Jessai was furious and all of Orchisre could feel it. Grognor was especially uneasy in his presence as he sat in her dining hall to hear his request. He sat on his throne fuming, a long gash on the side of his sick green face, a tusk chipped off, and a stab wound that was being bandaged by a human slave. Grognor stifled the urge to laugh at how Jessai had been so easily caught off guard by this assassin. Not only that, but the assassin had managed to escape into the night, and all of Orcshire was searching for him. No one was sure who or what he was, but all that were not Orcs themselves admired his courage and valor.
“Damn that detestible little RUNT!” Jessai roared. “How did he even get inside!? Not only did he nearly take my life, he let free some of my slaves, killed at least 7 of my underlings, and scared my face!”
“No fortress is impenetrable, Jessai.” Grognor shrugged.
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” Jessai sneered, his fists shaking angrily.
“Maybe a little.” Grognor smirked. Jessai gnashed his teeth and rose to his feet again, grabbing his large battle axe.
“This attempt on my life changes NOTHING!” He barked. “I will still have my invasion force ready by the end of the month. I expect progress on my commission.”
“My Lodge is working as fast as it can. My employees are exhausted.”
“If they have time to bitch, then they have time to forge.” Jessai snapped. “Or do you need more help? I’d be happy to requisition your family for you.”
“I told you…that won’t be necessary.” Grognor growled, his humor gone. “I’ll get it done.”
“I also invited you here to ask if you could confirm something for me.” Jessai growled, turning back to his throne and holding his axe close to his face as if inspecting the blade’s sharpness.
“What is it?”
“How’s that ogress whore, Titania?”
Grognor froze a moment in shock. He’d done all he could to keep his visits to Titania secret. How’d Jessai know about that!? He flushed deeply and crossed his arms.
“Should I even ask how you know about that?”
“My spies see everything, Groggy. You know that. Besides, an overweight old dwarf like you can’t stay hidden very well.”
“And yet they can’t find a single assassin carrying unique blades?” Grognor challenged. He knew it was unwise to provoke Jessai, but he was beyond caring right now. If Jessai already knew he and Titania were friends still, then it meant Titania was in danger again.
“He’ll be found in good time….but I was wondering if perhaps you think that ogress would shelter an assassin?”
So that’s it, Grognor thought. Jessai didn’t care about Titania…just whether or not she knew about the assassin. Grognor thought about that prospect and about the assassin. If the rumors were to be believed, the assassin was carrying Damascus steel swords…high quality steel that would not be found anywhere in Orcshire. He was a high class assassin with a lot of skill. There aren’t a lot able to pay an assassin with that kind of skill or gear unless he was doing it for more than money…a higher cause…a holy cause. No, Titania wouldn’t be able to shelter him, even if she wanted to, because his kind didn’t smile upon the non-humans.
“I doubt it. If I had to wager a guess, that assassin was an Arch-Angel of the Inquisition of Holiness.” The Orcs in the room all gasped and stood in shock at the accusation.
“IMPOSSIBLE!”
“An Arch-Angel here!?”
“Why!? What do they want with Jessai?”
“SILENCE!” Jessai bellowed. “That’s ludicrous Grognor…what would an Arch-Angel be doing here!?” Grognor was pleased to see a look of genuine unease on Jessai’s face. He had every right to be.
The Inquisition of Holiness was one of the surviving remnants of the Vatican Church since the Cataclysm. They were a highly militant and radical group who believed God had become angry with humanity, which is why He allowed the Cataclysm to happen. Those who He deemed evil or sinful were turned into non-human races and monsters, thus the Inquisition has a fierce prejudice towards non-humans. In certain cases, when dealing with an exceptionally evil or dangerous non-human, they might send an Arch-Angel to kill them. An Arch-Angel is the name used for the Inquisitions elite assassins. They wear masks to hide their true identities and will strike without warning and often without mercy. When an Arch-Angel appears in a town or city, most non-humans evacuate out of fear alone. Jessai would not be so easily frightened though, so this Arch-Angel would probably be back.
“I have no evidence that it’s an Arch Angel…but I think we can assume it is. The way he snuck in past the guards and defenses shows clear talent in espionage and infiltration. Plus many Orcs I spoke to that fought him claim that his swords possessed an almost liquid metal like finish to them, which is consistent with Damascus steel swords. Damascus steel is hard to make and very expensive, but I’m sure the Inquisition has it in large quantities. As to why he’s here….I suppose the Inquisition got word of the power of Jessai the Devourer and are here to see that he is put down.” The Orcs all began to buzz and mumble over this news. The Inquisition was here in Orcshire? This was horrible news. Orcshire was highly populated by nonhumans, and thus it would be a prime target for extermination. How could they plan an invasion now?
“I need time to think on this development.” Jessai growled. “Get out of my sight, Grognor.” Grognor happily complied, getting up to leave, bustling out of the palace and back home with news for his sheltered slaves.
“TONIGHT!?” Meriel’s mother cried. “You want us ready to leave tonight!?”
“Jessai is panicking. I managed to convince him that the assassin who tried to kill him was one of the Inquisitions Arch-Angels. I’m not sure if it’s true or not, but thinking the Inquisition could be coming for him is enough to scare even that overgrown dungball into shaking.”
