"I can't believe they've sent us here, in the middle of nowhere," Indo grumbled.

  Osei, the voice of pragmatism, replied, "Even small villages require protection, Indo."

  "You're the one who tried to convince me that the life of one boy wasn't equal to that of Martin's," Indo retorted. "Of course I believe the villages, no matter how small the population, should be protected. But they aren't significant targets like towns and cities. We're an elite strike force and should be hunting forces near major trade sites. A score of crusaders would more than suffice here."

  "You would be correct," Elleshar, attuned to the vibrations of the earth, chimed in. "But since I notified all the paladins of the location the necromancers took refuge at, they will be sending master inquisitors or even going themselves to such locations while they send us to places like this to avoid any casualties on our side."

  "Well, no complaints from me. We could use a break," Guan interjected.

  "I guess..." Indo conceded, his uncertainty evident. As the group continued, the ground resonated with a peculiar disturbance, a subtle shift in the natural rhythm.

  "What is it?" Talia inquired.

  "He senses something, likely an undead skirmish group in the area." Jeremiah replied.

  "Just a small band," I stated, "From what I could sense, it seems to be about two dozen Wights at most, less than half a mile east of where we are."

  Davorn, eager for action, declared, "Good, I've been itchin' to bash some demon skulls."

  "That's just because there's still sand in your arse from last week. We all know you don't clean yourself very well," Klein jested.

  "Oi, that's not true. I haven't found any sand in the last two days."

  Osei, cautious as ever, sought assurance. "Are you sure there's nothing else to worry about?"

  "There are several humans and many animals, but in terms of demons, highly unlikely. It is, however, possible there could be more if they are accompanied by necromancers that are hiding their presence or if a high-grade demon is with them."

  "Lord willing, it will be an easy afternoon," Guan optimistically stated. The group hastened toward the ominous presence, the landscape shifting as they approached a mysterious cave. Two Wights lay dead, marking the work of a skilled local hero—an unspoken ally. Inside the cavern, I sensed two men, likely the ones who slayed these demons.

  "There are others inside," I declared, my senses attuned to the subtle currents of magic.

  "We know. If I could sense the magic within, I'm sure Osei could do so better," Vescaro replied, his confidence unwavering.

  "I can't sense it. I only know because Elleshar said someone was there," Talia added, a note of uncertainty in her voice.

  "There's a faint aura of magic, likely coming from minor enchanted equipment. It's actually pretty difficult to sense," Guan offered her insight.

  "There's that, but I think Indo was referring to a much stronger source. I'm surprised Indo could sense it though," Osei replied.

  "Why is that?" Indo asked.

  "Because the magic is coming from a powerful creature that is canceling its presence. I can guarantee you no one else here could sense it, except perhaps Elleshar, and that would only be because of his blood," Osei explained, unraveling the enigma.

  "I sense two humans, but no magic from them," I contributed. Indo's confusion manifested in his expressions, a visible puzzle that hung in the air, unspoken.

  That was strange indeed. It seemed that for some reason I could not explain, Indo could sense whatever it was, but not the spells used to conceal it.

  "Let's proceed with caution. We know not if this adversary is friend or foe," he suggested, a beacon of wisdom amidst the uncertainty.

  Our descent into the moss-filled cavern began, guided by the warm glow of amber runestones held by the inquisitors. Though my vision surpassed that of humans in the dark, it wasn't as keen as the Wights'. The light illuminated footprints and traces left behind by both Wights and humans. Judging by the size of the boots, I discerned the presence of a man slightly taller than myself and another of below-average height, a visual narrative unfolding in the underground darkness.

  If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  You guys should stay here and cover the escape. The goal is to ensure no demon gets away," Osei directed the order to me and my men.

  "No arguments from me," Roderick stated, his stance firm.

  "Aww konak, I wanted to have some fun," Davorn whined, his desire for action evident.

  "Shut up. Fun for you is drinking till you pass out," Klein mocked with a lighthearted rebuke.

  "Drinking till I pass out or bash heads while I'm drunk before I pass out!"

  "Can you not drink on the job?" Jeremiah questioned, a touch of concern in his voice.

  "Not possible. It's what allows me to perform my miracles. Wouldn't want to bleed out if a Wight tears out your throat, would you?" Davorn retorted, his nonchalant demeanor unchanged.

  Amidst the banter, I maintained my focus on the imminent task. The mission was paramount, requiring unwavering vigilance. Tuning into the vibrations of the ground, I sensed the subtle movements of demons, folk heroes, and my comrades. The inquisitors moved with a purposeful dance, their elusive maneuvers culminating in the demise of the opposition.

