Smoldering Remains

Light snow fell gently outside the Wandering Cat as Lena finished adjusting the straps of her armor in preparation for the upcoming mission. The winter period had not been an easy one for the young woman. As a member of the royal family, and more specifically as the Princess of Nerfeldfer, she had spent all previous Darkness seasons sheltered in the comfort of Kustdin Palace. The bitter cold and abysmal darkness she had to face in her work as a mercenary was a new experience for her. Combining the training prepared by Hildebrand with her own diligent efforts, the princess emerged transformed. The delicate flower that had to be protected at all costs had given way to a rose with sharp thorns. She even managed to surprise Hilde, who had been trained by Remus himself more than two decades earlier.

“I’ve never seen a recruit reach such a level in such a short time,” the man thought admiringly when he saw the result of his mistress’s stubbornness.

To this end, the pair had escorted merchant caravans, eliminated bandits, and more. All the missions they had accomplished since their exile from the capital were part of a relentless struggle to survive. First, there was the financial aspect, which had allowed them not only to find shelter, but also to feed themselves. Lena had gradually gained a modest reputation as a woman of integrity and commitment to a form of justice. In fact, this notoriety, along with her unique features, had attracted a few scoundrels with vile intentions. Unimpressed, Lena sent them packing, using an excessive amount of swear words and threats. The young woman thus earned the unenviable title of Ice Queen among the male population. However, such visibility also allowed them to find many contracts, however modest they may have been. These had exposed them to snippets of conversation and all kinds of tavern gossip. The princess had learned to listen and observe every detail, but also to get involved at the right moments. By occasionally loosening their purse strings for information, Lena and Hilde had slowly pieced together a rough picture of the situation in the country.

Approximately one week after their escape, the besieged capital of Kustdin finally fell to the ecclesiastical army troops. According to rumors, a significant number of buildings were damaged during the siege. The damage was mainly concentrated around the ramparts, consistent with the use of siege weapons. However, less than a day after the city was captured, the palace reported the disappearance of the king and his only heir, Princess Elena. Against all odds, it also appears that a surviving member of the nobility has taken the vacant throne. The individual in question then immediately announced the end of the conflict and ordered the news to be spread throughout the kingdom, including even the humblest country villages.

“Good. I’m ready,” Lena announced with satisfaction as she headed for the exit.

True to her usual guard duty, Hilde was already standing on the lookout near the door and handed a canvas bag to the young woman as she approached.

“Here’s your stuff,” he said, looking sullen.

“Is there a problem?”

The man grunted in response, which stopped Lena in her tracks. She stared at him with her blue eyes, trying to guess the cause of such an expression.

“Don’t tell me you’re still brooding over that damn bounty business?”

Hilde remained silent at first, but clenched his fist around the hilt of his sword. He then sighed loudly before replying:

“My instinct tells me that there are simply too many coincidences surrounding our current situation.”

“Meaning?”

“There’s this claim about your father’s disappearance, but also yours. And let’s not even talk about the restoration of the throne.”

“I agree, Hilde, it all happened too quickly. Get to the point,” replied the princess, who was growing impatient.

“Very well... I still wonder about the identity of the person occupying the throne. Even after several months, we still haven’t managed to glean any details about this scoundrel. It’s all too strange and suspicious for my liking,” replied the guard.

“And you think it’s a dirty trick on the part of the clergy? That could explain the cessation of hostilities with the Church, but also the presence of all these damn patrols,” added Lena.

“It’s plausible, but the bounty on your head worries me even more. Let’s not forget the insignia found among the bandits we fought before the Darkness. In my opinion, it could indicate an affiliation with the kingdom.”

“I see that I was right about what was bothering him,” thought the young woman, biting her lower lip.

Lena knew perfectly well that her partner’s concerns were legitimate, and she was grateful for his loyalty and protective nature toward her. Moreover, there were still many unknowns surrounding the whole affair, and giving it time only caused deep distress in the young woman’s heart. Despite the passing of months, the death of her father, the fall of Kustdin, and her royal obligations, the gaping wound remained.

Putting an end to her procrastination, Lena stood in front of Hilde and looked him up and down. Her eyes took on an amethyst hue as she raised an index finger close to her companion’s face. The static electricity that emanated from it caused the hair on his head to stand on end, and the smell of ozone was palpable in the air.

