The Mayor's house

Lexi decided it would be best to introduce herself to the Mayor of the town and explain why she was here. She walked past the row of stocks and took a quick look. They looked like any normal stocks but these looked like they could be adjusted in height, so the prisoner could be left stood but bent or put so low as to be **** to kneel. Lexi found this strange but didn't think anything more about it.

Lexi reached the double doors to the town hall. A large steel door knocker was set into each door and both doors had little hatches set at head height allowing someone within to see out without opening the door. Lexi used a door knocker to try and summon anyone who might be inside. After a short wait the little hatch slid open revealing a pair of eyes.

"Yes?" Enquired a voice.

"I am Lexi of the Lighting Warriors," Lexi said, introducing herself. "I wish to offer my assistance to the Mayor. "

"Assistance in what?" Responded the voice, sounding confused.

"I have heard about all the women of the town that have gone missing and I wish to help," explained Lexi patiently and sounding a little confused herself.

"Oh....yes. Yes. I'm sure the Mayor would be welcome of the help of a Lightning Warrior in this matter. Please give me a moment."

Lexi could hear the sound of bolts been drawn. As she waited for the door to open she began to get an uneasy feeling. The person behind the door didn't sound that concerned about the missing women. He had sounded almost as though he had forgotten about them been missing.

The door swung open to reveal a tall, handsome man in his mid twenties. He was thin with a toned look to his body, dark green eyes and short blonde hair. His eyes quickly looked Lexi up and down and his smile had just the hint of a leer to it. That made Lexi annoyed and she took an immediate dislike to him.

"Please come in. My name is Harwin. I'm the Mayors assistant," he explained as Lexi stepped into the entrance hall.

The hall was dim with the failing light but Lexi could see the simply furnished room. The floor was black and white flagstones and the only decoration was some pictures on the walls. Opposite the front door another set of double doors stood closed. On the other walls were other single doors which were also closed.

"Please follow me." Harwin quickly locked the main door and walked off the to the small side door on the right wall without waiting for an answer. He led Lexi through the door and up a short flight of stairs and along a narrow corridor and into a small reception room.

"I'll just get the Mayor," Harwin said turning to leave, but before he did his eyes swept over Lexi's body again. Lexi shuddered as he left, she disliked Harwin and her annoyance turned to anger at him looking at her as though she was merely some object and not the Warrior she was.

The reception room was small but comfortable. The floor was covered in a thick carpet and a single high window looked out over the market square boarded by thick curtains. Several pictures hung on one wall, while the other wall was taken up by a bookcase. Two armchairs sat opposite each other, between them a small table which held a candle holder.

Lexi removed her sword belt and sat it beside the chair facing the door and sat to wait for the Mayor, as the sun dipped behind the houses outside. A little while later the Mayor of Saad entered the room.
He was in his late forties, medium height and stick thin with brown eyes and thick, oiled hair parted down the middle. He walk over to Lexi and held out his hand. Lexi extended her own expecting to shake hands.

"Welcome to our little town," the Mayor gushed with enthusiasm. He took Lexi by surprise as he took her hand, turned it, and kissed it before taking the seat opposite her. "Please call me Brayden. It is such and honour to have a member of the Lightning Warriors come to our little town. I'm told you wish to offer your help." His smile was warm and friendly.

"Thank you. My name is Lexi and I am very happy to offer my assistance. What can you tell me of the women's disappearance?" Lexi asked, getting straight to the point and pushing her anger aside and the surprise of the mayor kissing her hand. .

"Nothing much, I'm afraid. The disappearances began slowly, only one or two but gradually more disappeared till they had all gone. I could go into greater detail but I'm sure your tired after your travels and would like to rest." The Mayor looked at Lexi with helpful concern.

Lexi hadn't realised how tired she was but now the mayor had mentioned it, she was feeling quite tired after several days travel but she was still feeling as though something wasn't quite right.

"You may stay here in a guest room if you wish," the Mayor continued.