Chapter Twenty-Two: The Hunt Begins


"Furthermore, I would just like to apologize for my lack of control over the Inquisitors under my command," said Mattias, working his silver tongue. "Should you deem it necessary, I will accept any punishment you deem appropriate. But before you decide, might I make you privy to a certain detail my colleague and I have discovered?"

Before them was Belos, seated on his throne, having recovered from the attack the day prior. Now, none but his closest servants would be aware how badly, if at all, he had been affected. "Very well," he said, clearly not happy. "What is it you have learned?"

Mattias gestured for Shrike to take the stage. "My emperor, we have managed to locate the human. It would seem that Luz has taken refuge at Hexside School of Witchcraft and Demonics. Seeing as classes resume in mere days, I suggest we take action soon."

"Indeed," said Belos. "Send in a small deployment of troops to capture her. If we catch her by surprise, we should be able to bring her in with minimal incident. And once we have her…Edalyn will follow."

This was evidently not the answer Shrike was expecting. "Er…but surely it would be more effective if we waited until school begins again? Luz has proven herself more than resourceful, and I fear she will see such an attempt coming from miles away. With the students and faculty surrounding her, it would be much easier to stage an ambush."

Belos glared at the two of them. "I would have hoped the two of you would have learned how we operate by now. An attack like this would put innocents at risk, something we cannot afford, especially this close to the Day of Unity. The human Luz may be a high priority target, but this is far too big a risk to take. Pursue her if you must, but you are to do it now. Am I understood?"

"But my emperor–"

"Absolutely," Mattias said, pushing himself in front of Shrike. "As much as I would like my revenge, I would hate to put so many children in danger. …Enough to follow your orders, at least. We'll think of something else."

While it was clear that Belos was suspicious, he didn't see fit to inquire further. "See that you do. And Shrike?"

"Yes?"

"Keep him out of trouble. He may be the High Inquisitor, but I am trusting you to hold the reins tight. Is that understood?"

Shrike bowed. "Indeed, my emperor."

He motioned for them to leave. "Now go. I have much preparation to attend to. Do whatever you must to recover your targets–within reason." He stood up to leave, casting a backward glance before he did. "And at least try and keep collateral damage to a minimum this time." He walked into the back room, leaving the two alone.

Although Shrike was bristling, Mattias strangely didn't seem perturbed in the slightest. He addressed this: "And what was that? The great heir to the Archoman name is suddenly concerned with casualties all of a sudden? Capturing the girl was our plan from the beginning, what has changed?"

"You heard the Emperor," Mattias said as they strolled out of the throne room. "His word is law, and there's not much we can do to change his mind. We may as well send some people off to catch her. I'm thinking in the dead of night, when she's asleep…"

"And give her the chance to get wise of our agents and escape? Mattias, you are many things, but a strategist is not one of them." Shrike was about to walk away, only stopping when Mattias spoke again.

"No…but I can read people fairly well."

He turned back. "And you read Belos, then, is that it?"

Mattias chuckled. "No, nothing so simple. I read you, my friend." He began pacing in the hall, making sure they weren't being watched. "As Belos said just now, I may be the leader of the Inquisitorius Magicus, but you are one of his most trusted lieutenants. You have history with him before the Inquisition was formed. He trusts you to keep me on a tight leash–which is why you will be the last person he expects to turn on him."

If Shrike was confused before, now he was aghast. "You expect me to betray Emperor Belos?" he said in a barely-restrained whisper. "I always knew you weren't exactly stable, but have you finally lost what little of a mind you had left!? Even disregarding how even attempting something like that would get us imprisoned at the very least, he has proven with Loxton and Mandrake how he is more than capable of–"

"Shhh-shh-shh-shh." Mattias placed a finger on Shrike's beak. "Now, now, we won't be attempting to usurp him; merely to subvert his direct orders. He expects me to go behind his back and rally the troops, but you? You're practically his confidant. He will have no idea what we're up to until the deed is over and done, and by then, we should have at least the human in our clutches, if not her and Eda." He began walking away, motioning for him to follow. "You can't pretend like his disapproval didn't sting."

Reluctantly, Shrike began walking after him. "You don't get to decide how I feel. I admit, I had hoped Belos would see the benefits to our plan, but he has decided we will not go that route. His word is law."

