Chapter 22: Chapter 22: I Hate it
"I-inquisition?!" Jorael and Cyn'Thia screamed confused as the men who just entered the temple were approaching them.
"You know... the clerical investigative division led by..." Veronica was explaining before getting interrupted by the man arrogantly walking and leading the group:
"His grace Priest Thomàs Seviglia."
The group of five finally arrived in front of the Kalipso statue, casting nasty and threatening looks at everyone. The man who just spoke started speaking arrogantly again:
"By order of His Highness the High Priest of Rivella, we of the Inquisition have the authority blessed by Kalipso's willingness to act as investigator, judge, and executioner.
I, Inquisitor Rouel, hereby announce that this temple is under our jurisdiction. Did you understand Veronica of House Blois?"
"Tch... yes, your grace Inquisitor.
Take this rascal priest ... "Veronica answered as she bowed her head and as she let go of the priest she was holding and pushed him violently to Rouel.
"W-what are you doing?!" Jorael asked shocked.
"Boy... you didn't understand anything before, now shut the fuck up!" Veronica suddenly exclaimed in anger.
"Madam Blois, I see you haven't lost your lively temper." the Inquisitor said, amid the laughter of his henchmen. Then, he went on talking: "So, you were holding Green Harbor priest Gunther but you and that boy were fighting?
May I know why, Madam Blois?"
Veronica immediately became serious and ready to explain, but it was not she who answered the man.
"He's a killer and a psychopath!" Cyn'Thia shouted pissed off. Her voice echoed throughout the temple to everyone's amazement.
"I did not ask the opinion of a simple slave, rather that of an infidel Elf!
Madam Blois, keep your slave under control and now answer my questions!" Rouel shouted as Gunther was giggling.
"I'm sorry. I'll make my slave behave better, Inquisitor." Veronica apologized as she stared into Jorael's eyes. So, she went on to explain the situation:
"We found the missing child, daughter of the merchant Armando, kidnapped here and hidden in this temple. The slave property of the child had been found murdered. Then, the adventurer and I here were having a little discussion..."
"A little discussion?! The boy wanted to kill me!" Gunther said suddenly after being silent until that moment.
The Inquisitor reached his forehead with his hand, apparently frustrated. After rubbing his eyes, he asked:
"What a headache...
So, priest Gunther, did you kidnap the child and her slave?"
"O-of course not!" replied the priest.
"Why they said they found them in the temple then?" asked again the Inquisitor.
"I-I don't know! They must be lying..." replied Gunther.
"Uhm... Where did you find them?" Rouel asked Veronica.
"Your Grace, if you agree, let my slave speak because she found them." the woman answered.
"Permission granted." the Inquisitor said solemnly, waving one hand.
"I... went to the warehouse at the back of the temple, to later find a cellar. I started down the stairs and an overwhelming stench enveloped me.
I opened the door to the dark room and the smell of a rotten corpse made me almost turn to leave.
I entered the room and found the little girl, Camilla, firmly tied to a chair, with little life force left and starving while in the corner of the room… I found… the poor Jorna… slaughtered.
You saw the rest for yourself..." Cyn'Thia explained thoroughly, remembering what she had felt, nauseated of the horror in that cellar.
The Inquisitor, once again, reached his forehead with one hand, covering his eyes. He whispered faintly to himself: "I can already feel the headache coming..."
Then, after relaxing, he asked the offending priest:
"Priest Gunther, what this Elf is saying, is it true?"
"N-no your grace, why should you believe in an Elf ?!" the priest defended himself, trembling with fear.
"Hmm... I see I see...
Then, where's the child?
She should make things clear. Bring her here!" Rouel ordered.
Cyn'Thia quickly went to take Camilla there as requested by the Inquisitor, while Jorael began to be impatient.
"Veronica, this is all ridiculous." the Traveler whispered to the woman, making sure she would be the only one to hear his words.
"Boy, I told you to shut the fuck up." she replied immediately after listening to his words.
The Elf returned to the Kalipso statue, with Camilla in her arms. Once there, Cyn'Thia said with concern: "Please be patient, she has suffered a lot and is still weak and scared..."
"Slave, this is something I will see in person, now don't speak unless asked!" the Inquisitor yelled tyrannically before starting his interrogation with the feeble girl:
"Child, can you hear me?"
"Y-yes..."
"Do you know this man?" pointing to Gunther.
"Y-yes..."
"Is he the one that kidnapped you?"
"D-don't know..."
"Who's this Elf?" pointing at Cyn'Thia.
"M-my savior..."
"What happened in the cellar to you and your slave?"
"..."
Camilla remained silent and did not answer the last question, but instead began to cry many tears of despair remembering the wicked events that happened to her and her slave.
