TIGERESS EMERALD

Ryles stood outside a small house, the one closest to the river. Since he had no leads, he had followed the river down to Alcheria and eventually to this village. Now, he stood before the house nearest the water.

He needed to check if the villagers had received any unwanted guest.

but he wondered why the village was so quiet yet tense, it felt as if something had happened, the air laced with a small hint of pine and herbs

Standing directly in front of the house that many had pointed out, he tried to discern what was going on, with the amount of people crowded in front of the house.

According to some villagers he had come across on his way here, it was against their law to keep strangers but only one woman had. And she lived here, but he couldn't understand why the place was crowded.

A young man approached him cautiously. Despite the tension, Ryles asked bluntly, "I need to see the woman who lives here."

The man, Inspector Nathan, squinted suspiciously as he studied Ryles.

" And you are ?" He probed, waiting for him to introduce himself.

"I'm a secret inspector, here on a case," Ryles lied smoothly, pulling out an inspector's seal.

This seal is akin to display of identification and power, letting inspectors pass through or carry out investigation without obstruction.

This seal was given by old man Jenkins long ago, the most surprising thing was that it was original. No one knew how he got hands on those things, he just did.

His master had been the one to request for it though, claiming it would help him in different situations if he were ever to go on solo missions.

" Oh, forgive my forwardness, fellow inspector. One can never be too careful you know " Inspector Nathan's attitude immediately changed, offering a handshake which Ryles took humbly to stay in character, he spoke

" about the lady who leaves here, i need to meet her " He didn't want to waste time, his life was dangling before his eyes until the night of the full moon.

" I'm afraid you are a bit too late, secret inspector. She died a few days ago " He pointed towards the body inside the house as they both walked over.

Ryles hand clenched hard into a fist as soon as he heard of the woman's death. He unclenched, had he been a second late the inspector's sharp eyes would have caught sight of his clenched fist.

"May I know the exact cause of her death?"

He questioned his brooding eyes coming to rest on the two men in front of him, one lost in thoughts.

"She was murdered by a young maiden. The guards are after her, and she'll be caught soon," the captain interjected suddenly, cutting off the inspector.

Ryles raised a brow, a young maiden ???, with this amount of damage ?

" Captain shaw, the poor woman had been hurled upwards, stuck admist the complicated woodworks. Do you think a young maiden is strong enough to have done it ?

She could be an accomplice, yes, but the actual Murderer ? i doubt it. Aren't you a captain, you should know this "

Inspector Nathan once again clicked his tongue in distaste, a mocking smile graced his lips.

The captain looked away embarrassed a light glare directed at the inspector, and Ryles just stared at the body not bothering with the two bickering men.

If there was one thing he knew, it was that the death of this woman was definitely not done by a human.

Of course he kept it to himself, not wanting to get involved any further with the men.

No sign of mark or scratch on her body, the whole thing screamed SORCERY.

The work of a witch,

Ryles thought to himself, he had killed many people and had worked with a certain witch for a long time to immediately identify which was which.

It could only mean one thing, either there was a witch hiding in this very village, the woman they were after could be the one.

Or something had lured the witch to this woman.

" I heard she nursed a certain intruder " Ryles spoke again.

" yes secret inspector, she indeed nursed an intruder, but the girl has been captured and sold into slavery " Ryles ears tingled at the word girl.

" A girl ? "

" yes secret inspector, a girl as in female. She has been sold already into slavery " He answered.

" I Know who a girl is inspector, thank you for your time " He bowed and walked away as fast as he came, not even glancing back.

He ran his hand through his hair in frustration. His only lead was dead, leaving him at another dead end.

He had come here for nothing, Ryles thought bitterly.

If only the intruder had been a boy then he would immediately have tracked him down, wether it was Raven or not.

The thought of a witch hiding close by didn't sit well with him, witches were cunning human beings and he had dealt with one for so long to finally know almost all about them.

Running into one was quiet troublesome, but then again witches were rare, extremely rare, What if it was the very same witch he knew who had murdered someone.

He paused at this thought, remembering she had indeed told him she was preparing for a journey. Could this be her destination, he squinted further many things were not making sense.

He didn't have the luxury to be bothered by that sly witch, yet he just couldn't help it.

He halted in his tracks, not wanting to gnar attention, he pretend to dust his boots, at the same time, secretly drawing out a needle and hiding it between his fingers.

He hadn't noticed before but something or rather someone was tailing him. He had sensed the person's gaze and his presence although subtle he had still picked on it.

He swiftly manoeuvered his way into one of the allys close by, waiting for the person to step close.....

Another bonus for the delay ◉‿◉

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