  Wights, though not formidable individually, were a collective threat. As undead, they were generally weaker among demonic spirits yet still posed a challenge. Essence-enhanced weaponry was essential for their proper extermination. Inquisitors and crusaders were equipped to handle them, but facing these creatures proved futile for common folk armed with ordinary tools. Fortunately, in this area, the villagers were safe. I felt the local warriors converging toward the cave exit, and with a sense of readiness, I rose, prepared to meet them head-on.

  The figures that emerged from the cavern were a departure from my expectations. An aged man, robust yet bearing the rugged physique of a woodsman rather than a seasoned warrior and a youth caught between boyhood and manhood, emerged covered in dirt and blood. Only the young man bore enchanted gear, but instinct told me neither was the formidable presence Osei and Indo had alluded to.

  "Who might you be?" I inquired. The younger man took a step forward, poised to speak, but was promptly halted by the older man, who conveyed something to him. The elderly human then approached, his head slightly tilted downward and his posture non-threatening.

  "I am William, and this is my son Thamolin. We were defending' our home from demons and ended up here after lurin' them out of the village."

  "And where is the other one? The inquisitors sensed someone of great power, and I know it was not either of you." The young one tensed, but the elder placed a steadying hand on him and cast him a sidelong glance.

  "Please forgive my son, sir. He is not familiar in the ways of the world outside Old Oak and does not recognize a legate of the Church or crusaders when he sees them."

  "You have nothing to worry about, William. I am not in the business of harming children or men out of their prime. That being said, your cooperation would be most welcome, and I still would like to know who your ally is."

  "He's a Jakka, trained in the ways of the hunt. His ability to speak common isn't great since he was a slave to the Drokkar for a long time, but he's still got a ton of wit. I have no clue where he went. That's the truth. I mean no disrespect to your lordship, but you have no chance to find him. Nothin' short of an inquisitor would be able to find him, for his ability to hide blended with his greater speed and agility would make him impossible for even an honorary captain of the crusaders to find."

  Jeremiah stepped up, his face flushed with anger. "You will show more respect to Captain Elleshar…" I raised my hand to silence him.

  "At ease, lieutenant. Most urban dwellers and villagers don't recognize our ranks, only that we work for the Church. Not only that, but he referred to his ally as a Jakka, while most villagers would've called it a creature, monster, troll, or giant if they were being polite. William, though seemingly a simple villager, is well informed." I turned to face the weathered man. "May I ask about your background?"

  "I'm a retired adventurer of the Wanderers Guild, which is one of the reasons I can recognize your noble blood. Assumin' you were born in Ilthynia, the fact that you're helpin' the Church means the head of your clan is probably Alterran. I never met him, but he was the founder of the guild."

  "Why return to Old Oak?"

  "That's a rather personal question, sir, but the simple answer is because it's where I grew up, and my savings from adventuring allowed me to retire for good upon returning to Old Oak. Any work I do is my choice, not because I need it. We would like to leave now, if it would be okay with your lordship."

  "If I were in charge, I would let you two go, but the head inquisitor of the mission may want to speak to you two, so I will allow him to dismiss you."

  The bearded man looked worried, a typical response for those who knew of the inquisitors and their ruthlessness. Judging from his perceived fear, he could be no more than a Tier 5 Wanderer, gold rank. His equipment seemed that of a second or third rank, but that could be because he was caught off guard against these Wights, and this area was not particularly dangerous. Running around with highly enchanted equipment was generally unnecessary.

  "You'll be fine, William. Osei is one of the most understanding and patient inquisitors. Even if he finds you're lying, the worst that'll happen is you'll be arrested and locked up for a while after being forced to tell the truth. He has never killed someone who was not hostile for the sake of completing a mission. He hasn't needed to."

  "It's true. I'm actually terrified of inquisitors too, but this batch is rather friendly. Well, Indo and Talia are pretty scary, but they're not in charge, so you'll be fine. Probably." Roderick rambled on, a nervousness in his tone.

  William sighed. "It's not like I have a choice. We'll wait right here." He walked up to a large rock and sat on it. His son stayed there, eyeing us for a time, then went to his father. He lacked the knowledge his father had and lacked the fear of the inquisitorium. He probably wasn't Christian either, but I didn't care. I cared not for their God, only for our alliance.

  "We will continue to stand guard. Keep your eyes peeled to see if you can find the Jakka, but we won't leave our post," I instructed my men. They nodded, and we patrolled a small radius in the area. It wouldn't be long before the inquisitors would return.