Interview: Delucia Disappearances
Jan 16, 2024 11:03:25 GMT -5
Judas D'arc, Deminatza, and 3 more like this
Post by mcian on Jan 16, 2024 11:03:25 GMT -5
by Erik Valstrom, Journalist
For months now, Delucia has suffered the loss of over twenty of its citizens, from the farm hands and herders outside, to even some of the militia who guard the town. Investigation into those missing has yielded no clues as to either the motive or culprit. The victims have all been taken at night, and have been out of door, at their guard posts, or perhaps in transit home for the evening.
With much reluctance did Alice, the Warrior Guildmistress, speak with me on the topic. I had to promise her one of my fabulous dinners one evening, and my word to go easy on her in my column. I can truly say that her situation is most difficult as no traces have been found of the victims, nor any kidnapping notes left, nor any sign of foul play: blood stains, footprints, etc. This truly is an astounding mystery.
"When did all of this begin, my lady?" I asked her.
"About nine months ago, and very slowly. It began with about one per month, then increased to about two. At first we assumed they left town, but some had families hereabouts and left them no word. We increased our survellance, posted more guards, but some of them, too, disappeared."
"How many guards?"
"I am not at liberty to tell you. One is too many."
"Do you have any suspicions, if not clues?"
"Well, yes. We did notice that it began about a year after that "benefactor" of Papua arrived... what's his name?"
"Thraxas, I believe. I have tried to interview him but he has, thus far, refused," I replied.
She nodded. "Yes, we did calculate that it started shortly after he came to power there."
To that statement, I could not suppress a chuckle. "He is not in control there, my lady. Archon Chumsol is. He serves as an advisor or consigliere of sorts I am told."
Her brow furrowed as she scowled. "And I thought you were sharper than you apparently are! He is the real power there. Chumsol is a chump, a mere figurehead. If you look at him carefully, you can see the strings on him attached to Thraxas' fingers."
A tad embarrassed by her dim assessment of my wit, I declined to argue. "Well, at any rate, what do you make of that connection?"
"We are looking into it, but until the disappearances are solved, he is our prime suspect, and all of Papua as well. They have been raiding our area, stealing our cattle and harassing our animal herders."
"Papuans are doing this?"
"Who else?"
"If you do find out he is behind this, and the Papuans are supporting him, what does it mean? What will you do?"
"If the do not turn him over to us, we will have no choice but to threaten them with war. We will get him one way or another. We cannot stand around and do nothing."
At the sound of that, I decided I would redouble my efforts to interview Lord Thraxas as soon as possible.
For months now, Delucia has suffered the loss of over twenty of its citizens, from the farm hands and herders outside, to even some of the militia who guard the town. Investigation into those missing has yielded no clues as to either the motive or culprit. The victims have all been taken at night, and have been out of door, at their guard posts, or perhaps in transit home for the evening.
With much reluctance did Alice, the Warrior Guildmistress, speak with me on the topic. I had to promise her one of my fabulous dinners one evening, and my word to go easy on her in my column. I can truly say that her situation is most difficult as no traces have been found of the victims, nor any kidnapping notes left, nor any sign of foul play: blood stains, footprints, etc. This truly is an astounding mystery.
"When did all of this begin, my lady?" I asked her.
"About nine months ago, and very slowly. It began with about one per month, then increased to about two. At first we assumed they left town, but some had families hereabouts and left them no word. We increased our survellance, posted more guards, but some of them, too, disappeared."
"How many guards?"
"I am not at liberty to tell you. One is too many."
"Do you have any suspicions, if not clues?"
"Well, yes. We did notice that it began about a year after that "benefactor" of Papua arrived... what's his name?"
"Thraxas, I believe. I have tried to interview him but he has, thus far, refused," I replied.
She nodded. "Yes, we did calculate that it started shortly after he came to power there."
To that statement, I could not suppress a chuckle. "He is not in control there, my lady. Archon Chumsol is. He serves as an advisor or consigliere of sorts I am told."
Her brow furrowed as she scowled. "And I thought you were sharper than you apparently are! He is the real power there. Chumsol is a chump, a mere figurehead. If you look at him carefully, you can see the strings on him attached to Thraxas' fingers."
A tad embarrassed by her dim assessment of my wit, I declined to argue. "Well, at any rate, what do you make of that connection?"
"We are looking into it, but until the disappearances are solved, he is our prime suspect, and all of Papua as well. They have been raiding our area, stealing our cattle and harassing our animal herders."
"Papuans are doing this?"
"Who else?"
"If you do find out he is behind this, and the Papuans are supporting him, what does it mean? What will you do?"
"If the do not turn him over to us, we will have no choice but to threaten them with war. We will get him one way or another. We cannot stand around and do nothing."
At the sound of that, I decided I would redouble my efforts to interview Lord Thraxas as soon as possible.