“Mighty heavens grant me strength, to banish the evil’s light.


    Grant your people the power to persevere.


    Against this darkest of nights.


    Mighty Astralis hear my prayers, forgive us for our sins,


    For our penance is to purge the dark, forgiveness we will seek through prayer of heart.


    In your name we will serve as wardens of the eternal Star. ”


    - Astralian Prayer of Vigor


    <hr><hr>


    “Mam, all messengers are reporting the same thing. We have reports of widespread devastation across the country and the unmistakable signs of dark magicks being cast upon the land. At least a dozen villages and towns between here and Fortress Karstone have been razed. Civilian casualties are expected to number in the tens of thousands if not higher. Military response has been muted but we have been able to recall the majority of our agents within these lands. Our resources are now pledged to your cause. We await your word.” Agent Orion saluted.


    The man wore a black petticoat and brown riding pants, a plethora of knives, blades, and weapons strapped to his legs and waist. He stood a full head and a half taller than her, but his demeanour remained respectful despite his aged grizzled appearance adding onto his imposing stature. Marduk the shieldbearing orc, stood beside him, the greenskin standing even taller. Behind them, two templars manned their stations, their plate armoured appearance and closed helms giving off the impression of silent watchers ready to strike. Opposite them and standing by her side was Lieutenant Kraster, the senior templar that had been assigned to serve as both her sword and assistant on her hunt.


    Lyudmilla chewed her lip in frustration as she stared at the map in front of her, watching as the orc affirmed Orion’s words by drawing crude ‘X’s’ out onto it. The map of Gratia was divided now into three sections. One controlled by the Republic of Gratia, a revolutionary people’s government; the next by the Kingdom of Gratia, the monarchist government that continued to hold out against the revolutionaries; and the newest player on the block, Annalise’s realm of destruction. Mila’s hand curled up into a fist as she scowled at the sight. She had no idea what Annalise’s goals were, but in truth it mattered little at this point. All she knew was that the ranger needed to be stopped.


    As the wind outside her window picked up, Mila’s tense shoulders slumped in defeat. She was no closer to figuring out what was happening than when she had arrived. Her eyes wandered to the small coastal section of the map, and her mind relived the moment that her boat had approached the harbour town of Nordmer only to find it enveloped in the purple miasma. Fires burned unrelentingly as the evil seemed to physically repulse her the moment she laid eyes on it. Unwilling to advance without knowing what lay ahead, she had diverted her ship instead to the harbour town of Mare’s Berth, a monarchist town a day or two west that had eyed her ship warily as they approached. Only the Inquisitorial flag that they flew saved them from a preemptive strike as a squadron of frigates and corvettes escorted her ship into the bay.


    Everyone had heard of the utter ravaging of Nordmer. Even the royalist troops had been placed on high alert as the ‘purple death’ as the Gratians called it, even afflicted a few towns across the Republic’s borders into royalist territory. It didn’t help that aside from templars, she had a smattering of refugees and three incredibly menacing orcs that accompanied her. Thankfully, the Astal church in the region had sent a small delegation to meet her, likely informed by the Inquisition of her surprise arrival. From there, she learned that the two inquisitors tasked with monitoring royalist Gratia were currently in the capital whilst the inquisitors monitoring the Republic haven’t been heard from after the initial spread of the purple death.


    Considering the dire situation, they had dispatched a few messengers to reroute what resources remained in republican territory to her command. While the defence of the royalist realm would remain the operational theatre of the senior inquisitors. Though she had always strived to serve, she knew she still had much to learn. At the tender age of eighteen, she suddenly found herself overwhelmed with the responsibility of having to not just secure a nation against an encroaching evil, but the even less enviable task of hunting down someone she considered a friend. It was a harrowing task for even normal inquisitor’s to coordinate such an effort. It was even worse for a junior inquisitor who originally set out on a simple extermination mission in the Frostwind. And here I am, halfway across the world with a motley gaggle of followers and still chasing a crippled ranger. Fucking fantastic, her scowl deepened.


    “Mam?” Agent Orion asked. He had served her predecessor Inquisitor Valhume as a spymaster and infiltrator. With the senior inquisitor missing and most of the Republic''s church agents missing, he fled south and now served as her advisor and right hand, maintaining what connections he could with any surviving assets.


