#pacian

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An unpleasant conversation

Everything went black as Pacian felt something pulled over his head. He reacted immediately, trying to reach up and rip off whatever was blocking his vision but his wrists were grabbed by powerful hands and wrenched behind his back.

Pacian thrashed around as he felt himself being dragged along. He managed to kick one of his assailants squarely in the squishy bit and received a heavy blow to the stomach for his trouble. Pace doubled over, wheezing for each breath. He lost track of time as his captors took him through the maze of backstreets. He was dragged through a doorway, which slammed shut behind him.

The burlap sack that had obscured his vision came off and he blinked the dust out of his eyes. A single candle provided light, creating vast shadows which loomed over the wooden walls. Pacian looked upon a small, almost empty room, with a single piece of furniture.

A plain wooden chair seated a familiar looking man with a neatly trimmed grey beard, wearing a white robe with the hood pulled up to partially obscure his face. The distinctive glint of metal armour was visible underneath the robe, and a large sword was attached to his belt.

“Archon Cain,” Pacian muttered, recalling the inquisitor he had held a knife to less than two weeks ago, in the heart of the Church. He was in more trouble than he thought.

“We meet again, Mister Savidge,” confirmed the inquisitor, his hands folded calmly in his lap. “I apologise for the rough handling, but after our last encounter, I felt it wise to take certain precautions. Rest assured these two gentlemen are professionals, and will not harm you further unless you give them reason to.”

“They look like fine, upstanding church folk to me,” Pacian drawled.

“I sense a healthy dose of sarcasm there,” Cain remarked with a thin smile. “Understand that the Church does not typically employ such people, except in special cases the Inquisition deems appropriate. As wardens of the faith, we are afforded greater latitude to achieve our goals.”

“What are your goals, anyway? Going to beat me up for threatening you?”

“Yes, but that is not my primary concern,” the archon explained. “Considering the nature of your involvement with Nellise, I made sure to keep an eye on events taking place in Stonegaard of late.”

“You were spying on us?” Pacian growled, giving up his attempts to break free of the two thugs.

“On Nellise, specifically, yes,” Cain responded. “The information I received indicates she is continuing to flaunt her position betwixt soldier of the Kingdom and representative of the faith, and it appears she has no intention of choosing one or the other. So, it would seem I must choose for her.”

“She’s not hurting anyone. Why can’t you just leave her be?” Pacian protested.

“Word of her exploits is beginning to circulate,” Cain explained, his tone conveying some degree of tension. “There are many influential people in Fairloch who would use her as a reason to further restrict the role of the Church, even more than we already are. Words such as ‘zealot’ and ‘militant’ are being bandied about, reminding people of the dark times in the Church’s past. I will speak this plainly so even you can understand – she cannot continue to represent the faith in her current capacity, plenipotentiary powers or not.”

“I don’t know what that word means, but if you ask me, she’s the best bloody representative you’ve ever had,” Pacian sneered. Cain didn’t respond, except to glance at one of the men holding Pace. The thug punched him in the gut, doubling him over in pain.

“I am not here to debate the issue with you,” Cain drawled dismissively as Pacian struggled for breath. “More of my associates will meet me near the Fair Maiden Inn, where I shall persuade her to seek the restorative environment of the Keepers of the Light. There, away from dark influences such as yourself, she will find her true path.” Pacian recalled his brief time at the monastery in the mountains, filled with ‘reformed’ criminals and the like and knew Nellise did not belong there.

“If you try to force her, you’ll have to get through Val and Sayana first,” Pacian rasped.

“Yes I’ve heard of their prowess,” Cain replied. “An akoran barbarian and a genuine sorceress, who apparently defeated an insurgent army practically single-handed. I’m afraid I’ll have to take her in as well, for entirely different reasons. Clearly, the wizards who recently examined her grossly underestimated her capabilities, so she too must be brought into the fold to ensure she doesn’t turn into some kind of rampaging monster.”

“You might find that more difficult than you imagine,” Pacian assured him.

“We are well-versed in dealing with heretic sorcerers, Mister Savidge,” Cain retorted. “And if she chooses to fight, she merely damns herself further.”

“Do you think this bunch of idiots is going to stop her?” Pacian scoffed, earning him another punch to the gut for his trouble.

“I am more than capable of neutralising her powers for a brief time, rendering her little more than a small girl with an attitude problem. My associates will have no problem dealing with all three of them and need not involve the Church with this sordid business.”

“So… you’re the only one that knows all of this?” Pacian asked, struggling to get the words out.

“For now,” Cain nodded, standing up. “I like to be discreet in all matters, for the public good. Now, I’m afraid our little chat is at an end. My friends will see to your every comfort – or lack thereof – while I set to my task. Think of this as absolution for your past crimes, Pacian. When it is done, do not think of striking back at myself or the Church, or even the duke won’t be able to save you.”

Cain walked to the door and opened it up, giving Pacian a brief glimpse of a dark alleyway somewhere in the city before it closed behind the inquisitor. He was then dragged over to the chair and ‘invited to sit down’ by his two hosts and their large fists. His arms were held behind him and it appeared they wanted to tie him to the chair for the coming entertainment.

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Ruins of legend (The Aielund Saga Book 3) (Kindle Edition)

By (author): Stephen L. Nowland