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Tranquil Waters: The Lead Crown Ch 9.1, Shock and Awe

Realizing that the time for subtlety and indirect action was at an end, Sir Umberto stepped forward from the shadows. "I am Sir Umberto Marino, Church Templar of Graddin and Royal Guard to Prince Regent Thaddius Rex. I have--"

Inquisitor Ignus spoke right over him. "You have come into the Church by unorthodox methods, Sir Umberto... is it fair to assume that your unconventional entry is owed to the heretics who have accompanied you?"

The Wolverine didn't let the forward accusation derail him; he just pushed back harder himself. "It is thanks to my 'unconventional entry' that I discovered evidence of an 'unconventional practice' beneath this very cathedral, Inquisitor."

The Dragon's eye ridge perked slightly; it was the only indication of interest that the Inquisitor showed. "Oh? Do tell, Templar... what have you discovered?"

The lack of what Inquisitor Ignus said worried Umberto just as much as the way in which he didn't say it. "You know about the pit full of bodies beneath the cathedral?"

Inquisitor Ignus folded his arms across his chest. "I am the Inquisitor here, Templar; it is MY place to ask the questions."

Sir Umbeto scowled. "The walls of the tunnels beneath this place have cracked and shed light into some unsavory practices... most specifically a chasm filled with corpses."

The Dragon nodded, unfolding his arms as he extended a talon to halt some of his men from advancing toward the Wolverine. "Yes. It is a very unconventional practice and horrific in its results. I lament the need for such things."

The Templar's frown deepened. "So you DO know about it."

The rational conversation was strained as Sister Aurelie shouted. "What have you done with the Sisters? God save your soul if they were put in that--"

The Dragon's eye ridges furrowed and Umberto heard the distinct hiss of controlled rage in the Inquisitor's voice. "Ah... Brother Aurelie... I see you've returned to us."

Aodhan fanned the flames. "SISTER Aurelie."

A salty grin spread across the Inquisitor's maw. "Oh... and Aodhan... yes, I've learned about you from the Sisters. They were most forthright and willing to tell me everything after you and your little collection of heretics assaulted this holy house."

The Wolf's growl wasn't disguised as he spoke. "You call us heretics? We were doing God's work in saving the righteous from pretenders such as YOU!"

Inquisitor Ignus' self-importance shown through in his air of superiority. Sir Umberto knew that Dragons alone had the will of God in the virtue of Pride but the Inquisitor did not wear it well. The black Dragon took a step forward, pointing at Sister Aurelie. "Strong words from a weak man, Wolf. Perhaps you only call this abomination 'Sister' to alleviate your own self hatred. Tell me... do you make him lay with his face in the mattress when you take him so you can convince yourself that you aren't--"

The Dragon didn't get a chance to finish his words as a large clod of what was most likely something other than dirt struck him in the face. If Sir Umberto had expected the Inquisitor to fly into a rage after being attacked by slung offal he was mistaken; he simply stood there and laughed as he wiped the splatter of scat off of his muzzle. His next words held no humor, however. "Sir Umberto... tell me now and tell me fully: what are you doing here with these heretics?"

The Wolverine stood up straight, attaining his full height, which was still dwarfed by nearly a half foot by the Dragon. He made care in how he contested the Inquisitor's use of the word 'heretics'. "These TRAVELERS are under my care while I seek answers, Inquisitor. With current events being as they are you will understand if I say I have some questions of my own."

Sir Umberto was surprised at how quickly the Inquisitor relented. "I see. Very well then."

The Wolverine raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Just like that? 'Very well' what, Inquisitor Ignus?"

The Inquisitor accepted a cloth from one of the men to his side and finished wiping off the side of his face. "You are a visitor to this Cathedral, Sir Umberto and it is customary for honored guests to be treated well. If you have the need of discovery then it behooves us to assist you with finding solutions to your problems. What else then is the Church if not an answer to life's most difficult questions?"