“Silence,” she ordered before continuing:

“I am honored by your sense of duty. That being said, we have other priorities for now, such as our client, who is undoubtedly waiting for us at the guild.”

After walking for a few minutes, Lena and Hilde finally reached the entrance to the Tunaust Guild. Like the town’s main crossroads, the building’s large hall was buzzing with activity, like a huge beehive. Many employees were busy serving customers, both at the huge counter at the back of the room and at the tables. The air was rather heavy, mainly due to the number of people, but also because of the aroma of alcohol from the drinks being served. Laughter and conversations of all kinds could also be heard here and there, contrasting with the gloomy atmosphere of the Darkness.

The princess and her guard were momentarily greeted by the curious glances of a few regulars. Lena gave them a fake, confident smile while Hilde located their potential employer in a dark corner of the room. He was a thin man dressed in an old fur coat who seemed agitated. His hair was tousled, his beard unkempt, and his hollow cheeks indicated that he hadn’t eaten a full meal in a long time. His fingers drummed nervously on the worn wooden table, and his gaze alternated between the door and the various individuals present.

Hilde nudged his mistress gently, indicating the position of the person waiting for them. In response, the princess walked toward the man with calculated confidence. True to form, the guard remained at a distance behind the young woman, like a protective shadow already surveying the surroundings.

“Are you the merchant seeking the assistance of mercenaries? I am Lena,” she began without preamble.

The princess’s sudden intervention took the man by surprise. He nodded in agreement.

“Yes... Yes, that’s me,” he stammered, further confirming his apparent nervousness before continuing:

“My name is Jalcrek, and I need an escort to protect my goods and myself.”

“And what is the destination? I imagine it’s probably a village in the area,” Lena asked.

The man named Jalcrek seemed uncomfortable and fidgeted in his chair, avoiding eye contact with the young woman and Hilde.

“I just need protection. The roads haven’t been safe since the end of the Darkness.”

“Bullshit! We all know the roads have never been safe. You’re hiding something from us,” Hilde shouted, placing a gloved hand on the chair opposite the merchant.

The guard then turned his attention to Lena.

“This whole thing doesn’t inspire confidence in me. I suggest we find another contract, preferably with a more serious customer,” said Hilde.

The young woman crossed her arms and eyed the man suspiciously.

“Hilde is right. This merchant reeks of trouble. On the other hand, mercenaries aren’t really in the habit of asking their clients too many questions,” Lena thought.

Jalcrek felt he was losing control of the situation as Lena procrastinated. Panicked and reeking of sour sweat, he finally gave in and confessed where he wanted to go.

“The destination... is Antradin.”

Satisfied with the answer, the princess looked to Hilde for guidance, searching for any sign that might help her make a decision. She could see hesitation in his eyes, suggesting that it would be better to give up. Lena sighed before finally speaking.

“We agree to escort you, Jalcrek, but be aware that, at the slightest sign of trouble, our agreement will be immediately broken. We will leave at dawn, so make sure your cargo is ready by then,” said the young woman in a sharp tone before turning on her heels and heading for the exit.

“Oh, thank you, ma’am! I swear on my honor that you won’t regret it,” replied the man, wiping his forehead with the sleeve of his coat.

Once outside the guild, the princess and her guard were greeted by a biting wind. Despite the end of the Darkness, weather disturbances such as this one continued to plague the lives of the populace. They then headed for the main square to acquire the supplies they needed for their new mission.

“That man is lying to us. There’s still time to turn back,” said Hilde, pulling his cloak tighter around him.

“To be honest, I’m not sure what to think about all this. Besides, Hilde, do you know anything specific about Antradin?”

“There’s nothing else to add, except that it’s a remote hamlet within the kingdom’s borders, beyond even Nerauskei. We’ll also have to pass through a village called Pauweik to get there.”

“Pauweik?”

“Have you already forgotten? For heaven’s sake, Lena, you could make an effort,” Hilde grumbled, displeased.

The young woman suddenly stopped walking and stared down at her subordinate, hands on her hips.

“Not another damn word from you! You should know that I know Pauweik very well,” retorted the young woman, irritated by the remark.

