[Hours Later]

I was dead asleep in the middle of the night with Lyca cuddling up in my arms. After a quick yet intense and enjoyable round of sex she and I were enjoying one another's warmth. We lay together in our makeshift bed of hay and cloaks with a soft and comfortable breeze blowing in through the half open window in our small room. I don't know how long she and I were asleep but we were woken up by the door to the barn opening up. I sat up and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes while trying to regain my sight. Not at all easy when light is shining directly onto us. I really didn't want to wake back up yet. I was hoping to sleep in for at least a few more hours but I allowed my eyes to adjust and that's when I saw that it was Eadred.

"Have a nice sleep?" he asked.

"Not nearly enough." I said with a yawn. "It's not even morning yet." I grumbled.

"I'm sorry Son. But we have to get to work now. As much as I'd love to stay a little while longer with my wife and children I can't stay too long without the people back in town being suspicious. And I have a few things I need to explain to you before we arrive." he explained.

"Do we have to go already Theo?' Lyca said sitting back up and rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"You're staying here Young Lady. It's just me and Theo going to town." he told her.

"What?" she asked tilting her head.

"It's too risky if you return with Theo. You need to stay here while the two of us get to work." he explained.

She pouted and crossed her arms. "I'm not staying here while Theo leaves. I'm going with him." she says puffing her cheeks.

I sighed and turned to her. "Lyca I think he has a point. I need to go with him alone." I told her.

"But Theo." she whines.

"Lyca it's okay. I won't be gone too long I sure about it." I said trying to give her a reassuring smile.

"But-" she said with her ears drooping. I could hear the worry in her voice. I honestly couldn't blame her at all. Ever since she and I were torn apart she's remained with me as close as my own shadow. I decided to lean in and for the first time, I was the one to kiss her instead of her being the first to kiss me.

It was a brief one but her ears stood up and her eyes were wide in response. "I promise I'll come back Lyca. Please don't worry." I said sincerely.

She smiled and nodded. "Okay." she said, sounding a little better.

"In the meantime just enjoy yourself. Maybe you can go hunting again and when I get back I'll cook your meat for you which you like so much." I suggested.

She perked up at that with a wider smile and her tail wagging behind her. "That sounds delicious!" she chirps.

"If you two are finished, we need to go now Son." Eadred interrupted.

One last hug and she and I parted. I followed the old man into the still dark outside and past his house. Without a way to tell time I had no clue how early it really was but I had a feeling that morning was probably only a few hours away. So we went back up the path he led me through yesterday and like yesterday I let him lean on me so that it was easier for him to walk uphill which he was grateful for. I tried imagining him having to make these journeys over the years to visit his family and I could only guess how hard it must've been on him as he got older. Once he were halfway up I figured now was a good time to ask him a bit more.

"So this sanctuary you wish to go to. The one your wife came from. What can you tell me about it and how is it safe from the Church and the Inquisition?" I asked him.

"It is called Glenforrow and it's a minor Demon Realm." he answered. "It's not a very large settlement, probably under a thousand but it's a safe place for Mamono fleeing from the Church and looking for a quiet place to stay." he told me.

"Demon Realm?" I asked him.

"Mamono and Demons set up settlements all over. Some are small villages and towns while others a cities for trade and work." he replied. "When the lands become corrupted by large amounts of Demonic Energy it changes to become more suitable for Monsters and their Incubi husbands to stay and raise their families." he explained.

"And how are they safe from the Church?" I asked.

"Most are under the protection of very powerful Demons and Succubi who have close ties or are related even to the Demon Lord herself. Glenforrow in fact is under the protection of Princess Hessaria. One of the Lilim." he answered.

"Lilim?" I asked not knowing what he meant.

"The Lilim are the daughters of the Demon Lord and her husband the Fallen Hero. Over the centuries the both of them have birthed dozens of very powerful and dangerous Succubi who are wielders of great and terrible magic. Some in fact are so powerful that they've even been said to create their own separate dimensions from this one. They also are known to even give the most well trained Heroes and Heroines pause as they're known for unnatural beauty and skills in seduction. The Demon Lord has used her daughters very skillfully for the purposes of political power moves against the Orderlands." he said as we reached the top of the hill at last.

I'm starting to get the impression that questions and answers are a double edged sword. One the one hand, not knowing anything at all about this world when I first came to it was something that scared the hell out of me. But as more questions are answered I can't help but feel like the stakes keep getting raised higher and higher. First, demons and monsters who want to rape you if you're not careful and then there's a godlike powerful being who's responsible for that in the first place, then there's a religious order that will hunt you like an animal if you happen to be the rape victim of a monster you encounter and now I've learned that the demon Lord has been squeezing dozens of other demons out from between her legs for centuries.

