Confessions of a Doubting Arbiter - II

JP with Omni and Winteroak

She had been anticipating the question with plenty of time to think about it. In the end she had decided to settle for a partial truth.

“Regrettably, I failed to take my only chance to end the witch while she was in close proximity, but had I done so… you would have heard no further word of me or the next mission I took part in. After the tribe moved on, I have not since seen them again.”

Understandably, this was not what the Purger wanted to hear, and Voah knelt low again, ensuring that the nape of her neck was clear for a killing blow.

“Do what you must…”

His hand reached out to rest on top of her head. His pale fingers moved across her blonde locks slowly at first. She felt him curl his fingers around it and slowly pulling her head up to face him. He had visions of scoring her perfect flesh, whipping her back as she repented her failures but this was nothing. This was the tip of the iceberg. He could tell there was more to find out from Arbiter Voah Sahnsuur. ~Such a wanton little cur...~ he thought thinking of the secrets he knew of her.

"Penitence and punishment come only after confession, sister." He told her still holding her hair in a gentle lock that felt that it could turn savage at any moment. "Now sit. Still your heart and soul." He said and waited for her to continue her story. There was much more to learn.

“Of course.” she continued gravely.

“When I returned to the gate city. I voiced my concerns and doubts to the Friar and the Duke. You will be glad to know that they swiftly dismissed my hesitations and the Duke immediately began steps toward the Inquisition.

Not long after, Stoneshade delivered the rumors about an island to the south. Sentinel Island was allegedly home to cannibalistic, fire wielding demons. He sent a small group on a mission of reconnaissance. What I saw was not at all what was described, but what I did witness was nothing short of exceptional. Something I have never seen before. I know you will find it much more fascinating than this place you have landed.

Our vessel came across an ancient wreckage of an Alossi ship that appeared to be preserved in nearly pristine condition, save for a hole in its side. It was caught on the rocks and reef. Myself and the landing party explored the beach and jungle nearby to ensure we would be able to take a preliminary inspection.

The camping party witnessed some sort of magikal entity, a demon… or something… that could morph itself into a dust devil. Calling the names of our Gods seemed to antagonize the creature but by the time we returned it had gone.

I resolved to return and explore the rest of the ship after we finished the scouting mission, but again, regrettably, I was unable to finish. It did not come to fruition as our group was waylaid by the natives. I was able to kill their shaman and in the jungles, our group became separated. When we all regrouped at the beach, I was feverish and wounded, but the dust devil demon had returned to attack the party and I cut its head from its shoulders. From then on, I remembered no more until I awoke in the care of Kupen’s acolytes in Ostiarium, feverish and suffering from terrible headaches.

For over a week I suffered and when I had recovered enough to continue my work, the Friar had a detail of guards watching over his movements to protect him from cultists. The Duke and the Keep had kept me out of the affair as, by that point, they had undoubtedly and understandably questioned my aptitude and reliability as an Arbiter… part of this was due to my failures and another part due to my misunderstood methods.”

The Purger could not hide his surprise at the mention on an Allosi shipwreck. He immediately made a mental note about Sentinel Island and how investigating this stunning and dangerous finding should be a high priority on their list.

"A shipwreck from Allos, you say. Are you absolutely sure?" He asked wondering if that might be the reason that Magik appeared to be flourishing in Arcadia. That some of the accursed Weavers had escaped the Noctua Inquisition and the destruction of the Forsaken Lands and landed in these shores almost two centuries ago. "And tell me more of these cultists..." He asked.