Mattias gave him a condescending pat on the back. "Your loyalty is as much of a flaw as it is a strength, my friend. Belos created the Inquisition so that we may track down threats to his rule, and isn't that exactly what we would be doing? Any anger he could have at us disobeying him would be over when he saw what we accomplished. Not to mention, he may finally see your value…perhaps he'll even make you High Inquisitor?" His grin widened; he knew Shrike was beginning to reconsider.

"What are you playing at?" he asked. "Would you really be willing to give up your power that easily?"

"Belos has made it quite clear that I'm only a means to an end. Once he sends me off to wherever, I have no doubt in my mind you'll be his next choice. All you have to do is prove yourself. That shouldn't be too hard…should it?"

After a brief moment of consideration, Shrike's resolve was steeled once again. "Two days. We move on Hexside."

"Excellent!" said Mattias, giving Shrike a far more genuine back-pat. "I knew you were capable of seeing reason! Now then…is there anything else I can do for you?"

"Not aside from fulfilling your usual duties," Shrike said. "You handle your half of the plan, and I will handle mine. Oh, but be sure that Belos thinks we went ahead with his plan. He will be far more receptive of our success if he believes we were right from the start."

"Of course, of course!" The two of them part ways. "Now then, we have much to prepare for. Two days from now is a big day for everyone, we wouldn't want any loose ends!"

"I'll be sure to tie up as many as I can," Shrike said as Mattias walked off. But as he did so, Shrike was sure to send a leaf fluttering from his cape, latching onto Mattias' leg with him being none the wiser. As he watched the High Inquisitor disappear from sight, he ventured back towards his quarters, chuckling to himself. "Oftentimes the smartest are the most easily led astray," he whispered.


The carriage lazily rolled down the dusty road, without a soul for miles around. King rubbed his eyes, having been rocked to sleep by its gentle motion. "Mornin', Owlbert," he mumbled. "Have we made it back yet?"

"Hoo!"

"An hour!?" he cried, leaping to his feet. "You mean to tell me it's only been an hour!? At this rate, it'll be weeks until we get back!"

"Quit bein' so dramatic, will ya?" snapped the driver, who could hear them in the back. "We're a little over halfway there, should only be a bit longer without traffic." Indeed, traffic didn't seem likely.

King headed out and sat next to Belial. Owlbert followed, perched atop the carriage. "So, why exactly did you get fired from your job?" he asked, trying to make conversation.

Although Belial was initially annoyed by this question, he begrudgingly answered anyway. "Ah, y'know. Budget cuts, 'n all that. 'Pparently, Glyphman's is diverting a buncha funds to help the Emperor's Coven with the 'Day of Unity.' Still don't fully know what that's about."

"Neither do we," said King. "But if Belos is involved, we know it can't be good."

Belial spied something in the distance. "Speakin' of, keep outta sight, wouldya? Last thing I need is ta be caught harborin' some fugitives." Upon seeing what he saw, an Emperor's Coven patrol blimp, Owlbert and King took cover back inside the carriage.

"Hoo!"

"Most likely," said King with narrowed eyes. "Hey, Belial! Try not to look too suspicious! If we get pulled over, they'll find us for sure!"

"Oh, sure, like it's that easy!" Belial said, rolling his eyes. "Might as well just fly a big ol' banner sayin' 'Nothin' ta see here!' Sure that'll go over well!" They passed underneath the blimp without incident…or so it seemed.

King peered out through a small part in the canvas covering. "That wasn't too bad! I guess they forgot all about us!" Although happy at this turn of events, he couldn't help but feel a small bit slighted. "Though how anyone could forget about the King of Demons, I'll never know."

"Hoo!"

"I know, I know, just take the win."

For the next few miles, things continued on as normal. It was only after King had happened to look behind them out of simple curiosity that he realized something was wrong. Not only had the blimp returned, but there were several dust trails beneath it, as though something was traveling with it.

He headed over to the front of the carriage. "Hey, uh, Belial? Is it bad that we might be being followed? Not that we are, of course, but if we were…would it?"

Confused, Belial turned away from the road to look at him. "What are you on about, now?" He looked back as well, and became concerned upon seeing that King's assumption was indeed correct. "Ay… Get back in there, you two. Don't come out 'less I tell ya to."

The two hid. "But what if they search back here? What'll we do then?"