And then to add insult to injury I have even more questions even after some are answered. Honestly I feel at times like things are hopeless. I ask myself all the time how am I going to make it back home? And is that even possible? I had to put these questions aside for now as we were approaching the town again. The guards let us both through the gates and once inside I followed Eadred close behind. I noticed that there were a few people who gave us funny looks but nobody said anything. I'm guessing this is something that the old man has to put up with a lot being the local executioner of his community. The clothes he made me where with the hood up must've given them the impression I was his new apprentice like he lied about last night.

By this point the darkness was beginning to lift and it didn't take long at all before we returned to the house Eadred brought us to not long ago. "Alright get inside." he told me.

Once inside he instructed me to change into another set of clothes from the ones I was already wearing. When I tried asking where he got them he told me from all the people he executed. Apparently after an execution the executioner has rights to claim anything he wants off the body including the clothes and some jewelry. I immediately regretted asking because now it meant people died in these. Anyway, I was now wearing a blue outer tunic over my under tunic, some white breaches over my under trousers, some fur boots that were unbelievably warm and comfortable and a leather belt around my waist. He also gave me a red cloak with a hood too which was fixed into place by a little bronze broach of Merseaxian origin.

"Good, very good you look like one of the locals here. Just keep your hood up and nobody should recognize or bother you." he commented.

"So what now?" I asked him.

"Now's the part where we split up." he answered. "For the time being we can't be seen together. I need you to wait several minutes before leaving this house after I do and then make contact with the those who've gone underground." he told me.

"What? You're not coming with me?' I asked him in confusion.

"If we're seen together it's going to cause suspicion. The Inquisition have eyes and ears everywhere and if the both of us tried making contact with them together it'll only draw unwanted attention. Also, I can't come because nobody else here will trust me. As far as they're concerned I work for Ricfried." he explained.

"I can only imagine why." I said out loud.

"That's why you need to contact them alone, you have to gain their trust and convince them to meet me again later tonight." he said ignoring my rude remark.

"But they have no reason to trust me either." I countered.

"You have a better chance than I do." he countered back. "And it has to be you, without you I can't contact them and we can't help them escape. We all need each other in this." he told me sincerely.

I let out a sigh but nodded. "What do I do?"" I asked wondering how I'm supposed to contact them.

"I've had to keep my eyes and ears open for some time but I've found out how." he said leaning in a little closer. "There's a merchant who sells fish in the market square. He has a striped tarp over his stand, wears a yellow tunic and green breaches with a red cap on his head. I've had to watch very carefully without anyone noticing me listening in but I've heard other meet with him and ask for a discount on eels. He'll say he doesn't have any but the people who ask insist on eels. He'll then offer to show them where he keeps another variety of fish to sell. Follow him." he instructed.

"Are you sure about him?" I asked to which he nodded.

"I've seen several different men go to him all asking for the same exact thing. All three of these men I've seen secretly have Mamono wives. I'm sure." he answered.

What he said makes sense. "But how can you be sure it's not actually a trap set by the Inquisition? Have you ever seen the men again since they first spoke with the fish merchant?" I asked.

He was quiet for a moment before responding. "No. Honestly Son I won't lie to you but I haven't seen either of them since." he admitted.

"So you're asking me to walk blindly into this and hope for the best?" I asked crossing my arms.

"We all have to take risks Son. I wouldn't ask this of you if I wasn't willing to risk my own neck. But we both know what's at stake if we fail." he told me.

We stood there for a while in silence. I thought on that. Not just Lyca but his wife and children too were all on the line. I sighed again and let my arms fall to my sides. "I guess I don't really have much of a choice." I said shrugging my shoulders.

"I doubt either of us do at this point." he said giving me a sympathetic look. I could tell her actually didn't like the idea of having me risk my neck for a plan that only has a slight chance of working.

"So if this turns out to succeed, if they're the people we're looking for what do I do then?" I asked him.

"Convince them to come to the Red Rooster Inn and ask for a room." he answered before lifting a few silvers from his purse and handing them to me. "Doesn't matter which one but make sure to hang this cloth from the window." he said before handing me a blue piece of fabric. "I'll see it and then I'll know which room to meet you all in tonight. Do not tell them who I am or they're less likely to trust you." he warned.

"So how do I gain their trust?" I asked.

"Tell them that you're contact can get them to Glenforrow. That I'm the only one who knows how to get there and will lead them to sanctuary." he answered.

"And what if that doesn't work?" I asked as well.

"It has to or else we'll not escape." he said shrugging his shoulders. We were quiet as he put his hood up and headed for the door. "Once I'm gone from sight, count to one hundred and then leave. Remember, the fish merchant in the market square and ask for a discount on eels. He's our only lead." he said as he stepped outside. "And be careful Son" he told me before closing the door behind him.

