Chapter 21: The Inquisition
The following morning, after spending most of the night searching for anything suspicious and patrolling through the sleeping city's streets, the adventurers Jorael and his aide Cyn'Thia were waking up alone in the room reserved for them by Armando, the villa's owner.
To their wonder, there were no signs that their companion spent the night there, and as they were walking down the stairs after leaving the guest room, a still sleepy Cyn'Thia commented:
"Where's Veronica?!"
To those words a loud and familiar female voice promptly answered the question posed by the Elf:
"So, you know how to properly call me then, you Elf?!"
Veronica was unexpectedly there, at the bottom of the stairs, apparently waiting for them.
"Did you not sleep, Madam Veronica Blois?" Cyn'Thia asked whilst grinning.
"Boy, I think I'm starting to hate your slave...
Yes, but actually no...
I mean, I didn't come back here to sleep, but ... "the woman answered without finishing the sentence.
"But what?...
Did you find anything?" asked Jorael.
"Nothing.
Not a single weird movement on Green Harbor night. It was so peaceful, almost surreal." Veronica explained a bit disappointed.
"Yeah, like us, as well." said the Traveler.
"Worry not! Come with me!" the woman suddenly shouted as she grabbed Jorael's arm, dragging him towards the villa's entrance.
"Master, do you need help silencing this woman?!" Cyn'Thia asked as she watched the scene very annoyed.
"N-no, let's go and follow her!" replied the Traveler a bit worried.
As all three were leaving the mansion early in the morning, Veronica, as she forcibly dragged Jorael out with Cyn'Thia following them, explained:
"Yesterday we checked the ground for anything or anyone suspicious.
Today we check the market and ask the merchants for any clue regarding the girls!"
"Aye, aye, Madam..." replied Jorael annoyed.
"Don't be like that, boy ...
A beautiful young woman like me is taking you around the city ...
Someone might mistake it… for a date ... "Veronica whispered as she winked nonchalantly at the Traveler.
Suddenly, after hearing the last sentence, Cyn'Thia grabbed Jorael's other free arm forcing him to stop. A few seconds of incredulity passed and then, after having taken some courage, the Elf shouted:
"MASTER CAN'T GO OUT TO A DATE, HE'S BUSY WORKING WITH HIS SERVANT!
RIGHT, MASTER?! RIGHT, RIGHT?!"
Everyone, including the people who walked the streets, became spectators to witness what appeared to be the quarrel between lovers.
"T-Thia, please don't scream like that!
Also, stop pulling my arm! "Jorael whispered embarrassed as Cyn'Thia's face turned deep red.
"My, my, this Elf doesn't want to share a little ..." Veronica said, finally releasing the Traveler's arm.
"Uhm... can we please go ahead and stop the nonsense?" Jorael asked as he freed himself from his slave's grip on him.
"Yes, let's go to the street of the merchants and find out where Camilla and Jorna are..." Veronica exclaimed as everyone set off.
...
Later on, in Green Harbor merchants' street.
"GO AWAY YOU DAMNED ELF!"
"What's an Elf doing here..."
"Why don't you just go back home?!"
"People are pretty lively here..." Veronica commented as insults were flying towards Cyn'Thia.
"I'm sorry Master if this makes you feel uncomfortable ..." the Elf whispered.
"Don't worry, it's not your fault." Jorael said as they walked down the street.
"Um ... I think it's better for us to separate again.
I'll ask for the girls on this side, you two take the other." Veronica explained, to disappear soon after.
"She's pretty fast..." Jorael commented seeing that the woman left them quickly, while the Elf was looking around.
"Master, let's try to ask at the shop over there.
They sell dresses, it should be a good start!" Cyn'Thia suggested pointing to the shop next to them.
"Yes, very clever Thia!" the Traveler complimented her, making the Elf smile despite all people's harsh comments still incoming.
The adventurers entered the shop, admiring the collection of delicate and girly clothes on display, but their visit was abruptly interrupted by the owner shouting:
"No, no, NO!
Get out you Elf!"
"Sir, please, we are here under the charge of Titan Guild to help your fellow citizen Armando and his poor daughter!" Jorael explained, bowing his head and putting a hand on Cyn'Thia's head to make her bow too.
"Camilla?!...
I already told the guards a few days ago what I know...
She came here briefly with her slave, then left to go to the temple.
Now get out you and your useless slave!" the shop owner shouted, making them promptly leave.
The adventurers after thanking the merchant, returned on the street outside, with a new hint for their search.
"To the temple then..."
...
Later on, in front of Goddess Kalipso's temple, a woman figure was there seemingly attending for the two adventurers to arrive.
"So, you came to the same conclusion..." Veronica said as she greeted the incoming Jorael and Cyn'Thia.
"Well, we heard the girls might have come here after they left the merchant's road." Jorael explained as he and Cyn'Thia arrived at the temple.
"Shall we knock on the door?" asked the noblewoman.