“Oh?”

“The place is halfway between Antradin and Nerauskei. Besides, I remember it being the subject of some gossip at the beginning of the Darkness. In any case, we won’t know any more until we get there,” Lena added, looking perplexed.

Hilde sighed but kept quiet. He knew his mistress well enough to know that curiosity often trumped logic. In such circumstances, it was extremely difficult, if not impossible, to change her mind.

                                                                           ***

Several days later, the convoy was still moving forward, albeit at a rather slow pace. Indeed, the rapid thaw following the end of the Darkness had disfigured a significant number of roads. The dirt roads, normally hardened by the passage of caravans, were littered with vast puddles of thick, sticky mud. The average three-day journey between Tunaust and Nerauskei had taken more than five days this time. After finally passing through the village of Nerauskei, Jalcrek’s wagon, escorted by Lena and Hildebrand, continued on its way to the hamlet of Pauweik.

As he had done since the beginning of the journey, the merchant held the reins of his horse and walked in front of his cart. He glanced at the trees lining the road. The man gave the impression that bandits could emerge from the woods at any moment, which did nothing to reassure his escort. Lena walked to the left of the cart, one hand resting on the hilt of her sword. Despite her very first mission, during which she had narrowly escaped death, the young woman still felt a certain mistrust of the merchant and remained vigilant. Hilde, meanwhile, brought up the rear, as usual. This also allowed him to keep an eye on his mistress.

“We should be near Pauweik. I recognize that little hill,” Jalcrek announced, relieved.

Lena didn’t answer, but an involuntary shiver ran down her spine.

“Something’s wrong here. This deathly silence isn’t normal, and I can smell a strange, acrid odor carried by the wind,” she muttered.

She instinctively turned to Hilde for advice. The guard nodded silently and motioned for the young woman to look ahead.

When they finally reached the crest of the hill, the members of the convoy were stunned by the sight before them. The forest had given way to a vast plain, still partly covered in snow and crossed by a winding river. The river meandered through a village, or at least what was left of it. One thing was clear, however: Pauweik was in ruins. In fact, all of the buildings had collapsed or were in even worse condition. Charred beams were visible through the rubble, and a carpet of black ash was visible where the snow had melted.

“I can’t believe it,” whispered Jalcrek before climbing down from his wagon.

Hilde, meanwhile, had begun descending the hill toward the dilapidated structures. After a few minutes, he finally arrived near one of them. He crouched down next to a piece of burned wood and, moving it slightly, immediately noticed the presence of a horribly burned and deformed corpse.

Lena knew full well that death was an integral part of a mercenary’s life and tried to remain stoic at the sight of the body. Unfortunately, she couldn’t help but cover her nose and mouth with her hand in horror.

“Holy shit! It’s a damn corpse,” Jalcrek said, almost in a state of panic.

“Shut up,” Hilde ordered, glaring at the merchant.

This sudden and abrupt command had the effect of an electric shock on the merchant. Not wanting to incur the wrath of the warrior, Jalcrek complied, allowing the former royal guard to continue:

“We’re not the first people to come snooping around here. Look at all these footprints around the ruins.”

The princess narrowed her eyes and let her gaze follow the various tracks crisscrossing the hamlet. Strangely, they all had one thing in common.

“All the tracks seem to converge on the well in the middle of the road over there. I think we should take a look.”

Lena set off and slowly made her way through the mountains of debris littering the ground. Hilde followed behind, closely followed by the cowardly merchant.

When she reached the water source, the young woman was assailed by a stench reminiscent of burned meat. The stones forming the well were covered in soot and blackened by flames, and a few pieces of wooden planks covered the opening. Lena finally cleared things up by removing the pieces of wood before peering inside the opening. Like a scene from a nightmare, the well was filled with a tangle of charred bodies. Shocked by the mass grave, Lena let out a cry of surprise before recoiling from the scene, as much out of reflex as out of disgust. The young woman fell backward when she tripped over an object lying on the ground.

“Are you all right?”

Hilde approached the well while Jalcrek helped the princess. As a former member of the Nerfeldfer royal guard, the man was no stranger to tragedy, but he was still human. The dead bodies before him brought back a memory that had not tormented him for months.

