“Breaking The Steel Giant
Earlier this morning, a statement put out by the Commander of Allied Forces in Abenstadt indicated that the siege of Abenstadt had been lifted with the reopening of hostilities between the Carradorian-Traxian front. Augmented by mercenaries from Verona, a force consisting of Abenstadtian resistance fighters and volunteers from Arteira and beyond have cut into Traxian lines from the southern peninsula and breached the steel ring erected around Abenstadt, giving the battered city an opening after these grueling long months under siege. While in the east, a Meltonian-Carradorian force smashed into the border fortresses and forced the main Traxian legion to retreat towards Fortress Aeter in Felmarch, lest they be cut off from their supply lines.”
- Front Page, Arterian Affairs, “Breaking The Steel Giant”
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Mila’s scowl grew more entrenched the deeper they descended into the halls beneath the cathedral. For amongst the labyrinthinan halls hidden away from the public’s eyes, she determined that far more had been happening behind the scenes than even she last remembered. Lucinia just swallowed her doubts. Mila could hazard a guess that the former princess was wondering if what she was seeing was even allowed. Whether or not this was something that the Inquisition or the church would silence her over. Mila doubted it.
What she didn’t doubt was the curiosity that Annika seemed to view her with. She caught the girl looking her up and down more than a few times on their way to the underground. Perhaps more curiously was how she couldn’t seem to make head or tails of Mila. She’s trying to judge me because of something, but what?
Her answer came when Korvin reached a small room, bringing the group to a halt. He took a peek through the doorway window, his face marked by disdain. He beckoned for Mila to take a look and then turned her hanger on.
“She is indeed one of the youngest to have made the leap from being in training to a full fledged Inquisitor. Take note though, her experience isn’t the same as this… process.” His last word dripped with disgust, “Troublesome as she might be, she fought for her post and earned it. Take care to develop the same work ethic, trainee.”
“Yes, Lord Inquisitor.” Annika crossed her arms the way that templars often did, “And sorry for doubting you, mam, you just looked so young it seemed almost…”
“It’s alright. I'm not exactly in uniform today.” Mila absently answered. She did not turn around.
She was too engrossed by the sight in front of her. It was almost like a classroom that replicated the environment of the Academy. Except instead of everyday students, these were very likely inquisitors or witch hunters in training. A standardized processing. They're trying to make them like they make soldiers. Is everything really going that badly?
“You’ve done your duty well, now return upstairs and continue monitoring the cathedral for suspicious activities.” Korvin instructed the other girl.
“But… yes, Lord Inquisitor.” She reluctantly acknowledged, turning on her heel to head back upstairs.
They waited for a while until her footsteps were gone, back down and then away from the countless underground hallways. Korvin then quietly led the two to a small side room, a makeshift laboratory having been hastily erected here judging by the undecorated and unadorned walls.
The senior inquisitor closed the door behind them, making sure to lock it before he looked at Mila with a grim nod.
“It is as you see, Inquisitor Lyudmilla. Thanks to the troubles of recent times and the involvement of the church in more active matters. It has been decreed that a new plan be implemented. An accelerated instructional program to cultivate talents from promising trainees of the more… militant wings of the church.” Korvin explained, the man paying little mind to the new arrivals having already lost himself to whatever research duties were last left unfulfilled.
Lucinia showed no understanding of any of the matters being discussed. The girl instead glanced over towards Mila to ask if this would serve as a moment of temporary respite from their journey. Mila nodded, her own attention captured by the senior inquisitor’s message. The new understanding that the church might be acting more desperately and trying to fill the ranks of its clandestine branches.
The job of an Inquisitor is not one to be taken lightly. Can whatever this program is even do enough to prepare the trainees for the struggles that we might face in the field? Not to mention pain and loss they might have to face, the hard choices they need to make. How would the church even teach that without assigning them proper mentors?
“So, now that I’ve completed the obligatory exchanging of information. It is only fair that you now state the purpose of your visit to the cathedral.” Korvin informed her.
“I’m preparing for an excursion to Gratia. We’re meeting a friend.” She responded calmly.
Hearing this, Korvin paused in his work before gesturing towards Lucinia.
“And you plan to take her along?” He scoffed incredulously, “Last I recall, it was your failed expedition in Gratia that saw you reassigned from active duty to recover, hence your attendance at the Academy.”
“Hold on, failed expedition? What does that mean?” Lucinia spun around to join the conversation.
“You didn’t know?” Korvin queried, his voice hinting ambivalence, whilst his brows quirked upwards in amusement.
“Lady Mila….” The Traxian confronted her.
“My apologies, Lady Lucinia, it slipped my mind that you didn’t know. I’d already told the others the gist of it so I didn’t think of informing you as well.” Mila answered.
A dark shadow flitted across her face. Uncomfortable memories swarming back to the forefront from the depths of her mind. The reason why she needed to send a letter in the first place.