    “Have…” She paused, her voice feeling almost alien as it left her mouth, “Evacuate whatever we have to either Val Eleftheria,” She pointed at the Republic’s capital, “Or to Osterfield.” Her finger moved to a town at the border. “Place them under the command of the senior templar in the capital or have them meet us at the border where we’ll assume direct control. Between those two plans, what would you propose?” She asked the gathered crowd.


    “Whatever you decide is best, lady inquisitor.” Orion answered with a dip of his head, "Though I would say the capital is a safer if slightly more troublesome option in regards to communication."


    Mila looked to Marduk and Kraster, both of whom were sharing a small glance. Coming to a seeming silent understanding between the two.


    “Gentlemen?”


    Marduk nodded at the templar and the lieutenant pointed an armoured finger at the crosses now on the map. “Inquisitor, based on the pattern, it looks like the purple death is advancing on a warpath if Orion’s reports are correct.”


    “Similar to war parties.” Marduk grunted.


    “And?” Mila asked.


    “If my conjecture is correct, and Marduk’s assumptions that they are behaving more like a war party. Then it is likely that the next destination they are headed for is not Val Eleftheria, but for here.” He moved his hand towards the royalist portion of the map. “The fortress city of Monte de Trisse. It’s closer, richer, and relatively untouched when compared to the war torn plains of the republic.”


    “But the defenses…” Orion murmured.


    “Likely also formidable, aye. But so was Nordmer, and that city is dead and gone. Whatever the purple death is, it overwhelmed even the wards.” Kraster dissmively stated, “My conjecture follows mainly this.” He pointed at the three most recently marked crosses, “Though they still attacked on a wide front, they seem to be shifting eastward, towards the royal domain. Also, if we look here, the towns of Graken and Tythio remain standing. An unusual fact if the purple death was simply rolling forward like a wall of death. No, I suspect there is a goal in mind. The reason behind their movements if you will. The raided villages are mostly a sign of them looting supplies, however unfortunate their fate. What that does mean, however, is that we''d likely want to rally in Eleftheria instead. Just in case the border towns get hit.”


    “An intriguing theory, not that we really have much else to go on.” Mila mumbled, “Though if that’s the case, the best we can do is inform Senior Inquisitors Confroy and Aalis since it falls into their jurisdiction.” She growled.


    There was a moment of silence as the room digested the information, though Mila found some joy in how unconcerned the orc was. If it isn’t fight related, they don’t really care, and I can appreciate that simplicity. Only after a while did Orion cough to get attention, Mila giving him a quick nod.


    “In that case, lady inquisitor. I’ll send messengers to inform the capital. Shall I still proceed with rallying our assets in the Republic?” Orion spoke.


    Mila nodded, “Aye, tell them to gather up in Eleftheria, have the senior templar there take charge and prepare counter heresy protocols and be ready for potential undead activity.” She sighed, “Should hopefully give them a better chance.”


    “At once, my lady.” Orion bowed and abruptly turned on his heel to leave the room.


    As he left, Mila turned her attention to the map once more, tapping her fingers on the edge of her desk as she examined the markings.


    “Inquisitor?” Kraster queried.


    “Just thinking about how we actually deal with this,” Mila half heartedly nodded and just waved for the others to be dismissed, “You’re all free to go.”


    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    Kraster saluted and MIla returned it, while Marduk casually grunted and left with the templar. Left with her own thoughts, her mind turned to the main issue at hand, the ability for the purple death to seemingly breach well established anti siege wards. Either they overwhelmed city defences or they pierced specific sections that allowed them to destroy the wards. But there aren’t any signs of siege magic being deployed so overwhelming seems out of the question. Mila frowned, agents in the city perhaps? But that also seems improbable, considering we’ve been pretty hot on their trail. Certainly not enough time to cultivate a large following, or at least I don’t think so.


    She continued to ponder the issue when there was a knock at the door, her eyes darting upwards as her bodyguards waited for her permission. She scowled as her eyes finally located the clock in the room, the hour hand and minute hand indicating that it was three o’clock. She nodded and the templars opened the door, her least favourite part of the day had begun. Officials from the town of Mare’s Berth, the church, the local royal commander, and two representatives from the mages and adventurer’s guild arrived. She would have to brief them on important matters and hear their concerns, not that there was much she could do. But in her tenure as an assistant to Lord Viktor von Krantz, she hadn’t been exposed to this as much, and now understood why the older inquisitor constantly found himself the comfiest desks and chairs despite being a far more utilitarian person.


