*Two days had gone by since Shadow Eye made it to Werbend. News of the scruffy man’s body being found dead in the alleyway made the news with a lot of people terrified and disgusted at what was done to the man. In the prison, Guzco was standing in an office with a newspaper in his hand angrily staring at Brant who was sitting off to the side with his feet on a coffee table. Across from Guzco sitting at a desk was a skinny man with tan skin, slick black hair, and brown eyes. He wore a military outfit same as Guzco*
(Guzco): What the hell is your problem!?
*Guzco tosses the paper onto the coffee table with blurred images of the scruffy man for Brant to see*
(Brant): What? The man tried to rob us and we punished him for it.
(Guzco): To hell with that! You call mutilating a man a fitting punishment for pickpocketing?
(Brant): Alright, the group might have taken it too far. Sorry. I’ll be sure to talk to them about it.
*Brant gets up and prepares to leave obviously not taking the situation serious at all and felt no remorse for what his men did. He starts to walk past an irate Guzco*
(Guzco): Hold up! We’re not finish here!
*Guzco grabs the right shoulder of Brant to stop him from leaving. As soon as Guzco grabbed him, Brant’s eyes shifted to that of anger. Brant swatted Guzco’s hand away and then grabbed him by the collar before lifting him up and slamming him toward the wall back first. Brant used his free hand to reach for something around his waist until the man in the chair stood up with a panicked look on his face*
(Man in the chair): Brant, stop! That’s an order!
(Brant): Warden, this man laid his hands on me.
(Warden): I know! But I won’t allow you to harm a member of Hargus’s law enforcement. Don’t let me alert military personnel.
*Brant let go of Guzco*
(Brant): I apologize for my rude behavior, but I’d be careful, constable. Unlike you I passed my military exam.
*Brant opens the door and leaves the room. The warden takes a sigh of relief and falls back into his chair*
(Warden): Are you trying to get yourself killed, Guzco? What were you thinking?
(Guzco): Cut the shit, Byron! You saw what these guys did. While you sit here snuggly in your prison, I’ve got a whole town scared out of their mind of these guys.
(Byron): It’s not my job to worry about what the town thinks. My job is to keep order in this prison. Your job is to keep order in the town. I suggest you do that unless you wish to end up like your friend.
(Guzco): You know as well as I do that that story is a lie. He’s the last person who would betray Hargus.
*Guzco leaves the office mad and frustrated at the events happening around him*
***
*Back in the Blue Tree, the place was busy with customers coming in for a nice drink. Word had quickly spread about the new band in town and people were interested in seeing them perform. Despite being on a mission, the band members of Shadow Eye were actually having a good time on stage. Zia’s singing was always great, but it was amplified thanks to Dust’s piano skills. The group had was finishing up a jazz song and once it was done the band received a standing ovation from everyone*
(Dust): Thank you. Thank you all for coming out to see us. Please enjoy the rest of your day. We’ll be playing again this evening.
*Dust, Zia, Amarti, and Alita stood up and bowed. They then exited the stage to the left and went through a side door that took them to the backroom where they made their way to the break room where everyone was waiting for them*
(Ryuuji): Hey. Good work out there.
*Ryuuji tosses Zia a bottle of water. She catches and drinks as everyone else grabs a seat*
(Amarti): So, how are things on your end?
(Ryuuji): They’re coming along.
*Ryuuji places a black cube on the table. The top opens up and reveals a hologram map showing the town and surrounding area*
(Ryuuji): So we are right here.
*Ryuuji points to the town on the map*
(Ryuuji): Our pick up point is 15 miles west of the town near the coast.
*Ryuuji points to the coast where they’ll be extracted*
(Morgan): Trying to escape on foot would be stupid. We’ll need to secure escape vehicles and drive to the coast.
(Dust): I’m sure we can find some in the prison.
(Ryuuji): Speaking of the prison, that’s the final piece we’re missing. We have no idea where Howard is being kept in there.
(Morgan): According to Takashi the prison is split into five levels.
(Zia): Why five levels?
