12

“So, tell me, the events of what happened inside the tunnel...” The inquisitor ordered the so-called witness. “From the beginning, Jonah of Bottom-trodden.” He added.

The so-called survivor and witness looked around the room and took a glance at Ghwyr before he began his story.

“It started when the guild master posted a job for us on the bounty board…” He began.

The man had a long and winding story. It seemed that he had tailored a very intricate lie and thought it be very convincing to the ones listening, it might be but who knows? He didn’t believe in every single word the man uttered. To him, everything was just purely noise. A nuisance blabber that he knew he could crush with his truth.

However, he had a very bad feeling about something. He couldn’t place his finger into it but as the supposed witness was speaking, he felt a cold shiver down his spine. The same shivers he had when he was inside that wretched tunnel. In the back of his mind, he could feel his doom, but he remained calm despite the uneasy feeling. He took deep breaths and focused on what was happening in front of him. He stared at Jonah intensely as the man spoke his accounts of the incident.

“…until he told me to check what that thing was moving in the corner.” Jonah pointed at him. “He lured me there. He lured me to where the monster was hiding and… I… I… was the lucky one. I survived the attack.” He said.

The inquisitor nodded at the witness and called Bjorn to tell his side of things.

The berserker and leader of the Iron Bears told the inquisitor what he saw. He narrated how he tore through one of the monsters before he noticed Ghwyr lying on the floor being healed by Frejr. The man was so focused on the monster that he didn’t notice him.

“Well, it was dark and all… but what happened next was something.” He said. “The kiddo was with us the entire time and fought off those damned things despite getting almost overpowered by them. He is brave and he even took a stab at the gut for one of my party mates. I don’t understand why he should be on trial. In fact, if anything the guild master should’ve known about this!” He glared at the old man.

“Bjorn Bearskin, I would suggest, you, staying on your statements rather than throwing a new set of accusations. You can do that later.” The inquisitor firmly told him.

“But he should’ve known it! There was a letter from the king—” Bjorn was relentless until he got a good pinch from his side by Narjuna. “Oww…” He exclaimed.

“My apologies, your honor.” Narjuna sighed. “This is getting out of hand. Please, disregard his most recent statement. We shall deal with that letter some other time.” She bowed.

“Indeed.” The inquisitor nodded. “Please tell the honorable man to keep quite while we proceed. I wouldn’t have any wanton activities going on in this trial.” He said.

“Of course, your honor.” She bowed and dragged the berserker by the ear, just like a mother would to a misbehaving child.

“Now, where were we?” The inquisitor turned his gaze to Ghwyr. “Ghwyr Lightfoot of Gahayam. I would like to hear your side of things.” He ordered.

Ghwyr nodded and wanted to stand up. However, his knees were still too weak for him to stand. He sat there as the inquisitor waited for him to begin. He looked at the inquisitor and took a discretely deep breath.

He told everyone in the room what really happened. He told them the events of his day and what they were doing down the sewer.

“We were just there to clean up the clogged waterways.” Ghwyr said. “There was nothing uneventful about the entire ordeal… aside from killing some giant rats and earning a few more coppers, but I found everything to be normal. Until we heard something from the dark tunnels. That man, Jonah, went there and the last thing I recall was… this thing grabbed him, and he was screaming while everyone else was confused and afraid.” He pointed at the so-called witness.

“Are you saying that the witness was killed?” The inquisitor clarified.

“I… I can’t really tell if he was.” Ghwyr shook his head. “But he was screaming badly… I could hear something tearing. He was doing that for a while until his screams died down.” The inquisitor said.

“Liar!” The guild master and the witness shouted in chorus.

“Order!” The inquisitor’s voice echoed through the room. “Guild master, I will warn you last. Don’t ever interrupt again or speak while some else is, or I shall hold you in contempt. Same goes for you, Jonah of Bottom-trodden.” He glared at them once again.

The old man was a little argumentative with the inquisitor’s order. However, after the inquisitor reminded him of his place and fate, he immediately shut up. The inquisitor took a deep breath and shook his head.

“Now that everyone has made their case, I would like to request the witness and the accused to step forward… You there, wheel the accused forward.” He ordered the knight after remembering about Ghwyr’s condition.

Both of them were presented again to the Inquisitor. They stood side by side, although a few feet apart. Ghwyr glanced at the witness and saw his glaring eyes, piercing at him. The halfling wasn’t having it and stared back at the man who accused him.

The inquisitor approached them and took a bottle from his robe. He knelt and poured the contents of the bottle, making a circle around each of them.

“W-what’s this?!” Jonah seemed to be uneasy.

“This? Oh, it’s nothing.” The inquisitor said. “This is the last thing I need to do before I place a judgement on the case.” He explained.

“I-Is this really necessary?” The guild master suddenly interjected. “I have been to a lot of hearings… and it doesn’t involve this!” He spat.

“Are you questioning my capacity to judge this case?!” The inquisitor turned around, slightly annoyed by the old man’s comment. “Might I remind you; I am the judge here, not you. Do not question me!” His voice thundered as his eyes lit a tinge of blue light.

The old man bit his lip and never said anything again.

He finished the circles and stood up again.

“Heed my call, Sylphs of the wind and bring my voice to her Lady Istina!” He raised his arms. “By her light, I beseech the Lady of Truth to unmask the veil of lies!” He put his hands together.

As the inquisitor continued his chant, the circle was slowly lighting up. Ghwyr was amazed and afraid of what was going on, but he stood still, he didn’t want them to see him as suspicious. He closed his eyes and took deep breaths as he tried to calm down. However, another thing can be said for Jonah. The witness seemed to be anxious and tried to move out of the circle, but it wouldn’t let him.

As the light became brighter, Jonah began to gnash his teeth and scream in agony. Ghwyr looked at him and was confused. Then suddenly the witness’ face fell of and his skin became to turn green. Ghwyr could only watch the horror unfolding in his very eyes.