As soon as they arrived at the estate, Alyssa’s lax attitude disappeared. It wasn’t the scene of an accident or a spell gone wrong. It was the scene of a fight and a vicious one. The garden surrounding the house was completely scorched and she thought she could see damage to the house.
Swearing, she hopped off the driver’s bench of the carriage. “Lane, you’re with me. The rest of you, circle the estate. I want to know what happened here. If you see anyone out of place, spells first and questions later. Let’s move.”
She marched toward the front door, Lane at her back, while the others skirted around the estate. Her eyes were wide and quick, taking in every detail. What she saw worried her. The burned garden could be attributed to Lourianne Tome. It would beg the question why they were fighting but their marriage problems didn’t fall under her responsibilities. However, if they were fighting a third individual, that certainly did. There were spots in the garden that looked like the earth had been gouged out, a usual sign of an earth affinity caster.
Scowling, Alyssa reached the front door and raised her hand to knock but before it could come down, the door opened. She dropped her fist, taking in the boy standing before her. He reminded her of the servants that accompanied children of powerful noble houses with his immaculate appearance and unflappable demeanor. It was rare to see his level of calm in someone so young. The way he coldly evaluated them made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on in.
“Good evening.” The boy bowed his head marginally, showing respect but not going far enough to show subservience. “I am Earl, the steward of this estate. May I know the reason for your sudden visit?”
Her first thought was that his serious tone didn’t suit his high voice. He looked too old for his voice not to have dropped and he seemed a bit short for his age. Signs that hinted at developmental problems, a condition that made no sense for the servant of a noble house.
That wasn’t the only thing wrong with the little steward. The main point being that he declared himself a steward. They were estate owners’ right hands. They managed the house and, for the more trusted, some of their master’s affairs, giving them power in their own right.
The steward of a ducal house would be shown respect from high nobles. It was an honored position and she had never seen a boy claiming to have the title. Even a declining house like the Tomes had better offers than a brat who looked like he should be signing up for an initiate year.
His uniform fit the bill but she’d never seen a house that used purple for its house’s colors. The dye was horrendously expensive for even a few embellishments, let alone a whole jacket. If her eyes didn’t deceive her, the buttons were made from actual gold. The brat’s jacket looked like it was worth a month of her salary. Neither one of the women should have that kind of money.
All those thoughts flashed through her mind in a matter of seconds. “Alyssa Filigree, an instructor and security officer of the Hall. Suspicious activity was reported at this location. We would like to come inside and ensure that everything is as it should be.”
“I’m afraid you’ve come at an inconvenient time. The lady of the house has retired for the night and has asked not to be disturbed. I apologize for any inconvenience and assure you that everything is fine.”
Alyssa’s lips twitched with the effort it took to hold back her frown. The brat had dismissed her. Or at least, he tried. “That’s great but I’m going to need to hear that from one of your bosses.”
“I have the power to speak for my lady.”
“Oi. Get out of the way boy and let me do my job.” She took a menacing step forward, using her height and glare to their full effect.
The steward didn’t give an inch, staring at her unflinchingly. “Your job does not include trespassing on others’ property. You are meant to investigate any crimes or infractions and detain the perpetrators for judgment. No crime has been committed and there are no criminals on the premises. Ergo, there is no cause for your presence. Please leave.”
“I don’t know where you think you are. This is the Hall. This estate is the Hall’s property. I have been given the authority to maintain order in the Hall. That includes this house.”
“Part of the agreement when Mistress Kierra was given the estate gave her full rights to the property and its management as long as she is an instructor. That authority supersedes yours and can only be challenge by Grandmaster Dunwayne. Lest you have a written order by him, kindly remove yourself, Lady Filigree.”
“This bastard…” Lane muttered behind her. She agreed. Earl may be a boy but he had a man’s pair ordering her to do anything. Or at least a decent head on his shoulders. “You’d be right…unless there’s a present threat on the property.”
“I assure you there isn’t.”
“I’m telling you I think there is and I’m not going anywhere until I see for myself.”
