Snippet #2686457

Madame Phrina received reports amidst the chaos as the townspeople and nobles crowded the exits. Several gladiators had escaped and now their owners held her responsible for not protecting their assets. Chief among them Dhaxi and Kail. She could only rebuke so many before she waved them off, for she had other concerns.

Madame Phrina appeared with the colosseum guards before the Imperial contingent under Lieutenant Farnham and the mage Ada.

"Who is in charge here? I would like to speak with them," she voiced, unconcerned and unaware of what forces she had hoped to confront.

"I am," Ada stepped forward, "What is your concern, citizen?"

Phrina raised her voice, it was, after all, her colosseum, "I have offered all the aid that I can, but you must leave now. I am running a business here, but your presence allowed several of my lanistas' gladiators to escape."

Ada watched the woman drone on and on until she was finally annoyed.

"How am I to compensate them for th-"

In an instant, Madame Phrina became ashes. The colosseum guards stood in awe and horror.

"Go, unless you want to end up like her," Ada threatened.

They fled like rats.

-

"So the son of Artorius has chosen his path," Ada Capet thought as she surveyed the dead, "Lir Syoelle, you are a resourceful girl."

She thought it a shame that eventually she would have to run her sword through one or both of them herself.

A group of soldiers returned, "Lieutenant, we were unable to apprehend the male Duuthesh."

Lieutenant Farnham acknowledged them with a wave so they could attend to the others. Ada had desired that the soldiers capture the assassin Raikyyn Duarn. This would help her tie up loose ends. She had no fondness for Thieves' guild members, especially ones of high caliber martial abilities.

"So what now?" Farnham asked.

Captain Markath arrived with Lieutenant Woolworth and his cohort to answer that very question. His men brought along a Duuthesh slave in chains, she appeared in rags. A pair of cuffs locked her hands. Upon seeing the many soldiers slain by Antius he lashed out at the nearest subordinate, namely Lieutenant Farnham.

The lieutenant fell to one knee, head low, "Sire, we were ill-equipped to deal with the enemy. Had we known of their magical prowess beforehand from Miss Capet..."

Markath turned his eyes to the spellsword who looked unapologetic for failing to inform them of such critical information.

"Miss Capet," Captain Markath gave a last glance at the wounded soldiers and gestured to them as we he spoke, "Perhaps you would like to explain."

Ada resheathed her sword and looked Markath in the eye, "I did not need this particular kind of aid, you were ordered to escort me. You have done so Captain. Anything more was not sanctioned by the Chancellor or the Academy. Your men knew the risks."

"We had our own objectives as well, lest you forget, girl," the formalities were finished.

Dead soldiers were a waste.

"Seeing as how they have slain Imperial soldiers, they are enemies of the Empire now," Markath concluded, "And under imperial law it is the duty of the Imperial army to arrest and detain them. Surely you must have noticed the marriage in our objectives."

"Indeed," Ada turned, "I could have killed two birds with one stone, but I believe your men interfered far more than was necessary."

"Is that so?"

Ada noticed the Duuthesh girl, "Who is she?"

"The thief wanted for attempting to steal a priceless jewel from one of the manors here. She's been wanted in a number of other provinces and cities as well. The tribunal has already sentenced her to Dorngard," the old captain mused, "She was a tricky one, quite a fighter, took out several men."

Vadania looked at Ada Capet with a scornful brow and contempt. The Duuthesth seemed ready to spit in her face at a moment's notice as well. Ada wanted to sear the captive's impertinent face off with flames. She held back, for her anger had already abated with the disintegration of the colosseum owner.

"What of Antius Geminus, Lieutenant?"

The lieutenant stood up, "He escaped with Miss Capet's target."

Ada Capet twirled around, her heels clicked on the cobblestone as she stepped out of the colosseum and into the moonlight. She could smell their scent, they were not far. However, it became more faint, perhaps heading eastward. Nothing was eastward except the sea. Then they might be planning to escape by sea.

"Captain, what is the nearest port where the Imperial armada is stationed?"

Markath stepped out into the night with her, "Noro, why do you ask?"

"I have a feeling that the traitor may try to slip across the sea."

"I'll have my men search the port."

Ada nodded, "I doubt, however, they can do anything more once they have fled across the sea. Furthermore, I must make my way back to the Capital to inform the Chancellor."

"Then it is here that we part ways, Madame."

Ada disappeared into the night as Markath ordered the dead soldiers be carted to some empty field for burial. They would eventually haul the Duuthesh captive to her prison.