Izzyr Returns Abane

 Three days of trekking through the wilderness brought them to campsites, and hideouts these Rangers created. Abane was finally awake, but was far more quiet than Bidfrid remembered. She acted sort of like a spoiled child who refused to say anything, but still willingly ate her meals. During those three days of avoiding the main roads to Neppetz they found themselves engaged in a skirmish 6 times. The first time was literally on the first day when a band 48 savage Goblins lurked in the deep parts of the forest. A tribal war of some sorts was being waged, and they disrupted an attempted raid on another tribe. On the next day they fought off three different groups. An Axe Wielding Ogre, a horned medium Ettin, one tall Elven Archer, Large Dwarf with pike axe, very tall skeletal warrior, 7ft tall fake wizard, a heavily armed bull humanoid mutant, 2 large wild Ogres, tall magenta skinned mutated humanoid, a white sorceress, a bow rider, and a bear riding paladin brought their own skirmish into their camp. Killing the ones who acted more savage they apprehended the rest. The Bear Riding figure was pressed to help them in the next encounter while the deceased bowman's horse was used to bind the sorceress. In their second engagement they faced a band of seventy-five skeleton warriors that were revived by someone to protect something nearby. Towards the end of the afternoon they might as well have angered a nearby city-state. Two city-guards, 4 flint-lock Witch-men, 4 masked battlefield assassins, 2 netherworld demon wolves, a pair of rival demons, five Elf Warriors, and a cannon team were already engaged in a skirmish. Their skirmish entered the Sun-Guard camp only to meat an enraged group who were trying to reach Neppetz. Not a single one of those humanoids Izzyr, Bidfrid, and their Sun-Guard allies faced in this third encounter lived. On the third day the other two encounters went as followed. As they road up to a path these two groups were already locked in some sort of stand down. One side had a pair of Renegade Drow outlaws, 7 samurai dressed marauding Orcs, 5 cadaver men in scary attire, 5 skeleton warriors, 2 rat looking humanoids, one hired Barbarian and an Armored Man at Arms. The other consisted of an interesting mash up of scantily clad humanoids, nude monsters, and rather angry yet depraved looking mutations. Close by are 8 attractive looking female warriors bound in certain positions. Not caring at all what either wanted they turned on both groups just to help someone while enforcing some peace. Even Abane helped them take down both of the groups. 

Towards the afternoon they had their sixth encounter with help from the eight women and those who tagged along. Just one band of 30 bandits camped out near a town that traded with Neppetz blocked their pathway. Making short work of these bandits they buried the corpses before resting for a bit. While resting he learned a bit more of what happened to Abane as well as the names of their new allies. She was bringing in laundry one day and this strange thin fellow in spectacles approached her. He wore a bluish robe with gold triangles along the sleeves, cuffs, and edges. He held a smile that sort of put her off a little. Acting all friendly he offered to help her with the laundry. When she declined he appeared in her path as if he was some wizard or ghost. Before she knew it he blue some powder into her face. Everything after that was lost to her. Bidfrid and Izzyr kept this in mind, especially Izzyr who needed to report this. Towards the end of the day the large party rode towards the city of Neppetz. At the northern most gate they found an army assembled outside. This assembled army was made up of 34 militia, 80 archers, 32 crossbowmen, 15 javelin throwers, 60 riflemen, 213 mounted knights, 33 missile/ bow cavalry, 28 dismounted knights, 42 spearmen, 33 heavy troopers, and warriors. This was just a small army compared to what was starting to gather from the city itself. Various Rangers, Clerics, Fighters, Warriors, Elites, Rogues, Thieves, Warlocks, Mages, Townwatch, Paladins, Orcs, Goblins, and Knights made up a force of 1844 to join the gathered force of over 500. 

Just witnessing a force of 2,414 march up the road towards Rednight Fangsir made Izzyr uneasy inside. Yes it was a large force assembled. Would it be enough to deal with the whole city that was made from a mountain? Especially when it was inhabited by various breeds of monsters and possible vampires. Looking around he searched for a high ranking official so he could get information on what the Six Mothers was going on. Among the Drow astride their steeds he spotted a Female Dame Knight bearing an officer's insignia of a silver spider web. Its shape could easily be seen from a certain distance. Breaking away from the Sun-Guard party he approached the closest officer he could get to. The female commanding officer he approached resembled his ex-wife. All the hairs in the back of his neck rose up under the belief that it was his ex-wife. She noticed him approaching her. 

"What is it Detective?" she asked him addressing him by his profession. 

"What is going on here Commander?" he asked her. 

"Rednight Fangsir is going through their turf war phases again. It is spilling over in other cities and regions. Neppetz along side eight other city-states are marshalling forces to clear out Rednight Fangsir." she answered. 

"Are you taking them inside Neppetz?" she asked him. He turned to see his fellow travelers coming up from behind him. They might as well form their own army or cavalry unit with over forty in their party. 