On the night of their escape, Hildebrand had to find clothes quickly to hide the princess. To do so, he located a residence that appeared to be in good condition. As he approached to enter, he noticed that the door had been broken down, but decided to try his luck anyway. His fears were confirmed when he came across the inhabitants of the house. They were lying on the floor in a pool of blood, disemboweled like animals. A noise then drew Hilde’s attention to one of the rooms adjacent to the living room. He stopped in front of a large wardrobe and abruptly opened the doors. The coveted clothes were within reach, but there was something else curled up in a corner of the wardrobe. It was a very young child, lying there, terrified at the sight of the burly man in armor. A child he had abandoned to his sad fate, unable to help him.

As he gasped for breath, his skin drenched in sweat, Hilde returned to the present moment. His heart was still pounding, but he hoped that neither their customer nor Lena had noticed anything unusual.

“None of this is accidental, and it’s clear that this village was the victim of an orchestrated attack. I have no desire to discover the motives of the individuals behind this sordid act,” declared the guard solemnly.

“Another good reason to get out of here,” complained Jalcrek.

Lena nodded, but her attention was already drawn to something else. Intrigued, the mercenary woman had gotten up and approached a pile of charred wooden planks a few meters from the well. The princess then crouched down and began to move the pieces of the pile, one by one. After a few moments, Lena finally managed to carefully extract a book from the rubble. It was half burned, its pages partially torn and blackened by the flames.

“A book, here? That’s very strange, especially considering the exorbitant value of such a work, even in the capital,” she murmured.

“Suspicious would be a more appropriate word. It’s not just a coincidence,” added Hilde, who had heard his mistress’s words.

Jalcrek, who had remained in the background, approached with apparent nervousness.

“We should leave this place... It’s not safe,” he said in a trembling voice.

“Out of the question! I believe there are still answers to be found among the rubble,” Lena replied, clutching the book to her chest.

Before the group could continue their investigation, a noise disturbed the apparent calm of the ruins. The source seemed to come from the forest on the edge of the fields surrounding Pauweik, and it was possible to vaguely make out certain components. First, there was the steady rhythm of individuals walking in coordinated steps, but also the sound of equipment clanging together. Finally, the echo of deep, authoritative voices reached Lena, Hilde, and Jalcrek’s ears with ease.

The guard turned to his mistress, his face wearing a serious expression that conveyed a sense of urgency about the situation.

“Lena, we have company. It would be best if you hid that thing as quickly as possible, since we don’t know who we’ll be dealing with.”

The young woman complied without hesitation and quickly put the book away with her belongings.

As the noise continued to grow louder, Hilde drew his sword and moved a few meters ahead of his companions. Lena, meanwhile, had opted for a more passive approach and stood firm, scanning the edge of the woods, one hand clutching the hilt of her weapon. Less than a minute later, a group of more than a dozen soldiers emerged from the shadows of the forest at the other end of the path that divided Pauweik from the surrounding fields.

“Church troops... That’s exactly what we needed,” Hilde growled.

The clergy warriors were as easily recognizable as ever: imposing silver armor, pure white capes, and blue and gold heraldry. However, the man at their head seemed different from his comrades-in-arms. He carried a finely crafted sword, and the symbols on his cape had red instead of blue. His face was marked by a scar across his right cheek. Most striking was the cold, calculating gaze he cast around him.

“Troops of the Inquisition. Identify yourselves,” the individual ordered in an unequivocal tone.

Lena froze in place, paralyzed by fear and unable to utter a sound at the mention of this dreaded branch of the Church of Niowe.

“In... Inq... Inquisition!? Had her cover been blown? Was her plan for revenge already compromised and in danger?”

Most people would stammer before an inquisitor, but the pressure was almost unbearable for the princess of Nerfeldfer. The actions of the clergy had driven her into exile, depriving her of everything she took for granted, such as her home, her people, and her kingdom.

Noticing that the young woman had not reacted at all to the inquisitor’s injunction, Hilde knew that he had to take the initiative in order to buy some time. So he gritted his teeth before finally replying:

“We are mercenaries hired by this merchant to escort him. Nothing more.”

