“Who is in charge of this? Where is the guard in command, let us through on the authority of the Central Temple!” Rudolph was at the front. If not for his robes and sun-shaped pendant he would've looked like any other townsperson. The guard who had been beside Gilbert pulled away, addressing the angry priest. “Sorry, can’t do that. We’ve been ordered not to let anyone through until the Imperial guard arrive,” he said.

The disdain for that answer might as well have been printed on the priest’s face in red ink.

“This is a temple matter! You must let us through! You have no authority to impede our investigation unless you are trying to protect the witches who quite clearly committed this heinous crime!” He spoke louder this time. The more people who heard his claim the more people he had on his side.

The gossip burst from the crowd at the mention of witches, and people started to push against the guards.

“Let them through!”

“Catch the Witches!”

“Our city is in danger!”

Shouts from the people started to grow. The priest’s eyes landed heavily on Gilbert and he felt the weight of the bricks of burden that were being placed on his shoulders with each cry. He had no authority to go against the Governor or Lord Salphus, yet every second he felt a creeping fear that if he didn’t agree it would turn on them.

With his silence, the priest motioned for his barbaric companions to push the guards aside. Gilbert took a step back. In slow motion, he could see this crowd turning into a riot if a fight broke out between this hired muscle and the city guard.

“Stop, you’re not allowed any closer!” Gilbert demanded of the priest.

“You have do not have the authority to stop men of the Temple from investigating matters like this. Keep pushing through!”

Just as it seemed things were going to grow dangerous and that fists were going to fly, the sound of a sword being drawn silenced the priest. Warren and the Imperial force had arrived just in time. One of them had grabbed the arm of the instigating priest while others held their weapons against the two men who had laid hands on the city guard.

“I know you weren’t ignoring the Governor’s orders to stay back from the scene, were you, Mr. Rudolph,” Warren said, having made his way through the crowd, accompanied by the Captain of the stationed forces. They were intimidating men. Men whose faces and bodies showed signs of fights that were much more dangerous than a scuffle in the center of a city. With black uniforms embroidered with the gold crest of the Emperor, they were actors of his direct rule in each state, commanded by his Governor’s on his behalf.

Rudolph seemed turbulent at their appearance, pulling against the man who had restrained him. “The Governor does not have the right to stop us from investigating matters of the Temple like this! You’re protecting Witche-”

“I don’t have the ability to stop you, that is correct,” Warren walked towards the priest with stern confidence. He wasn’t shaken. He was Lord Warren Salphus, assistant Governor of Kar and voice of the Emperor. Gilbert could see that confidence radiate off of him in the way he walked. Shoulders back, head high, looking down his nose at the other man. That attitude is what was going to get him into trouble, Gilbert knew it. He acted recklessly because he wasn’t afraid of the consequences of that confidence.

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“We all know that the Emperor offers the Temple of Cors the privilege of free movements between his states and kingdoms, but that is a privilege that he has the power to be revoked as well. This is a delicate situation right now. Do you really want to see who curries more favor? You with the Temple or House Salphus with the Emperor?” He asked in a low voice.

Rudolph's lips pursed tight, but he stopped resisting. He looked like a cornered rat. Warren motioned for him to be released.

“We don’t know what happened yet. We don’t know if it was witches or if it was a robbing. All we know is three men were found dead in a city well. City property. Which means that the city has the right to investigate these deaths first. As a courtesy, because they were your fellows, we will permit one member of the Temple to assist in our preliminary investigation. Once we rule out the possibility of street violence, we will return the matter to the hands of the church, and you may continue your investigation,” Warren said, crossing his arms over his chest and staring down the priest.

“I want to speak to the Governor directly about this manner,” Rudolph demanded. Warren nodded. “Absolutely. The Governor has agreed to see you any time today, whenever you see fit you can discuss this matter, peacefully, at the Governor’s Manor,” He said, with all the courtesy one would bestow a great favor. Rudolph had no option but to accept, otherwise, he’d risk his investigation at this point.

He turned like an indignant child, leaving the crowd with his entourage and making his way towards the manor. The Governor was going to be in the most joyful of moods for the rest of the day, enjoying the Temple’s company.

Warren turned to the city guard and ordered them to disperse the crowd before addressing the Imperial men. “We need to get the bodies out of there and to a private place where they can be examined. We can’t do it out here without causing a scene. Try to get them out of there and covered as quickly as possible,” he ordered, before walking back over to Gil.

His demanding exterior melted away as he put away the face of Lord Salphus and once again became just Warren. “Are you alright? You look a little shaken up,” he said. He offered him a kind smile, the kind that made Gilbert momentarily forget his worries. That smile was a feat amongst itself because Gilbert often needed a cart to carry his anxieties.

“I’m fine,” He nodded in response. “I don’t know how you do it. How you can remain so calm in moments like that. It’s like you weren’t afraid of anything,” He said, letting out a long sigh and rubbing his face with his hands.

“I was scared...but I wasn’t…” Warren offered.

“You’re not making any sense.” Gilbert groaned back.

“You’re right, it doesn’t make sense. It’s hard to explain but… once you know things. Once you truly understand them situations become less frightening. I was scared because I haven’t put what I know into practice before but, I’m not scared because I know that you can put it into practice,” he said, putting his hand on Gilbert’s shoulder, running it gently down his arm. “I really do hope one day you’ll take the chance to read the book, to listen to what it says. I want to share this comfort with you.”

Gilbert let his hands drop to his side let out a heavy breath, looking up to Warren. He really did want to understand. He wanted to understand everything about his master, but how could learning more lessen the fear of being caught and hung.

“You promised you’d put the books away,” He reminded him, lowering his tone.

“I did and I have. Just like I swore to you. I haven’t taken them out, and I won’t. Not unless you decide you want to read them beside me,” He said.

Gilbert was a bit suspicious as to how long that would last. He said he locked away the books, but had he really not tried to conjure anything he’d learned. Had he not taking that forbidden knowledge to wrench control from the hands of heaven? And if he hadn’t how long would he hold back from that temptation, and what if there was someone edging that temptation forward. Lord Ross, the one who he’d been corresponding with. Was he still doing so?

These were all questions he wanted to demand answers too, but he knew right now he couldn’t. Right now he had to be grateful that Warren wasn’t getting himself into trouble. As long as he could continue serving his Lord, he was alright with leaving those questions unanswered.