Act 1

Loud noise.

Officers frisks a woman and a man inside their house.

A noble shouts in anger, interrogating the couple with a threatening voice.

The woman begs for mercy but is ignored by the noble and his officers.

The man swears to not possess or even have the knowledge of its existence.

A young boy throws plates and cups at the officers. The Officers then drag the young boy, beat him, then throw him down to the floor.

The man lost his patience.

He knocks one of the officers, draws his heirloom dagger and stabs the officer's leg that is kicking the young boy.

The other officer unsheathes his sword and attacks the man.

The woman takes her chance and rushes to the young boy,

by accident, the officer swings his sword through the woman in the midst of their duel, killing her in front of the man.

Consumed by his own wrath, the man takes out his scroll, lays it bare, and begins to conjure a spell as it shines a blue light.

Thundering, he casts it onto the officer and electrocutes him as it ignites a flame on his robe.

The man in rage, not realise he's harbouring more of the scroll's power—giving him immense force, brightening his eyes with sharp lightning glares. He lifts up in the air as winds wreak havoc around the living room.

But then, a loud gunpowder burst, echoing its blow.

The noble shoots the man with his flintlock pistol, murdering him.

The man falls as his powers disperse, and drops to the floor beside the young boy.

He musters any life he has left and takes his breath, as he then mutters the boy's name—Barnaby

Barb..a..by..

. . .

"Barb? ..Mr.Barb?"

The tavern girl calls him.

"Huh?" he comes back from his daze, realising her call.

"Can you pass me the peppers?" she points him to a kitchen shelf above his head.

"Oh..” Barb reaches the shelf and gives it to her, “here."

"Thanks." She then gently taps small dashes into the pot, as she felt quite puzzled by him.

For a brief moment, they didn't speak a word. They didn't need to, as they both focused their attention on making the dinner meal for his friend, Ron.

Not long after, Barb is tasked to attend the pot.

"So.. uh, lady, how long should I stir it?" asks him.

She didn't say a word, as she’s busy chopping bits of garnishes.

"..um, lady?" he slightly taps her shoulder.

She finally replies. "I have a name?"

"Oh sorry, what's your name if I may ask?" Barb tries to be polite.

She then introduces herself with a gleeful, yet sarcastic tone.

"My name is Miraelle of Lothmine, thank you for asking."

"Sweet. Mir.. Mila?" Barb stumbles saying her name.

"Yeap—hey that's my nickname, how'd you know?" Mila raises her eyebrows.

"..em, lucky guess?" Barb awkwardly shrugs.

"Haha well, took me by surprise nonetheless ..Stand aside, please." as Mila dumps the garnishes into the pot.

"Pass me the ladle." Mila stirs the pot then takes a sip,

"Yeah, swirl it for another minute or so." as she gives the ladle back to him.

"Sure.." Barb stirs again mindlessly.

Mila reaches one of the shelves as she continues to ask him,

"..are you from around here? you don't seem like one."

"I wasn't.. I'm not planning to stay either."

"Not with that scroll you don't."

Barb stirs in silence. Mila curiously glances at the scroll that rests beside his waist,

"..So what's with it anyways?"

"I prefer to leave my personal matters indiscretion." Barb says.

"Pffh, says a guy named Barnaby." Mila says with a chuckle.

"What? what's wrong with my name?" Barb is confused.

"Nothing, it's cute, ladies love it." Mila teases him.

As Barb stirs the pot tensely, Mila briefly examines his attire;

He wears a fine-woven tunic hidden under the cloak he wore before, along with clean dark brown trouser, tightened with a belt that she assumes was purchased around Bahian markets northeast from here. His leather shoes seem quite sturdy yet elegant enough for him to stroll around the Empire's official quarters.

"Given your outfit, you worked under Empire's administration, correct?" Guesses as she points her knife up and down.

Barb reluctant, "I have no further comment."

"Come on, humour me a little bit." says Mila amused,

"Around these parts, we share our stories regardless where we came from as—"

"Our ways of old and kindred ones. I'm Lovin' it." Barb finishes her uncle's quote of the tavern's advertising jingle.

"Huh? so you are from around here!" Mila grumps.

"And you're new." Barb glances at her, remembering Ron calling her so.

She’s taken back by his statement, "..yes?"

"First month?" Barb guesses.

"First week actually, haha.." Mila says awkwardly.

"Sigh, welp," though unwilling, Barnaby reveals a bit of his story to her,

"I moved in about a year ago after the war along with my friend, Ron.. I tried to make a good living here and there.. but after a couple of months, eventually I decided to apply for an entry position at Governor's.. well you can already guess the rest at this point.."

"Oh.. Wait," Mila curious, "You were a soldier? what army? which kingdom?"

Barb answers, "Second regiment of Brigadier Hemming's command, Free State of Traeto—"

"Traetoria.. Lords of the summer bread and wine.." mutters Mila.

Barb startled, "What?"

"Nothing.." Mila dismisses him.

Barb senses discouragement from her. It is a bit unusual as she was just as chirpy as a morning lark earlier.

"If we ever.. you know.. I want to apologise if we have ever done such a regretful act as to pillage your villag—"

"No no, you guys are fine, haha." Mila quickly replies,

"The Lothmines live around the western mountains of Belmount.. so I don't think we ever met your army, haha.'' as she shrugs her hand dismissing his assumption.

"Okay." Barb feels a slight relief.

"In any case, everyone was at war with each other ..So it's inevitable." as she serves the meal from the pot into bowls.

"Yeah.. how bloody it was.." Barb faints a frown.

After a while, they prepare the meal onto the tray and go towards the bar together.

but of course, Mila senses a tad of awkwardness between each other,

"Maybe I can tell a little bit about myself, why don't I join you?" she asks cheerfully.

"Yeah okay. I don't mind—"

As peaceful and calm the tavern is, they are stunned by the sight before their eyes; with a group of men standing besides Ron, wearing light-iron plated armour on their torso, with swords on their sidearm at the ready.

It appears they have surrounded him at his seat, as Ron seems to be chattering with another man seated just across his table, wearing what looks to be Empire's issued armour, distinctly geared that of a low-ranking Warrant Officer.

In quick reflect, Mila pushes Barb aside as she silently yells, "..duck!"