The new piece on the chessboard

A man in slightly rough clothing, indicating he was most likely not a member of the indoor staff, was standing in the doorway, panting. It was quite clear he had just ran all the way here from the outside of the manor, though the reason as to why was yet unspoken.

Norman looked at him with an annoyed expression, becoming quickly impatient to the man's attempts to regain his breath. "Well? What is it that made you run all the way here and interrupt a very important meeting?"

I had to admit, it was somewhat confidence boosting to hear him refer to this as a "very important meeting". Of course, I was quite certain he was most likely talking up the event in order to reprimand his servant and make them second guess themselves, but I would take it none the less.

To my surprise, the man did not grovel for forgiveness or anything of the sort. "I'm sorry sir, but there's been an emergency! A horrific monster appeared in the wood, your daughter barely made it back in one piece." After getting the message out, the servant doubled over on himself, taking great effort to recover from his run.

There was a deep silence over the room. After a few moments, it took a lot of willpower not to make any outward signs that I had realized what had happened. 'And so, our villain has entered stage right, has he? Well then, let the show commence!'

I looked with a weary expression towards the chessboard. While Norman had been focused on the man, his attention shifted to me as I returned my hand to the new piece I had just made. I gingerly picked it up, sliding it over until it was aligned with the red bishop that represented Lana.

I took my hand back, examining the board as if it had not been me who just made a move upon it. After a moment, I spoke. "It isn't check in the slightest... however it is still a threat to a piece." I said it considerately, as if it was a simple observation of an actual game.

Looking up, I found Norman examining me with a slightly different expression than usual, one I could not quite place. It was a mixture of surprise, caution, and consideration. After a moment, he looked down at the board once more to check what move I had made once again.

He let out a large sigh, "Indeed..." He then made a singular move to push back his chair and stand up, already moving to the door as he spoke again. "I trust you have no problem with continuing at another time?"

Considering it for but a moment, I quickly got up to follow him. "Of course. Though I do hope you have no qualms with me going to investigate as well. If there truly is a gruesome monster in the great woods, my lord will most likely wish for me to cleanse it from this world."

It was not hard to tell that he did not want me to follow him, from hidden exhale to his tongue click. Regardless, he made no move to stop me. "So be it, I see no good reason to deny you. More hands are always helpful on a hunt."

By that point we had left the room, speed-walking this way and that through the endless, identical corridors. I could not help but think to myself, 'If I ever become in charge of this place, this manor is getting an **** remodeling. If not a redesign, then a leveling. I just don't understand how someone can get from one place to another in here without a map.'

After a short amount of time navigating that in retrospect felt far too short compared to the time it took for me to be brought to that room in the first place, we at last reached the front entry room. We of course did not spend long in there, Norman quickly moving through it to the other side to leave the house.

Within the outside courtyard a carriage was parked, multiple servants scrambling about. As we approached, I was surprised to find that Millana had beaten us here and was sitting on the step into the carriage next to her sister.

They both looked up as we arrived, their faces both turning to urgent expressions upon seeing their father, then confused ones as they saw me. Lana even had a slight pain behind her eyes as she stared at me, clearly not fully over our "duel" yet.

From within the carriage, I heard the voice of the old saintess who I had also met that night. "Lord Normn, may I ask the reason of this man's presence?" Looking up to her, she was already staring daggers into me before I was aware she was there.

Before he could respond, I decided to myself. "We were in the middle of a meeting when a man arrived saying there had been an attack. I had come to help, but it seems the healing was mostly handled. Perhaps I can help hunt the beast?"

She scoffed at me, though I noticed she was still hiding her arm behind her body. "There is no need, the beast is slain. I killed it myself. I doubt you would have been of much service anyway, the creature had already assaulted our stronghold."

It took every last fiber of my will not to grin at what information I knew that she did not. Instead, I replied in a cordial manner. "Truthfully? That is quite good! Then, if there are any injured left behind, I could be of help?"

I didn't actually care about healing any of them, but there was something I had to do. If they thought they killed my champion, I needed to bring them back to the scene of the battle, so that they could see he was already long gone. So that they could come to grasp just what kind of boogieman I had crafted for them.

Lana opened her mouth to object, however Millana spoke just before she could. "A most courteous suggestion, Mathew. We may spare the horses after their trying journey back by taking my carriage instead, shall we?"

The young priestess turned to her sister with an almost betrayed expression, but calmed herself down when Millana sent her a somewhat subtle glare. She of course did not act happy in the least, but seemed to know better than voicing her opposition.

Karen, however, did not seem to have yet read the room. "Our horses are fine, me and my ward shall ride in this carriage, if it serves the lord?" She looked to Norman with an expression that suggested she was not actually asking for permission as much as she acted.

Norman glared back at her before begrudgingly agreeing, "Should anything happen to the horses or carriages, I will expect a complete compensation. That aside, I shall assign an escort of men for both of you, to make sure that nothing occurs and no more forces attack my children while they are on voyage."

He snapped a few times, and some of the guards around simply got into position around the carriage. It did not take long for a second carriage to be readied, which Millana and I entered. By the time I had gotten myself comfortable, Isabell had seemingly appeared from thin air, seated by her lady.

I gave the two a nod, getting flashbacks to the last time I had traveled with them.