Almost everyone was ready to let go of the girl, but the Inquisitor was not satisfied with his answers:
"The Elf told us the slave is dead, what happened?"
"P-please... I want to go home..."
"What happened in that room?"
"P-please... m-mom... d-dad..."
"Who killed the slave?"
"J-jorna...
it was the... m-monster..."
After saying those last words, Camilla began to cry even louder, while Cyn'Thia gently hugged the little girl to comfort her.
"Now you stop with this madness!
You are hurting her!" Jorael suddenly screamed, having enough of it.
The Inquisitor raised an eyebrow and said angrily:
"Madam Blois, I would be grateful if this boy could follow your advice."
"Yes, Your Grace, I'm sorry for his behavior." Veronica apologized, giving the Traveler an annoyed look.
"Monster uh... fine.
Uh-hm…
I hereby announce the reformation of priest Gunther. He will have to attend re-education following disciplinary decisions after further investigations on him are carried out in Rivella." Rouel announced, resulting in displeasure that could be seen on the faces of adventurers.
"W-what?! Reform?!" screamed the culprit upset.
"Silence!" bolted the Inquisitor, then he continued to command: "Men, take him into custody and handcuff him, then load him into the carriage."
Immediately the henchmen of the Inquisition who had remained stationary until then handcuffed the priest with his hands behind his back and began to leave the temple.
Jorael's furious gaze met Gunther's, who responded with a faint smile on his face.
"That son of a..." the Traveler whispered to Cyn'Thia as she took care of the girl in her arms.
"Madam Blois, under these circumstances, I usually take care of the victim, but I hope I can trust you to return this child to her parents." Rouel said as he began to move.
"Yes, Your Grace, you have my word that I will bring the child home safe and sound." Veronica swore, putting a hand on her chest.
"Good. For the rest... you can all leave this temple. I'm going to check the cellar. What a headache... farewell." the Inquisitor said as he left the scene.
After saying goodbye to the Inquisitor, the four people made up of Jorael, Cyn'Thia, Veronica and Camilla finally left the temple and headed directly to Armando's villa. As he walked Jorael could no longer bear the thought that gripped him and said to Veronica:
"Was this your justice?"
"Boy, if you killed a priest you would have been in serious trouble.
You need to learn to control yourself..." Veronica answered.
"Please ... stop it and let's take Camilla to her parents." Cyn'Thia said interrupting the discussion.
...
"MY DAUGHTER!" cried a woman in her thirties as she went down the stairs in Armando's villa. She was the mother of Camilla, and as she descended the stairs quickly, Jorael could felt her pain by seeing her face devoid of sleep and bloodshot eyes.
But now it was time to rejoice, when the mother and father arrived at the entrance, they could finally embrace their daughter and smile.
"What is it, boy?" Veronica whispered looking at the Traveler's troubled face.
"It's... nice to see them together now... like a family..." Jorael replied with a bitter note of sadness.
Cyn'Thia after passing Camilla from her arms to those of her parents commented in ancient Elvish:
"We saved this Human child, yet we feel this melancholy..."
"Their happiness warms my heart, but unfortunately there is still so much cold inside there ..." said Jorael in Elven's language.
"What the fuck are you both saying?!
Boy, I understand you have an Elf slave, but to speak their dead language…
Hmm… you must have some weird fetish ... "Veronica commented disappointed.
"You sure know how to kill the mood." Jorael replied disappointed too.
After shedding many tears of joy, Armando asked: "Who is my daughter's savior?!"
"S-she's the one!" Camilla replied, pointing cheerfully at Cyn'Thia.
"T-the Elf?!" the merchant asked astonished.
"I'm glad we managed to save her!" Cyn'Thia answered with a bright smile.
"I am ... grateful for your service.
Maybe I misjudged you and mistreated you. "Armando whispered, while his wife thanked the adventurers and the noblewoman for saving Camilla, and went off with her daughter to rest in their bedroom.
"Grum'dr! Prepare a meal for our heroes!" the merchant ordered his slave.
"Tché... Humans and Elf saved little master, tché..." the goblin murmured as he disappeared into the kitchen.
"Now my lovely guests, let's sit in my living room and talk in detail about what happened." Armando said, leading them.
After taking their place on the sofa, the owner looking at Cyn'Thia still standing immediately said a little embarrassed:
"Please Elf ... you can sit next to your Master if you want it..."
"Thank you, Sir Armando." Cyn'Thia answered as she sat down next to Jorael.
"Good. Now ... could you please enlighten me on who is the culprit and what happened ?!" the merchant begged his guests to find out the cause of his daughter's disappearance.
"First, why didn't you ask about your slave?" Veronica asked.
