Elara eagerly strode up to Father Vonder and wrapped him in a tight embrace. “It’s been an age since I last laid eyes on you! How have you been faring these past three years?” She asked before leaning back from the hug, smiling. Father Vonder smiled back at her. “I’ve been very well. I’ve retired from traveling and have set roots here. I apologize for not greeting you in person when you arrived! I would have, had I known that you were here to visit.”
Elara chuckled. “My visit here was placed under strict confidentiality. Only those who needed to know of my visit were informed. My apologies for circumstances outside of my control that kept you in the dark.”
Father Voder shook his head. “No need to apologize…but I must ask, why have you made your way here?”
“I’ve been sent here to investigate reports that a heretic has managed to publicly preach out in the open and stir up the local population against the church. Though I’ve just arrived, I’ve already requested a meeting with the captain of the knights to discuss the incidents and will consider what to do from there.”
Maxim tensed up as Father Vonder quickly glanced at Maxim before back at Elara. “Well I can assure you that the situation concerning the heretic is under our control. Actually, as of now, the heretic is officially in our custody.”
Elara gave Father Vonder a questioning look before glancing at Maxim and Drystan. “Am I to assume that the man currently bound before me is the heretic?”
Father Vonder nodded. “Yes, he is. The man before you who…captured him wanted to turn him in to me considering we previously had a mentor-student relationship. We are on route to the dungeon to hold him until questioning tomorrow.”
Elara nodded. “Most astute of you..I would very much be inclined to join you in questioning him. It would give me and my family a clearer picture as to what would cause someone to abandon the goddess.” She glanced at Drystan, a smile plastered on her face. “You have my deepest gratitude for subduing the heretic and bringing him in for punishment. If you have time later tomorrow, I would love to speak with you at length about how you were able to capture him, considering the knights themselves were supposedly struggling with that task.”
Drystan gave her a polite smile and nodded. “It would be my honor.” He said, attempting to hide his nervousness and fast-beating heart. Elara glanced back at Father Vonder. “I’ll leave you to your work, but be sure to inform me of the time of the interrogation by tomorrow morning so I can plan the rest of my day around it.”
Father Vonder nodded his head. “I shall find you first thing tomorrow morning after the details have been decided.”
Elara smiled and nodded before turning around and walking away. Once she was out of sight, Father Vonder sighed. “We should be on our way. The dungeons are on the other side of the city.” As he headed towards the entrance, he stopped and looked at Maxim. “And with Elara now here…I’m under the impression that something more is happening behind the scenes. Be on your guard.”
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As the three men left the cathedral, Elara entered into her temporary, well-furnished chambers and sat down on the elegant bed, sighing. “Father Vonder, lying certainly wasn’t a talent that the goddess has bestowed upon you.” She whispered to herself as she began to undress. “No matter. Tomorrow, I’ll have a clearer image of what’s truly happening.”
Upon dressing into her silk nightgown, Elara’s thoughts landed on the man next to the bound heretic. Something about him stirred something within her. “That man…whoever he is…he makes me uneasy and…filled with dread. Yet, on the outside, he looked friendly…or at the very least tried to show himself to be friendly.”
Deeply sighing, Elara shook her head. “I have a horrible feeling that the machinations behind the scenes go far deeper than just the heretic. It appears my hopes of completing my tasks swiftly and returning to Osric’s side aren’t meant to be. I hope he won’t be terribly upset about the delay.” Plopping herself down on a chair, Elara grabbed a piece of parchment, a quill, and an inkwell and began writing a heartfelt letter to Osric, updating him of what’s happened since she left the capital and how she’s already missed him.
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Alfe stood at attention outside of the dungeons, subduing the feeling of trepidation that was attempting to overwhelm him. What am I even doing? He thought to himself, slightly shaking his head. The captain has always been respectful to me. Always thought highly of me. So why…why am I…”
The sound of footsteps approaching snapped Alfe from his thoughts as he watched five knights approach the dungeon. Alfe cleared his throat. “State your business. No unauthorized entry into the–”
However, the knights merely unsheathed their swords. “We’ve been given orders by the captain to execute the heretic’s mother.. Stand aside, as any who resist are to join her in death.”
Alfe’s eyes widened as he heard the seriousness in the knight’s voice. However, he stood firm, shaking his head. “Unless you have documented proof that the captain ordered this, I’ll have to insist you all leave. Otherwise…”
Alfe unsheathed his sword as well, pointing it at the five knights. “I’ll use all the training the captain has taught me to put a stop to this madness.”
The five knights were motionless, staring down Alfe before the frontmost knight laughed. “He said that you wouldn’t have the guts to go through with what’s necessary and to plan accordingly. Very well, you shall die alongside the heretic scum you’re protecting.”
The knight charged forward, deftly swinging his sword at Alfe’s neck. Ducking under the sword, Alfe stabbed his sword forward, his aim true as he sliced the upper part of the knight’s left side in the small gap in armor. Stumbling backwards, the knight grunted before the other four stepped forward, all four charging in at once.
Alfe attempted to stop one of them by stabbing his sword forward, but his strike was parried as the three other knights surrounded him. Knowing he wasn’t a match for all five trying to rush him at once, Alfe quickly glanced around him, looking for any possible path to escape. However, the one path that provided safety was cut off by the fifth knight, effectively trapping him. Goddess…please…get me out of this alive!
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