In response, the scarred man’s gaze shifted from Hilde to Lena, who was pulling herself together, ignoring Jalcrek’s presence. He lingered on Lena with palpable suspicion, scrutinizing her from head to toe. For her part, the female mercenary tried to remain unperturbed, even though her heart was pounding so hard, it made her dizzy.

“Mercenaries... And of all the places you could have chosen, you decided to take your stroll in this hamlet? Interesting,” said the inquisitor with a cold smile.

“We had no idea the village was in such a state. Everything was already in ruins when we arrived,” Lena replied calmly.

A thin, sinister-looking soldier stepped forward from the group. As soon as he reached his superior, he whispered something in his ear. The inquisitor nodded before finally glaring at Lena with a dark look.

“The inhabitants of this place were complicit in blasphemous acts. As an act of mercy, our purifying flames were used to cleanse the filth of their souls,” the man declared, before adding ominously:

“This is none of your concern, mercenary. You would do well to leave this place before your curiosity costs you dearly.”

Hilde holstered his weapon and placed a gloved hand on his mistress’s shoulder. The gesture was as meaningful as the inquisitor’s thinly veiled threat.

“Come on, it’s time to go.”

“I... I agree,” stammered Jalcrek, who had remained silent throughout the exchange.

Lena finally resigned herself to following her companions, but not without taking one last look at the Church troops. At first glance, the warriors all looked alike, both in their armor and their imposing physiques. Nevertheless, one man in particular had caught the young woman’s eye. Squinting, a detail struck her: the man’s right hand had been amputated. It had been replaced by a stump covered in bandages.

Lena couldn’t help but wonder what could have led a warrior of the clergy to such a fate. Punishment or even a mark of disgrace. There were too many possibilities to explain his condition.

“Come on, Lena,” Hilde whispered, gently pulling his mistress by the arm.

“Okay,” she finally said, putting an end to her momentary reflection.

Reluctantly stepping back, Lena nevertheless tried to engrave the features of the inquisitor’s face, as well as those of the man with the stump, deep into her memory.

As the princess, Hilde, and Jalcrek walked away from the ruins of Pauweik and the ominous scent that lingered there, the mocking and sadistic laughter of the Church soldiers still echoed behind the group. This fueled a feeling of anger and helplessness in Lena’s heart.

“Those bastards know a lot more than they’re letting on, I’m sure of it,” she thought bitterly.

Nevertheless, the young woman found some comfort in the charred book she had managed to hide in her luggage.

The journey back to Nerauskei was silent, interrupted only by the constant creaking of the wheels on Jalcrek’s cart. The man was still shaken, even terrified, by the encounter with the clergy’s henchmen. Although he kept his eyes fixed on the road ahead, the merchant was true to form and couldn’t help but glance anxiously toward the woods. Hilde, for his part, led the group. He had drawn his sword and rested the blade on his shoulder, ready to intervene at the slightest sign of danger. Lena, meanwhile, was leafing through the pages of the half-destroyed book she had found with interest. Her thoughts swirled at the sight of the images contained in the book, like a maelstrom at sea.

The inquisitor’s words still echoed in the young woman’s ears, particularly the notion of purifying flames and the defilement of the soul. At first glance, it seemed like a cold and relentless justification for the destruction of this village.

“But why? Could this book be the cause of this catastrophe? I would really like to find out what secret the Church wanted to keep hidden by completely destroying a hamlet and all its inhabitants,” Lena wondered.

                                                                           ***

About a dozen hours later, the group finally passed through the gates of the town of Nerauskei as daylight gave way to darkness. Various merchants bustled about on either side of the road, busy closing their stalls for the night, while flickering lanterns illuminated the scene. Although smaller than Tunaust, the town nevertheless had a few inns and taverns to accommodate the needs of the many merchants and mercenaries passing through.

As soon as the trio reached the center of town, Jalcrek jumped out of his cart and tossed a small leather purse to Lena.

“Here’s your payment, as agreed. I... I really must go and put my goods away. Thank you for your services,” he said hurriedly.

The former employer, without allowing the woman to respond, guided his horse and cart into a dim alleyway. He finally disappeared after a few seconds.

“Damn coward,” Hilde muttered under his breath.

Lena was still staring at the purse she held in her hand, her mind still wandering elsewhere.

