"Accusing a man's daughter of harlotry is a serious claim, Inquisitors," the elder magistrate croaked. Horace was the most senior member of the town council, both in terms of years served and in age. The other six magistrates were also men advanced in years, though none were quite as old as Horace. Alexander was certain that many of the magistrates were not even born when Horace first took office, white-haired and wrinkled though they were.

"We are not accusing Simone of anything, we are merely repeating to the council what others had told us in the course of our investigation," Marcus answered from his place in the middle of the meeting hall, Alexander at his left hand with Eugenia the herbalist and Edna the midwife standing behind him. Both men wore their full armor and weapons, their standing with the Inquisition exempting them from the laws forbidding arms being carried in the assembly or the presence of the gathered magistrates.

Alexander glanced at Simeon. The baker simply stood off ones the side of the room with the rest of the men of the town who attended the hearing, his arms folded, glowering at the floor. Edmond the carpenter stood beside him.

"Do you believe it to be true? Did Simeon's daughter engage in carnal relations for pleasure and gain?"

"What we believe does not matter, magistrate. We have only heard William's account of events. Without Simone's version we cannot be sure how truthful William's account was."

"Very well," Horace began, then stopped to clear his throat repeatedly, "with both parties unable to provide testimony the matter rests on hearsay. Simeon, there is enough unknown that we cannot pass firm judgement on this matter so the decision to give Simone a proper funeral as a daughter or dispose of her as a harlot will be left up to you. I am inclined to believe William's account as repeated by the Inquisitor. Women are lustful creatures, driven by their passions and appetites, but the final decision I leave to you."

Simeon the baker was silent for a moment, the muscles in his arms flexing as he clenched and released his fists, before he said "I will inform the council of my decision shortly" and walked out of the hall, jaw clenched tight in anger. Alexander wondered if his anger was with the conduct of his daughter or with the way Horace spoke about her. The young Inquisitor had heard similar things about the impulsive nature of women all his life, from his teachers in the orphanage and the philosophers at the Inquisition academy. Yet, hearing the words now made him uncomfortable. Perhaps it was because these words weren't about an abstract concept of a woman described by the Philosopher but an actual person whose body now lay waiting to either be honored in death as a child or discarded as rubbish. Perhaps it was because he stood next to Eugenia and Edna. Regardless of the cause of his discomfort he was glad to be done with the discussion.

"The next matter to be discussed is the slaying of William the smith. Alexander, please step forward and tell us exactly how this happened."

Alexander recounted the events of the evening to the council and the assembled men. Marcus had warned him to expect this. The Inquisition did not answer to anyone but itself, any wrongdoing on the part of an Inquisitor would be investigated by a branch of the order dedicated to fighting corruption within their ranks. Still, even if the council had no legal authority over Marcus and Alexander, keeping in good standing with them was necessary for the Inquisitors to perform their duties with ease.

The members of the council asked Alexander many questions, most focused on whether the slaying was truly necessary. The younger Inquisitor had to repeat his story many times, sometimes Eugenia would be asked to confirm his testimony, sometimes Marcus would be asked to confirm his apprentice's evaluation of the situation was correct. Eventually the council determined that William gave the young Inquisitor no choice but to kill him in self defense, though Alexander couldn't help but feel the older men believed he should have been able to overpower the much larger and stronger man and bring him back to face their judgement.

Eugenia was next to be questioned about the tonic that killed Simone, though Alexander paid little attention to their queries about the production and safety of Eugenia's tonics. Being forced to relive the fight with William over and over, questioned by men who seemed convinced Alexander had done something wrong, it made the young Inquisitor feel almost sick with shame.

"You are certain, then, that there is no risk to anyone else in town who takes your concoction of Bitter Kiss?" asked one of the council members. The names of each member had been called out as the assembly began but Alexander could only remember Horace due to his advanced age setting him apart. The rest of the men may as well have been brothers for how similarly they looked to one another.

"Yes, magistrate," Eugenia replied, "when taken in the manner I instruct there is no risk of poisoning."

"Very good. As long as you are certain there is no risk to the health and safety of this town I am satisfied."

"As am I." Horace stated before another round of throat-clearing that made Alexander clench his jaw tight. "Anyone who takes this potion himself, or whose wife takes it, be sure to take it only in the way prescribed by the herbalist. Tell your daughters of this as well, perhaps the dead girl's fate will encourage them to keep their legs closed. Fear will suffice in keeping them chaste where virtue will not."

"The women are excused from this assembly." Horace stated, tapping his cane on the floor. Eugenia and Edna nodded and exited the assembly hall.