I would stand by the wall peaking out the window and watched until I could no longer see him. After that I sat and did as he suggested I do and counted to one hundred. Didn't take me very long but eventually I was able to leave the house and make my way through the streets. I made sure to keep my distance from others as often as I could, especially around the guards but after about fifteen or twenty minutes of walking I found the market square. Good thing too since the sun was beginning to rise over the tops of the houses and the merchants began coming out to open up and sell their wears. Honestly I was actually impressed with how quickly the place came to life. Already there had to be over a thousand people in the streets.

Remembering what Eadred told me I was looking for a fish merchant who consistently wears a yellow tunic and green breaches with a red cap. Most of the clothes everyone wore were bright and colorful but I don't think he should be too hard to find. As I walked around and made sure not to bump into or disturb anyone I did come across the platform from yesterday. I immediately felt a sense of dread, watching that poor man burn alive before the whole crowd gathered. And I feared what would happen if I failed. I pictured myself standing up there before the crowd and remembered when Eadred described what the Inquisitors would do to me if I got caught. I felt a chill run up my spine at the very thought and shook it from my head before continuing.

The last fifteen minutes or so was me just wondering around looking at stalls with merchants trying to sell me their wares. I saw everything from cloths and dyes, tools for farming, there were a couple of armor and weapon smiths showing their items to everyone, I saw a large variety of meats too but most of it was red meat or poultry and the few fish merchants I saw didn't fit the description I was looking for. But just as I was beginning to feel frustrated I noticed someone out of the corner of my eye and just looking at him he fit the description that Eadred gave me. Yellow tunic, green breaches, red hat and a striped tarp over his stall. Plenty of fish on display too. Now all I had to do was ask and see if he's the guy I'm looking for so I headed towards him.

He noticed me as I approached and smiled like any merchant would in the hopes of selling to a potential customer. The chestnut brown hair with a handlebar mustache and blue eyes.

"Greetings Sir." he said with a booming voice. "May I interest you in some fresh fish? You'll fine they were caught this morning straight from the river and I promise you my prices will beat any others." he said stepping aside and showing me a large variety of fish lined up on the table.

Well here goes nothing. "I was actually wondering if you had any eels. I heard there someone was selling them on discount. That you?" I asked from under my hood.

He was silent for a second but I noticed how his smile dropped just a little. "Oh I'm sorry Sir, we don't have any eels today." he replied.

I crossed my arms and pretended to be a genuine customer to avoid suspicion. "Are you sure about that my good man? Because I was really hoping to have some river eels and if they're on discount I'd buy a lot from you." I told him.

"And I understand Sir but I'm afraid I don't have any eels today. I think I may have more tomorrow if you come back. Are you sure I can't interest you in some others?" he offered.

All I had to do was keep insisting. "I was really hoping for some eels. Come on buddy, work with me here. Maybe we can work something out." I replied.

He was quiet again and there was a look in his eye before he smiled again. "I'll tell you what, I actually do have other fish my workers are sorting through. Maybe we can find the eels you want there. Will you come with me?" he asked.

"Lead the way." I answered.

He then called out to who I figured was his assistant. "Egelwin, watch the stand for me." he ordered as a young boy who looked to be no older than thirteen came over as told. "If you'll follow me Sir." he said as he began walking in another direction and leading me out of the crowd.

I followed him out of the crowd and he led me to a large white building with neatly polished wooden beams like the ones I've seen around the town. He knocked on the door and a small slit opened up. He looked back at me, just a quick glance and then back at the set of eyes on the other side. Whatever he said was out of ear shot and I immediately had an uneasy feeling. However the slit closed again and I heard a bunch of locks being reopened. That was when the door opened up and I saw light on the inside.

"Good news, they just told me they actually did find eels. Please right this way and we'll take a look." he said with a smile. I stepped past him and entered the room with him right behind me. However the room was empty with wooden boards for the floor, walls and ceiling. As soon as I heard the door close behind me I felt him grab me forcefully from behind and pull me back into him. "I'VE GOT HIM!" he shouted and suddenly several other men came charging in carrying clubs. Before I could say anything at all the merchant brought out a dagger and held the blade up against my neck. I could feel the sharp edges threatening to cut right through my skin. "You make one noise and I'm going to slit your throat and pull your tongue out through it." he warned.