"Yes, and I know you'll be the one to do it..." Jorael whispered.
"You have begun to understand now, boy ..." Veronica answered energetically knocking on the wooden door of the temple.
A few seconds of waiting passed and the door opened. A priest in his thirties with blond hair and blue eyes stood at the door impassive, and then he asked:
"Good morning dear faithful souls, how can this humble servant of Kalipso help you?"
"Good morning priest. We are in charge of searching for the daughter of the renowned merchant Armando.
This daughter, Camilla, and her slave have been missing for days now, and rumors suggested they might have come here to pray on the day of their disappearance.
Did they by any chance visit the temple?" Veronica asked.
"Oh... that poor girl and her slave...
The guards have already asked me and, as I told them, I have never seen the child and the demon slave..." the priest quickly dismissed.
"So, they never came here?" Jorael asked again.
"Boy... as I said...
Who is there?! An Elf?!" The man of faith suddenly started screaming in rage after noticing Cyn'Thia hiding behind his master.
"Yes, don't mind her. She's my aide." Jorael answered trying to calm the man down.
"An infidel and moreover an Elf, here at the Kalipso gate?!
I ALREADY TOLD THE GUARDS...
GO AWAY NOW!" The priest screamed angrily as he abruptly closed the door.
The three companions looked into each other's eyes and commented:
"That was weird..."
"He's been so elusive, something is fishy..." Veronica whispered while thinking about something.
"Master, I apologize if I helped anger the priest." Cyn'Thia said, bowing her head.
"Thia, don't even worry about that.
More importantly, would you share what you are thinking with us, Veronica?" Jorael asked seeing the noblewoman lost in her thoughts.
"He... smelled bad." affirmed Veronica out of the blue.
"So, you noticed too?
You do have sharp senses..." the Traveler whispered complimenting her.
"You too?!" Veronica exclaimed shocked.
"What are you two talking about?! I smelled nothing!" the Elf exclaimed.
"It stank of blood..." Jorael said solemnly, reinforcing Veronica's thinking.
"B-blood?! A priest?!" Cyn'Thia suddenly shouted.
"Shh! Don't scream like that!" whispered the Traveler to silence her.
"S-sorry, Master! Are you both sure?!" the Elf asked quietly.
"Definitely.
And his actions are worrisome.
We have to enter the temple..." Veronica whispered worriedly.
"Enter first, I'll join you immediately after ordering my aide on a mission ..." Jorael explained.
"Wow, boy!
Such a gentleman who tells a weak noblewoman to come in first, after we discuss a potential killer..." Veronica whispered, mocking the Traveler.
"You can drop with the act.
I know you're way stronger than what you make it look..." Jorael replied.
"Ouch, boy...
I have to say now that you are the sharp one.
Then I go in first... see you later! "Veronica said as she disappeared inside the temple.
"That woman..." commented Jorael.
"What is it, Master?" Cyn'Thia asked perplexed.
"She smelled the blood on him.
One thing too, with my power as a Sage, I felt only vaguely.
I wonder who she really is..." the Traveler whispered, worried about the true identity of the noblewoman, then he went on speaking:
"Anyway, I'll cast a spell on you to make you invisible.
Then, we will enter the temple and while I distract the priest, you go looking for anything suspicious.
Ok? in 3... 2... 1..."
"W-wait Master! I don't think it's a good idea!"
"Vanish!" Jorael said as he cast the invisible spell on Cyn'Thia after making sure no one was watching.
As soon as the Magic was enchanted, the Elf to her wonder began to become invisible. Once she disappeared out of thin air, she whispered:
"Master! This is so strange!
I can't see myself! "
"Nor can I...
Now let's enter the temple...
Remember, we separate, I distract the priest and you go find something suspicious. "Said Jorael as they entered in silence.
...
"I've already told you and the guards; I don't know anything about that poor girl and her slave!" shouted the presumptuous priest as he and Veronica Blois argued in front of a giant statue of Kalypso that dominated the view inside the temple.
"I know, I know, but maybe they entered silently and prayed with you barely noticing..." the noblewoman was saying before being interrupted by a familiar male voice:
"Yeah... and what about the smell of blood emanating from you, sir humble servant of Kalipso?"
A few seconds of silence passed, while in the temple only Jorael's footsteps could be heard echoing as he approached them.
"W-what preposterous things are you saying, boy?!
Did your Elf come in here too?!" asked the man trying to change the subject.
"Don't worry about her, she's not here.
So why do we smell blood from you?" Jorael asked again.
"W-what are you implying boy?!
Did the Elf drive you crazy?!
Do you know that you are in his Kalypso house and that you are threatening his servant?!" the man screamed as he slowly began to move backward.
"You heard the boy.
Just spit out the truth." Veronica said while getting closer to the priest.
"W-what?!
a devoted woman likes you...
Has the Elf contaminated you with madness too?! "the man murmured, trembling anxiously.