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
“And you think running for Titania’s cabin is wise now?” Meriel asked.
“Jessai will probably recall his Orc troops back to the capital to defend it from the Arch-Angel. While he’s worrying about that, he won’t be thinking about two escaped slaves. That gives us an opening to get you out of here. I’d like to move you out tonight.”
“And you’re certain we can trust an ogress?” Meriel’s mother asked. Meriel gave her mother an accusing look…but didn’t argue. She too was worried. Grognor paused a moment as he helped them pack their things into sacks.
“…Titania’s my friend. We go way back. I know she may not please all tastes and she’s rough around the edges…but she’s a good person. I trust her with my life, like she trusts me with hers. I promise you, dwarf oath I guess, that Titania will DEFINITELY keep you safe.” Meriel joined Grognor in packing.
“That’s good enough for me. Let’s hurry, Mom.” Without anymore room to argue, she joined in the packing of their belongings for the evacuation tonight.
Darkness fell rather swiftly. Ever since electricity disappeared, the nights seemed somehow brighter as the sky was alive with stars that were once unseeable. Orcs that patrolled the streets had no desire to look up and marvel at them, but to Meriel and her mother, they were gorgeous to behold. Grognor had to occasionally give them a little nudge to hurry them along. They moved cautiously through the alleys of the city until they came to a small building with the word “HEALER” emblazed on the top of the door. Grognor glanced back at Meriel and motioned for her and her mother to be silent.
“I’ll do the talking. Just keep an eye out.” He knocked on the door and after waiting a moment, an elf answered. He looked around Meriel’s mothers age, though more mature with tired lines under his brown eyes. His long dark hair hung down uncombed. He actually looked sick to Meriel and her mother, though he wore the robes of a healer.
“Grognor? What’re you…who are these two?” He asked.
“Evening Aynor.” Grognor grumbled darkly. “I’m in need of…assistance.” Aynor’s eyes narrowed and then he turned his attention to the girls.”
“I suppose it’s about them? Who are they?”
“Friends.”
“Goodnight, Grognor.”
“Slaves.” Grognor corrected himself, grabbing the door before Aynor could close it. “They’re Jessai’s slaves…they escaped during the assassination attempt and I’m going to get them out of the city to stay with Titania.” Aynor shook his head but opened the door.
“You’ll get us all killed one day, Grognor…mark my words.” He added. Meriel and her mother snuck inside and once the door was closed he walked towards the back of his small home. There was a room to the side with a bed and surrounded by counters of jars, ointments, bandages, and knives for surgery. On the other side of the hall was a dining area that had a half finished salad. There were stairs to the far end of the hall that most likely lead to a bedroom.
“I suppose introductions are in order. I’m Aynor…formerly Sgt. Alexander Torrez.”
“You were a soldier?” Meriel asked.
“Before the Cataclsym…yes. But I don’t fight anymore. I’m a healer now. A doctor.” He replied calmly leading them past the doctors office and behind the stairs.
“I guess Jessai made you give up the soldier life?” Meriel’s mother asked.
“I chose to give it up.” He answered forcefully. “I’m tired of taking lives…I’ve shed too much blood.” He stopped behind the stairs and knelt down removing a rug to expose a crack in the wooden panels. He kicked it and a trap door sprang away that lead into a pitch black tunnel. Grognor smiled and pat Aynor on the back.
“You’re a good man, Aynor.”
“I’m a fool with a bleeding heart, and you’re just a fool.” Aynor remarked. “This tunnel will get you beyond the city walls to the forest. I use it to sneak out to get herbs and medication. Once there, if you travel due north, you’ll find Titania’s home.”
“Have you been there before, Aynor?” Meriel asked.
“No. I don’t consort with beasts.” He answered, but Meriel couldn’t stop herself from noticing a wave of sadness wash over his face. She could tell he’d consorted with beasts before…but she dare not press him right now.
“No time to chitchat. C’mon!” Grognor dropped down into the hole with Meriel and her mother right behind her. Once down, Aynor closed the trap door and hurriedly covered it again. It was not his job to be an assistant to Grognor’s underground railroad. Yet this wasn’t his first time helping, nor would it likely be the last time. He glanced out the window and watched two orcs walk by. One caught sight of him in the window and gave a grunt and a wave.
“Ya a’right in there, Aynor?” He called.
“I’m well, Grimuk.” He answered.
“Thanks fer fix’n my foot the other day.” He called.
“My pleasure.”
“Heh, I doubt it. Ya looked like you were gonna vomit.”
“The infection was rather bad.” Aynor explained. He didn’t mind talking to the orcs…he treated them like he would any other patient. Despite what Grognor said of them…despite how cruel and demented Jessai was…they were humans once right? We were all humans once, right? Even Titania the Ogress was once human…even his wife was…once…
“We gotta look out for each other round here, don’t we?” Grimuk chuckled moving on. “You stay outta trouble, Aynor.”
“Thank you, friend…I will.”
Yes…we were all human once. Now? Now no matter how civil we act or how friendly we are…we’re all just beasts, aren’t we? All just savage beasts. As he closed the door, Aynor gently rubbed his finger where a gold ring used to sit.