Naturally I was sweating bullets and my mind was wondering in several different directions at once. All I could do was nod my head, letting him know that I understood. There were six other men in the room with me and the merchant. The one standing right in front of me was a very large guy with broad shoulders. He was bald but had a thick stubble like he went a couple of days without shaving and his left eye was blind with a milky white eye staring off to the left while his blue right eye started me down. He wore a short sleeved red tunic with a blue trim, green trousers with a yellow trim and fur boots on his feet. He had clutched tightly in his right hand a rough looking cudgel with some cloth wrapped tightly around the grip.

The other five men weren't as big or well built as the massive guy in front of me but they weren't any less intimidating either. Three of them had brown hair and two were blondes and they all either had grey, blue or green eyes. Each man wore either a red, blue or green tunic with trousers of similar colors and fur or leather boots. Each man also held a wooden club with wrappings around the grips drawn and they looked like they were ready to beat the living shit out of me if I tried something. Assuming of course if the guy behind me didn't cut my throat first.

"Mika, come in quick." the merchant called out while still maintaining a tight hold on me and his knife against the skin of my neck.

I saw from behind them as a smaller, more slender figure entered the room. She was under a cloak and hood but I could see her feet. Or paws actually which clued me in that she was a mamono. When she reached up with two large catlike paws to pull her hood down I was only able to confirm that. She had a human face with pale and flawless skin, green eyes and yellow blonde human hair. However her large cat ears that poked up through her hair were a light brown as was the furs on her paws that were in place of her hands and feet. I also saw a long and thin cat's tail slowly swaying behind her while she glared daggers at me. She crossed her arms and looked me over from top to bottom before I saw her sniff a few times.

"You stink of dog." she hissed as she tilted her head slightly while still looking at me in disgust.

"Nice to meet you too." I snarked back before I felt the merchant press the blade up against my neck again.

"Listen carefully, I'm going to ask you some simple questions and when you answer, you're going to look her in the eyes. Lie and you're a dead man, understand?" the large man warned me.

"Yes." I said gulping.

"Are you working for the Inquisition?" he asked me.

"No I'm not." I answered looking the cat girl in the eye. I noticed how one of her ears twitched when I spoke.

I felt the blade digging in a bit which only made me all the more uncomfortable. "Don't fuck with us boy, are you with the Inquisition?" he asked again.

"No I'm not." I answered again and once more the cat woman's ear twitched. I also noticed a slight change in her expression when I answered.

"You better not be fucking lying boy, are you working for Ricfried and the Inquisition?" he asked one more time.

"For the last time no I'm not now will you please stop already? I can feel the edge of the blade cutting into my skin." I said wincing.

"Mika?" he asked turning to her.

She actually had a surprised look and turned back to him. "He's telling the truth, you can let him go." she answered.

The merchant finally took the dagger away from my neck and I had to cough a few times while rubbing the spot where the blade was. Much to my relief he didn't cut me. "Sorry about that Son but we had to be careful. The Inquisition have agents who've gotten pretty close to us in the past. We had to be sure." he said patting me on the back.

I was still rubbing my neck as I responded. "I guess I can't blame you for taking such extreme measures." I said before pulling my hood back down.

The bald guy looked surprised now that he could see me more clearly. "Hey! You're the man who was at the execution yesterday. The one married to a Werewolf." he said turning back to the other men in the room.

"No wonder he stinks of dog." the cat woman said crossing her arms.

"Her name is Lyca." I replied. "Mine is Theodore. And who are you all?" I asked.

The merchant stepped out from behind and stood before me. "My name is Godwyn." he said shaking my hand.

The other five men then started telling me there names one after another. "Alward, Beornward, Godred, Cuthhelm, Wardric." they all told me.

"I'm Godric." said the large bald man. "This is my sister in law Mika." he said gesturing to the cat woman who nodded to me.

"Nice to meet you all. And how did you know if I was lying or not?" I asked her.

She smirked, tilted her head slightly and pointed to one of her ears. "I just had to listen to the sound of your voice and your heartbeat." she answered.

"Mika is a Werecat. They have the most sensitive hearing of all Beastmen." Godric interjected. "She can hear the subtle yet clear changes in a person's speech patterns and heartbeat when they lie." he explained.

I had to admit, that actually sounded very cool. Actually now that I think about it, Lord Gil'haren was able to do the same thing back in Celemir. "But now I have a question." said Godwyn getting my attention. "How did you survive getting holy water splashed on you? The Inquisitors have used it before to kill Mamono, Incubi and corrupted Humans before. Yet you were perfectly fine." he said looking genuinely intrigued.

I rubbed the back of my neck, contemplating if I should tell this story again. But I needed to gain their trust and with Mika, I can at least trust that she'll confirm my story. So I went ahead and gave them the truth. When I told my story we all took chairs and sat around the table and everyone's eyes were one me the whole time. A mixture of intrigue, amazement, disbelief and even sympathy. Now I didn't tell them about the elves in Celemir. After what they've done for me and Lyca I didn't want to reveal the existence to other human nations. I thought it was for the best that the secret valley of Celemir should remain a secret. But I told them everything else including how I was a man not from this world but somehow ripped through time and space into this one.

