The Warden's Awakening

Chapter XXXII - Calcinia's Tower

Lacen and his group of Inquestors were given lodging at the inn where Lacen had first stayed in the city. The innkeeper remembered him, and congratulated him on his success at becoming an Inquestor before giving him a room to pay for later. It was one of the few rooms that had an adjoining set of two rooms, perfect for large groups of people, such as Paladins or Barons. Or in this case, a group of Inquestors.

Once they all had entered their respective lodging, where Natari and Quilla shared a room, Bril and Lacen shared another, and Tocar and Iren shared the last, Lacen pulled Quilla aside.

"Quilla," he began. "Did you find anymore of those letters when we were fighting that possession?" he asked. Quilla looked around to check to see if anyone else was looking. The rooms were small, but Bril was loud and distracting enough to hide what they were doing. She then reached into her hooded cloak and pulled out five more letters, making that six all together.

The exact number of the houses in the village.

"So everyone was invited to live in the city? That doesn't make sense. None of these letters make any sense, either."

"Do you think they knew about the possession?" she asked. Lacen scratched his chin.

"You mean, as if someone planned on becoming a possession? But why would that happen? What purpose would that serve?"

"Maybe it has something to do with these stones? Someone becomes a possession and acts as a catalyst for whatever they mean?"

"But that would mean someone went to the trouble of trying to hasten the end of everything."

"Another World Render?" Quilla said quietly. Lacen's eyes grew wider. He had not thought about the possibility that a World Render could become possessed. Their rending was not tied to the Other, unlike anyone using one of the twelve magics. In theory, if a World Render wanted to, they could become possessed and bring about the destruction they crave. This was dangerous territory.

"I will have to investigate the Seer's tower soon, before the moons are out. Assuming they are willing, I will be taking Natari and Tocar with me. I want you ready to received any information I obtain. Is that alright?"

"Assuming Iren isn't in pain, that will be alright," she said. Lacen looked at her quizzically.

"In pain?" he asked

"It's... not something we talk about. If he wants to tell you, he can. Just- I'll be ready," she ended. Lacen let her have her secrets and called for Natari and Tocar. Both had just taken off their uniforms and were sitting comfortably in chairs. Lacen did feel bad taking them out, but he would have to make it up to them.

"You don't need to be in full uniform, but I need you two to come with me for a little bit. I have something I need to do before our next mission," he explained. They did not complain one bit. Tocar threw on his Inquestor jacket, and Natari wore a vest with a long section at the bottom, making it look more like a long coat than a vest. It hid her brand well, and Tocar's was barely noticeable behind the collar of the Inquestor jacket. Lacen had not taken his armor off all day. He needed to get used to it. He had found that tensing his shoulders to make them appear wider helped his armor fit better, even if it did begin to strain his neck. Getting used to the uniform would be a challenge.

"Where do you need us?" Iren asked.

"You, Bril and Quilla make sure no one comes in. We should be back before the third moon appears," Lacen asked.

"And if you aren't?" Quilla replied.

"We'll send for you if you are needed," Lacen said, sating them for the time being. After a few moments, once everyone was dressed, Lacen, Natari and Tocar left the inn and entered the stifling air. Their uniforms did not help the heat. They seemed to get stiffer the hotter it was outside.