Inquisition Agents

Chapter 5: Eshara

They rode as fast as they could. Gaia told the agents that the woman they found at the barn was in danger. The mage didn't have enough resources at hand to stop the infection of the claw shaped wound the elf had on her right side. Her fever was increasing with every passing minute: she needed a doctor. Gaia could only stabilise her in order to buy some time until she could receive a proper treatment.

Keaton was carrying the elf, and Gaia rode next to him. Malan and Oerik leaded the way to a village they could see not so far from the farms. When they finally reached Vintiver, it was already dark.

Oerik pointed out a Chantry temple. They could probably find some assistance there. Leaving the horses at the door, they entered the sanctuary. Keaton took the elf in his arms with no effort.

- Someone, help us! We have an injured person here! - Oerik shouted, looking around the temple for assistance.

It was a long building with tall, thin windows equipped with shutters, which were closed. The temple was not especially rich. At the far end of the main room there was an altar with fine cloths. Rows of benches were set for services before it, with the priest's quarters in the rooms at the back. From there, a woman came out.

- Who's injured? - she said.

She was an old lady, and she wore simple red Chantry clothes. She approached them as quickly as she could, worried about the newcomers. However, as soon as she saw the wounded elf, a disgusted look appeared on her face.

- You must leave this holy place immediately!

The agents felt silent, in shock before that reaction. The woman kept on chasing them out.

- Shouldn't the followers of Andraste help any person in distress to spread the Chant of Light to every corner of Thedas? - Malan made sure his ears were hidden by his hood before calling her attention.

- Are you going to let someone die at your very front door? - Gaia added.

The cleric babbled something they didn't understand before giving up.

- Alright, she can stay. But I'm no doctor, so I can't help her.

- I'll make you a list of what I need to treat her, every chantry should have the basic healing herbs. You can stay here and pray for her recovery. - Gaia answered her back with sarcasm.

Then the agents moved to a side room the cleric pointed out. Once Keaton put the elf on the bed, Gaia asked them to leave her some space. Oerik decided to set guard at the temple's entrance and make sure the horses were alright, while Keaton headed to the town plaza to figure out if anyone else knew about the farm attacks. Malan, however, insisted on staying: he had some questions for the elf as soon as she awoke.

Keaton found the town in calm. He could see lights inside the houses, and the smell of dinner came across the streets. The few stores at the plaza were already closing, so he was about to return to the temple when a young lady got close to him.

- Hi~! - she said on a playful tone while weaving at the warrior.

Keaton rose his eyebrows and kept on walking, trying to ignore her.

- You're a traveller, aren't you? I'd already know if there was such a handsome and muscular man as you living in the town. - she followed Keaton and took him by the arm, making the warrior impossible to get rid of her.

The lady chuckled and Keaton rolled his eyes with a sigh of disgust.

- Where did you come from? We're not having many visitors since the incident with the Dalish during the last harvest festival... - she said on a rehearsed sad tone.