“Are you certain?” Koldon asked in surprise.

“Yes, Lord Inquisitor,” Otto replied while bowing deeply.

Koldon looked at his retainer for a moment before narrowing his eyes. “And who went after him?”

They had arrived at the city of Ocheon just a few days ago. Somewhere along the trail, they had lost their targets.

It resulted in the hunting party coming to the largest city in the surroundings for regrouping. Koldon had lost any hopes of finding the Heretics at this point. But now…

“Both Lord Nathaly and Lord Pavlow left and took their hires with them,” Otto explained. “As soon as the news of the man matching the description of one Morn The Treacherous reached us, they gathered their forces and marched out.”

“And Morn just appeared? There has to be more.” Koldon pondered. “Did the messenger say anything else?”

“No, Lord Inquisitor.”

Koldon clicked his tongue in annoyance. It was too late to follow. At this point, it was wiser to wait and see if anything else crept up.

“Send someone to stand by the gates and wait for any further news to arrive.”

“Is there an issue?” A tired voice of a man in his forties asked.

“Nothing of the sort. In fact, it was good news.” Koldon looked at the local Temple’s head. Privio looked terrible. The stress of trying to contain both Nathaly and Pavlow at the same time had done a number on the man. His already retreating hair seemed to decrease with each passing day at an increasing rate.

“I see. Did you find what you were searching for?” Privio asked while walking closer.

They were currently standing next to one of the many new sculptures depicting a young person. They were surrounded by well-trimmed bushes and flower beds.

“Not quite, but it is a lead.” Koldon let the man join him. There was no point in souring their already tenuous relationships between the temples. “But I fear it will lead to nowhere.”

“I believe in Nathaly’s and Pavlow’s might. They would not let anyone slip away.” Privio waved Otto away, leaving them alone.

“They are certainly capable.” Koldon was forced to agree. While his standing was similar to those two, their strength was nothing alike. And so was their tempers.

And they did not get along with each other either. Both Nathaly and Pavlow were often arguing about one thing or another, making Privio’s days miserable.

“That they are.” Privio studied the statue.

Koldon found it tasteless. There was no reason to make this statue depict a person almost naked. “But their target is slippery. He had not been spotted for years now, so I have suspicions there is more hiding there than meets the eye.”

“A trap, perhaps?” Privio guessed.

“I suspect so. And my comrades might have too as they left together.”

“I see, I see,” Privio nodded. “I did wonder what made them find a compromise in their ongoing disagreement. If it is a trap, they will certainly smash through it. With all their might.”

“They will not do more than necessary,” Koldon reassured.

“That is what I am afraid of young Koldon.” Privio sighed. “Justice of the World can be blind to the suffering of the innocent.”

And Privio’s misgivings were rightfully placed. Koldon did not believe anything would be left after his colleagues were done.

But Koldon believed it was a must. Without a proper cleansing, a wound would continue to fester.

However, he also was aware not everyone shared this resolution. There was a reason Inquisitors were rare. The requirements to becoming one asked for more than just personal might.

“Your worries are noted, Temple Head Privio.” Koldon simply stated.

In the end, it didn’t matter what Privio wished for. King Oispio had given them enough freedom to act. Their doctrines might differ, but even the Temple of Nature should see the seriousness of the matter. Even if Privio was not privy to what the danger was.

Just the thought of the corruption brought fear to Koldon, and he suppressed the need to shudder.

“And yet, nothing will change.” Privio shook his head. “I must express my frustration with this lack of communication.”

“Your Elders should have told everything they could. Anything else is held secret for a good reason.” Koldon paused. “Although I am surprised how lightly the Temple of Nature is taking it.” He had his misgivings as well.

Privio sagged. “We…” He started. “Let’s walk. I find it hard to talk in front of this abomination.” The man murmured while averting his eyes from the statue. “We have our own problems to deal with. While our Inquisitors are not lacking compared to yours, they still are not as numerous.”

“And yet, two of them are just sitting at guard over the temple doing nothing.” Koldon pointed out, wondering where the man was taking him. “Despite our inquiries, they have dismissed every call for help.”

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“Sleeper won't move without a direct order from Elders.” Privio led Koldon towards where the said Inquisitors were. “And Astra…” He furrowed brows. “She is a mystery to even me, who has lived with her on the same premises for years.”

“I find it ineffective how things are run here.” Koldon didn’t hide his contempt.

“It is not your place to criticise,” Privio growled. “You are a guest, and while our King and Elders permit your stay, their patience is not endless.”

Koldon raised his hands in a placating gesture. “I didn’t mean it as an insult.” He lied. “I just see ways to run things smoother.”

After a scoff, Privio led Koldon inside one of the completely closed-off yards in the complex.

Inside, Koldon saw the Sleeper and Astra already waiting for him, sitting on a deck in front of a small living quarter building.

“I brought the man, as promised,” Privio announced their arrival. “Now I must leave.” He bowed and left.

Koldon studied his peers. The Sleeper was old. He wore his robes loosely, revealing his husk of a body beneath. Once, the man had been a force to reckon with, but now, he was just that - old. And in contrast with The Toarch, most of The Sleeper’s strength had left him with age. Even now, the man was napping, his eyes closed.