Meanwhile, Cyn'Thia moved swiftly seeking every corner of the temple, protected by her master's spell.
Room after room, in a desperate search, she could find nothing suspicious. Until she entered what appeared to be a closet, with a wooden trap door on the floor.
"What is it here?" thought the Elf as she opened the door, to find a stone staircase that went underground.
"It might be worth taking a closer look..." Cyn'Thia thought as she started going down the cold, barely lit stairs.
"Ugh... what's this stench?!" the Elf whispered to herself in disgust as she came to a wooden door at the bottom of the stairs.
She slowly opened the door, to find herself immersed in a strong smell of dismay that made her close her eyes and cough in revulsion.
"It's disgusting...
W-what's over there?!" Cyn'Thia screamed silently as she opened her eyes again, realizing that in the dark room in front of her there was an unconscious girl, tied to a chair.
The Elf immediately went to rescue the girl, removing the bandage on her mouth.
"Hey! Wake up!
Are you Camilla?!
Wake up please!" Cyn'Thia silently exclaimed to wake the little girl from her unconsciousness.
The girl began to slowly regain consciousness, moving her head slightly, but still trembling with fear and fatigue.
"Huff...huff...
P-pleas-se... l-let m-me g-go..." the child was barely able to whisper with her eyes closed.
"It's okay now!
I'm here with you and I'll take you home safe and sound!" the Elf replied to reassure the child.
"P-please... Jorna..." whispered again Camilla.
"Wait, I'll untie you..." Cyn'Thia said as she began to remove the ropes. She then whispered as she cast a spell:
"I hope this helps you a little...
By the grace of Him who awakened us, I enchant Heal!"
A bright white heptagram appeared, lighting up the whole room. The White Magic spell healed the girl, washing away some of her pain and her fatigue, but the Elf was struck in extreme discomfort.
As the light of her Magic briefly illuminated the dark room, Cyn'Thia discovered the source of the foul stench.
The body of what appeared to be a Demon woman was left dismembered and torn to pieces in a corner of the room. The flesh and blood began to rot, a few mels away from the child.
Camilla began to feel better and slowly opened her eyes and said:
"W-where are you?!"
"You can't see me now, but don't worry, I'll take you home!" Cyn'Thia responded as she grabbed the girl in her arms.
"Woah! I'm floating in the air?!
Where's Jorna?!" Camilla asked, looking for her slave.
"Don't turn around.
Unfortunately, it's beyond my ability to save her..." the Elf whispered as he held the child's head.
"Noooo... Jorna..." Camilla cried, starting to shed tears.
"Now let's go back, but I have to beg you to stay quiet." Cyn'Thia ordered the little girl.
...
Meanwhile, in front of Kalipso's statue.
"Leave the Elf out.
I will ask for the last time.
What's the deal with this blood scent?" Veronica asked aggressively.
"A-again with this nonsense..." muttered the priest.
Suddenly, a female voice came to Jorael's ear, whispering:
"Master... I found them...
The child will be fine... the slave didn't make it...
It's revolting and heartbreaking..."
"Good work Thia.
Now you may appear..." Jorael said as he lifted the spell on the Elf, making her appear immediately beside him to everyone's amazement.
"Human.
I just found and released the poor little girl.
Jorna... what remains of her...
How could you do such a thing?! "Cyn'Thia screamed in anger.
"N-no, what are you talking about you infidel..." mumbled the priest trying to back away.
"You fucking stay here." Veronica said as she quickly prevented him from running away from her by putting her hand on his shoulder, stopping him.
"You shredded to pieces the poor Demon...
just what you wanted to do with the girl?!" Cyn'Thia yelled again.
Upon hearing those words Jorael felt anger grow inside him, while Veronica sighed and said as she held the man:
"All right, priest.
Let's head to the guards..."
"Veronica, move out!
This scum doesn't deserve to roam free ... "Jorael yelled as he took an attack stance.
"N-no, I did not do anything..." the priest said while Veronica was still holding him.
"Boy, just take the reward. You and your Elf found the girl.
Don't do anything foolish..." the woman said with fierce eyes, but it was too late when she and Jorael both began to enchant:
"For the glory of Her who created everything, I enchant..."
"Firebolt!"
"Hydro!"
Two Red Magic spells were launched nearly at unison: a fireball formed from Jorael's side, and a water sphere formed from Veronica's side.
The spheres were launched against each other, violently colliding and both disappearing in a smoke cloud.
"Are you showing your true color now?!
On which side do you stand?!" the Traveler asked.
"Boy..." Veronica replied, then continued:
"I always stand on the same side.
The side of justice."
Suddenly, the temple's door slammed open, and a male voice screamed furiously:
"STOP WITH THIS MADNESS IN KALIPSO'S NAME!"
A male figure could be seen entering the temple, followed by some henchmen.
"W-who's there?" Cyn'Thia whispered worriedly.
Veronica sighed and commented disappointed:
"The Inquisition is here."