“How long have you been serving the Inquisition, Master?” Telron asked me, brushing his fingers through his shoulder-length greyish hair.
“For nearly ten years, sir.”
“Have you never encountered such a hazardous witch as this one during those ten years?”
“I have defeated heretics of ramador rank before but what I have experienced and discovered about this woman is unprecedented and highly peculiar. Her power greatly surpasses that of a common witch.”
Servants brought in the appetizers, fruits and some freshly baked cakes, bringing an enticing smell around the table.
“Take as much as you wish. Do not be shy,” the Bishop encouraged us.
He didn’t have to say it twice. All of us started eating, my team was wolfing down the delightful food.
“What are your plans for the near future, Master Noan?” the Bishop asked me as he took a bite of a delicious strawberry.
“I would like to stay in the town with my Inquisitors as long as I manage to track that damned ramador down. I have to find out whether all this information is true. If it is, we definitely have to stop their plan.”
“I will support you in everything you need. I hope that you will be able to inform us with good news on this matter soon,” the Bishop nodded.
When we finished the appetizers, game meat was brought in, as well as various wines of high reputation, from grapes grown on the northern slopes, lending an exquisite taste to the wine. The finest was the Red Kiss one of the best wine of the whole north.
“This city is not as secure as it used to be. Witch sects had far avoided this area, let alone founding a local coven,” Burron continued the conversation.
“Nowadays, terrible things happen in the region. We had better grow an eye on our backs! We were attacked by assassins on our way here with the baroness. We managed to put them to flight, thanks to the courage of my escort,” the Baron said as he was delightfully chewing on some enticing boar meat.
“This is dreadful, my friend, how could this happen? Did you manage to find out who was behind this horrible deed?” asked Burron.
“The investigation is still on going but I can tell you that I will find out soon who wished to see me dead.”
“Let’s not talk more about this horror,” a nerve jumped onto the cheek of the baroness. “Tell me, your Excellency, how do you like our gift?” Kirona asked, taking a sip from the exquisite Fero wine.
“It is a gorgeous animal, I can’t wait to ride it. I feel like a child who can’t wait to play with his new toy,” he laughed.
“We are both delighted that you appreciate our gift. It is rare that we pay a visit, therefore we intended to bring something useful. Right, Kirona?” the Baron kissed the hand of his wife.
“It is right, indeed, we selected the gift together.”
“Thank you, Telron. You have always been a good friend of mine for many years, I will never forget this.”
“Getting back to you, Master Noan. Are you satisfied with the readiness of the city guards? Did they hinder you in carrying out your mission?” Burron asked.
“They did an excellent job, they arrived on the premises quickly and then swiftly arranged the transportation of the captives. They did not argue at all after I had showed them the written command of my order and the unicorn symbol.”
“I am glad to hear that. It looks as though I won’t have to tell the governor to discipline them,” he cleared his throat.
“Master Noan, let me ask you, which of your missions are you the most proud of since you have been serving with the Inquisition?” the Baron asked.
“I have had many missions that made me proud but the one that I am particularly proud of is the case in Nerund, sir. It happened in the duchy of Eregorn. Countess Milrund was bedevilled by a bloody Tiruma, or in its common name, a shadow demon. She was suffering from abrupt involuntary attacks when the demon gained control over her. She was raving with fury and murdered people around her, like an insane wretch. The monster did not show itself while we were staying at the land of the count, investigating the case. So, we set a trap for the bastard and pretended to be leaving. Obviously, we secretly returned and prepared to exorcise it. When it started rampaging, we suddenly attacked it, magically chained it, and expelled it forever from our world.”
“Interesting story – we can never know what kind of monster is inhabiting us, isn’t that right?” The Baron looked around, his mouth full.
“I have encountered many monsters and beasts, sir, but believe me, sometimes humans are more perilous and evil than even the most fearful beasts.”