“What happened?” The Traxian pressed.
“Back when things kicked off in Gratia. I was there just afterwards. Tried to stop Anna’s blight. Got a lot of good people killed.” Mila whispered, her mind not allowing herself to say more. Not that she wanted to think about those events anymore than she already had.
“Stars above, and you didn’t think to tell me?” Lucinia growled.
Mila grimaced. They had discussed the potential dangers of the journey already. Yet she hadn’t told Lucinia properly about what had happened. And of the struggle that she faced in simply trying to stay alive at the time. The regret that she now carried. Now that she thought about it, she realized how much that could’ve impacted the girl’s decision to tag along on their adventure. The danger it might bring to her well being now made that much more prominent in her mind.
“It slipped my mind, sorry.”
“Slipped your mind? How many people died?”
Mila looked away. The shame of her failure and the vain sacrifices of those that followed her hung heavy on her, “At least a hundred.”
“A hundred?! Hells! I think that’s very important information to have simply ‘slipped your mind’.”
“I know, sorry.”
“And what now? You’re trying to add us to those numbers?”
“What? No!”
Lucinia rolled her eyes but sighed, “Well, not that it changes anything at this point.” She shrugged, her momentary outrage giving way to her a more indifferent version of herself.
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“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I’m going anyway, aren’t I? You and Sophie both asked. For the good of the team and getting experience. Some other bullshit or the other.” Lucinia scowled.
“You can back out. We wouldn’t hold it against you. I'd understand.” Mila admitted.
Lucinia did not even grace her with a response. The mere mention of backing down from this task brought about an offended expression.
“Just mentioning it as an option.” Mila stated, her own discomfort at the situation growing clear.
Before they could continue their little spat, Inquisitor Korvin tapped something metallic against a table, silencing them and getting their attention.
“May we please return to the matter at hand?” Korvin interrupted.
Mila apologetically bowed, “Of course.”
“Excursion to Gratia. I assume then that this means you’re preparing a correspondence to discuss your current status?”
“Something like that.” Mila affirmed.
“Gah, how troublesome. You should know that overland routes are taking longer than usual given the war. Maritime routes are still open but the fees are increasingly expensive.” He muttered.
"We'll pay. I'll pay." Mila assured him.
Korvin just looked at her, his neutral expression giving nothing away about his thoughts. He then paced around the makeshift laboratory for a few moments, his boots clicking menacingly against the backdrop of their breathing. They were unwilling to break the silence given that they were technically the guests here. Eventually the man grumbled something else to himself before pointing towards a cabinet by the door.
“Pen and paper should be stored in there somewhere. Get your affairs in order and I’ll see this delivered to Inquisitor Serilda in your stead. I'm assuming, post haste. Would that be all?”
“Yes sir, thank your sir.” Mila formally confirmed.
She started walking over to grab the supplies before pausing.
“So why did you show me the classroom?” She asked.
Korvin regarded her with cold eyes. Though the barest hints of a coy smile shone through underneath.
“An exchange of information, what I informed you of before.” He almost smirked, “Beyond that, I suppose I was gauging your reaction to those matters.”
“My reaction? Why?”
“To better create an accurate prediction on how someone of your skillset and background might react to the situation.”
“Huh?” Mila let out a disgruntled grunt.
“I suspect that you will be approached before long. Whatever your transgressions might be, you are the youngest official fully fledged Inquisitor to be inducted into our ranks.”
He waited for her to decipher the thought on her own. He frowned when she was too slow.
“It is a likely outcome that you will be invited to speak or even mentor them. An example, if you will.” He finished the thought for her.
Mila grit her teeth. More lives to be placed under her. A troubling idea. Unsure of how what response she wanted to return, she opted for a simple bow.
“Many thanks for the information, Inquisitor Korvin.”
“Just get your business done, I have work to do.” Korvin mumbled, “Ah, yes. And do let your friend Sophie know that I’ve another… task that could use her rather unique skillset. After you return from Gratia, that is.”
“Will do, sir.”
With their matters resolved, Mila grabbed the pen and paper and sank into a spare seat within the lab. Lucinia peeking curiously over at her but she paid the girl no mind. She dabbed the pen in a nearby ink box and began a message she would hopefully not come to regret.
“Dear Lady Serilda…”
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“That’s about all that happened.” Mila finished her recounting of events.
The group had gathered back in Sophie’s room a few hours later. While Elaria and the others seemed none too bothered. Mila stilled remembered what Lucinia had told her and joined the former princess in being that much more wary of where they were sitting or leaning against in the room.
“So in exchange for his help, the Inquisitor wanted to run a few more tests?” Sophie warily eyed her.
“More or less.” Mila shrugged, “It’ll be worth it, at least, to not be under suspicion or fall pray to accusations since we are technically visiting heretical lands. This way, my mistress knows what’s happening and won’t just assume I’m a turncoat.”