“We should try to find out more. This book... and the images it contains... I think they’re very important,” she finally said, looking perplexed.

“Maybe so, but you know as well as I do that sticking your nose into Church business is like playing with fire,” Hilde replied, shrugging nonchalantly.

“Fire that has already caused the disappearance of an entire village,” Lena retorted.

“And that’s precisely why we should be more cautious in this matter, Lena.”

“If we don’t do anything about it, how many more innocent people will suffer the same fate? I refuse to sit idly by and do nothing! It’s my duty,” spat the princess, her eyes shining with determination.

Hilde sighed loudly, but finally nodded in agreement.

“All right, where do you want to start?”

Lena thought for a moment before replying:

“A tragedy like this always leaves its mark and fuels rumors. Why don’t we try our luck in one of the taverns in town? Who knows, maybe alcohol will loosen some tongues.”

After establishing their plan for the next steps, Lena and Hilde headed to the Ivory Apple, a popular tavern in Nerauskei. Like the other establishments of its kind that the pair had frequented in recent months, this place was just as unsavory, especially for Lena.

“Here we are again in a place that reeks of alcohol, filth, and who knows what else,” sighed the young woman as soon as she crossed the threshold.

Hilde ignored his partner’s complaint and glanced around the main room.

“Let’s sit over there,” suggested the man in a low voice, discreetly pointing to a dark corner.

The atmosphere in the tavern was ideal for eavesdropping on conversations without attracting prying eyes. Hilde immediately ordered a beer, while Lena listened intently to the discussions around them. Although the conversations were lively, nothing revealing happened for over an hour, which tested the princess’s patience.

Hilde was finishing his beer when the word “looter” reached his ears and Lena’s. It came from two men talking at the next table.

One of the men was clearly drunk and was speaking in a fairly loud voice to his companion, who was more sober.

“I... I swear... He found something not far from that village that burned down just before the Darkness. The place had just been... purified.”

“Shut up, you idiot! Do you want to get us both killed with your nonsense? You know the Church doesn’t like people meddling in its affairs,” whispered the other man, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

“Pfff... as if I’m afraid of the clergy.”

Lena exchanged a questioning glance with Hilde, who nodded slightly. Without a word, the pair stood up and subtly approached the table where their neighbors were talking. The young woman cleared her throat before asking in a calm but firm tone:

“Where can we find this looter?”

This sudden intervention startled the two men, especially the one who feared the Church.

“And who’s asking?”

“Someone who can pay,” replied Hilde.

The drunkard narrowed his eyes and noticed Lena standing next to the guard. He took the opportunity to undress the mercenary with his eyes while licking his lips.

“I... I’m willing to discuss it... After spending a night with her,” he said with a snicker.

Faced with someone so crude and despicable, Lena had to make a conscious effort to resist the urge to punch him in the face. Her irises had turned amethyst, a sign that she had already mobilized her magical energy, ready to strike at a moment’s notice. Hilde managed to disrupt the storm forming beside her when he coughed deliberately and loudly.

“Let it go. That scoundrel isn’t worth it,” he whispered to his mistress, who finally sighed.

“I suggest you settle for this instead,” the princess said to the two seated men, throwing a sparkling coin on the table.

“Holy shit! A gold coin!?”

“Not so loud, you idiot,” snapped the sober guy at his drunk companion.

“So? Are you going to talk or not?”

The man hesitated under Lena’s intense gaze, but finally gave in and pocketed his payment.

“His name is Skotto. He’s a shady character and often hangs around the merchant guild’s warehouse. Let’s just say that’s where he meets his regular customers.”

“Perfect. Let’s go,” the young woman ordered Hilde before abruptly turning on her heels and heading for the exit.

Apart from the stars, the main source of light in the darkness of nightfall was the stellar debris that sparkled brightly in the sky. This unique setting complemented the gloomy appearance of the Nerauskei merchant guild’s warehouse. The building was located on the outskirts of the city, its stone walls covered with moss, while the windows were boarded up with cracked wooden planks that let in a few rays of light here and there.

Lena and Hilde stopped in front of the double wooden door. Judging by its patina, it was quite old.

“So this is the place,” Lena whispered apprehensively.