"Yes, yes I am. This is the missing Abane who was abducted by some strange fellow in a bluish robe. As for the rest these are the Sun-Guards who helped Bidfrid and I escape. These ladies are part of a faction dedicated to fighting monsters in these mountains. Every other member is a tag along. Do I have your permission to enter the city with this force? Or do we need to turn in weapons and wait at the closed gates for a few days?" Izzyr replied looking at this female Officer in the eyes. 

"No, go ahead Detective. Be sure to bring those new comers over to the Governess's Palace. She will see they are well acquainted with their temporary lodgings before their faction can be located." She told Izzyr. "Also bring Abane straight to the doctors. She will need to be examined before her family is informed of her return. Also, well done Detective." 

Before letting him go she patted him on the shoulder. Her own troop of Neppetz fighters passed by them as they trailed behind her. Not bothering to consult either of the girls or their new acquaintances Bidfrid and Izzyr led them into Neppetz. Abane covered herself with the robe so no one could see her. he did not know why she did this, but he chose not to ask. Taking them inside the streets of Neppetz he came back to a city that was preparing for some kind of siege. Citizens and Residents were too busy preparing for whatever was coming to even notice the new comers. Looking into the crowds of people he thought he saw his ex-wife. His heart skipped a beat knowing the next time she would ever see him would be the last time they run into each other. Bidfrid's hand rested on his arm snapping him out of a flashback. 

"I love my children." He said aloud causing Bidfrid to burst with laughter. 

"What did you do?" Bidfrid asked as they came to the doctor's office and workplace. 

"Made five children with two women." he admitted. 

"Where are they?" Bidfrid asked him dismounting and leaving him with the others. 

"Just with their aunt for now." He said feeling a little embarrassed. 

Doing his best to ignore the laughter from Bidfrid Izzyr left Abane with the Bounty Hunter while he took the rest over to the Governess. Winding their way through the streets had them pass through some poorer streets where he saw the Sun-Guards pass out coins to the poor, and homeless. This was something he only saw monks do or friars do at the end of each week. With them they would bring carts of food every day. What the Sun-Guards did was helping them a little further. Being a man of the law people assumed he was their escort. Seeing that each one was armed none of the usual thugs, or ruffians went after them. His gaze met their gaze knowing if any happened to these people none of those goons would live to see spring again. Izzyr left them to the hands of the secretary and the doorman-guard who awaited visitors to the Governess. Handing a copy of his report in he darted for the Neppetz police head quarters. The very moment he went up the steps he passed all the other police, guards, watchmen, and other detectives. His pace quickened as he went straight for the Chief. Wrapping on the door quickly he was told to enter. Chief Nolzur looked up to see him with an amused expression on her face. She was not the kind of person one would find a smile on their face very often. 

"Report Detective Nadisim." she ordered sorting through some envelopes on the desk. 

"Abane Velnis has been found Chief. She is with a guardian known as Bidfrid, a friend to her family." He reported to her. 

"Good job, good job." She got up with the most unexpected smile on her face. It showed all her white teeth that was the same color as her eyebrows. 

"Th- thank you Chief Nolzur. I shall keep up the good work." He replied. 

"Neppetz owes you one month off and a hefty reward before your next case. Oh by the way there is someone else here to see you." Nolzur sat back down. 

"Who is it, Chief?" Izzyr asked her. 

"Some privateer Captain by name of Jenere Omavern. A charming handsome elf, comes from Lheobethe." She answered. 

"A Vestrisian Elf? A Vestrisian Elf all the way here." Izzyr found this very amusing and puzzling. He almost laughed thinking this was a joke. What would a Vestrisian doing all the way here? 

"Dismissed." Nolzur said letting him go check his office. 

Izzyr jogged his way back to his office so he could retrieve the next case in his mail slot on the door. When he got to his own hall he found a few other figures, the usual staff. What stuck out was another figure who appeared lighter colored than the Drow and Dark Elves that worked here. This one dressed in a long seafaring captain long trench coat. A Captain style cap donned his head with a different symbol on it. He looked strong, tall, handsome and seen some fights in his day. Izzyr walked up to the elf who spotted him. This elf pirate or sailor smiled the biggest smile he ever saw on an elf. 

"You must be Detective Nadisim, Captain Omavern of the Abomination." He introduced himself with his hand stretched out. 

"Yes I am him. What are you all the way out here for?" He replied taking his hand for a shake. 

"I am a father who is looking for his dear children. The last I saw them with my now late wife they were in the hands of a caretaker who has disappeared and so have they." Jenere answered. 

Izzyr wanted to ask how he found out about Neppetz then realized this elf was a pirate who knew thousands of contacts, and spies. Pirates who lived long enough got to know an army of contacts, and spies. He would assume all were affiliates or thralls to pirates such as Jenere who stood before him.