Every now and then someone would shoot a look to Mika who would confirm that I was indeed telling the truth. However her expression told me that even she had a difficult time believing it.

"...And there you have it. Lyca and I came here to Merseax and now we're in deep shit with the Inquisition." I finished.

They were quiet for quiet for a moment before they turned to Mika who also had a look of disbelief. "H-He's telling the truth. I can hardly believe it myself but he's not lying at all." he confessed.

"Well alright then, I guess I'll take your word for it. Not that I have much choice." said Godric with a shrug. "Now tell me, why have you sought us out?" he asked.

"I'm here to help you." I answered. "I know that there are plenty of people here in danger of being found and killed by the Inquisition if they're unable to escape. I got the Inquisition after me too so we can help each other." I told them.

Everyone gently nodded their heads at that before Godwyn spoke up. "Then I guess we shouldn't turn away help when it's offered. And since you're offering we're happy to have you with us Wonderer. Welcome to the Underground Circle." he replied.

"So what's our next move?" asked Cuthhelm.

"I think we should try the tunnels again." Wardric suggested.

"Ricfried found the first tunnels Wardric. We were lucky they didn't catch us the first time." replied Alward.

That was when Mika turned back to me. "What can you add to this Theodore?" she asked me.

I leaned back in my chair while crossing my arms. "I don't have any ideas yet but I do have a contact." I replied. "He was the one who told me how to find you guys in the first place. And he wants to help you escape the Inquisition as well." I told them.

This surprised everyone at the table with Beornward being the first to respond. "Then why didn't he come with you?" he asked.

"It's too dangerous for us both to be seen together at the same time. He had me contact you first and let you know he's sympathetic and wants to help you." I answered.

"Wait, who is he?" Wardric asked.

I choked on that for a moment. "Uh, he asked me not to tell you who he is. He wanted you to meet him tonight and asked that I show you where." I told him.

"Why? What reason does he have to keep his identity a secret?" Godwyn asked me.

"He was worried that none of you would be willing to trust him if he came himself. So he asked me to come and speak on his behalf." I answered.

"Who is he?" Godric asked.

"I promised him I wouldn't tell you all when we met. But you'll know who he is when he leave to meet him tonight at the-" I tried explaining before Mika cut me off.

"Either we get a name or we're not going along with this." she told me with a cold stare. "We've had plenty of our friends fall for the same damn trick before several times. They even caught...they even caught Harold. And they burned him alive yesterday." she said looking down at the ground with a scowl.

"Mika, please." said Godric who placed his hand on her shoulder.

I was trying to remember who she was talking about for a moment and then it downed on me. "He was your mate wasn't he?" I asked her.

She clenched her eyes shut and nodded her head. "When the Inquisition came, I was already heavy with our kittens." she replied in a voice so quiet and so fragile you could cause it to shatter just by touching it. "He did everything he could to help me hide from them." she said bringing one of her paws up to wipe her eyes.

"Mika, it's okay you don't have to say more." her brother in law tried telling her as he got up from his chair to face her.

"He was lured to an ambush by the promise of allies who were sympathetic to our plight." she continued. "When he was captured he refused to tell them where I was. Each and every day I feared they would find me. I had to give birth on my own while he was being tortured by the Inquisitors." she said looking back up with tears streaming down her cheeks. "My Harold died without ever even being able to hold our daughters and I didn't even have a chance to tell him goodbye." she said as her voice cracked.

My heart broke hearing that. This was the woman that he was put to death for. She and her children would have to go on now without ever seeing him again. She the man she loved and their daughters without ever knowing their father. I couldn't help but wonder if Lyca would end up in a similar spot if I were to fail. How heartbroken she would be after my death. Without me there to stay be her side and help her raise our children if we ever have any. The very idea of that butcher taking me away from her made me feel disgusted and angry all at once. I wasn't going to let that happen. And more importantly, I wasn't going to let this happen to anyone else. Not if I at least have a chance to stop it from happening.

"I'm very sorry." I said finally. She looked up while Godric had his hands on her shoulders. "I was there in his final moments. He was offered a chance for a swift execution but refused it out of love for you Mika. He would proclaim his love for you again and again before he died. And for what it's worth, if I was in any position to save his life and bring him back to you and your children, believe me I would." I told her.

Her lips trembled and she nodded before turning and leaving the room with her brother in law right behind her. "Thank you for your kind words Theodore." said Godred. "She was absolutely devastated when Godric told her the news. He's done his best for her since but he can only do so much for her." he told me.

