The Affairs of Mortals

Chapter 5

It was impossible to tell how long she slept, but Vero woke to the sounds of voices. She could not quite make out what they said, but they sounded harried. As she crept towards the door for better hearing, the voices began to recede, taking the guttering light of the torch with them. She was left in complete darkness, and silence.

"Hey!" She called out. "What's happening?"

But there was no response.

A potential crisis represented her best chance for escape so she stuffed the last of her bread into her mouth and waited for opportunity to present itself. She was still uncertain of just where she wanted to go even if she got out. If the Marquis had launched some kind of attack, she had to presume that his men would be just as hostile to her as the earl's.

It would do nothing for her reputation to fail her first contract, but her greatest prerogative was to preserve her own life. If the city was filled with self-righteous fools like the templar who refused her help, then they could save themselves. Once she found an escape route, she planned to take it and run.

Then she heard the sound of approaching steps and saw the dawning light of a torch. They stopped outside her door. Vero crouched near the wall and hoped she was out of sight.

"Veronique, are you there?"

The possibility of remaining silent and hoping that the templar would come inside where she could knock him unconscious with a blow to the head, played across Vero's mind. But she put aside her frustration and decided to try one final attempt at cooperation.

"What's happening? Has the Marquis attacked?"

"The city wall was breached at sundown by some sorcery and his men are pouring through. Everyone is retreating to the tower."

"I keep telling you, something is wrong with the earl. If you do not let me out of here, you are all going to die."

The door swung open, but the templar stood back with his sword drawn and he wore a chainmail cuirass under his tabard. He eyed her wearily, but also looked confused and indecisive.

"I saw... I went to the top of the tower and I saw it- The room was empty, but I saw the evil thing. I wanted to smash the bones to powder, but the cold gathered around me and a terrible fear gripped my heart. Did you speak truly about being a slayer, Veronique? If I set you free, can you destroy the spirit and release the earl?"

"Yes, please. I beg you to release me and allow me to complete my contract."

Fra Heward's breathing became heavier and he held his free hand up to his head. "Why is this happening? What's causing this?"

Vero didn't know, but Fra Heward appeared too distressed to expect an answer so she replied with her own question to focus him. "Where is the earl?"

"He's fallen into a stupor and has been taken to the temple hospital."

"The corpse at the top of the tower is the anchor. Let me destroy it and the earl will be restored. Then he can negotiate with the Marquis and end this pointless battle."

Fra Heward looked up at her helplessly, wracked with indecision. "If there is a restless spirit in need of exorcism... Then it is a matter for the priests. I will summon the mother-confessor and-"

Vero felt this was her last chance and decided she would have to push the templar further. "Your lord has been possessed for months! And your priests have done nothing! Go out and find them, if there are any left in the city. I shall wait here for the Marquis to free me, and then my employer and I shall destroy this spirit at our leisure once you're all dead."