"The last order of business that this council has that will involve the Inquisitors is the need for a replacement smith." Horace said.

"How does the council wish for us to assist in this matter?" Marcus replied.

"Since the loss of William's services to us was due to the actions of the young Inquisitor, we believe it only fitting that he travel south to Tariopolis to procure a replacement for us."

"The usual messenger from the Inquisition will be coming by in the summer, we could send correspondence back to the metalworkers' guild with him when he arrives."

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

"And be without a smith's services until autumn or later?" Horace exclaimed, the effort bringing about another too-long fit of coughing and throat clearing.

"The nearest smith with the skill we need is over a week's travel away, there and back," Horace said after wiping his mouth with a square of cloth, "Our farmers and craftsmen cannot put aside their work for a week at a time when they need their implements repaired. We need a man here, in town, able to do our work quickly and for a fair price, and we need him before harvest."

"Very well, if that is what the council needs, I will send Alexander down to the capital to procure a smith for Croton. He can leave the day after tomorrow, once we've had some time to prepare."

"The day after tomorrow, but no later," Horace said firmly. "Men will make the journey to Stratham out of necessity for now and implements will need to be shared as needed but the prosperity of this town and the well-being of her people depends on having a functional smithy."

"Certainly, magistrate." Marcus replied. Alexander wondered how Horace's tone would be received by an Inquisitor other than his mentor. The Inquisition had final authority over nearly anyone in the Tarid Empire, their judgements final and not subject to the scrutiny of anyone but themselves. Marcus' friendly approach to those in his jurisdiction could cause problems for anyone who expects other Inquisitors to be as lenient.

"One issue I must make the council and those assembled aware of, however." Marcus said. "The north does not have a positive reputation amongst those in the heartland. Alexander may need to recruit a foreigner, as many Tarid citizens will be hesitant to come this far north to endure our winters without demanding exorbitant payment."

"The young Inquisitor should try to find a proper Tarid smith, if possible, but our situation is such that we can accept a foreigner. So long as he is competent and respects our laws and customs, that is. We expect the Inquisition will deal with him should he threaten to corrupt the morals of our town."

"Of course, magistrate."

"Good. Tell the smiths you attempt to recruit that all of William's possessions will be his, in addition to the forge, the shop, and the house."

"Certainly, magistrate."

"Very well, unless anyone else has business with the Inquisitors they are dismissed."

Marcus and Alexander nodded and left the meeting hall as Horace began addressing the assembly.

The two men walked along the road to the villa under clear, blue skies. Laborers worked in the fields as they passed, birds wheeled overhead. The air still had a coolness about it but Alexander was warmed by the sun on his dark, grey cloak.

"You're awfully quiet." Marcus said halfway to their destination.

"Sorry, I was thinking about William, attacking me."

"Alexander, he left you no choice. The man was not thinking clearly, feared punishment or losing his reputation perhaps, but he would have killed you and probably Eugenia as well if you hadn't killed him first."

"I know, I just keep thinking about how I could have done things differently. I made so many mistakes and nearly died because of them, and William did die."

"What mistakes?"

"I got too close, had no weapon drawn. William was able to close the distance between us and throw me to the ground before I could remove my sword from its scabbard. I should have had my sword out as I approached him, or stayed back and drew my pistol. Pumped the tank and kept it trained on him, maybe fear of my bullets would have kept him at bay long enough to return to town with me. Instead, I simply walked up to him essentially unarmed, and now he's dead and I would have been had Eugenia not saved me."

"Is that what this is about, Alexander? You are ashamed that you were saved by a woman?"

"No, of course not!" Alexander exclaimed. "I am grateful that she saved me. Eugenia is a skilled hunter and she lives a more rugged life out in the woods than most do, and she does it alone. No shame in being helped by her bow."

"Then what is it?"

"It's the fact that I needed to be saved at all. I was trained to fight for two years in the orphanage to prepare me for possible military service, three years they trained me in the academy, and then I've spent two years practicing with you. My very first actual fight I confronted a man wearing work clothes and armed with a steel knife while I was wearing Inquisition-forged armor and he tossed me aside like I was nothing. If it wasn't for someone else being there to help me, my first real battle would have ended with me dying without even leaving a mark on my opponent."

"Well, it sounds to me as if you know what mistakes you made and the consequences have driven the lesson home. You've been given a chance to learn and improve, next time you'll be better prepared."

"I suppose."

"When you return from your journey south I'll be sure to drill you in combat more often. I could use the practice myself; I can feel the rust forming on my arms."