Chapter 15. Golden mask

  Theodren’s blood froze in his veins as he stared into the dark and beady eyes of the Chief Inquisitor. “What is the meaning of this!?” Spat Eleina holding her hand over her baby’s ears. Evan recovered from his shock and cleared his throat. “As town guard I demand you state your names and your business here.”

  Lusis gave them an irritated look that spoke of an abiding disdain for all things common. “I simply loathe the braying of cattle.” The remaining guards stalked over to Evan and Theina. Unable to turn his head to see, he heard the sounds of a scuffle behind him before Evan Joined him on his knees and Eleina was shoved to the side, jolting Theviana awake and raising a wail from her tiny mouth.

  “Unhand me you lout!” growled Elaina as she was shoved away from Theodren and her husband. “Leave them!” Shouted Theodren, Air finally returning to his lungs. “They’ve done nothing!” The beady eyes of the Cardinal returned to the Priest.

  “Indeed? And what is it that they have not done?” Theodren’s mouth would not move, could not move. How could he explain his actions in the face of the Golden Shears? His shame was complete, He sank into his despair and silence, unable to answer even for himself.

  “Come now Father Stormwall, young master Hess has told me much of your recent exploits.” Hardwright Gestured to where Lester stood. Grinning triumphantly at the kneeling priest who had failed him so. “He says you are much changed in recent weeks. He claims that you’ve miraculously healed every person in this backwater town of yours.”

  Lester spat. “Almost everyone.” Hardwright’s grin only widened. “A poor priest indeed. Neglecting a member of your flock who needed you most.” Shame and rage bit deep into Theodren as he looked into the gleeful eyes of the boy who had brought him to his knees.

  “Do tell us, what brought about this miraculous transformation?” Purred Hardwright. Theodren looked up at the cruel face smirking down at him. “My crimes are mine and mine only. I will go with you.” Resigned to his fate Theodren hung his head, unable and unwilling to resist; he waited for his punishment to begin.

  “Tsk.Tsk.Tsk. Not good enough Father, not nearly good enough.” Theodren shot the Cardinal a confused look. Lusis grinned back at him. “You will tell me what I want to know or my men…”

  CLANG!

  Everyone froze in confusion as the sound was followed by the guard who held Eleina, falling to the ground in a heap. “Have at you, ye bastards!” shouted Pieter, brandishing the very shovel Theodren had given him months ago. Jaws hung open at the bizarre spectacle of Pieter the pig farmer brandishing a mangled shovel as he rushed the guards holding Theodren to his knees.

  A mighty yell turned into a yelp of surprise as his feet were snatched from the ground by a length of shimmering golden Thread. Like a fish on a hook he struggled as he was dangled in the air cursing. The owner of the Thread pulled the struggling man to where she leaned against the side of Evan And Eleina’s home “I like you.” She stated simply, poking the stunned farmer on the nose as he dangled upside down before her.

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  “Uh…aye.” Theina giggled at his shock but did not lower him. “Unhand my fool of a husband girl, before I ruin that pretty face of yours.” Growled Polly as she stomped toward the stunned group. Theina gave a bored look to Polly as she snatched her feet in the same manner as her husband, dangling them before her.

  “All of you stop!” Roared Theodren. Eyes pleading, he looked to Hardwright. “Let them go, I’ll tell you everything.” A thoughtful grin pulled at Lusis’ face. “On second thought.” He turned to Theina. “The time has come, Acolyte, for your initiation.”

  Theina visibly perked up. “Truly? I’m ready! What must I do? I will surely succeed!” Hardwright’s grin spread ever wider as he pulled a golden mask from the depths of his robe. “First, a gift. This mask is the mark of your station, it will help you to see those who have broken from the tapestry. Take it.” Theina reached for the mask with reverence. She had seen but never spoken to many inquisitors wearing similar masks of smooth gold. It was elegant in its austerity. Its surface was broken only by holes for eyes and nothing else.

  She had longed to see one up close, to hold it in her hands. Alas fraternizing was forbidden between acolyte and inquisitor. Now finally she would receive her own mask. She raised the mask to her face, all of her goals and aspirations felt that much closer to her reach now. As the mask slid into place Hardwright’s hand flew out and slapped her, hard, while extending his thread through the mask and into her mind.

  Theina froze, her shoulders slumped as all personality left her, replaced instead with the dull gold eyes of Hardwright’s Order. “What did you do to her?” blurted Lester, Shocked at the sudden violence between the inquisitors. “Put that rotten bitch in her place where she should have been years ago.” Spat Hardwright. Lester’s hands balled into fists by his side, but he dare not speak out.

  “Now then.” Smiled Hardwright, smoothing his greasy hair back into place. He turned back to face the confused Theodren, staring down at the large man who watched the proceedings with growing confusion. “I’m a very busy man, Father Stormwall, and I simply can not be bothered with your backwater town. Therefore, I’ve decided that instead of wasting my time figuring out which of the townspeople conspired with you, the most efficient use of my valuable time is to simply kill you all, and let Odrain sort you out.”

  Theodren strained against the men holding him down, but without his vitae to aid him, his strength was merely mortal. “You can't! These people have a right to live!” Hardwright sighed as he backhanded the struggling Priest. “You silly peasants and your ‘rights’”. He strode back to Theina who stood rock still, beholden to the Cardinal’s control. He stared at her for a silent moment. Eyes roving lasciviously over her form in a way that made even Lester cringe.

  “I always hated you.” He cuffed her again, smiling as she lurched from the impact but remained standing, lifeless. “You’re arrogant.” He punched her stomach causing her to grunt and bend slightly. “You’re spoiled.” He snarled, grabbing her breast and twisting cruelly. “And you have the personality of a squirrel.” He pulled back a hand to strike her again but was stopped by the frail hand of Lester. “You’re hurting her!”

  Hardwright looked down at Lester confused. “And?” He shoved the boy off and finished the strike he had interrupted. “Oh I see, come to rescue the maiden fair, have we boy?” Hardwright laughed at the boy, causing Lester’s cheeks to flush a furious red.

  “Worry not boy. She’ll be well taken care of.” A sly smile spread ear to ear on Hardwright’s face. Lester struggled to form a protest. “Y-you Can’t do that!” Hardwright had already turned from the boy, uninterested as he was in his complaints. He grabbed Theina by the ear, pulling her down to the thin lips that whispered loud enough for all to hear. “Kill them all.”