"I didn't see her come with you all ...
So, was she the one responsible? "Armando asked, still assuming the guilt of his slave.
"No, she's dead." Jorael responded with dissatisfaction.
"D-dead?! How?!" the merchant asked in shock.
"It seems that the culprit was among the most unsuspected.
Green Harbor priest, Gunther. "Veronica revealed.
"WHAT?!" Armando suddenly exclaimed doubting the revelation.
"Yes, the Elf found your daughter tied with a rope in the temple cellar.
And in the same room...
The poor slave was left there to rot in a corner, brutally massacred." Veronica slowly explained.
The merchant's face paled as the chills down his spine made him fear what might have happened to his daughter if her rescuers were late. A sudden dark realization surrounded by slight disbelief at what happened to his Demon slave.
"J-jorna… is...?
Gunther... is…" Armando quietly whispered.
"It is still unclear what really happened there, and the investigation probably will not proceed." Veronica commented disappointed.
"W-why? What happened to the priest?!" the Merchant asked confused.
"The Inquisition stepped in at the last minute and took care of the culprit, sending him to reform in Rivella." explained the noblewoman.
"I-is it not okay?!" Armando asked, still confused.
"Yes... but actually no.
He will most likely not pay for his crimes. "Veronica replied as she stared into the unknown, reflecting on what had happened.
"A-are you doubting the faith?!" the merchant asked worriedly.
"I'm not doubting the faith, but the men behind it..." the noblewoman whispered, only to be interrupted by Grum'dr:
"Tché... Humans and Elf... your meal is ready, tché."
...
After eating a satisfying meal, the guests were ready to leave and they were greeting the owner of the villa at its entrance.
"Remember, the Inquisition will most likely come here to buy your silence." Veronica explained, warning him.
"M-my silence?!
How do you know that, Madam Blois?" Armando asked.
"You can say I'm a resourceful woman.
Farewell, take care of Camilla." The noblewoman replied as both adventurers greeted the merchant and the Goblin.
"Thank you again to all of you. Also to you, Elf. Farewell!"
"Tché... Humans and nice Elf, farewell tché!"
Leaving the villa, the three arrived at the carriage left in front of it. Veronica looked uncomfortable and Jorael asked her:
"What's the matter?"
"Boy, I want to make sure that was not my justice, but killing a man, besides, a priest will only bring you pain and misfortune.
The Inquisition is a powerful machine, and is supported by someone even more dangerous..." Veronica explained worriedly to warn him.
"Got it, but why are you reporting this to us?" Jorael asked.
"It will be sad to see a young promising Mage meet his demise for his foolishness.
Now our paths will separate. You can take my carriage and go back to Southum and leave the horses where we met.
I trust you. "Said the noblewoman.
"Madam Veronica Blois, what will you do?" Cyn'Thia asked.
"I have other business to attend to ...
If Kalipso's will tries to bring us together again, I will happily join you.
Farewell, adventurers. "Veronica said as she left, but still could be heard murmuring to herself:
"That damn Elf…"
"Farewell!" both adventurers said, watching the noblewoman quickly disappear into the streets of Green Harbor.
"What to do, master?" Cyn'Thia asked.
"We will gladly take this opportunity, and thanks to it we will return faster to Southum." Jorael explained as he got into the carriage.
"So Master, what do you think?" the Elf asked as she climbed into the carriage to sit next to her Master.
"YAH!" cried the Traveler, snapping the reins of the horses he was holding, starting the carriage, and then he said:
"I'm a little surprised by Veronica's power.
She cast a spell at an insane pace and canceled mine.
As to who she really is, it's still a mystery."
...
In an unknown location in Green Harbor.
Two guards stood outside a building.
"Boss! We finally met!" a soldier exclaimed as he watched Veronica walk towards him.
"Aye, aye..." the noblewoman whispered as she approached them.
"How could you leave us like this in Southum, boss ?!" the other soldier complained.
"Uhm... I was in a hurry, and you two were slowing me down..." Veronica replied.
"W-what?! How could you say that Boss?!" both guards exclaimed in disappointment.
"Well, so I met someone interesting ..." the noblewoman whispered.
"...?
However, you forgot, as always, to wear your equipment!
We brought it here! "One of the soldiers exclaimed enthusiastically as he gave Veronica something.
"Sigh ... I have to wear it?" the noblewoman asked reluctantly.
"Boss! Every time you say that ...
Sure you have! "The soldiers said.
So, Veronica began to wear an orange coat that covered most of her body, with a hood that hid her hair.
The last piece of her equipment was missing, but the other soldier handed her an object. She wore it on her face and commented harshly:
"I hate this fucking mask."
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