Across The Pond

Vallius slowly made his way to the large front doors of the church, clutching his side where Shotherra had cut. The gash was deep but having hit nothing vital Vallius knew he would be fine so long as he stitched, or at least bandaged it up soon.

Vallius had made it to doors but when he reached for the handles the doors were thrown open violently, knocking him to the ground. When Vallius had regained his bearing he looked up to see six guards, weapons drawn already spread out throughout the church. Three were observing the lifeless bodies of Shotherra and Belisarius. Two were checking every corner of the large chapel so they could secure the area. And one guard was standing in front of Vallius, offering a hand to help him up.

Vallius took it with the hand that he hadn't used to apply pressure to his wound to avoid spreading his blood all over the place and rose to his feet.

"Would you mind explaining just what happened here" demanded the guard in an almost accusing tone.

"I tried to help. While I managed to kill the assassin I wasn't skilled enough to save Belisarius or myself from injury" Vallius told the city guard somberly.

"Well no one can expect to be able to fight off a Dark Brotherhood assassin and escape without injury. You're lucky to be alive" the guard reasured Vallius. "Though I am curious how you knew the guard's name and why you seem to be in the same garb as the assassin."

While Vallius wasn't prepared for the question he had expected it to some degree. Vallius looked away from the guard and towards the body of Belisarius before saying "he was my cousin and I was in for a visit. As for my clothes I found them with a bag the assassin dropped and when Belisarius chased the assassin in I knew I had to help and I figured armor is armor so I put it on."

"Fair enough" the guard responded. But before Vallius could breath a mental sigh of relief the guard spoke up again.

"I never caught your name."

"That is probably because I never said it. My name is Vallius."

"Vallius huh? You know it's interesting that Belisarius or his old man never once mentioned you, why do you think that would be?" asked the guard.

Vallius was starting to get annoyed. Sure there needed to be an investigation but why was this guard nitpicking everything. For a brief moment Vallius debated whether or not to just kill the guards and be done with it but not halfway through the thought Vallius stopped himself. 'Woah, where did those thought's come from' Vallius thought to himself.

"Well?" asked the guard impatiently.

Vallius looked back to the guard. It was clear the guard was getting very annoyed so Vallius decided to answer. "How should I know, maybe they do just never around you." Vallius said defensively.

"Either way I'm going to have to ask you to come with us" the guard told Vallius.

Vallius looked around to see two more guards had come up behind him. The other three guards apparently removed the bodies while Vallius was having his conversation as both those guards and the corpses were gone. Vallius started to weigh his options but before he could make a decision the two guards grabed him and started to drag him to the door, the guard that Vallius had talked to close behind.

Vallius decided it was time to act and quickly jerked his right arm free and brought his right hand, still covered in blood, up to the face of the guard on his left, making sure to get blood in his eyes before shoving him away. As Vallius shoved the guard away he placed his left hand on the hilt of the guard's sword drawing it as the guard was thrown backwards.

Before the guard on his right could draw his sword Vallius swung his, the blade held down along the length of his arm, at the neck of the guard. The guard stumbled for a few seconds but only moments later the guard was dead. Vallius turned to the guard that asked too many questions whos face portrayed complete and total shock. Vallius just shrugged and with nonchalantly said "what? I don't like to be touched."

Just then the guard that Vallius had temporarily blinded with his own blood jumped on his back. Vallius flipped the guard over his shoulder and onto the cold, unforgiving stone floor of the church.

"Now what did I just get finished saying?" asked Vallius.

Vallius backed up and kept the sword raised defensively.

"I don't want to hurt you two but I won't hesitate if I feel I have to" Vallius told them. the two guards remained silent. One due to realizing the circumstances the other because he hadn't quite regained his breath after it was knocked out of him when he hit the floor.

"Now, what's your name?" Vallius asked the guard whom he had talked to earlier.

The guard took off his helmet revealing a Breton with shoulder length dark brown hair. The Breton looked at Vallius and said "My name is Captain Marcel, Head of the guard in this city. Disrespect the law and you disrespect me, and I'd say you've broken at least three laws in the last two minutes."

"How do you figure that?" Vallius asked the guard captain Marcel curiously.

"Evading arrest for one. You stole that sword, and and from a guard no less. And of course the murder I just witnessed. And I'm sure you had your part in poor Belisarius' death" Marcel told Vallius. "Any other questions?"

"Actually yes" Vallius said, his tone slightly raising as he did so.

Marcel raised an eyebrow, curious to hear what else Vallius had to say and noting that Vallius liked to talk.

"What would you do, if you were in my position right now?" Vallius asked. "It's a simple question and I want your honest answer, what would you do?"

"Well I'd spend less time talking and more time acting" Marcel spat.

Vallius chuckled a little before saying "yes well how would you act then?"

"I'd probably just kill the guards and get out, the other three will be back soon."

'Why is he sugesting such a thing? It has to be a trap, but what?' Vallius silently thought to himself.

"I think I hear footsteps, better make your move quick, but know that while you might like to think you're fast, I'm not to terrible with a blade myself" Marcel told Vallius. "It's your move."