"Does he...?" I asked.

"Oh no not like that." said Wardric. "Godric is a happily married man. Human woman and a son of his own. But he does care about Mika a great deal. Harold was his brother. He loved him and when he married Mika he loved her too. Now that Harold is gone he'll risk everything he can to protect her and their children. They'll all he has left of Harold now." he explained.

"Of course with that said." Godwyn interjected. "We still need to know who your contact is. It's not that we're not willing to give you a chance but this is very suspicious." he said crossing his arms.

Seeing how there was literally no way to change his mind I sighed and answered his question. "It's Eadred." I confessed.

"The Executioner?" Beornward asked in disbelief.

"Why the fuck would he want to help us? And why the fuck would we trust him?" Cuthhelm asked he crossing his arms and with a scowl.

"Look I don't blame you for not being able or willing to trust him. Believe me, I wasn't sure I could either and when he first contacted me, I was worried that I was wondering into a trap myself. But I took a leap of faith and he proved to me that he was on my side. And I'm sure he's on our side now." I told them.

"And how did he do that?" Godwyn asked me.

"He's in the same boat as many others here." I answered.

Nobody said anything at first but that was when Alward finally spoke up. "You're kidding me. You're saying he's got a Mamono wife and family too?" he asked me.

"Believe me I was surprised by this too." I replied.

"Heh, I guess we shouldn't be surprised." said Beornward. "He did have a weird habit of leaving the town in the middle of the night. I always figured he was just doing some chores involving his job. But I guess he actually visiting his secret family." he said crossing his arms.

"I suppose literally anyone can find love." said Wardric.

That was when I interjected this time. "His wife knows a place we can all leave for to escape the Inquisition. A place called Glenforrow. A hidden valley and minor Demon Realm under the protection of a Lilim. We just have to figure out how to get everyone trapped in here out so we can lead them to Glenforrow." I told them.

"A place under the protection of a Lilim?" Godwyn asked with an excited smile. "If we could just get there even the Inquisition couldn't follow us there. Not without triggering another major war with the Demon Lord." he told his comrades. "Alright, we'll trust you and we'll even trust Eadred. What do we do?" he asked me.

"We need to go to the Red Rooster Inn and pick out a room. We just have to wait there until he arrives and from there we'll plan our next move." I answered.

"Then our next move is clear. We'll all meet at the Red Rooster and wait for Eadred to show up." Godwyn replied. "You all stay here for a little while longer after Theodore and I leave. Make sure that you all leave one at a time and that nobody is following you. Theo and I will get a room and wait for you there." he told them.

"Stay safe, both of you." said Cuthhelm.

I followed Godwyn out the door and he made sure to double check to make sure nobody was watching us. Once the coast was clear he knocked on the door and we both heard a bunch of locks turning on the other side. I then followed him back to the market square where his stall of fish was.

"I've got to finish my days work. Should only be a few more hours. Why don't you help me out? I'll toss a few coppers your way." he offered.

"I could use some cash." I replied.

"Great. I think Egelwin will enjoy the help too." he told me as we reentered the market square.

I wasn't exactly the salesman type but I went along with it. I kept my hood up and while Godwyn sold fish to his customers Egelwin and I would move baskets of fish about and place fresh ones on the tables for him when he ordered us. However, after about an hour or so we heard the bells ringing again and like that the whole place went silent.

"The Inquisition?" I asked as I was standing next to Godwyn.

"Yes, this can't be good. Come on." he told me as he had me follow him.

The both of us joined in with the crowd as we all gathered in around by the hundreds in front of the wooden platform in the middle. I felt a very real chill up my spine looking at it. I remember watching with horror as Harold, Mika's husband was burned alive just because he loved her. And while I knew there was nothing I could do about it I couldn't help but feel this sense of guilt. It also served as a powerful reminder of what will happen if I fail. What was in store for me if Ricfried managed to catch me. When we found a safe distance to stand I made sure that my hood remained up and what put me at ease is that plenty of other people wore hoods too so I shouldn't stand out or look suspicious to anyone. Eventually the bells stopped ringing.

The crowd was mostly quiet as we watched the Inquisitor Ricfried walk up the steps and to the center of the platform for everyone to see. The shit eating grin on his face was already getting under my skin.

"Good people of Aedorham, beloved children of our most holy mother in Heaven. I stand before you now to bring good news. His Grace, the Lord Arch Bishop Philip De La Pluce has sent aid in our sacred duty. Soon, more Knights of the Order will come to the north and we will continue our struggle against all manner of evil and wickedness." he said as though he were preaching a sermon. "The Inquisition will grow and soon we will begin a cleansing. Not just in Aedorham, not just in Merseax but soon all the north will be freed of Monsters, Demons and Incubi. None shall threaten you good people ever again." he declared.

