Chapter 31: In Dire Times
The bell tower of Hayak's Monastery rang in a cacophony of hurried chimes. The ringing of the bells was so distressing that Freki began to bark and whine creating a chorus of chaos.
Thaelin rolled on his side and folded his pillow over his head in an attempt to drown out those insufferable bells and barking.
"Gods damnit! Hast, tell your friends to silence those damn bells or I am going to kick every one of their holy asses!"
Unbeknownst to the ranger, Hastur joined in in the rush. She hastily threw on her clothes, slid an armful of potions into her satchel, she cursed as she struggled to belt on her rapier.
"That's not a call to worship! That's an alarm. I have to go!"
"Oh, okay cool. Just tell them the ass thing while you're out." The man grumbled before falling back to sleep.
The streets were dotted with onlookers. Craftsman from the forge district abandoned their shops to watch the procession of every healer, scholar, and mage alike don their brightly colored robes and flock to the monastery doors.
At the main gate to the grounds, Hastur noticed a troubling sight. The mother superior was standing next to the door ushering those inside. Whatever was the matter, must truly be a grave scenario.
"Mother Superior! What happened" Hastur managed after she huffed up the steps
The matrons stone-like face had a minor expression of worry etched on her wrinkled face. "Sister Prynn. There is a meeting in the Chapel. Go there with the others, now.
'Things must truly be in utter disarray' the cleric thought
On the Monastery grounds, the Chapel, contained just as much grandeur as the rest of the complex. Standing roughly 70 feet from base to spire, the chapel was a prideful jewel that the city held dear. Many a royal ceremony had been help in its sacred walls. Tall arching stained glass windows depicted scenes of divine compassion, heroic tales, and beautiful songs.
Teams of officials from every 'faction' within the Monastery sat in the front pews close to the alter. Hastur's dear friend in the medical wing sat and offered the half elf a seat next to her.
"Shae, whats going on?"
The young surgeon pursed her lips. There was much she wanted to say, but couldn't out of a vow of silence before the meeting.
The mage took her friends silence as a sign of some foreboding revelation to be explained by the Matron herself.
The doors to the Chapel exploded open and in walked the clanking bits of armor belonging to the preening band of Militia officers. Leading their charge was Sir Minot, a bald headed warrior with a curved scar on his upper lip and hulking suit of plate armor strapped across his body. Behind him was a young man of about 26 with flowing black hair in similarly dressed armor. His pointed chin held high while he walked. Behind the two officers was an entourage of other Militia soldiers including that Blue Haired bitch, Varris Harth.
Hastur sunk in her seat at the sight of the Sergeant. She prayed that the sergeant didnt notice her.
With the final attendees gathered for the conference, in strode the Matron. In her shallow gate, all in the chapel lowered their heads in reverence to the Holy Woman. The bottoms of her black gown, and marigold wimple fluttered behind her in each short step.
"You may be seated." she said taking to the lectern "I have called this gathered you all to address a very pressing matter at hand. Blood has been spilled in our fair city."
The congregation of officials muttered to themselves. And amongst the rank of the Militia, a man shot from his seat, unable to quell his fury. "There is nothing to fear, Mother Superior! The Militia will find the culprit and drag the wretch to the Light!"
Others in the Militia ranks cheered and hollered at the outburst.
The matron raised an open palm and the crowd went silent.
"Several victims have been discovered over the course of the week. Each in grotesque states that are too troubling to mention. Now, I will invite Sister, Shae Wren to deliver her postmortem findings.
"On cue Shae stood at her place in the pews, cleared her throat and produced a parchment to read off her findings.
In a total of six known deaths, the cadavers have been discovered in the most twisted and mangled positions like the Mother Superior has mentioned. There were no defensive wounds, multiple lacerations, and most troubling is that the remains were devoid of most amounts of blood-"
"-VAMPIRES!" Roared a Militia member "Matron! The Militia will slay these beasts in your honor! Those abominations shall pay dearly for stepping a clawed foot in Hayak!"
Once again the ranks erupted in cheers like rabid hounds baying to be set loose.
"Sir Minot, silence your soldiers!" ordered the Matron
On command, the bald knight raised a gauntleted fist and his underlings all
"Now then," sighed The matron "Sister Wren, please continue."
"In my conclusion, Matron, it does seem to be the work of vampires. But further investigation could be needed to discover an identity."
"Sadly time is a sensitive matter. I have already spoken with the Duke and he has signed off on the pursuit. Sir Minot, you gather your warriors and see to it that this threat is dealt with quickly."
The knight's armor shifted as he stood into a gleaming tower. "Of course, my Lady." he said giving the Mother Superior a crisp salute. "The Faithful shall work tirelessly until all foes of Hayak have been slain."
Hastur's heart sank even deeper. She saw a viscous smile take the lips of every Militia soldier seated. A torrent erupted within the cleric. In the past she had heard stories of The Militia's unbridled wrath in times of conflict. And after having first-hand experience of what one could do to her, she feared for the city when all that blind fanaticism to be unleashed.
"Mother Superior! She declared rising to her feet. "You cant allow the Militia to go into the city. They will destroy everything in their path and drag anyone they even suspect to a dungeon cell."
Sir Minot shifted in his armor and gave a confident and antagonistic smile to the cleric for her outburst. "Oh? Then please, tell us, dear Ward. How would you go about apprehending the culprits, little healer?"
