37.- Marie Occitan
A lifestyle away from the ebbs and flows of the Cabal and the Lux Veritatis, and their never ending dance, must have been some sort of relief for the Occitan family. For generations, after the death of the White Witch, Sofia von Hahn, under Brother DeCombel's hands, the Occitan family has decided to take a more relaxed approach. This might have been an overestimation of the Periapt Shards, or perhaps an excess in the announcement of von Hahn's defeat. Right now, this means that the Lux Veritatis are no more than a legend, and Marie Occitan is no more than a registrar in an Inquisition Museum in Carcassonne.
A fine, yet suspicious couple, has appeared in the Museum. The ones that bother with rather strange questions. "Your people were quite creative, Trent," the woman says jokingly. The museum guide interrupts a bit. "Does the gentleman have any predecessors who participated in the Inquisition?" the guide asks. "There was a secret order, the Lux Veritatis," Kurtis tells. "It's now disbanded. I believe that this city was under Brother Occitan's jurisdiction." "Occitan?" the guide asks. "I think I can make you an appointment with the Museum registrar. You'll like her."
Lara and Kurtis eat some snacks at the museum bar. "Nothing like eating some chips by a pillory," Lara jokes. And quietly, a woman approaches them. "Hello, my name is Marie Occitan," she presents herself. "I heard you have news on the Lux Veritatis." Kurtis is actually thrilled to see a member of the order alive. "Are you still part of the Order?" he asks. Marie simply smiles and laughs, he's so into it... "I'm afraid my family hasn't been part of the order since Brother DeCombel defeated Sofia von Hahn," Marie answers. "What brings you here?"
Lara shows Marie a cross. "Do you possibly know how to make one of these, but black?" Lara asks. "I hardly recognize this, has it any special name?" Marie asks. "It's a Cross of St. John," Lara says. "I believe I have to find a special poison to build a black Cross." Marie stops to think for a while… "For what I heard, you either are a miraculous woman or you are engaging in alchemy, like Meister Eckhardt, which is it?" Marie asks.
Lara takes off a glove and shows it. A blood sign… "That is von Hahn's!" Marie says. Both Marie and Kurtis are shocked. Marie believes Lara might be cursed. Kurtis didn't know that blood signs could be transferred. In either case, no one knows how to react. "I'm afraid I can't help you," Marie says. "All I know is that you should be killed by a Periapt Shard."
KILL HER! KILL HER! SHE'S A LUX VERITATIS!
Lara clearly tries to keep her grip tight. "These blood signs are truly annoying," Lara says. "Anything you know might help." It might be fear, it might be hope. Who knows, but a secret buried deep within the Occitan family, an unspoken truth slips out from Marie's lips. "Whatever you are looking for is in this city's catacombs," Marie says. "However, you shall not pass without a key. And you will not have that key if you don't find Brother Occitan. He died a hermit, and died in peace." Then Marie puts her hand in her mouth and promptly leaves. She's spoken beyond her will.