"Then I'll tell ya to come out!" he replied. "I'll distract 'em, and you two sneak out 'til they leave." Belial then kept his head down, not wanting to tip the pursuers off that he was aware of them just yet.

Whether or not they knew he had seen them, they had no doubt seen him, as the blimp floated towards his position, followed by a small convoy of other wagons. Its pursuit wasn't urgent, but nevertheless purposeful, clearly going after the one thing for miles around.

In Belial's mind, there was a small bit of hope that the blimp and accompanying wagons would simply pass him by. However, nothing of the sort was to be, as the vehicles slowed down upon reaching his own. Clearing up any ambiguity, he heard a magnified voice shouting from one of them.

"Civilian transport, you are ordered to stop in the name of the Emperor's Coven! Pull over to the side of the road, and prepare for inspection!"

With little choice, Belial complied. He pulled his carriage over to the side of the road, stopping it as the imperial wagons surrounded it. The blimp hovered overhead, giving them a bird's eye view on the situation. If Belial was nervous, it was nothing compared to King and Owlbert, who knew what was at stake if they were discovered.

Still, when the covensmen approached him, Belial did his best to remain casual, if a little annoyed. "Somethin' the matter?" he asked. A good seven or eight of the Emperor's men surrounded him, an unusual amount for what was in theory a routine inspection. Did they know more than they were letting on?

"We have reason to believe someone is smuggling illegal goods to and from Underbelly," said the closest. "We've been ordered to check every incoming and outgoing vehicle from here on out."

Belial looked back the way he had come from. "Yer just checkin' now? I left Underbelly hours ago, ya coulda stopped me before I came all this way! 'Sides, nothin' illegal back there, just some assorted doodads and knick-knacks. What exactly are ye expectin' ta find?"

"Perhaps you could tell us that." The guards parted as a ghostly figure floated up to the carriage's driver. "Inquisitor Stygma, of the Inquisition," she introduced herself. "Seeing as you just came from Underbelly, you've no doubt seen the wanted posters plastered all over town, am I correct?" One of her subordinates handed one to her, which she then showed to Belial.

He examined the page, showing an image of King, complete with a price. "What, you think I had somethin' ta do with 'em?" he asked incredulously. "Hey, for that many snails, if I came across that thing, I'da handed it right over ta you guys!" None of the covensmen seemed to doubt his story, though Stygma was still suspicious.

She eyed his wagon. "Very well. If you're really not hiding anything, then you won't mind if we take a look inside–"

"Now hold on just a sec, I do mind, actually!" Belial hopped down from his seat to confront Belos' cronies. "I ain't even done nothin' suspicious, and yet yer still leapin' at the chance ta treat me like I'm a criminal! Didya ever consider that this whole thing might be a waste a' both of our times? Huh?"

"You making such a big deal about it only makes you look guilty," said an irritated Stygma. "And if you're really worried about this being a waste of time, then just let us get it over with, and we can both be on our way."

"It's not about bein' guilty, it's the principle of the matter!" he protested. "Y'all just think the Boiling Isles belong to you, and workin' for Belos gives ya the right to do whatever it is strikes yer fancy! Well, I say I've had enough! Go on, get outta here, the lot o' you! Go on, quickly, run away, fast as ya can!"

From inside the carriage, King and Owlbert had been watching this confrontation anxiously. "Hoo!" said Owlbert quietly.

"You think so?" King asked. "I thought he was talking to them…"

"Hoo!" Owlbert nudged King towards the back of the carriage, where the two of them disappeared through the gap in the fabric.

Meanwhile, Stygma had heard enough, shoving Belial out of the way. "I could have you arrested for obstruction if I wanted! But, as you said, that would be a waste of both our times. So instead, how about we just get this over with?" She motioned for her covensmen to begin searching the vehicle.

"You…!" Belial knew arguing against one of the Emperor's higher-ups, especially an Inquisitor, was pointless. But he wasn't having the best day, so he decided to anyway. "You fraggin' spraggin' sons of Jiminy! You muck-raking bread-baking bungles! I'll consarn you, ya hear me!? Consarn you all the way to Aunt Larry's waterhole!"

Belial's tirade didn't do anything to chase off the imperials, but it did succeed in drawing their attention. "Hey, George!" one of the covensmen in the blimp called to his friend. "Some old fat dude's making a fool of himself! Come see!" While the lookouts watched Belial rant and rave, they missed the tiny forms of two of his passengers slipping away into the grass.