Astra, on the other hand, was even younger than Koldon. He had never heard about the woman before. She beamed him a smile, revealing pearl-white teeth and waved. Her blonde hair swayed in the air.

Koldon found it hard to avert his eyes from Astra. Her beauty was captivating even for his hardened heart.

When he finally managed, Koldon’s gaze fell on the third person present in the yard. A youngster in his teens. The boy looked at him without fear.

“Run now, Oscar.” Astra nudged the boy. “We have something to speak about with Koldon here. Go seek out your little girlfriend.” She gently smiled.

“Munny is not my girlfriend!” The boy resisted but still headed for the exit.

Koldon studied Oscar as he passed. The boy was a constant presence here. Despite his attempts to learn who he was, Koldon had failed.

Even his comrades had not managed to find anything, and they were more experienced and scarier. Koldon sent one last glance at Oscar before returning his attention to the duo.

“You asked for my presence?” Koldon wondered.

“Yes, yes!” Astra poked The Sleeper’s side. “Wake up, Drun.”

And it was all it took - a single poke to make The Sleeper collapse to the side. At least it did wake the aged man up. “What the hell, Astra.” He yawned. “I told you it will be only a short nap.”

“Our dear Koldon is here,” Astra informed. “Come closer.” She invited their guest.

Koldon didn’t and stood still, trying to make himself look imposing. Although, it didn’t impress his peers any. Astra looked amused while Drun was about to fall asleep again.

“I must ask, what was that you wanted?” Koldon wanted to know. “There has been an emergency, and my colleagues have headed out to see to it. As it is, I must stay alert and wait for any further requests or emergencies.” He didn’t want to spend any more time here than necessary.

“Such a good lap dog you are.” Astra jeered. “How about you relax for a moment. These past few days, all you have done is skulk around scaring our servants.”

“I am ever vigilant.” Koldon found the woman insufferable. Despite her beauty, her demeanour was less than perfect. She should know better with the corruption being a constant threat. “I don’t have time to teach random youngsters.” He fished for information.

“Oscar is a good pupil.” Astra kept waving for him to come closer. When Koldon didn’t, she shrugged and started poking Drun again.

That was the thing with Oscar. He was being taught. Koldon didn’t know why here and now, but there should be better teachers than these two.

“I must ask again, for what reason was my presence required?” Koldon refused to show how much these persons annoyed him.

Drun finally moved. He stretched his withered limbs and blinked tears out of his eyes. “There is something.” He slurred. “Tonight.”

It took almost a minute of waiting before Koldon gave up. Drun refused to elaborate. “And?” He asked.

“Ask her.” Drun slowly slumped down to the deck floor and closed his eyes.

“Don’t mind him.” Astra started to poke Drun with her toe. “He is tired after teaching Oscar for the last couple of hours.” She stopped when The Sleeper began to, well, sleep.

Koldon almost snapped. It spoke of his mental fortitude he didn’t. “Well?” A bit of irritation still found its way into his voice.

“What’s with the stick up your ass?” Astra was astonished. “Is that a custom in your precious Empire to add those upon your birth?”

“Get to the point.” Koldon spat out.

“Some of the kingdom's agents caught wind of some trouble brewing.” Astra finally started to speak. Still, her voice sounded bored and casual, as if she was discussing the weather. “It’s hard to tell when or what exactly, but there should be something happening tonight.”

“I’ll be honest here,” Koldon began, his irritation bubbling over. “I don’t see how that is an issue we have to take an interest in. Leave it to guards and local army reserves to solve.”

“Is that how Pillar of Eternity thanks of common people?” Astra questioned. “They don’t care for them at all?”

Truthfully, Koldon regretted his previous statement. He had just wanted to bite back at the infuriatingly beautiful woman. “We do. But there are larger problems that take precedence over anything else. You should know what I mean.”

“How callus.” Astra whistled in surprise, struggling to keep her voice louder than Drun’s snoring. “But I get it. That stuff is world-ruining.”

Koldon almost choked. This was too much information in far too open space. “Miss Astra, I must ask you to-”

“I know, I know!” Astra yelled over Koldon’s objection. “Stuff a sock in your mouth.” She waited a moment to see if Koldon would say anything else. “It’s probably those smelly fish people from Imeglenmo. We are almost sure of it.”

Koldon stayed silent, fearing anything he would say would bring more frivolousness out of the woman.

“Warn your mercenaries. We don’t know what they have planned, but it’s possible we will have to intervene. No, we likely will. We can’t let them kill our people. Can we count on your help?”

“You may,” Koldon answered after a moment of deliberation. “If they aim for the Temple, I will help.”

“That’s more than I expected,” Astra admitted. “Now, go. Run to your retainer and see if he has any news of Morn.”

That was the plan, but it irked Koldon that it was what Astra had told him to do as well. He decided to take a detour and grab something to eat.

When Koldon visited the pantry, he once again saw Oscar. The boy was sitting near the kitchen, speaking with a girl whom he recognised as one of the rare blessed ones.

Albeit Koldon did not know what the blessing entitled. He studied the pair for a while longer before looking for his retainer. It was prudent to warn his hired men. He still needed their help.