“Though from the sounds of it, it’s the other Inquisitors in the region that will be the problem.” Elaria chimed in.
“Heh.” Mila let out a sad chuckle. Yeah, and why I panicked… and fucked up.
“Whatever the case, nothing too radical. And what help are we expecting once there?”
Mila sucked in a deep breath, “Well, for one, some intel on what might’ve happened since I… departed.” She murmured, “Then to see if we’ll get any help. Won’t need to have her carry all the supplies.” She snickered in Lucinia’s direction.
The Traxian growled.
“Sorry, joke.”
“I know.” Lucinia mumbled, crossing her arms and pouting.
“Beyond that, I can confirm that after spending today with her, Miss Lucinia is, at the very least, willing to play her part in the endeavor at hand. Though my advisory is still that she be kept out of a frontline role, and that one of us makes sure to keep her safe during times of combat.” Mila continued her report.
“I can agree with that.” Sophie bobbed her head.
“I see no issue. We’ve already agreed that Raylani can keep her covered.” Elaria agreed.
“Yes mistress.” The dark elf emotionlessly stated.
“Her?!” Lucinia gawked, “Does…” She bit down on her lip, the furrowed brow there indicating her displeasure. But whatever comment she was trying to make she had forcefully contained against her instinct.
The room relaxed and descended into a small lull as the others chattered amongst themselves. Mila turned to scan the area when she found Sophie whispering something to Aryana and accidentally pointing towards Lucinia. She wasn’t alone however, and the moment the two suppressed a chuckle between themselves the Traxian also caught sight of how the two had looked at her moments before. With a hawk's eye, she latched to a potential affront to her person.
“What’s so funny?” Lucinia demanded, her eyes bristling with anger.
“Sorry, sorry. It’s just, I’m glad you’re so easily easing into things. I thought given everything that happened that it’d be a little harder to just change your life like this.” Sophie reassured her.
“Easily? Do you understand how bizarre this all has been for me?!” Lucinia roared.
The room fell silent, worried that they had tipped her past the breaking point by accident. Until the former princess let out a bellyful laugh, one of the first that any of them had ever seen her do. To confused by the sudden shift to react, no one moved or spoke, everyone just waiting to see what would happen next.
“Miss Lucinia?” Aryana’s weakly chimed in.
Hearing the girl speak up, Lucinia abruptly stopped. She wiped whatever expression was on her face and turned to her, an oppresively piercing gaze in her eyes that made Aryana’s confidence wilt and Sophie to tense up. Then, Lucinia smiled.
“I don’t know what you think of me. True, I might not know much about life outside cities and walls. Also true that I still do not relish the fact that I’m spending and will spend more time with so many non-humans.” Lucinia sighed, “But it is also true that after spending some time with Lady Mila today that I’ve come to learn something.”
This caught Mila off guard, but before she could comment, Elaria had already coyly leaned in, “Oh? Do share.”
“Enough.” Lucinia grunted as she scooted a little further away.
The mood lightened enough that a few of the others chuckled. Aryana also letting out a relieved sigh that nothing too serious seemed to be happening. She cuddled Sophie a little who naturally cuddled her back. It is, a bit much. Mila grumbled to herself.
“You were saying?” Elaria prompted, unwilling to let the Traxian weasle out of this.
Lucinia frowned and rolled her eyes, defeated. Though admittedly, she didn’t put up much of a fight.
“I realized that whatever the case, this is my current situation. Whether it is favorable or not matters little. I intend to make the most of this opportunity. I understand that many others who might have fallen from their stations would not be as fortunate as I. Nor would they have such erstwhile allies who continue to offer support despite our differences.” Lucinia proclaimed. She paused, taking a moment to catch her breath, “Also that I refuse to be viewed as unfit or cowardly by an elf. One who could arguably be called a… a… pleasant acquaintance.” Lucinia scowled at Sophie.
The room broke out into a few smiles and a scoff from Sophia. Sophie’s twin rolling her eyes in dismay. Mila just offered the Traxian a small, but supportive chuckle.
“Right inspiring that.” Elaria grinned, “Ought to be bard.”
“Enough.” Lucinia snarled, but her facade dipped a little when a softer look entered her eyes. A small smile even snaking its way onto her face.
Goddess be praised, she’s enjoying herself, isn’t she?
Her joy however, faded far faster than that of the others. For she could see the trials they still had ahead. For her group, that of Gratia and the dangers lurking near the heretical lands. For those remaining in Arteria, whatever challenges the city might bring alongside that of Aryana’s predicament.
Clasping her hands together, Mila lowered her head and dutifully beseeched the Goddess for aid. Blessed Astralis, may your light guide us to success, and may the strength you bestow keep us all safe. For better futures, and to survive the trying times yet to come. May these good moments continue to last for them. Blessed by the stars.