A Good Rep Is An Open Door

Ostiarium
JP with Lucian, Bandorchu, and Omni

Tarmen had never been to this part of the city and followed Alexis feeling on edge. He had only seen the Purger in the Keep, but something about the possibility of meeting him here brought an anxiety to him. Too many advantages on their opponents part.
He also couldn't shake the feeling of a trap, this was all moving too smoothly for their luck and he especially didn't like the thought of losing Voah. Not now.

He focused on following Alexis and having faith that this was true, rationalizing with himself that if she had been caught there would have been casualties. No way she would have gone down that easily, that quietly.

Alexis stopped her stride when rectory came into sight.

“…Friar Balvaris and his acolytes where housed around here when he was still…“

She trailed off.

“Have no idea where else to start.”

He could easily guess what that silence meant and didn't push. Just another lost face.

"It's a start. Would be familiar to Voah as well, eh?"

He led from here, looking about for anyone to stop them before trying the doors.

As Tarmen and Alexis approached the rectory, the midday sun cast stark shadows below the buildings. The area was unusually quiet, a definite contrast to the bustling square they had just left with chants calling for death to the assassins as civilians strung up the corpses of two brotherhood members on a gibbet. One had been badly immolated and the other only partially burned had been beaten to death.

Now the rectory’s stone facade loomed ahead, a silent sentinel of faith amidst the chaos.

Two guards paced near the entrance, their eyes scanning the surroundings with a watchful vigilance. They straightened as Alexis and Tarmen approached, looking them up and down while blocking the doorway.

“State your business,” one of the guards commanded, his tone firm but wary.

Tarmen took no time in addressing the two, meeting the guards command with his usual confidence.

"We are here to ensure the security of the rectory, what with the recent attacks. We believe this area is a target for the arsonists."

He looked over the two, mocking their actions as a gesture for them to move.

As Tarmen delivered his plausible lie, the guard exchanged a quick glance with the other one before scratching his head uncomfortably scrutinizing them.

The one further away tilted his head and spoke up, recognition dawning in his eyes.

"Hang on. Don’t know this fella’, but she’s the Slayer!” he nodded his chin and gestured toward Alexis.

“Slayer? What d’ya mean?” asked the first guard.

“At’s righ’t. Keep forgettin’ ya wasn’t ’ere last wint’a. Folks was goin’ missin’. Cult
of Slivikhi was killin’‘em. This ‘ere’s Lady Greyriver, Slayer of the Creed!” Carver mention’d ya might be ‘round. Said you two caught one o’ dem desert rats last night? Well, if it's ‘bout the investigation and securit’y, I s’pose yor the only ones oo we should be lettin’ froo."

Stepping aside, the guard gestured towards the door, any sliver of suspicion slipping away, evidently convinced enough by the confidence and urgency of their approach and claim as well as their reputation.

"Sir Zane had it ‘vacuated dis mornin’. Mostly quiet round here, but ya never know with these sneaky bastards. One of us ought’a join ya, eh?" he added, a note of caution in his voice as he allowed them passage.

Tarmen gripped the mans shoulder, putting on a grim expression.

"And leave your partner alone? We might as well bind and gag him now. You two stay here in case anyone tries to escape."

He gave a look between the two as Alexis entered before turning to follow. While he knew there was no danger, possibly, he didn't want the soldiers thinking so lightly of their enemy.

Alexis had become rather adapt at keeping her expression neutral, but she had to put considerable effort into not wincing at that ‘title’ of hers.

She nodded at the guards in a nonverbal variant of ‘what he said’ and took lead into the building.