"But Inquisitor Ricfried, what about the man from yesterday?" a woman in the crowd called out. "How did he resist the holy water? What does this mean?" she asked to which I reacted by double checking and making sure that my hood was still up.

"Fear not Good Lady, for this Heretic may have evaded capture for now but he will not escape." he said with equal parts arrogance and confidence. "For our most holy mother in Heaven sees all and hears all." he said before raising his hands high and looking to the sky. "For we are the worldly agents of our Heavenly Mother, the messengers of her justice. We are called upon to bring about ash from the flesh of her enemies. Praise be to our most holy mother in Heaven. Be wise therefore ye worldly Kings and Princes, be admonished ye Judges of the World. Serve our Heavenly Mother with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss her hands lest she be angry, yet her wrath be kindled but a little." he said as though he were quoting scriptures.

He then let his hands drop and he looked upon the crowd again. "Fear not Good people of Aedorham. For we are your shepherds. We have been chosen by our most holy mother in Heaven to care for and to guard her sheep. To seek out and retrieve the little lost lambs who went astray to fending off the wolves who seek to hunt and to devour you." he said before the darkness in his eyes returned once more. I could see what was only pure evil and insanity in those dark eyes of his even from here. "But it pains me to tell you all that within our happy little flock, there is hiding amongst us a Black Sheep." he said before turning to his left.

That was when from a distance I saw the same three knights from before. The two with the spears and teardrop shields and the one with the greatsword resting on his shoulder all walking up the steps as well. But there was a forth person with them as well. A woman in fact. That was when my eyes grew so big I could feel them stinging. The same nun I met yesterday at the orphanage. The blonde bangs poking out from underneath her headdress, the blue dress with the white sleeves of her blouse, there was no mistaking it. As she was escorted up the steps and onto the platform I could see terror in her eyes. And I didn't understand. Why her? What could she possibly have done to earn the ire of the Inquisition and be brought out like this.

As she climbed the steps I heard people in the crowds gasp and even several men and women call out "Heavenly Mother bless you Sister Aelfwyn!" they cried.

Once they finished escorting her she stood just a foot away from Ricfried who now had a most sinister sneer. "Good people of Aedorham, the young woman standing before you, you know as Sister Aelfwyn. For five years she worked at one of the local orphanages. You believe her a kind and caring soul. But our eyes and ears have informed us that she had in fact met with and spoke with the Heretic you witnessed yesterday." he said before looking back over to her. "Yet she has yet to tell the Inquisition what their meeting was about." he hissed.

I felt a knot in my stomach hearing that. It was clear now that she was in trouble because of me. I felt Godwyn's hand on my shoulder just then. "You spoke with her?" he asked in a whisper just loud enough for me to hear.

"Briefly. Lyca and I met some orphans who ran away and we brought them back. That's when I met her." I replied.

"If what you're saying is true then it's not just men with Mamono wives and families who're in danger now. If he learns that you came into contact with the children at that orphanage he'll be after them too." he told me with dread in his voice.

"Would he really murder those children?" I asked in a whisper yell.

"Is that a serious question?" he asked back.

Both of us turned our attention back to the Inquisitor who eyed Aelfwyn like a predator about to move in for the kill. "Sister Aelfwyn, you still have a chance to tell me the truth. Why did the Heretic wish to speak with you? What did you tell him?" he asked her.

She gulped in fear before answering. "Inquisitor, I didn't know he was a Heretic or an Incubus. I swear to you with our Heavenly Mother as witness I knew not who or what he was." she pleaded.

"You did not answer my question Sister Aelfwyn." he replied in a calm but cold tone. "What did you both speak about?" he asked again.

"I..." she said before gulping again in fear. "He told me his name was Theodore and that the Werewolf he was with, her name was Lyca. He told me that they were just travelers looking for work before they would move on." she told him as she looked to him with fear all over her face.

"Theodore and Lyca." he said with an evil grin.

'Damn, now he knows both our names. Things just got a lot more difficult.' I thought to myself.

"And where did they say they were headed?" he asked her.

"I don't know." she said turning in place to face him. "All they said was they would only be here a few days and then they would move on but they didn't tell me anything more I swear it." she pleaded as her voice cracked from being on the verge of crying.

The whole place was silent. Nobody moved or said a thing as we watched how the Inquisitor would respond. He looked at her for what felt like forever before he nodded in response. "And I believe you Sister Aelfwyn." he replied.

