Demon Hunters

The Inquisitor IV

"Now, anything to say in your defence?" Lucas asked.

His tone was harsh, though he didn't feel any particular antipathy toward the man or his actions. Lucas was well aware of how the church's presence could be rather tenuous this far from the nearest city. Still, the rules were the rules, and it was Lucas's job to enforce them.

"I fear that I do no, sir inquisitor. The shaman and his predecessors have been invaluable members of our community for as long as it has existed. They have helped by both ridding the area of any demons and by providing medicine to those in need of it. So, no. I have no excuses for not reporting him to you."

Lucas stroked his moustache. Even he, an exemplary inquisitor in every conceivable regard, occasionally had doubts about what he was actually doing. There was no reason to believe that the shamans had done anything but helped the village. In fact, Lucas could fully believe that they had been nothing but a boon to the locals. However, the laws of the church were as absolute as they were merciless – any activity that broke the first of the ten commandments was to be punished severely. Without a doubt, any shamans or hermits fell into this category. These punishments were meted out not because the church was out for blood – or, at least, this was what Lucas wanted to believe – but to ensure that the church's subjects stayed in line. This was essential, as unity was the strongest weapon the church could wield against its unholy enemies.

"You must be aware that a crime like this begets punishment?" Lucas said, examining the old man's face.

The alderman closed his eyes and took a deep breath. However, when he opened his eyes again, there was nary a sign of weakness or fear in them.

"I am fully aware – though I must insist that only I be punished for this crime, as it would have been my responsibility, and mine alone, to bring this matter to your attention. No one else needs to be involved."

"Quite presumptuous of you, to be telling me how to judge the guilty."

"I only wish to make your job easier – and to avoid spilling innocent blood."

Lucas kept studying the old man's expression and noticed that he was doing the same to the inquisitor. Lucas furrowed his brow. Strictly speaking, accepting the alderman's suggestion would have been impossible. The rules set out by the church were quite uncompromising in their wording, and if he were to follow them to the letter, Lucas would have to interrogate everyone in the village in detail – which could, at worst, lead to multiple new cases of suspected heresy. After a brief deliberation, Lucas arrived at a conclusion.

"Very well. However, if we are to consider you the sole perpetrator, there will be no other suitable punishment aside from immediate execution. Do you still want to proceed?" he inquired, crossing his arms.

The old man fell silent. His shoulders slumped as he shakily sat back down on his chair. The courage that had impressed Lucas was still evident, as when he looked up at Lucas, the man's pale blue eyes showed no fear, only sorrow.

"If that is truly the will of God, then let it be so."

I wonder... Lucas thought.

In reality, he had no idea what God's will actually was – he could only hope to lean on the interpretations offered by the church. He had seen the state of utter corruption that prevailed in the very heart of the church and could only pray that it hadn't affected the church's decision-making – an utterly foolish notion, something that Lucas was painfully aware of. Still, the church represented the only form of true authority in Lucas's life, and he didn't usually dare to question the validity of their claims and decisions. It was only the thought that, ultimately, the church sought to achieve what was best for everyone that allowed Lucas to maintain some modicum of his humanity when he had to act as an inquisitor – for whatever that was worth these days.