(Raika): The more dangerous the criminal is the lower they go. That way if they attempt to escape the guards will have plenty of time to stop them from reaching the entrance.
(Morgan): Depending on where he’s being kept is going to make or break the mission. If it’s level one or two, and maybe three we’re safe. Anything lower than that and we got a problem.
(Gael): Oh please, we can get to that easily. Just need to crack a few skulls.
(Amarti): Getting to him isn’t the issue, it’s getting him out that’s going to be the problem. There’s no way we can do this mission quietly. We’re going to make a lot of noise that’s going to attract a lot of dangerous people.
(Morgan): There’s also Blood Sword. Should we do the breakout when they’re in the prison or when they’re out in the town?
(Dust): That question can be answered later. Right now, we need to find a way inside that prison.
***
*Back in the main area of the restaurant, Jin and Hibana were busy turning off and putting the sound equipment away. After the performance and lunch hour rush, the place had cleared out of any customers. The door opened and in walked Guzco with a tired look on his face*
(Guzco): Oh shoot, did I miss the performance?
(Takashi): Afraid so, constable.
(Guzco): Damn. I could really hear some good music right about now.
(Takashi): Everything alright? You look a little tense.
(Guzco): Just dumb stuff at work.
(Takashi): Say no more. Why don’t you have a seat? I’ll have one of the girls bring you some tea and have Austin whip you up something good. My treat.
(Guzco): Trying to suck up are we?
(Takashi): Just consider it a thank you for everything you do for us and the town.
*Takashi heads towards back not seeing the warm smile Guzco gave him. Guzco went off to the corner and sat down in one of the empty booths. He took a sigh before Kesha arrived with a cup and a tea pitcher. He then noticed Jin and Hibana who had just finished putting away the sound equipment*
(Jin): Alright, that’s everything.
(Hibana): Should be good to go for this evening. I could use a drink right about now.
(Guzco): Hey! How bout you guys come over join me.
*Guzco got the attention of Jin and Hibana who were a little shocked at what they heard. They looked around to make sure the constable wasn’t talking to anyone else*
(Jin): Us? Are you sure? I’m sure a busy guy like yourself doesn’t want to be hanging around with us kids.
(Guzco): Nonsense. Tea is good with others. Besides, I can’t finish this pitcher alone.
*Seeing no harm in the drink and not wanting to arouse suspicion, Jin and Hibana give in and go to have a drink with the constable. They enter the booth as the constable was pouring them some tea*
(Guzco): So how did the performance go today?
(Jin): It went well. Another good crowd was on hand and we’re looking forward to tonight’s performance. Dr. Bronson and the others have been enjoying themselves.
(Guzco): I bet. I’m sure the citizens have also been enjoying the sound of music as well. It’s been a while since this town had great music they could listen to. You wouldn’t know by looking at it, but this town had quite the music scene back in the day.
(Hibana): This used to be a music town?
(Guzco): Yeah. Our harvest music festivals were considered the best around. People from all over Hargus would come to check out the music, perform on stage, and enjoy the plentiful harvest. Unfortunately, those days are long gone now.
(Jin): What happened?
(Guzco): *Sigh* A different direction for the kingdom. After the royal family was executed and General Yamos took over, he refocused Hargus on military practices. He wanted the people to take pride in the military that protected the country. He made grand speeches that inspired the people as well as the next generation. He looked to us and said: You. You are the ones who will make Hargus strong and great.
*Guzco gulps down his tea as Jin and Hibana were paying attention to him*
(Guzco): And, like the impressionable kid that I was I became inspired. Gone was the kid who dreamed of being a rock star, and in was the kid who wanted to be the hero of Hargus. It wasn’t just me who wanted to be a hero. My best friend also wanted to get in on the action. Even though he wasn’t the most athletic, he made up for it by being the smartest. However, we knew that if we stuck together we’d make it. Years went by and as a young officer, I felt I had what it took to go to the capital and become a soldier. Sadly, I failed the physical exam and my dreams of being a hero were destroyed. Despite encouragement from others and returning to my old post, I never could accept the failure of my dream. Meanwhile, my friend managed to become the hero Hargus wanted using that big brain of his. While I was happy one of us got to achieve the dream, I couldn’t help but be jealous and secretly prayed for his downfall. Now that bastard is in a prison waiting to be executed, in the town, where he was born no less. The gods truly have a cruel sense of humor.