Hilde nodded as he placed a hand on his sword, ready for any eventuality. He then knocked twice vigorously, and the pair had to wait several long seconds before the door opened with an ominous creak. A small man of dubious hygiene then appeared. He had a dirty, tangled beard and worn clothes. His piercing gaze narrowed at the sight of the two mercenaries before him.

“Who are you and what do you want from me?”

“Are you the one they call Skotto? An acquaintance told us that you found something among the ruins of Pauweik. Something quite unusual,” replied the young woman, crossing her arms.

Skotto raised an eyebrow, his features showing distrust of the intruders.

“An acquaintance, you say? I don’t know you, and I’m not in the habit of dealing with strangers,” he replied with a dry chuckle.

Without a word, Hilde detached a small leather purse from his belt and threw it to the man. He caught the object, which made a metallic clink. When Skotto opened the purse, the sight of the coins made his eyes shine with greed.

“No way am I talking here, so come on in. You never know who’s listening.”

Lena and Hilde followed Skotto into the dark warehouse. The piles of crates and various objects scattered in apparent disorder brought back a memory to the princess’s mind. It was the abandoned warehouse in Kustdin on the fateful night of her escape.

The young woman shook her head, as if to chase away this painful reminder of her current situation. She then turned her attention back to Skotto, who had taken advantage of her lapse to walk over to a cluttered table. He rummaged around for a few moments before motioning for the pair of mercenaries to approach. When they reached the table, the looter delicately placed an object in front of them.

Lena narrowed her eyes as she examined this mysterious thing. The object was rectangular and astonishingly thin. Its surface was smooth, like deep black ice, almost hypnotic.

“What is it?”

Hilde touched it cautiously with his fingertips. The coldness of the contact surprised the guard.

“Could it be... metal? No... I think it’s something else,” said Hilde, thinking aloud.

“Honestly, I have no idea. I found this object near the well. It was in a leather bag that was partially torn and marked with a seal from the Church,” Skotto replied with a shrug.

The young woman frowned, doubt beginning to creep into her mind.

“Just in case, was there anything else in that bag?”

Skotto chuckled before regaining his composure.

“I vaguely remember a half-burned, worthless book, but this thing was intact and without a scratch, even after the fire,” replied the looter.

As they examined the object, Lena noticed one detail in particular: the presence of small protrusions on its sides. Although the mystery surrounding the nature of this thing remained unsolved, the princess was convinced that the object would play a crucial role in the near future.

Hilde glanced suspiciously around the room before asking:

“Does anyone else know you have this?”

Skotto shook his head.

“If the Church knew I had such a treasure, I probably wouldn’t be here to discuss it. As you can imagine, I have no intention of shouting about it from the rooftops either.”

Hilde leaned toward Lena and whispered in her ear:

“If the clergy felt it necessary to destroy an entire village for this object, it must represent a threat or a truth that they wanted to eliminate at all costs.”

“We’re taking it,” the young woman declared unequivocally, addressing the looter.

“No way! Do you take me for a fool? If you want that thing, you’ll have to pay a much higher price,” growled Skotto, red with anger.

Hilde drew his sword with lightning speed before pointing the gleaming blade at the dirty man’s throat.

“Or we could kill on the spot and take it by force. Who would complain about the disappearance of a mere looter? Occupational hazards, right?”

Skotto backed away and raised his hands in surrender.

“Damn it all to hell! Take the damn thing and get out of here,” the man hissed through clenched teeth.

Lena grabbed the strange object and carefully stowed it away with her belongings. It joined the half-destroyed book that Skotto had ironically abandoned months earlier.

“For your own sake, I hope you keep your mouth shut. Keep this money as payment,” she said coldly, pointing to the small leather purse Hilde had taken out earlier.

Once outside the warehouse, the pair of mercenaries quickly set off for the heart of Nerauskei. The night was already well underway, and the nearest inn to their location would suffice. They moved forward, glancing furtively around them.

“Lena, I’d like to understand what this thing is that we just stole from that bastard. It’s not like you to act this way,” Hilde whispered.

“I don’t know yet,” sighed the young woman before continuing:

“However, Pauweik paid a heavy price. We need to learn more about this thing, but also understand what’s going on with this cursed Church of Niowe. Our goals depend on it.”