morbidnumbskull
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Got my hopes up for no reason
🕑 Added 2023-10-08 00:39:13 +0000 UTC"This reminds me of the old days whenever the old man sends us here and there on errands" Ellaine said, snapping me out of my musings.
"Speaking of the old man, how is he?" I replied.
"You know my father, he's probably out and about some place where there is good liquor"
"I hope he pays us a visit some time soon, aaand we're here" I said, after spotting the morgue.
It was a two-storied, dimly lit building with stained gray walls located at the end of an alley opposite of the festive main streets of the city. We called at the door, and a man far from his prime of life greeted us. This individual must be the coroner.
"What is it?" the man said grumpily.
"We are representatives from the Adventurer's Guild, we came to look into the matter about the slain women found early this morning" I said cordially.
"You're wasting your time lad, I did the autopsy myself, some foul creature ended their lives and there is nothing more to it. I very much prefer for these bodies to be out of here come morning. If you're not next of kin or from the authorities, it's best that you be on your way. " he proclaimed with finality.
"We do not mean to interfere with your practice, oh far from that-" I said as i produced a small pouch. I shook it and made sure he can hear how much coin it contains. The coroners expression softens very slightly at the sight of a potential monetary gain.
"You see, this lovely lady accompanying me is a specialist on all manners of creatures and beasts, and it would be most advantageous for our efforts if you would allow us to examine the aforementioned victims".
The coroner gave me a wary look as he accepted the bribe. It was a good thing that he took the coin, for I was starting to hear the hushed beginnings of an incantation intended to break someone's mind and will. I nodded to Ellaine knowingly to signal that her methods of control are not necessary. We were escorted to the main area of the facility where we saw three bodies covered up with sheets. There are display cabinets on the walls containing jars of unknown cloudy fluid. Instruments used to perform autopsies are neatly arranged on a table beside one of the bodies.
"I supposed I could take a short break before I close up." The coroner said, before heading for the backdoor.
"I can only give you half an hour you hear me? no more than that, or there will be trouble" he added.
Not wasting any time, Ellaine removed her cloak, she then uncovered one of the bodies and started inspecting the cadaver. I, on the other hand rummaged through the coroner's study table and found an unfinished missive detailing the injuries and estimated time of death of the victims.
The depiction were clearly inaccurate, rushed and hinting that the perpetrator might be a monstrous entity. Here it must suffice to say that someone is influencing the facts about this incident to fit a narrative. Other than that, there are no other interesting documents to be found so I turned my attention to Ellaine.
"I do not see anything out of the ordinary, in fact everything is too ordinary, and there are no traces of magic from the wounds either." She said without taking her eyes off of the subject.
"Let's cut corners then." I replied.
She uncorked a container about the size of a small flask; a bottled spell. A luminescent smoke came out of the bottle and blanketed the corpse. Seconds later the dead girl took a sharp gasp and her eyes shot wide open, glowing green.
"Ask her who killed her" I said impatiently, and Ellaine relayed the question.
In a dry raspy voice the corpse replied:
"ropes... blood running down.. it was him... Lord Elmheart"
"SHIT!" I exclaimed louder than I intended, startling Ellaine who nearly dropped the
bottled spell.
"What's that about!?" she retorted.
"We're leaving! We are paying some sick bastard a late night visit" I said.
"What for?" Ellaine replied
"For getting my hopes up that this little excursion of ours would be a stimulating monster hunt." I said while marching out back to the bustling streets of the city.