    Now, two councillors in fluffy but ornate and embroidered outfits; a Lightmaster in richly decorated blue and red robes; the commander in his half plate uniform; and the two representatives wearing their respective blues and green tunics, stood around her table. She grit her teeth in dismay, once again feeling the judgemental eyes of the people around her. Whereas once it was because she had been but a trainee, now it was because they all had at least a decade or two on her age, likely seeing her as a jumped up child given far too much responsibility. Not wrong there.


    One last figure stumbled in from behind the crowd, a younger man dressed in refined tunics and perhaps the most infuriating one of the bunch. A baron who served as assistant to the duke that ruled the territory. One who saw himself as far more important than most due to his station and one who Mila had briefly considered demonstrating the error of his assumptions with inquisitorial judgement. This time, she only clicked her tongue in annoyance as he arrived with a disappointed yet somehow overly smug look on her face. Behind him, two knights joined the crowd, adding additional body mass to an already incredibly overcrowded room.


    Bracing herself for the hours of discussion ahead, she pinched the bridge of her nose and tried but failed to remove the scowl on her face. She had been here a week already, and had grown far more weary of administrative duties than she had ever thought possible. Anna’s out there and the purple death continues its advance, and here I am, not allowed to go anywhere, tch.


    “Gentlemen, ladies.” She finally dipped her head.


    The gathered group gave a plethora of responses. Some nodded, some dipped their heads in kind, the noble barely even acknowledging her.


    “As I’ve said before,” She continued, “There’s not much I can do from here, and I apologize for imposing an inquisitorial presence so actively in this town. For that you have my gratitude for your patience.”


    “Spare us the pleasantries, child, just get on with it.” The baron growled.


    Mila contained her sigh and nodded, “Very well. As of recent reports, we suspect that the purple death is headed for the royalist stronghold of Monte de Trisse. This…” She held up a hand preemptively to silence questions, “Is due to evidence that suggests that purple death has begun making moves to eastward, judging by the locations of recently destroyed villages.”


    “And what would you propose to be done about that?” One of the town councillors asked almost immediately as she finished.


    “For us? Me? Nothing. I have already dispatched messengers to the capital. Senior Inquisitor’s Confroy and Aalis will handle this matter considering this is on kingdom territory.” She replied matter of factly.


    “What? And that’s it? What use are you then?”


    “As far as jurisdictional concern? Yes. Beyond that, all I can share is that I’m using what resources I have to investigate the purple death properly in an effort to ascertain how we might best… deal with it. For lack of a better term.”


    “Pah, so you’re here just to suck up resources? Preposterous. To think we’re hosting you at such expense for all of nothing.” The baron taunted, mockingly rolling his eyes, “Surely even the church can recognise that, Master Daimon.” He turned to the Lightmaster.


    “Now, now. The inquisition works to the wills of the stars. How they carry out their activities is best left to be judged by Astralis herself.” The Lightmaster bowed diplomatically.


    The baron snarled but said no more, temporarily holding back. Mila wanted to smirk but couldn’t wipe the distasteful scowl on her face, giving up and choosing to move on instead.


    “While I don’t have much else to report, I was hoping to ask you something, Magister Noverik.” Mila tried to act as respectful as she could.


    “Me?” The mage’s guild''s tall and lanky representative pointed at herself.


    “Indeed. As I mentioned, I was hoping to investigate the purple death in more detail. While the town’s library has proven to be a fantastic source of information.” Mila managed to feign a polite smile at the councillors, “I suspect that it will require… more arcane means to discover the cause and counter to the purple death.”


    “The libraries of the guild are well guarded for a reason, inquisitor.” Noverik replied neutrally, though her tone failed to hide her distaste of Mila''s suggestion.


    “Indeed, hence why I’m asking for permission to access the archives. With restraint of course.”


