h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Not as much of a rewrite as I thought, it's actually the next chapter...

Omens of Oblivion VII: The Interrogation

Emerging from the sewer, Freya was just a little bit disappointed to find it was in the middle of the night, so no sunshine. She took a deep breath and looked up at the starry sky before walking down to the water's edge to wash herself thourougly. A hot bath would have been even better, but Freya thought it wise to stay away from the city.

Even now, it was possible her escape had been discovered and that she was a wanted criminal. If only she could remember what she had been imprisoned for! She smiled to herself when she remembered what the Emperor had replied when she asked why. That maybe the Gods hat put her there so that the two of them could meet. He had said so very many odd things, of which only a few had made any sense to her - so far. Maybe time would tell.

Once she had freshened up, she followed the beach until she found a small stream. Thirstily, she drank from it. The bottles of cheap ale she had found in the catacombs had tasted like rat's piss, and the fresh water was a welcome change. She emtpied the bottles she had left into the grass and then rinsed them, thinking they might be used for potions. In one of the goblin camps, Freya had picked up a mortar and pestle, and old memories of Alchemy classes came back to her. Selling potions she had made herself would provide a nice income.

Returning to the sewer entrance, Freya hid away weapons and armour she didn't need beneath a stone nearby, and only kept what she could equip. Unnecessary baggage would only slow her down. Squinting at the map Baurus had drawn, she looked at the stars to figure out the direction to Chorrol. With a sigh, she packed everything away and got up. At a fairly brisk pace, at times even running, Freya followed the beach, looking for what had looked like a narrow bridge on Baurus' map.

Once she found the brige, Freya crossed it and continued to follow the beach for a while yet. The only downside to that were the mudcrabs - aggressive little buggers, but slow, so plenty of time to take aim and fire an arrow. She had heard that their meat was pretty good, so she picked the shells empty. Sunrise was approaching, and Freya adjusted her course and left the beach, avoiding the roads that she knew were patrolled by the Imperial Guard.

She didn't come across any humans, but Freya was attacked by a woves twice during her long run. She managed to kill them before they did her much harm, but one of them left a long scratch on her arm that worried her a bit, not knowing which diseases the animals in the wilderness might be carrying.

Only pausing a few times to pick herbs in spots where they grew thickly, Freya saw a clearing ahead of her. It was a field with vegetables, and next to it was a small farmhouse. She knocked on the door and tried the handle, but the door was locked and she couldn't hear any sounds from within. By now, the sun was up, and there was no one working in the field either. It seemed the farm had been abandonned, but it must have happened fairly recently because everything seemed to be in good condition. She helped herself to a few fresh vegetables, and relished the taste, munching on them while she started following the road, hoping that news from the Imperial City hadn't travelled this far yet.

Over the tree tops, Freya saw the tower of a small church. This must be the place Baurus had mentioned, Weynon Priory. As she approached the building, a monk emerged and walked towards her, giving her a friendly greeting. Freya asked the monk for directions, and was told where to find Jauffre. She was also told that there had been a recent attack on a chapel, with everyone inside killed. This was alarming news! It also worried Freya a bit as she had been thinking of asking a healer, that was usually to be found within a chapel, to have a look at the scratch on her arm. Perhaps she ought to visit the local Mages' Guild after she had delivered the Amulet.

Upon entering the priory, Freya looked around, but the ground floor seemed deserted, so she headed upstairs, where she found a man seated behind a desk, reading a book. He looked like an ordinary monk though - could this really be the Grand Master of the Blades? Standing hesitatingly at the top of the stairs, Freya heard footsteps behind her and turned around. She could tell from the colour of his robe that this was probably the prior, who rather brusquely asked her what her business was. Explaining that she was here to see Jauffre, the prior pointed at the man at the desk, and then left.

Approaching the desk, Freya was trying to come up with a good opening line. It wouldn't be easy to describe all that had happened in a convincing way. She tried a friendly good morning, but got a grumpy 'what do you want?' in reply.

'Uh... the Emperor sent me to find you,' she stammered, taken aback by his dismissive attitude.

'Emperor Uriel? Do you know something about his death?' he asked, with surprise.

'I was there!' she blurted out.

She could have bitten her own tongue off as soon as she had said it. That hadn't come across at all the way she had planned to. Jauffre wasn't too pleased either, frowning sternly at her, getting up from his chair and reaching for a shortsword that she had not even noticed him carrying.

'You'd better explain yourself – now!

Backing away from Jauffre, Freya sensed movement behind her. Looking over her shoulder, she saw the prior blocking the way to the stairs, also with a sword in hand.

'Wait!'

Freya held out her empty hands.

'Please, listen to my story!'