“Human souls are inscrutable. We cannot see what is on the other’s mind, what they want, or what they are hiding, Master Noan,” the Bishop answered.
“That is true. Animals act out of instinct, we can predict their next moves, but we cannot know what humans or other races want.”
“Sometimes it is better like that, Master Noan. Everyone has their own dark secrets that are better off hidden away from prying eyes.” The Baron chewed on a well-fried cutlet of pork.
He was an interesting fellow, this baron, his words suggested to me as if he were talking about himself. My experience told me that such sentences were only uttered by those burdened by secrets. I was startled for a second. Am I facing a sinful soul, am I just failing to see his real face?
“There was a animal coming out of you once, am I right, Telron?” The Bishop looked amusedly at the Baron, who stopped chewing for a second and looked at his host as if he had just been caught for committing a cardinal sin.
“What are you insinuating, my friend?” Telron asked between chews.
“Don’t you remember the first time we drank together?” Burron was surprised.
“I’m afraid not,” Telron shook his head.
“Well, you are not your old self anymore, the years have indeed faded your memory! In our adolescent years, at the campfire, that cherry spirit you stole from your father had transformed you into something else,” he smiled.
“It might be so, Burron, that time I favored booze more than today, my youthful enthusiasm was driving me.” He was patting his chest proudly.
“Master, your men are very quiet. Have you forbidden them to speak?” asked the baroness, looking at me curiously.
“I haven’t forbidden anything. Right, lads?”
“Baroness, the truth is that we are not accustomed to sharing table with such important people. This is why we prefer to listen to you silently, leaving the rest to Master Noan,” said Father Tero wisely.
“Master Noan, has it been long that you all work together as a team? You seem to be quite unified,” the baroness asked, taking a deep sip from her wine.
We looked at each other.
“It has been more than a year that we have been raiding together. Unfortunately, one of us lost his life just yesterday, as I mentioned before to his Eminence,” I sighed.
“Let’s raise our glasses to your departed fellow,” the Baron said, raising his goblet.
The cups filled with wine were raised up high in respect to the memory of our lost brother.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, the time has come for us to depart, we would not want to be an inconvenience to the Bishop,” I said.
“You can stay as long as you like, the night is young.”
“We have had a long and tough day, it is time to leave,” I looked at the other Inquisitors sharply.
“Indeed, we are tired, your Excellency,” Father Tero said.
“Sleep will heal our fatigued body,” yawned Funny.
They quickly finished their drinks and we stood up to politely say our goodbyes to everyone as we left the residency.
“The Bishop was nice to have invited us. His wines are as sweet as women,” said Freckledface, after mounting the saddles on our way out of the house.
“I must agree with you, brother, I enjoyed it too,” I said.
“Will we stay in the city until we find the ramador?” Father Tero aske
d, riding his horse beside me.
“I do not want to leave, since wherever she might appear, she imposes a great threat.”
“Why don’t we ask for help from the Grand Bastion fortress, Master?” Fist asked me.
“We can’t ask the center, but I might contact an old friend of mine, he must be able to help us track her down. Have a rest tonight, tomorrow we will have to seek after Iriana, if she is still in the city, we must find her!”
Returning to the inn, I exhaustedly unbuckled the pieces of my armour, and put Loomer on the table.
“Where can you be, you fucking wench?” I was rubbing my tired eyes.
I lay down on the bed, too tired to think. It felt as if heavy stones were pressing down my eyelashes. Strong hands grabbed my soul and dragged me to the dreamworld, not having enough power in me to resist. I saw a female figure turning her back at me. Her body was covered by a nearly transparent veil, the silhouette of her nicely-shaped bottom was clearly visible under the garment. Her blonde locks were hovering unnaturally around her, and they suddenly turned into snakes and started coiling menacingly. She turned her cheek towards me, her turquoise eyes threateningly glancing at me, after which I was rendered immobile. She came so close that I could feel her scent. The snakes angrily hissed and bit me instantly. The venom seized my muscles with a cramp, I loudly cried out. I dropped on the ground and was convulsing with pain.