*As Guzco began to drink more of his tea, Jin and Hibana drank their tea and quietly realized that the friend he was talking about is Howard Osalt. Giving each other a quick side eye, it was like they telepathically told each other not to say his name and to just keep listening. Guzco realizing the awkward setting he had made quickly spoke*
(Guzco): Oh sorry. Didn’t mean to be such a downer and put that all on you kids. Just going through a lot right now.
(Jin): Oh no, it’s fine.
(Hibana): Yeah, sometimes it’s good to vent and let it all out.
(Guzco): *Laughs* You two are alright. Pretty sharp for your ages as well. So what are you guys doing out here traveling instead of at home?
(Jin): Come from a pretty low income home. Wanted to help out the family, these guys were hiring and the pay is good. What I really want to do is be a talent agent like G.T.
(Hibana): My dreams are a bit more ambitious. I want to create my own music label.
(Jin): Also, if I may be so bold, I don’t think you failed in your dream. You’re the constable of this town. You keep everyone safe. You’re a hero to these people even if they don’t say it.
*Guzco gets a warm smile on his face*
(Guzco): Never thought of it that way. Thanks, kid.
*Kesha arrives with a plate of brisket along with a side of beans, creamy coleslaw, and potato salad*
(Kesha): Sorry for the wait constable.
(Guzco): Woah, looks delicious.
(Hibana): Well I think that’s our cue to leave. Enjoy your meal constable.
(Guzco): You guys have a good day as well. Thanks for keeping me company.
*Hibana and Jin leave the booth and start making their way towards the back*
(Guzco): By the way, has Warden Byron come by yet?
(Kesha): Hmm~ not that I know of.
(Guzco): That’s a shame. That guy’s more of music junkie than me. Guess he must be too busy to drop by.
*As Hibana and Jin made their way to the back they overheard Guzco and Kesha talking*
***
*Back in the break room, the group was hard at work devising a plan to enter the prison*
(Jade): Why don’t I just punch an officer and get thrown in?
(Morgan): We’re trying to keep a low profile. If you get thrown in prison they’re going to do a background check on you and discover you’re not really a mercenary. And if they discover you’re not a mercenary they’re going to arrest us all for suspicion as spies.
(Sanada): What if we entered as delivery men?
(Amarti): Nah, all of their deliveries and shipments are handled by military personnel. Including their laundry. Not to mention they receive messages on when deliveries are being made. They’d know something was up as soon as you walked up to the door.
*Hibana and Jin walked into and shut the door*
(Raika): What kept you?
(Jin): Sorry, we got stuck keeping the constable company.
*Everyone gained a worried look on their face*
(Ryuuji): He didn’t ask you anything personal did he?
(Hibana): No. He was just stress and vented to us.
(Jin): Although he did drop a nice tidbit about the warden. He’s a bigger music junkie than the constable.
*Upon hearing this, Amarti gained a mischievous smile on his face*
(Amarti): G.T. It’s time to go to work.
(Dust): Make sure to sell the band to the best of your abilities, Mr. Road Manager.
*Morgan gulped as he knew exactly where this was going and didn’t like it one bit*
Author’s Note: Sorry for the delay. Had to take a much needed rest. So this chapter focuses more on Hargus than our characters. I wanted to show a little more of Hargus’s history through the eyes of its citizens and how much the kingdom had changed. A city that was once flourishing with music has now become a dreary place where people live in fear. A boy who once dreamed of being an artist was changed by the mesmerizing words of a general who promised him the chance to be a hero for his kingdom. It’s sad to see, but it reflects real life in some cases. I did enjoy the conversation between Guzco, Jin, and Hibana. He vents and it makes you wonder. Is he telling them this on purpose? Does he know they’re spies? Was he secretly trying to help them? I’ll leave that up to you to interpret. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next time.
