>>6341873You click your tongue, “Fine, I plan to devote myself to the mission. On one condition,” you wait for the gratifying hum of interest from the Lord Inquisitor. “There was a book written about Alice’s journey, correct? One that is utterly nonsensical and meaningless. Is there not the same for Dorothy?”
“And how would you know that?” You let the silence linger, “Hmph, the Wizard of Oz. But you'll struggle to find it in our archives. I find it most distasteful.”
“That is all I wished to know.”
“Well, if that settles that. Let us be off!” The Lord Inquisitor exclaims with joviality unfitting for the room's mood. Then you are.
You find Lord Beneger in a moment of quiet reprieve, at least what you think he considers such. Several children lie exhausted on the ground in front of him, wooden swords still clutched in several of their hands. The only one without such an instrument is also the only one who still stands, though only if you stretch the definition. Soon enough, Alyssa passes around water to the children, and they’re hurried off to stretch and rehearse the fine points of their duels. It would seem the victor only won because she was willing to use not just her weapon, but her entire body as well. You witnessed the end of the subterranean scrap and can attest that she has promise, even if her form reminds you of a street rat. “What have you taken me here for?” You question once the children have moved to the next room.
“What do you know of us Inquisitors, Lorina?” The Lord Inquisitor asks as Lord Beneger cleans the fighting pit for the next rounds.
“I was made to study extensively before my acceptance into the Inquisition.”
“Oh, you know more than enough about <span class="mu-i">that</span>, but the Inquisition is not a person. What do you know about us?”
“Ah, these children are to be Inquisitors some day?”
Lord Beneger grunts, “If they can give a better performance than that, maybe they’ll make it as scribes.”
“If I deem the acceptable to our mission, then they shall,” The Lord Inquisitor corrects.
“You wish to teach me about the making of an Inquisitor, then? I can see benefits to that, but why now?”
“Lorina, I shall say this as kindly as I can. But while you have made some friends and acquaintances in our order, there are many more who instead find you,” For once, his smile drops. His face contorts, looking for an appropriate word that won’t enrage you, “Off-putting.”
“How so?” You say neutrally.
“You’re an outsider, one with good class and a lack of tragedy.” The nerve- “Most Inquisitors in this day and age have lost someone, or everyone, dear to them. Most are recruited from one of the church’s many orphanages. Others are picked up after a stranger has destroyed everything about their livelihood.” You remain silent as he continues. “This will be a large operation, and I will train you so that you do not make it harder for yourself by upsetting those you’re supposed to work with. Shall we begin?”