“I told you I would come back and torture you each night until it will be you who is going to beg me to let you die. I will drive you crazy, to the point of no return!” Her familiar words echoed in my ears.
Suddenly, my team appeared out of the blue and surrounded me sombrely.
“Your pain will cease, if you take their lives right here, right now, Master Noan,” the blonde woman placed a blade in my hands.
I gripped its hilt and thrusted at her, but the weapon passed through her like she was a mere shadow. Other snakes bit me, transmitting even more venom into my body. I was suffering from abrupt bursts of seizure, froth dropping from my mouth as I convulsed on the ground in agonizing pain.
“I will not let you break me, you damned whore! I will find you and split your head into two, like a melon!” I was shouting, fighting back my tears.
She laughed, her gloating voice penetrating my body; the feeling was excruciating.
“I wouldn’t think so, Inquisitor. It will be me who will break you first!”
She turned me on my back and called out to my brothers.
“I am handing him over to you, kill him!”
They drew their weapons indifferently, their faces unmoved, and they stabbed through my body, one by one. I woke up from my dream in a cold sweat, gasping for air. I sat up and rubbed my eyes. I didn’t see any cuts on my body. This cannot go on like this! A few more tormented nights like this and I would truly go crazy. Everything seemed so real, as if it weren’t a dream.
I didn’t think much. I lit a candle and searched my backpack for the buff parchment I had received from my mage friend. I grabbed a plume and some ink and started to write on the blank page.
My dear friend, Motari,
I hope you will promptly receive this message. I am writing to you because I have got into serious trouble which I am not sure I can resolve on my own. A powerful ramador has infiltrated my dreams and torments me with nightmares that seem perfectly real. I have to trace her down as soon as possible, before she kills me in the dreamworld. You can find me in the One Armed Giant inn in the city of Tizland.
I am looking forward to your quick response.
Your truthful friend,
Noan
As I finished writing, the parchment flared up with a dim light, which disappeared, and once again I was staring at a blank page. The magical roll had sent the message; I was hoping that my friend would receive it soon. I lay back in bed but didn’t cover up. I was staring at the ceiling, delving in my thoughts, hoping that the following day would bring redemption. A few more nights like this and I will truly go mad.
CHAPTER SIX
The Commissioner
After dinner, Burron accompanied us to our room and we said goodnight. We went under the quilt with a full stomach, fatigued. Fortunately, Kirona fell asleep soon, especially after all that had happened yesterday. This was a perfect opportunity to visit the One Armed Giant Inn. I dressed up in my traveller clothes and buckled up Bloodgusher. I put the little statue of the distorted creature in my pocket, grabbed the hand mirror and snuck out on tiptoe. On my way out, I bumped into the guards in the yard.
“Where are you heading so late, sir?”
“You know how it is, I fancy some time to entertain myself. My woman is not so young anymore and I need some diversity.”
They looked at each other smiling and nodded.
“We understand well, your lordship. We haven’t seen a thing, should anyone ask. But don’t get into any trouble out there.”
“God help me, I wouldn’t want that old wench to get the wind of it! I will be back before she turns to her other side in bed.”
“Aye, the guards will open the gate for you, sir.”
“Thank you.”
I mounted my horse and rode out from the yard. Leaving the gate of the nobles’ district behind, I took the shape of Valquor, the gang leader, and I was hoping to track down the dwarf merchant. It didn’t take long to find the inn, the locals showed me the way to go. It might have been somewhat bigger than the Goldenbeam as this inn also occupied two floors. I entered the vast hall on the first floor which was filled with guests, merchants, travellers, all sorts of figures. To my surprise, the inn owner was a bald orc, with a golden ring in his nose, who seemed to have lived through many winters. He was clearly managing the place well since he had a good command of the human language. He must have lived among them for long. Interesting times we’re living in – when I was born, they were in open warfare with the duchies. It would have been unimaginable for one of them to work here, but this was over a century ago. I went straight to the bar.
