisper in the ear of the brother.

"Excellent!" Turning on his heel, he clasps both hands together at his chest. "I have just been informed that our morning feast has been completed and will arrive at the table only moments from now. Please, come with me." Waving both arms towards the door in which the maid had originally come from, he awaits the four of them to go ahead of himself. Still fashioning the smile he had offered them when they arrived at his door.

As the party digs into roasted pork belly and buttered bread rolls, their hosts appear more interested in their visitors' enjoyment than their own dishes. Taking smaller bites than the average person and ensuring that they use their utensils to do so, they watch more than they eat.

"So, if I may," Marne begins, noticing the eyes on him and dabbing at his face with a handkerchief, "what is the issue at hand?"

"Ah, of course." Comes the sister's voice from the table's far end. "Our estate has been... well... relatively overrun by lycan."

"Not all of it, however." The brother interjects, giving a brief huffing chuckle as he does so and taking a sip from a polished wine glass. "We have been able to contain it in a... more confined space."

"What space might that be?" Marne questions, taking another bite from his plate as he does so.

"The yard at the rear of the manor. Just beyond the fencing."

"So, they reside off the property?"

"No, no." The sister assures. "Our land is within its own walls. Within the walls are another."

"We established the secondary wall after losing a member of our staff who was sent out to gather wood for the fires. Unlike the walls at the front of our estate, these walls are lined with spiked caps."

"Containing them is all that we have been attempting to do."

"Has it worked thus far?" Lee's voice comes, through a mouthful of butter."

"Thus far." The brother claims, now nodding and looking towards the table. "Let yourselves get settled in before we worry too much with the details. It will surely take a couple of moons to rid the property of them all."