An Unwanted Companion

The Cold in You 3.3

No sooner did Kaine return to Camp Dragonhead did they see the Adventurer rush outside.

"Friend, where is the fire?" he joked, though his jovial expression quickly faded as the Adventurer stopped and faced them. "What's happened? You look pale."

The Adventurer then hastily explained that Francel had been taken to Witchdrop.

"Bloody hells, that escalated rather quickly." Kaine gasped. "It's a shame, but what's done is done. May Halone grace him in those hallowed halls."

Their prayer was cut short by the Adventurer informing them they were going to stop the trial.

"You can't be serious. Interfere and you will most certainly be branded a heretic same as him!" Despite his objections, Kaine could see there was no talking the Adventurer out of their course of action, to which the Viera responded by letting out an annoyed groan. "I swear if I'm executed, I'll never let you hear the end of it! Lead the way!"

With a nod, the Adventurer ran out of Camp Dragonhead with the Viera trailing behind him.

"Joacin Charlemend Francel de Haillenarte—you stand accused of heresy against the Holy See of Ishgard. Is there aught you wish to say in your defense?" asked a tall Elezen garbed in a deep blue robe.

"Hear me, brothers—" rang out the voice of Francel de Haillenarte over the howling winds. "These charges are false! The men and women of my line have ever opposed the Dravanians, and I am no different! Since the very birth of our nation, we have gladly shed blood in service to the Holy See! Condemn me and you will strike a blow for the enemies of Ishgard!"

"It is for Halone to judge if you speak the truth." the Inquisitor, Guillaime, calmly stated. Prove your innocence in the eyes of gods and men. Leap from the cliff and entrust your fate to the Fury. The righteous shall take their place in Halone's halls, while the wicked shall reveal their drachen forms and will be put to the sword!"

As the knights accompanying the Inquisitor drew their weapons, another voice called out.

"In the name of House Fortemps, I beseech you—stay your hand!"

Turning to the voice, the Inquisitor looked upon another Ishgardian named Hourlinet, with the Adventurer and Kaine flanking them.

"Inquisitor, we are come on behalf of Lord Haurchefant." Hourlinet began, "My lord has uncovered evidence which suggests that the charges against Lord Francel are without merit. We humbly request that these proceedings be suspended until such time as a full reexamination of the facts has been conducted."

The Inquisitor, however, remained unconvinced as he stepped forward. "Lord Haurchefant has allowed his personal relationship with the accused to cloud his judgement. That he should harbor private doubts, I might have allowed...but that he would dare interfere in legal proceedings sanctioned by the Holy See, I cannot. To defy the will of an Inquisitor is to commit heresy! A crime for which there is but one punishment!" Guillaime firmly proclaimed as he ordered his knights to attack.

"We must hold them until Lord Haurchefant arrives, but remember—no harm can come to the Inquisitor!" Hourlinet rallied the Adventurer and Kaine, who let out another groan of annoyance as they all drew their weapons, Hourlinet a cane and shield, while Kaine produced a staff used to cast black magick.

During the fight, Hourlinet had recognized one of the knights, a man named Alderique, bore a shield with no sigil. Then upon Lord Haurchefant's arrival, a wyvern had appeared, despite no other dragons being seen in the vicinity. It wasn't until the knights had been pacified did the wyvern flee, chased by Haurchefant, Hourlinet and Kaine. Upon inspecting the strange knight's corpse, however, the Adventurer found a draconian rosary on their person.

"It is not our intention to defy the will of the archbishop." Haurchefant tried to explain to the Inquisitor, who had stood on the sidelines during the battle. "But this trial—like many others, I fear—has been orchestrated by enemies of House Haillenarte. They have used you and your fellows to sow discord, Inquisitor—to set brother against brother, that we may tear ourselves apart."

Once more, the Inquisitor seemed less than impressed. "...The fevered imaginings of a desperate man." Guillaime then turned his head to leer at Kaine out of the corner of his eyes. "I would expect this kind of behavior from an outsider pretending to be one of us," he spoke with disdain in his voice before turning his attention back to Haurchefant. "But from you—what proof have you of this?"

Whilst the Viera took a step forward to object, the Adventurer proceeded to show the Inquisitor their findings.

"By the Fury... A draconian rosary!" Haurchefant exclaimed, "Then the knight who refused to yield—it was he who summoned the wyvern!"

At last, Guillaime's stony demeanor seemed to crack. "A heretic in the ranks of the Temple Knights. This has grave implications..." the Elezen took a moment to reconsider. "Your claims...would appear to have merit, Lord Haurchefant. I shall withdraw my charges against Lord Francel, pending further investigation." The Inquisitor then turned his attention to the Adventurer. "I trust you have not lost sight of that which first brought you to Coerthas. Pray locate your errant airship—and use it."

As the Inquisitor left, Lord Francel approached the group, though Kaine had decidedly stepped away. Once the dust had settled, the Adventurer approached Kaine, who was looking out upon the Holy See, towards the city of Ishgard.

"Come to check on me, have you?" Kaine asked, his usually upbeat voice was softer than usual as he looked to the Adventurer. "It's alright, he's not the first to mock me, and he won't be the last." He then looked back toward the city. "I fled my home of Dalmasca during the Garlean invasion. Since then, I've been all about Eorzea, peddling my oranges, until I eventually managed to gain entry to Ishgard. I was taken back by it's beauty, I had to be a part of it."

The Viera then turned his whole body to face the Adventurer. "It wasn't easy, outsiders such as myself are often looked down upon. Fortunately being the Viera I am, I've had more than enough time to win over enough hearts to permit me citizenship. It is, admittedly, why I was hesitant to step in against the Inquisitor. I've worked hard to ensure that I am seen as a truly loyal subject of the Holy See. But you needed my help, and I just couldn't say no." the Viera smiled, then thought for a moment. "Still, this doesn't answer everything. We still don't know who the real culprit is..."

A shrug would signal the end of Kaine's pondering. "Oh well, I'm sure the Inquisitor will get to the bottom of this."

The Adventurer questioned Kaine's faith in the man.

"Guillaime is a good man, he only did what he thought was right. I'm sure now that he's aware of this trickery he'll soon sort it out." the Viera reassured the Adventurer. "For now, I'll be returning to Camp Dragonhead, I suggest you do the same. I'm sure Lord Haurchefant will want to speak with you about all this." Kaine offered the Adventurer a smile. "Do come by afterwards, I'm experimenting with a new recipe. I'd love for you to try it."

Before the Adventurer could reply, Kaine waved farewell, and made his way back to Camp Dragonhead, leaving the Adventurer to do the same shortly after.