“Good evening, sir! What can I give you at such a late hour?” asked the hulking orc.
“Evenin’. A pint of ale.”
“I’ll be right back,” he said.
Orcs have a unique sense of smell, however, even if he could smell me, he wouldn’t know how to identify me.
“I haven’t seen many orc inn-owners in this region.”
“That is true.” He straightened his back behind the counter as he was pouring amber liquid into a glass. “Much have changed since the last century.”
“Are you thinking of the Red Winter campaign?”
“Yes. When us orcs joined the goblins, we besieged castles and stabbed the Nozgold Empire in the back. Admittedly, that settled the war. The Northern empires finally acknowledged us as being an intelligent race, and they let us enter their countries. And now, because of my forefathers, I am serving you an ale here in the duchy as an inn-owner.”
“The past is past. It cannot be changed, but your leaders made the right decision. Though I’m sure plenty would disagree.”
“Aye, but that is of no matter to me. My race was just suffering in the shadows of a deceitful empire. Now we are free to choose to be whoever we want to be.”
“A great blessing that not everyone receives.” I took a sip from my beer. “Tell me, do you know of a dwarf merchant named Algerind who is supposed to be staying here?”
“Yes, I do, but if I’ve seen it well, he’s left and hasn’t returned yet.”
“Thank you.”
I paid for the beer and started watching the entrance, leaning against the bar with my back. The guests started to leave as time went by. I was slowly sipping my ale, whose slightly sweet taste pleasantly fluttered down my throat. Finally, Algerind appeared at the entrance, together with three more dwarfs. His companions were wearing shiny scaled armor, with spangenhelms on their heads, and battleaxe in their hands. They made the impression of being vastly experienced fighters. The merchant was wearing a
n elegant, current red, golden brasted woollen robe with hanging sleeves. He buckled it with a wide belt under his pot belly. He tied his red beard, which reached until his stomach, in two braids. His rosy cheeks and deep little piggy eyes exuded shrewdness. He quickly noticed me by the bar. I finished the pint, wiped the foam off my mouth and headed towards them.
“Greetings, Algerind!” I greeted the dwarf who was half my size.
“Greetings to you, Valquor! Have you been waiting for me?” he extended his curt arms.
“You hit the nail on the head, sir. I have been waiting here for a while for your arrival.”
“I will not keep you waiting any longer then. Please, follow me to my room, there we can talk undisturbed.”
“As you wish,” I answered.
We went upstairs straight where one of the merchant’s guards opened a door at the end of the corridor. It was a rather large room, with windows opening to the street. There was a desk in the middle and comfortable beds in the corner. The lamps on the wall provided enough light for the room. They closed the door behind me. One guard stood in front of it, the other two were standing on the two sides of the merchant sitting at the table.
“Please, have a seat,” he invited me to the table. “Can I offer you a drink, lord Valquor?” he asked kindly.
“No, thank you,” I wanted to waste the least time possible. Recalling the memories of the leader, I tried to copy his behavior and habits. “Let’s get down to business, lord dwarf! I wouldn’t want to take too much of your time.”
“Alright, I like it if someone gets to the point. Tell me, what are the advancements in our common business?”
“We arranged the attack last night, as you requested. But unfortunately, the Baron survived the assault, even though we had thoroughly prepared everything. Five of my people kicked the bucket.”
The merchant frowned his thick brows and started to nervously spin his golden ring on his little finger with his other short fingers.
“You failed? I thought you were more proficient than this!” the skin on his forehead creased out of anger.
“I would like to ask you for one more chance and I’m willing to pay the half of the agreed price as a compensation for our mistake.” In the meantime, I made a small cut on my hands under the table, holding tightly onto the small statue.
Faceless: The Takeover (The Shapeshifters Book 1) Page 9