Hastur could feel all the rage filled eyes of the Militia fall on her. And Verris' could be felt burning the hottest.
"A task like this requires the upmost of tact and skill. Perhaps...a bounty hunter is what we need for this job. Not a group of hammers."
Mother Illisa smiled at her ward. She had true spirit to speak out against such an unmovable force like the Militia, especially to its primaris. "And prey tell, Sister Prynn. How would you recommend we go about finding the culprits.
Hasturs heart beat as fast as a horse in a dead sprint. She felt every eye scrutinize her with ever next word that would leave her lips. The mage gave a nervous swallow before continuing
"No offense, Sir Minot, but the Militia are like dogs let from their leashes-"
the knight crossed his arms and gave a softened smiled at the remark. His underlings on the other hand glared heavily. Some even growling with hushed annoyance.
"-If we let the Militia loose in the city, they will break into homes, shackle anyone they even suspect is a killer, and will destroy whatever they want to get their job done. They have no control-"
The Sergeant of the militia let out a heavy audible grumble as the Cadet continued her one-sided assessment of their order. She brushed her bright blue hair from covering her right eye.
"-Personally, I feel that there are more well capable people that can bring the culprits to justice!"
Sir Minot brought his hand to his chin. From his body language, the Matron Mother could tell even a stubborn anvil of a man like him was actually interested in her Ward's debate.
"And pray tell, Sister Prynn, how would we go about doing this?"
"We...we cold hire bounty hunters. There are lots of them in the city. Im sure they could even catch the culprits in minutes with great ease."
The knight scoffed at the idea with a sarcastic laugh "So you wish for Hayak to empty its coffers and let untrustworthy thugs for hire to roam the streets bringing crook in and claim they are the culprit? Your idea is admirable, Sister Prynn, but this task is best suited for the most loyal and fierce warriors to find these bloodsucking wretches."
The entourage stood to their feet and cheered in a boastful chorus.
Growing annoyed, the Matron raised a hand to lull the paladins.
"I personally know a bounty hunter who is more than capable to remove this threat from the city.
Intrigue caught Minot like a baited hook "Who then do you think is more skilled than any of my warriors?"
"Thaelin Fridulf. A ranger from Aldrick."
The sergeant trembled in her seat. Her blood boiled over into a fury unlike any seen by her Order. The warrior slammed her hand into the backrest of the pew in front of her, taking a good sized chip of wood in the strike. Her armor shifted as she stormed out of her seat
"NO! NOT HIM! I WILL BEHEAD THAT MAN BEFORE HE STEPS ONE FOOT ON OUR GROUNDS!"
The walls of the chapel shook and a powerful roar of voice The holy woman's voice amplified tenfold and drove terror and awe into the souls of her council
"SILENCE!" spoke the Matron.
When the shock of her might faded, the Wise Crone cleared her throat to delegate further.
"Sir Minot. Remove your underlings this instant, or so help me I will silence them myself."
Without word from their lord, the warriors all stood, saluted the Matron, and exited the chapelwith precise movements. As she marched off, the sergeant looked back at Hastur. The gaze of sheer disgust filled her sight.
Braving the risk of the Mother Illisa's ire, Hastur took a bold step forward.
"Matron, I beg of you. Dont let the militia loose." the cleric begged as she fell to her knees "If a bounty hunter cant catch the killers before nightfall, than...t-than...I'll relinquish my title as your ward and leave the Monastery!"
The chapel went as silent as the grave.
Mother Illisa's wrinkled face pouted into a frown "Do you truly feel this strongly that you would risk your livelihood as my pupil, Sister Prynn?
"Y-yes ma'am. I know The bounty hunter can do it!I've accompanied him for numerous Bounty missions and every time, he had captured his fugitive alive to be brought to the fullest extent of justice."
The woman nodded her head. Though her face was unreadable as stone, Hastur took the expression as to mean she were contemplating the idea. It wasnt much but it was a glimmer of hope.
"Sir Minot." the crone turned to address the knight "Have you any remarks to be made for this man?"
"Aye, Matron. His Reputation speaks volumes to his profession. But it shouldn't be overlooked that the man is a scoundrel. A drunkard. And a whore-monger."
"And Sister Prynn. Do you attest to these claims?"
The Half elf grit her teeth. There was no chance to lie to her, or any other official in the Chapel. "The claims...are true, ma'am. But he is a good man at heart. He can do this."
The Matron closed her eyes and let out a long sigh. By her judgment, monsters could be allowed to walk the streets and if she would back her ward's compatriot, then the monastery's reputation would hang on the edge of a notorious miscreant.
Hastur leaned in close. Her heart stung in anticipation for the final verdict. She prayed Oghma to give the wise woman the wisdom to hear her words.
"So be it. The Huntsman shall be given the opportunity. But if he fails to kill or capture those responsible within 24 hours. The Militia shall embark into the streets. May the Gods be in your compatriots favor, Sister Prynn."
The young cleric's heart sprung in joy and relief. She wanted to jump but priority took affect. Instead she bowed her cloaked head.
"Thank you, Mother Illisa."
Sir Minot nodded and gave the Matron a crisp salute. She performed an about-face and exited the chapel. Just before he reached the door, Hastur's cloak fluttered by in a yellow blur.