[Chapter 12 - Near Encounter]

  It had grown dark by the time we had finished, and we were dismissed until the following morning.

  That evening was for rest, or so we were told, as well as to manage any loose ends we might have had.

  Once we returned, we would not get the same opportunity for some time.

  Service into the legion demanded with it a minimum of 25 years, and whilst I had no interest in seeing it to its end, I still welcomed this brief respite.

  The twins kept quiet as we headed back to the inn.

  It was clear what weighed heavy on their mind.

  The sting of the mark still persisted on the back of our hands as a constant reminder of our enlistment.

  And of the military life we had sworn ourselves into.

  They had not cried out when it was forced upon them, but I still felt immense guilt when it occurred.

  For them to have to suffer such pain, and for me to be the one responsible for their second mark which branded their flesh and body.

  It sat at the back of my mind, relieved only by the justification I gave myself of the revenge I sought out.

  There was no better path than the one I was now taking.

  And, despite my remorse, the choice to join had lain entirely with the twins themselves.

  I had offered them my reasoning, but I had not explained fully why I had been so keen to join.

  That would be something I would have to come clear about, but for now I reiterated the promise I had made to them in my mind once more.

  A promise I had made with utmost sincerity.

  “Order what you want.” I told them. “Don’t hold back. It’s the last chance we have for a while.”

  That raised their spirits by a little, and even Roxas could not disguise her drooling expression as she scanned through the tavern’s menu.

  I smiled at the twins’ excitement as they eagerly perused their choices.

  This peace was however short-lived, and the encounter came suddenly without warning.

  The door swung open as we ate.

  I did not see them walk in, but a hushed silence washing over the tavern betrayed their arrival.

  Footsteps of metal sounded in a steady gait, tracing a path to the counter.

  And then came the voice, the same grating sound that had rung in my dreams.

  “A glass, tavernkeep. Make it light.”

  The inquisitors had come.

  They took the table by the window, only a meter away from where we sat.

  “Three days and still nothing.”

  A gruff voice spoke first, one belonging to the man with the Zweih?nder.

  “Are you sure he’s still in Northgaard?”

  “That’s where the Trail brought us.” His companion answered him. I recognised it to be the same woman who had snapped at his remark before.

  “Trust in Serin, Achios.” This was a new voice. Male, and articulated carefully with a calm manner that was not present in the others. “When has the Trail ever led us astray?”

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  “I’m not doubting Serin,” the larger man, Achios, spoke back, “but we’ve been searching in this shithole for so long and there’s still no sign of the guy.”

  “Probably because you’re so fucking big.” the woman retorted. “They see you coming from a mile away.”

  “I’m splitting your head right fucking here.” he snarled, accompanied by a scraping I quickly realized to be the retraction of his sword.

  “That’s enough, Ira.” Their leader's words stopped him in his tracks. Her voice was steady, her authority clear in its commanding tone. “Achios, you as well. The Trail led us here, which means they’re still in Northgaard.”

  “Yes, Serin.” Subdued respect replaced the snarkiness in Ira’s tone, whereas Achios too grumbled a half-hearted apology. Metal sounded again as he slowly sheathed back his half-drawn sword.

  Serin.

  Now I had their name, the leader of the inquisitors who had followed me all the way from the door.

  They were tracking me through a trail, some sort of magic it seemed that told them where I went.

  I wasn’t sure how exactly it followed me, I had not done anything to give them such indication apart from the ingesting of whatever was in that vial.

  But that had been after I had left the door, after I had passed the ambush and found the body of Nemetus.

  Questions ran through my mind, ones that the wolf did not answer.

  Fortunately at least, it was not so accurate to determine my exact position, since they did not seem to be aware that I was now next to them.

  Unless of course they were pretending not to know…

  I felt panic surfacing within me, but I did not let it show.

  If that was the case, I would have no choice but to fight them.

  My gun was still upstairs, I had not had the chance to go and get it.

  And the Eickhorn too.

  I was completely unarmed.

  Fuck.

  Why was I suddenly so unprepared?

  Let me help you. The wolf sneered, breaking his silence. I’ll get rid of them for you if you give me a chance. I’ll make sure the twins are safe too.

  I had no doubt that he had some ulterior motive, contrary to the words he said.

  And to cause a commotion here…

  While that would rid me of their pursuit, it would complicate my plan to kill ITalus.

  In such a crowded environment there was no chance my face would not be remembered.

  But if I did not deal with this issue right now, the inquisitors would keep chasing me until they realized.

  Assuming of course that they hadn’t already.

  “Are you full?”

  Ante’s voice ripped me from my thoughts, and I looked up to see the twins peering at me with puzzled eyes.

  Their bowls were now empty, whilst mine sat cold and half-full before me.

  I hadn’t even realised I had stopped eating, and that I was gripping my spoon so tightly that my knuckles had turned white.

  How suspicious. The wolf smirked.

  Fuck.

  “Yeah, I don’t… really have an appetite after the inspection. Let’s go if you guys are done.”

  I laid down the spoon as I spoke, resisting the urge to glance back at the inquisitors.

  Despite his snide tone the wolf was right. I could only hope that they had not realized.

  Or at least, had not grown suspicious of my behaviour.

  I could feel the sweat beading on my head as I stood up to leave.

  I needed to get out of here. Anything to put some distance between us and them.

  I began heading for the stairs, each step I took bringing with it an increasing sense of relief.

  That however was quickly cut short.

  “Wait.”

  Serin’s word stopped me in my tracks.

  Out of habit, I felt my hand move towards my thigh for a knife that was not even there.

  A torrent of thoughts ran through my mind as I slowly turned, each one trying to calculate a way out.

  If I run I might make it.

  The gun’s upstairs, hidden in my bag in the drawer.

  There’s no lock and it’s still loaded, I just needed to get there before they stop me.

  But the twins…

  And then I was facing them.

  Five inquisitors, each one clad in thick plate armour, staring at me from their table.

  I could not make out a single opening in the metal they wore, and their faces stayed hidden despite the tankards in front of them, guarded by helmets they had still not taken off.

  Serin, their leader who had spoken, moved her head to look at me with an unnerving calm.

  “I haven’t seen your kind in these parts before. Where have you come from, traveller?”

  “The East.” I had prepared my answers before, giving enough information while remaining vague enough to not contradict myself, but that did little to alleviate my nerves.

  I tried best I could to subdue them, to hide the unease that took my mind, and I forced myself to keep my gaze steady.

  I had to appear confident that I had done no wrong, but also servient enough to answer their questions, to show that I had nothing to hide, and that I was not the one they were after.

  She glanced at the twins, no doubt taking in their white hair and heterochromatic eyes.

  “What fascinating companions you have.”

  Then she returned her stare to me.

  “What brought you so far from home?”

  “To serve the legion.” I raised my hand as I spoke, bringing my fist in a salute to purposely display the mark as clear as possible.

  The only time I was glad to have it, a proof of my identity that would hopefully dissuade her suspicions.

  She inspected it for a while, I could feel her eyes fixed on the mark even though I could not see her face.

  I could feel each second passing by before she spoke, my mind racing in fear that my cover had been blown.

  “Very well, soldier.” Her words wrought out immense relief, but I did not show it. “You may leave.”

  And she waved her hand dismissively as she turned back, along with the rest of the inquisitors who continued their conversation now in hushed tones.

  I said nothing more, offering a small bow before turning and heading back up the stairs.

  I did not realise that the inn had gone quiet, and that the chatter and music resumed now that the inquisitor was no longer interested.

  All that was in my mind, was the hope that they could not see the sweat I felt slowly trickling down the back of my neck.

  Hello!