Chapter Text
It was a warm summer's morning the day our story starts. The town of Barrow-in-Furness was alive, two well known bards were coming to play; blue and white bunting was strung high in the air rippling every so often in the cool breeze, a small stage had been erected in the square. Creatures of all shapes and sizes gathered from all over the Mainland, some more excited than others.
Among the less excited was an elf by the name of Edward Sharpe. He was short by elf standards, olive skinned and blue eyed. His reddish brown hair was tied into a very neat plait indeed. His robes were of a beautiful Indian red with gold accents. As of right now, he was viewing the town square with utmost contempt.
"I don't see why we have to come here." He muttered to his cousin, who was walking alongside him.
The other elf - a beautiful woman with her black hair draped elegantly around her shoulders, an emerald dress brushing the ground - chuckled warmly. "Now, Ed, you heard what Aunt Willow and Uncle William said."
Edward huffed. "Of course I did Emily, I'm not deaf." He folded his arms and put on a crude impression of his mother. "'It reflects well on our houses to join in local celebrations.' Why couldn't Martha come instead, she likes mingling with peasants." He spat the word as though it tasted foul in his mouth.
As you may have guessed, dear reader, the Sharpe and Stirling families were very high bred indeed.
Emily gave her younger cousin a reproachful look. "Edward, you know better than to use that sort of language, it's uncouth." She smiled. "And I've heard plenty of good things about these players."
Edward mumbled mutinously as though doubted that there could be better players than his father's. Emily rolled her eyes and gave up.
"Just try to enjoy yourself." She sighed.
The players came onstage to cheers and whistles. Edward's stomach twisted. They were tieflings.
One twin was a paler blue than the other, his inky blue-black hair was tied in a short pony tail at the nape of his neck with a white ribbon. The other had his hair curt short and curly and his skin was a touch darker than his brother's. Beyond that though, you would never tell one from the other. Both were tall with white horns spiraling above their heads and their long white tails flicked calmly behind them. Both were dressed in matching tunics the colour of the ocean with brown leather boots that had definitely seen better days.
It was a very painful realisation for Edward that, when they started playing, they were indeed better than his father's. Emily swayed in time with the lively guitar the paler twin was playing. The whole crowd was singing along with them and clapping in rhythm. Edward forced back the smile that twitched at his lips. For tieflings, they were extraordinary. By the end of the performance, Edward found himself clapping as loudly as anyone else. And very pointedly ignoring Emily's smug look. Slowly, the crowd began to disperse, many leaving gold in the bag positioned in front of the stage. Emily and Edward approached and deposited their money too.
"A wonderful performance, lads." Emily smiled.
"Thank ye kindly." The darker twin responded as he helped his brother pack things into a coach.
"Please, might I have your names?" Emily asked politely but Edward saw the eager glimmer in her eyes. "I'm sure my family would love to have you play for them."
The twins exchanged stunned then amused looks. The type of looks that said quite clearly nobles.
The pale twin grinned. "Donald an' Douglas McIntosh at yer service, madam." He said, gesturing to him and his twin in turn. He then gave a very low and very theatrical bow that made Edward mentally scoff. "An yersels?"
"Emily Jane Stirling and Edward William Sharpe." Emily said.
The twins grinned at each other. However, before they could respond, a messenger came rushing up to Edward and Emily, shoving Donald aside. "Miss Emily, Master Edward!"
Both cousins suddenly felt a cold feeling of dread in their stomachs.
"What is it, Mr Blair?" Edward asked, more afraid than he would admit.
Mr Blair paused under the guise of catching his breath but it was clear that he was just thinking of the best way to tell them his news.
"Oh, Master Edward, your father was found dead in his study and your mother has been kidnapped." He murmured.
Edward felt ill and dizzy as though the world had suddenly flipped on its head. But then, his world had just done exactly that. His knees trembled so much that he had to lean on Emily, who looked like she felt equally horrified but was keeping it together for his sake. She guided him to sit in the grass.
"And..." Edward said hoarsely, "What about Martha...?"
Mr Blair shook his head. "Missing, sir."
Edward sobbed before he was even aware of the tears streaking down his cheeks. Father dead, Mother kidnapped and Martha missing. It just didn't seem real. It couldn't be real. He wanted to throw up and shout at the same time.
"No." Edward said in a voice so fierce it surprised not just Emily but himself to. He pushed himself to his feet, fists shaking. "No. I'll find them. I'll find whoever killed father too." And gods have mercy on them when I do. He added mentally.
Emily flinched as though she had been struck. "Edward, no! You can't!" She exclaimed.
"I have to!" Edward snapped. "Where's the nearest market, I'll get whatever I need there and-"
"Sir, I must agree with Miss Emily." Mr Blair said grimly. "The dangers are too great for you to go by yourself."
Edward opened his mouth to protest but Emily beat him to it.
"Then he won't be alone." Emily said calmly but her hands were curled into her skirt to prevent them from shaking.
Mr Blair sighed. "I know you both too well. I can't change your minds." He turned to Donald and Douglas. "You two, I beg you, go with them."
Donald and Douglas had been standing awkwardly to the side and they jolted when they were addressed. Both turned their eyes to Emily and Edward, who nodded. The twins nodded too.
"Aye, mister." Douglas said.
Mr Blair exhaled a breath of relief. "Thank you. Return them safely and I assure you, you will be paid genourously." He walked off, shoulders beginning to shake with grief.
"We're sorry fer yer loss." Douglas said once Mr Blair was out of earshot.
"Aye, it's nae easy losin' yer faimily." Donald added softly.
The cousins nodded their thanks.
Emily sighed. "I... I suppose we had better start at the house." She suggested in a faint voice. "Perhaps a staff member saw something?"
The boys nodded.
Already, the town seemed to have heard of the death of Lord William Sharpe, the kidnap of his wife, and the disappearance of their daughter. Looks followed Edward and Emily wherever they went. Emily fell back a moment saying she was just 'stopping to process things', but a hand clutched the necklace with a golden leaf - the symbol of Et'ria the goddess of hunters and the forest, the goddess to whom Emily was a priestess - and murmured a prayer. Respectfully, the boys went on.
When they came to Sharpe Manor, there was bugbear outside. Her clothes were dirty and worn as she lugged a cart of carrots behind her. The three froze. Edward froze because his father's corpse was inside the house and seeing the house somehow made that painfully real. Donald rubbed a scar the base of his horns. Douglas folded his arms, gripping his forearms tightly, and looked anywhere else.
Edward steeled himself and pushed the oak door open. "Come on."
The second they entered, they were immediately enveloped by a thick black mist covering the hallway.
"Needless to say," Mr Blair went on heavily, "The household is rushing to find the Justices."