“Then I am telling you, politely, that I will carry out my lady’s order. No matter what.”
His jaw was tight with determination. Alyssa was more than ready to test that will, her eyes glowing as she touched her mana. The arrival of her deputies interrupted her, the four men rushing up to her.
“Signs of a fight all throughout the garden,” one said in a grim tone. “At least the fire, earth, and water affinities.”
“There’s damage to the house,” another said. “A large hole on the upper floor, covered by a curtain.”
“No signs of forced ingress or egress. A crazy man stopped me from exploring the rear garden. Claimed to be a servant.”
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“His name is Gajin and he is Lady Tome’s gardener,” Earl confirmed. “His warning is also valid. Those without extensive knowledge in botany are well-advised to stay away from the mistress’ garden.”
“Enough! My deputies’ words are more than enough reason to check the house.” He could be telling the truth. She could be wasting both their time but with such obvious signs of a struggle, she’d be remiss if she didn’t investigate. “Get out of the way or I will move you.”
Earl watched her steadily, judging her intent. Then he stepped forward, firmly closing the door behind him. “I understand. I hope you also understand that I am also simply performing my duty.”
“…sure, kid.” She stepped back, gesturing with her hand. Two deputies stepped forward to subdue him. Alyssa might bluster but she didn’t want to lay her hands on a brat.
The last thing she expected was for the steward to lash out. She could barely track his movements as his palm hit one of the deputies in the throat, dropping him to his knees in a coughing fit.
The second one reached for him but his arm was grabbed and twisted, drawing a squeal from his lips. The steward kicked his leg out from under him, grabbed him by the hair, and kneed him in the face. Her deputy dropped to the ground, his nose leaking blood.
Alyssa stared at the deputies who’d been dropped in seconds and the young teen standing over them as calm as a still pool. He had the gall to say, “I don’t recommend further violence,” while looking her in the eye.
“You don’t, huh?” Recognizing her tone, Lane and the deputies took a large step back. Alyssa flipped down her visor. A large ball of orange-yellow fire appeared over her head. “Sure you want to do this? You’re going to get hurt.”
Earl remained quiet.
“Your ass.” The ball of fire over her head shrunk as it brightened, becoming white hot. She threw it forward and detonated it.
A wave of heat and pressure washed over her but fine control kept it from burning her or the deputies on the ground. The other two behind her had used their respective affinities to shield themselves, while Lane ducked behind her.
To her surprise, the steward had also dodged the attack. He balanced on the slight protrusion over the doorway with one foot, the other extended for balance. The only damage on his person his slightly singed pants leg.
Steward her ass. If he wasn’t the son of a high noble trained from birth to be an asset, pigs will fly in the morning.
“Lane!”
“On it, Boss!” Six arrows of flame appeared around him before shooting off. The boy leaped from his perch, taking off the second his feet touched the ground. She had taught Lane herself so he was no slouch. With impressive control, he altered the flight of his spells, angling them toward the boy, but Earl was still easily able to dodge.
“You can’t get away that easily!”
A large ball of flame appeared over his head before morphing into a hazy serpent. “Let’s see you run from this!” he shouted as the snake shot forward, its ‘jaw’ wide enough to swallow the boy had it been a real creature. Earl dodged but the spell followed him, singeing the ground as it twisted and thrashed while trying to catch the nimble boy.
While keeping ahead of it, the steward opened his jacket with a powerful yank, revealing a vest holstering a dozen knives. He pulled one and threw it, the blade aimed for Lane’s throat.
One of the deputies stepped into its path, holding up his arms. The metal gauntlets he wore expanded into a shield that deflected the knife, protecting Lane who was too absorbed in controlling his spell.
The remaining deputy rushed toward his fellows, checking on them.
“Get that brat under control!” Alyssa shouted as she stomped toward the door. Annoyed from the attack and genuinely concerned, she didn’t hesitate to kick down the door.
“Grrrrrr.”
She looked down to see a young girl with a fluffy head of blond hair and dangerous eyes staring at her.
“…don’t you fucking try it, brat.”