Winterfall

I walked up the marbled stairs and into my bedroom with no interference from anyone. I was beginning to like Marcel being gone. It was nice, quiet, and I was less stressed.

I shut the bedroom door behind me, locking the door behind me. I let out a yawn as I walked over to my bed and pulled back the covers. I laid down on the bed and rested my head against the pillow.

I pulled myself into his vision.

~Théoden's Point of View~

The walk to my office was rather quiet. The sun was just starting to rise, citizens just starting to stir, and the air was growing warmer by the minute.

The warmth never bothered me. Despite my pull towards the cold. Regardless of the matter, the development with the bond was something that piqued my interest. If we could share a spell damage, I couldn’t help but wonder if we could share healing spells as well.

Once I reached my office, I opened the door and flicked the lights on, shutting the door behind me. I placed my helmet upon my desk, hung my weapons in their appropriate place, and sat down in the comfort of my chair.

After a few moments of silence, I heard a knock at my door. “Come in!” I shouted.

I watched as the door opened and Quinn walked in. She held her helmet at her side as she walked in stride. “Good morning Quinn.”

“Good morning captain!” She smiled at me as the door closed behind her. “I wanted to thank you for allowing Maria to talk to me yesterday.”

I nodded, “It’s no problem. I know she thinks of you as a friend.” I didn’t want to embarrass Maria when I said she is her best friend.

I saw her face flush a bit red, “Well, I am beginning to think she is a good friend to have.”

“That’s good to hear. Two of my favorite people, getting along.”

I was pleased with this development. I knew if I couldn’t be near Maria rather it be here in Winterfall or at Summer Crest, I could send Quinn to protect her.

“And what she said about me turning red when I-” Quinn began to stammer.

“It’s alright Quinn. I know you meant nothing by it.” At least I hope. Quinn was married after all and she knew I loved Maria.

“That's great to hear, captain.” Quinn said with a sigh. “I was just surprised to see her so exposed and open like that.”

“She was in her room. What she does there is up for her to decide. Besides, you’ve seen more of Maria and I than I would like to admit.”

“True, very true.” Quinn responded. “Are you ready for round one?”

“Give me a few minutes to go over some paperwork and then I will be. You can wait in here or outside if you like.”

She walked back outside, giving me space. I pulled the file I was writing up for the attack on Maria. Incubus and Succubus in the kingdom. Makes me wonder what other hellish creatures Marcel has brought along with him. I thought to myself.

Perhaps I need to invest in a detector for those creatures. Maybe the enchantress can cook something up. Afterall, I need to check on a soul cage for Marcel.

First rounds. I put the papers back in the drawer and grabbed my equipment and met Quinn for our first round of the day. Thankfully, the round was simple and easy. No weird deaths, at least not since the fiends were dealt with.

“I have to stop by the enchantress for a few items. I will meet you later for our second round.”

“See ya later captain!” Quinn shouted as she waved at me and walked away.

I found myself walking to the enchantress, the same exact one that I have used for my last three items with hopes of furthering our preparation in this battle.

Pari is Theo’s go to when it comes to magical items being enchanted as she was well diverse in the craft, having hundreds of years under her belt. She works at The Fey’s Enchanted Treasures. Pari is a Fey creature herself, as she is a Sprite creature that has connections in the Feywild that helps with enchanting items.

As Theo walked into the shop, the scent of the Feywild. Naturistic, a mix of dark oak and rose. The shop was vibrant, and filled with a variety of trinkets that ranged in magical strength.

Pari herself, consisted of brilliant green wings with gold specs throughout them. Her body was tiny, at a height of two feet tall. She has golden eyes that matched the specs in her wings, her skin fair and her hair tied in a high bun.

Pari’s wings fluttered with greet speed as she steadied herself in mid air. “Good morning Théoden!” Her high pitched ethereal voice rang through the building.

“Morning Pari.”

“What can I do for ya?” She began to flutter about as she started to organize her shop.

“I have a few requests that may sound a bit odd. Is there a hell creature tracker?” Hopefully she will not find that request odd.

She just stared at me and scratched her head, “A hell creature tracker?”

“Yes, Maria was just attacked by a couple of them yesterday. I want to make sure there are not any more in the kingdom.”

“So, that’s what that stench was.” Could Fey smell Demons and Fiends? I questioned myself.

Pari flew quickly about and looked through her inventory. “I don’t have anything at the moment, captain but I can work on something.”

“Could you?”

“Anything for my number one customer.”

“Thank you.”

“And what is your second thing?”

“Ah, yes. My second thing is an item big enough and expensive enough for a soul cage.”

“Hmmm…I will have to get back to you on that one. I just sold my last one recently.”

I looked at her curiously, “May I ask who bought it?”

“I can not remember. I think her name started with an S though.”

“That’s alright, can you get another one in? Or craft one?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Great. Once you have the items crafted I will give you full payment but for now, a down payment like usual?”

“Yes that will do.” Pari began to calculate the price for both items, “Alrighty, the jar will be 800 gold when finished and the Hell creature tracker will be 2,200 gold. Half will be 1,500 gold.”

Théoden gave her 1,500 gold. “When can I expect the items?”

“The jar, give me 3 days. The tracker contains higher enchanting. I will need 5 days for that.”

“Doable. Thank you again.”

I shook her hand as our business concluded and left. I found myself walking back to my office. Enjoying the warmth of the morning sun.

Once I got back to my office I began the tedious task of paper work.