"Man, he's really letting 'em have it," King observed. "I'll bet you at least some of that is genuine. Probably most of it." He and Owlbert remained nearby, waiting for his signal.

After a while of rooting through his assorted doodads and knick-knacks, the guards came out empty-handed. "No sign of the target, ma'am. Either of them."

Stygma was ready to blow something up, but she kept her urges internal. That is, until Belial decided to gloat. "Ya see!? Nothin'! This whole thing was a waste of both our times! But no, you just had ta make sure, didn't ya? Well, why don't ya take all yer fancy cloaks and search equipment back to that palace o' yers, and maybe tell Emperor Belos ta stop botherin' us little folks! If I weren't so busy, I'd be tempted to file a formal complaint with–"

"Arrest him," Stygma said succinctly. Some of the guards then began restraining Belial, and ushering him towards one of the wagons. "And someone make sure to take care of all this contraband."

"What're ye on about!?" he roared, trying to kick away his captors. "I ain't done nothin'! You can't just take me in, this's illegal! He jus' said they ain't found nothin' incriminating! Why're ya takin' me in!?"

"Because, Mr. 'little folk,' resisting a search effort by the Emperor's Coven is itself a felony," Stygma said smugly. "C'mon. Let's get him processed so we can go home–this shift's gone on long enough."

As the covensmen loaded up into their wagons, Belial caught a glimpse of King and Owlbert looking at him worryingly through the grass. "I was almost where I was goin' to!" he protested further. "I just gotta get ta Bonesborough! Just go there! Just go ta Bonesborough!"

"Hoo…" Owlbert said quietly.

King nodded as they watched Belial getting loaded into the back of a wagon. "I know," he said, "I think he's talking to us too."

The wagons began pulling away, Belial's carriage among them. As they headed off in the direction they came, the blimp followed them, leaving the pair out in the middle of nowhere without a ride back to town, and their closest thing to an ally in imperial custody. They watched helplessly as their only way home left them behind.

"We'll…we'll find a way to help him," said King. "But right now, Luz and Eda need us more than ever! C'mon, it's only a little bit further!" Undeterred at their minor setback, King headed down the road to their destination.

Owlbert flew overhead after him. "Hoo!"

"We've made it this far, I'm not about to give up!" he said. "Besides, we're almost there, right?"

Owlbert flew higher to scan the area, but didn't see any sign of the town ahead. On foot, it was going to be a long journey for the two of them. "Hoo," he said sadly, returning to King.

This news was only enough to give King momentary pause. "Then we muscle through. We've made it all this way, what's a few more miles? Hold on, Luz, Eda–King and Owlbert are on their way!"


How R U holdin up? Amity looked down at her scroll, reading the text message from Gus. She wasn't entirely sure how she was holding up. On the one hand, Luz was safe for now, and the immediate danger had passed. But on the other, there was no telling when it would return.

She eventually responded with the not-inaccurate Fine. You? She sighed, knowing that was only going to make them worry more.

All good here, said Gus.

Okay! Luz is fine too, last i checked, said Willow.

No more Inquisitors at my place! responded Tia.

Right. The Inquisitors had visited Tia. Amity had forgotten about that. You sure you aren't in any danger? she asked.

Nope! came the reply. About the danger i mean. I am sure. Actually, Daddy says theyre leaving Bonesborough all at once. Guess theyre just really scared of us lol!

While this seemed like good news, Amity knew enough about the Emperor's Coven to know that it wasn't. Really? The entire town?

I heard that too. Willow. Apparently, theyve been called back to the palace. Don't know if its all over the Isles, though.

Gus responded. Even if it isnt, it means theyre planning something. I dont like this, guys.

Me neither, said Amity. I guess we just have to wait and see where this goes.

Waiting to see where this goes. She set down the scroll, pondering if that was really the best idea. She lay down in her bed and tried to think positive. But, if the Inquisitors really were planning something, doing nothing might not be their best option. Especially since school was starting soon.

"It'll be fine, right Amity?" she asked. "Of course it will, Amity. You and Luz have each other, and both of you have your friends. Nothing could go wrong!" She smiled, newly reassured. Unfortunately, this didn't last long. "I wish I could believe that…