[ TT ] ( Hardboiled ) The Captain of the Guard in a Fantasy setting investigating a crime

Name's Vosk. Alenheim Vosk. Most people call me captain though.'Course a man has to make quite a few enemies to claw his way up the ranks of the Guard here in the city of Valor, so I get called a great many things. Monster... Killer... Hero... All I know is I'm the only one who can do the dirty jobs in this great stinking den of inequity we call home. Sure, I could get all the fame and women I wanted as a dungeon crawler, or a general of some great shining army of men. But people here need my help. And in a way I suppose I need to help them. See when you live in a place for so long it becomes a part of you, when you can walk the streets with your eyes closed and feel the eyes of familiar faces on your back. It gets harder and harder to leave. So here I am, a good man in a city full of thieves and backstabbers. This is my story. 
 
 It started with a dame. Like it always does with this kind of thing. She slid into my office like a bird of paradise slipping between the clouds. Her shoes clacked on the stone floor of the castle as she entered, and her hips swung with each soft step. She looked otherworldly, a striking red gown hugged her in all the right places. Her deep blue eyes screamed trouble, and her body whispered things I would n't repeat to my priest. She brushed her dark hazel hair away from her soft cheek and smiled at me. 
 
 `` It's good to finally meet you, Mr. Vosk.'' She spoke in a tone low and sultry, it gave me chills. I tried my best to keep my composure. `` A pleasure, I'm sure. And your name is?'' My voice shook a little as I caught myself staring. She tilted her head to one side and pouted, shocked that I did n't automatically recognize her. 
 
 `` I am Victoria Vievalis. My father lines you and your men's pockets to keep us safe at night.'' Her eyes did n't lie, then. She was trouble of the highest caliber. The Vievalis family had this town under its thumb for centuries, and that did n't seem like it was going to change any time soon. Even the kings men where too afraid to enter this city uninvited. Surprise guests were met with even more surprising endings, as the count used his magicks to keep the peace. The city guard was more of an afterthought, really. We do the legwork to keep the little people in line, when he ca n't be bothered. If he was n't at the very least a fair ruler, I would n't be working for him, though. And he lets us do things our way, or my way, really. 
 
 `` The daughter of the Count? And to what do I owe this honor?'' I kept it polite, this woman could have me killed in ways I could n't even fathom. And nobody would know I was gone until I was cold in my grave. She smiled again, seeing men sent reeling must be how she gets her kicks, I surmised. `` I have a job for you... A rather delicate matter.'' She paused, stepping in closer and lowering her voice. 
 
 `` I need you to find my ex-lover's killer.'' She was straightforward, I liked that. But this kind of job never ends well, and I knew this would n't be any exception. Still I could n't exactly say no. `` Alright Ms. Vievalis. You have my attention.'' I leaned back in my chair and struck up my tobacco pipe. The smoke helped calm my nerves. My armored duster hung on the hook next to me, and my magic dagger was snugly strapped in my leather chest holster. Tools of the trade that I never let get too far away. 
 
 `` His name was Joeseph. And he was the best damned bard this city had ever seen.'' she seemed lost in a memory as she spoke. `` He was a good man, and an even better singer. I loved him. And now he's dead.'' Her expression turned bitter. Her gentle shoulders sloped downward. `` They found his body this morning. Your men are keeping the area secure. I decided to come and get you personally. This kind of situation needs the delicate touch. And I hear that's your specialty.'' 
 
 She looked at me hard, as I took a long drag of tobacco smoke. I exhaled slowly as I considered the situation. I had heard about the mans death, but I assumed it was just another senseless killing, Those are more and more common lately. The weight of the upcoming war was resting on the peoples minds, and they were acting accordingly. Trying to hoard and survive the upcoming struggle. If there was anything mankind is good at, it's surviving. 
 
 I stood, and began to gather my things. `` Alright, Ms. Vievalis. You've got my attention. I'll get started immediately.'' She was smiling again. Used to getting her way, I imagine. She handed me a seerstone as I passed her. `` Use this to contact me should you find anything. I want to know before my father does, understood?'' 
 
 I was out the door before she could turn to give me another hard look.
