Detective Izzyr and his new companion Bidfrid Fohmir wound their way through Neppetz to the newly constructed morgue. Times were changing and technology evolving swiftly across the world. As far as Izzyr could tell Neppetz and other Dark Elf cities adapted some technologies to their society that was also changing. Still requiring males to serve in the military the Dark Elf society on the surface abandoned some parts of the culture that thrived underground. To some it was disgraceful and showed weakness. Whereas others saw an opportunity to grow, and expand horizons. Detective and Bounty Hunter passed where the Hall of the Dead sat under a hill. It was currently undergoing what was called renovations or restoration so it could still be used. Like many Dark Elf cities Neppetz' streets were too narrow for vehicles to pass through. Transportation had to be done outside the city limits. Modernization was very slow to come to Neppetz and this part of the world. Even news of some strange invaders coming from the stars came to the ears of the Dark Elves slowly. The first wave of these invaders came down almost twenty years ago. Since their settlements were based in the mountains these invaders did not bother them. According to most of the tales these invaders were far to the north and clashed with each other.
When they made it to the newly built morgue a family of Goblins exited. Dressed in black the family of fourteen Goblins slowly carried a casket out of the morgue. With their heads bowed low the Goblin family mourned the loss of a member in silence. Izzyr and Bidfrid watched the procession of Goblins head towards the eastern border of the city. Outside the city limits lay the graveyards and cemeteries. Down the street from where the morgue was built stood a group of those who knew this deceased Goblin. One of the family friends carried what looked to be a small Wyvern carved out of wood. They carried the wood figure behind the funeral procession as more friends trailed behind. Izzyr and Bidfrid entered the Morgue once he showed his badge to the doorman. His rank and profession allowed him access to all structures while he performed his duty. Both men went past the staff of the morgue who looked up with concerned faces, glares, squinted eyes, and surprised faces. Izzyr asked one of them for Abane's body. After meeting Bidfrid in the northern part of the city he conversed with him. It was not much of an investigative questioning, but it did lead to some questions. Was this really Abane's body? Following the staff member through the morgue's hallways they came to the body storage. As they entered he felt how cold these storages were on his face. The staff member unlocked one of the cadaver lockers that held Abane's body. Pulling on a metal slider the staff member revealed a covered corpse. When they unveiled it for them to view it Bidfrid wrinkled his nose and knitted his eyebrows.
"Is this her, Bidfrid?" Izzyr asked him. The staff member remained silent more annoyed by their presence than their own job to maintain the condition of bodies before burial.
"No that is not her?" Bidfrid replied. He stormed out of the room leaving the Detective and the staff member. Taking one last look at the body Izzyr noticed stab wounds, and signs of strangulation. He motioned for the staff member to put the body away. Izzyr left the storage giving chase to Bidfrid. The Detective found the tall humanoid outside the Morgue with his arms crossed. He did not look please at all.
"What do you think happened to the real Abane?" he asked Izzyr. He was taken aback for a moment.
"I believe she is not in the city, and hiding somewhere." Izzyr answered. Bidfrid pounced on him grabbing by the throat. His face was against Izzyr's nose.
"Do not accuse Abane of such childish actions! She would never play games with authorities! That body was not her! She is somewhere either dead or someone's slave!" Bidfrid growled at him causing a scene that attracted attention.
"Let me go or the authorities will toss you in a cell!" He hissed at him. Out of the corner he spotted some Neppetz Police heading their way. Dressed in neat uniforms with vests over them the newly formed police patrolled the streets and kept the peace while the guards kept watch over the walls.
Bidfrid released him allowed Izzyr to wave off the police. He acted like it was nothing until there were no eyes on them. Izzyr massaged his throat as he regained himself. Looking at the Bounty Hunter in the face he wanted to find the real Abane. This new discovery would only cause alarm. Her employer and family would have to be informed any ways.
"What is next?" Bidfrid asked him.
"We need to tell my boss, the Osseerus family, and Abane's family. Then we need to find out what happened to the real Abane." Izzyr answered him.
"Then we waste no time. Back to the north." Bidfrid responded. He lead them back up north through the city.
"Everyone thinks she is dead, but us." Bidfrid said as they made their way through an empty alley way.
"Let me report to my boss after we regroup up north." Izzyr suggested, following him.
"Good I will gather a host to help us search for her. It is likely she would have gone back to her employers if she were alive." Bidfrid insisted.
"Very well. I do not doubt that unless she is being held captive." Izzyr added.
"Or lost." Bidfrid put in.
They made it to the northern part of the city where a team of 25 sorted archers and fighters prepared to man the walls. Taking a left along the base of the wall the pair of them passed 36 Orcs, Elves, and Dwarf automaton constructs hung out. Each one wore a uniform of some kind. Izzyr did not know all the guilds of the city like he should. He assumed they were part of a few guilds within Neppetz. Most chose to serve the city acting as security, hired hands, bodyguards, and beast slayers. It was not unusual for a few creatures or monsters to slip into the city.
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