    Mila’s eyes glanced at the Lightmaster and felt the clergyman frowning. Though he wouldn’t likely outright deny her, she knew that the church and the mage’s guild as a whole shared a frosty relationship at best. With many of the clergy considering the more arcane practices of the guild as detrimental to the stability of the continent, especially given how many rogue heretics and practioners that the templars and witch hunters have to eventually track down. The guild meanwhile, saw the church as a restrictive if begruding necessity. Often incensed at the restrictions that they placed on magic use and research. Though for the past two administrations, there has been a bit more leeway on both sides for cooperation, the rise of demonic forces in the north have turned the Astral church to keenly examine each and every avenue of potential corruption.


    Still, her arguments must’ve had some merit. For neither representative seemed to outright disapprove of her idea. But sensing their displeasure, Mila continued.


    “The quicker I get things done, the less you’ll all have to deal with me.”


    Her barbed words seemed to elicit more than a few looks of disapproval from all parties involved. Tactless and overly direct. Yet, to her surprise, the guild representative nodded. Seeing the reaction and not willing to be out matched in generosity, the Lightmaster quickly followed suit and nodded his tacit approval. Though not before shooting Mila a warning glare for her to watch herself. Mila tepidly nodded her understanding and the priest huffed before leaning back a bit.


    “Very well then, if it’ll help us stop the purple death, you have our permission. Though, you’ll have to travel with a minder at all times. Provided the church sees no issues with that.” Noverik slowly enunciated every syllable.


    “The church has no objections.” Master Daimon growled, “For now.”


    Mila dipped her head in appreciation towards the two, though she could feel they were both judging her intensely.


    “If no one has any questions or concerns, then that concludes my report for the day.” She spoke.


    “Pah, a half hour of my day wasted to attend this drivel. Why don’t you sort these things out on your own. Preferably without dragging all of us here.” The baron snorted.


    Mila merely scowled and ignored his comments.


    “Validity of the baron’s words or not, the guild does have a question, inquisitor.” The adventurer guild’s representative took this opportunity to raise his hand.


    “By all means.” Mila bowed.


    “What would this whole affair continue to mean for guild based activities, if you don’t mind me asking. Given its relatively unknown nature, for now, we have issued emergency directives that guild members are prohibited from approaching the affected areas. But if it is truly spreading, as you say. That area is going to encompass more and more of Gratia.” He spoke.


    “Your concerns are already being addressed sir. The reason I am here is to find a way to stop this spread. While I understand the guild’s worries, short of a complete mobilisation of all assets, I’m already rallying what I can to try and investigate this matter.” Mila responded, “As for what to do now, I would ask that the guild maintain their current stance. Should the situation deteriorate further, we can have another look at what the best course of action would be.”


    “Well that better be soon. More and more outlying towns and villages have been putting in requests that indicate a growing exposure to monsters and undead that wander out from the purple death. Sooner or later, it will come to a head.”


    “I am aware, representative.”


    “And the costs continue increasing as well, inquisitor.” One of the town councillors piped up, “As do the costs of housing your troops.”


    “I am aware. Once more, I express my gratitude to the town of Mare’s Berth, and to Duke Valmond in turn for allowing us to quarter here.” Mila deliberately inserted the lord’s name, flashing a small smirk at the baron.


    The noble seemed unimpressed but made no effort to retort, though she could tell that he bristled ever so slightly at the mention of the Duke. A small win. Seeing that the royal garrison commander continued to remain silent, Mila took that as a sign to suggest the obvious once more.


    “If there is nothing else…” She began, trailing off and waiting for any of the participants to respond. When they didn’t she dipped her head slightly and continued, “In that case, thank you for your presence and may you all walk, blessed by the stars.”


    “Blessed by the stars.” Came the collective, if muted reply.


    As the last of the unwelcome guests left, Mila sighed deeply, a momentary level of exhaustion washing over her. With a grunt she turned her eyes back to the map and the markers that indicated Annalise’s advance. Sensing no one else besides the two templar guards, she slumped into her chair and closed her eyes. What a fine mess you’ve pulled me into. Her fingers tapped against the desk in a rhythmic fashion and she pursed her lips. And the big question I need to solve, how the hells are they breaching wards and city defences so easily? Goddess, I hope the guild''s archives might hold something of value. Or I''d really have been here for absolutely no reason at all. Anna... just what the hells happened to you?