The Wolverine was beginning to feel even more ill-at-ease around the Inquisitor but he kept having to second-guess himself, especially once the Dragon dismissed all of the armed men with the wave of a talon. He then gestured with then talon and turned, heading back toward the stairs. Sir Umberto lingered a moment longer. "I am to follow you then?"

"Yes... and all of your... 'guests'."

Sister Aurelie was still just as combative. "Unless you're taking us to the Sisters Divine I'm not interested in--"

The Dragon's formal demeanor was immediately at an end when he spun around, red eyes gleaming with their own light and liquid fire bubbling around the edges of his bared teeth. His words, however were dangerously genteel. "I could not care a single copper sigil as to what you are interested in, CAT. You will follow because failure to do so will simultaneously discredit your Templar protector and remove you from his area of influence. At that point, I am afraid, with one word I could have you hung, drawn, and quartered for any of a dozen reasons."

Aodhan spoke quietly to Sister Aurelie and, after hesitating a few seconds they both turned and followed after Sir Umberto. The Wolverine was surprised at first to see that neither Tobias nor Sada were in attendance... but he said nothing-- nor did anyone else in the party. When Friar Arlowe appeared out of the darkness, however, Inquisitor Ignus' demeanor changed even more toward something bordering on threatening. The Raccoon Dog however did not seem cowed. "Good morrow, Inquisitor Ignus. You're looking well."

Then, like that, the Dragon was back to emotional neutral. "I could not say what maladies of the mind bring you back here, Friar Arlowe, but I must admit that you have surprised me in a most pleasant way with your return."

The Raccoon Dog smiled. "The Church is my home, Inquisitor. I had thought you would understand that no matter how inhospitable a place is made nothing will change the way a man feels about where it is he belongs."

Cruff was much more direct. "He was falsely accused. Friar Arlowe is a good man, a good monk, and a faithful follower of the Church."

Inquisitor Ignus' next words were flat and monotone. He spoke them as he continued toward the stairs. "He has been accused of blasphemy, heresy, and teaching the word of God without sanction."

Sir Umberto was taken aback but proceeded onward after the Dragon. "When should anyone need to be sanctioned to spread the Divine Word, Inquisitor?"

The Inquisitor glanced over his shoulder; his smile was predatory. "We started an inquest at the end of last year in an attempt to uncover elements within the Church itself that have not held true to its teachings."

The Wolverine fought hard to keep a growl out of his words. "An inquest? On whose authority?"

Heading up the stairs, Inquisitor Ignus spoke quietly, but with surety. "Many high ranking members of the Church-- the specifics are unimportant."

It was apparent that Sister Aurelie was just as unwilling to settle for that answer as Sir Umberto himself was, but the Cat was much more vocal about refusing it. "Convenient that. Are you sure you and your vile followers didn't decided on it for yourselves? WHERE ARE YOU KEEPING THE SISTERS!!?!?!?"

Aodhan ended up calming Aurelie just enough to get the cat's attention; Sir Umberto saw that the Wolf gestured to a side hall quietly. Slipping away would have been easier if not for the fact that two soldiers joined the procession from that very hallway as they passed. Friar Arlowe didn't hesitate to point that out. "Quite a few escorts for a simple social meeting, wouldn't you say?"

Inquisitor Ignus opened a large, metal reinforced door at the end of the hall and motioned inward. "It is a social meeting now, yes... but once the questions are complete I fully anticipate that the majority of you will be detained, found guilty of heresy, and put to death."

Sir Umberto didn't try to disguise his growl. "I said they are under my auspices, Inquisitor... you can't just--"

The Dragon's smile was the widest yet, all teeth. "I understand completely, Templar... and, as I said, we have MANY questions. When everything has come to a conclusion I am certain you will agree with this institution's opinion on the matter. That... or you may be sentenced right alongside this Godless trash. Fallen Templars are nothing new-- we have found them before and we will find them again. Tell me, Sir Umberto... ARE you a turncoat?"