The nun walked forward and fell to her knees before him, taking his hand in hers and kissing it. "Inquisitor, I humbly beg you for our Heavenly Mother's mercy and forgiveness. Please, I knew not who or what he was and I only spoke with him once. Please Inquisitor I beg you." she cried.

Ricfried looked down at her and for a moment, I saw genuine pity in his eyes. "Oh dear sweet Sister Aelfwyn, of course." he replied getting her to look up at him with a hopeful expression. "I will show you mercy and our most holy mother in Heaven is forgiving." he told her with a small smile.

A smile spread across her face as well and she knelt before him. "Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you." she said in gratitude as she washed over her. At first I was beginning to relax as well but that was when the two knights behind her walked up and took her by her arms and lifted her up to her feet. "What? Inquisitor?" she asked in confusion. Then to everyone, myself included in absolute horror the third knight walked to the other side and lifted his greatsword up off his shoulder and rested the tip of the blade on the platform for her to see. Her face paled instantly in terror as she knew what was about to happen. "Inquisitor?! I thought...y-y-you said..." she said to scared to form words.

"I know what I said Sister Aelfwyn." he said with that same evil smirk. "I said I would show you mercy and so I shall. I will grant you the mercy of a swift and painless execution. And I said that our most holy mother in Heaven is forgiving. But that's between you and her." he said with his lips curling once again into a wicked sneer.

Without even thinking I was about to step forward but Godwyn pulled me back. "Don't." he said quietly but firmly.

"We can't just-" I tried to argue.

"There's nothing we can do for her now." he told me.

"But this is all my fault." I said as my voice began to crack from the guilt welling up inside.

"And I'm sorry Theodore. But there's nothing we can do for her at this point. We can't save everyone from the Inquisition's wrath but we can save as many as possible. But it won't do you or anyone else any good at all if you also lose your head. Don't let her die in vain." he told me sincerely.

I turned back and watched on feeling helpless as the nun now stood frozen in fear as her death was now inevitable. "I will permit you to say one last prayer before the final blow is struck. That is my gift to you Sister Aelfwyn." he said with that sinister smile of his.

Aelfwyn's hands shook uncontrollably as she reached up and took hold of her little Angel pendant in her hands and kissed it before looking upward. "Heavenly Mother, take pity on me and hear my prayer." she began in a voice that was shaking. "Forgive me of all my sins and cleanse my soul of all wickedness. Let me be pure in thy sight." she said with her gaze still towards the skies. The two knights then removed her headdress and as they did tears flowed down her cheeks like rivers as her long shoulder length yellow blonde hair fell freely. " I beg thee, let me feel the warmth your embrace, fill me with your love before the end." she whimpered as they forced her to her knees, took hold of her arms and shoulders and forced her to kneel forward.

"Let thy executioner strike true and comfort me before the end." she said as she clenched her eyes shut and bowed her, her tears dripping down below her. "Spare me any pain and agony but let me feel thy warmth and love." she cried as the third knight lifted his massive sword over his head. "And in your blessed and holy name I do pray, Amen." she finished.

And just like that the knight brought his blade down full force and the only sound to be heard was the swinging of his weapon followed by a loud "CHOCK" as the blade cut through flesh and bone. The whole crowd let out a gasp, many with their hands over their mouths. I felt so sick in that moment I had to fight with every muscle to resist the urge to vomit. I saw how the two other knights lifted up and dragged her now lifeless body off the platform. How her blood now pooled and began to drip down onto the stone beneath. And Ricfried stood there unaffected from watching an innocent woman be put to death.

He then turned his full attention back to the crowd and spoke again. "Make no mistake. Collaboration of any sort with Monsters, Demons and Incubi will be dealt with severely. This Theodore and the beast he lays with will be hunted down and made to answer for his crimes against man and his sins against our most holy mother in Heaven." he declared. The third knight then reached down to grab hold of the head by its hair and lift it up for everyone to see. "And let Sister Aelfwyn's death serve as an example to you all this day. Be you the common man, King or Prince, or even those who serve the Order of Light, none are above Divine Punishment!" he snarled as we all looked at the head of the woman he just had put to death.

[Author's Notes] So I'm guessing it's fair to say that you all hate Inquisitor Ricfried at this point don't ya? Well I sure as hell don't blame you. Because that's exactly what I was aiming for. But don't worry, I have a special fate planned for him. I won't spoil it for you guys but let's just say Karma is a Bitch. But of course, you're all free to try and guess how he'll die in a Review or PM if you want. I'm always interested in your thoughts.

As always thank you all so much for reading my stories. Please leave me a Review on what you thought of this chapter and if you have any ideas you wanna share or just wanna chat, send me a PM. I love hearing from my readers and try to get back to all my messages when I'm able.

This is Dragon1990 signing out :-)