Mercy and Penance

As the silence hung between them, Duke Stoneshade’s slouched comfortably and confidently in his chair regarding her with narrowed eyes and a hand on his chin. He leaned forward, resting an elbow on his knee.

“As an heretic…stripped of your station. Turned against your faith and duties…what mercy do you think you have earned, Voah Sahnsuur?”

Voah didn’t hesitate for a moment. She had come before the Duke expecting an immediate decree for her execution. That bead of hope and resignation swelled just a little more. She knew exactly what it looked like for her if she was allowed to live. Voah stepped forward and took a knee before Duke Stoneshade.

She began carefully, choosing her words, “I do not expect forgiveness for my transgressions, nor do I seek to escape the consequences of my actions. I understand that I have failed in my duty and in my faith. I still stand with the Pillars. I have…had communion with them…revelations both here and away. I believe that I still have a role to play in what’s to come. I ask only for the chance to fulfill that role to serve my people where I failed before, to defend them with everything I have left.”

Her voice remained steady, though the vulnerability of her position was palpable. She had no illusions about what the Duke, or the Purger for that matter, thought of her. But she hoped, at least, that she might find some measure of redemption in service.

Stoneshade’s eyes remained locked on hers, weighing her response while the Purger silently seethed and sneered.

Duke Stoneshade regarded Voah in silence for a long, heavy moment. His gaze swept over her, assessing her from head to toe. There was no immediate outburst or gesture of judgment, just a quiet contemplation that hung between them like a sword on a thin thread. His expression, though stern, bore none of the spite or contempt she might have expected from the man.

When the Duke finally spoke, his voice was even, though tinged with resignation. “It is clear you are not the same woman who came to us as an Arbiter…indeed, based on your reputation in Helias, it seems the very call to Arcadia changed you.” He shifted slightly in his seat, his eyes glancing briefly at the Purger, who still stood with his back to the blazes, his eyes not unlike red coals of their own, locked once again on Voah.

The Duke continued, “I’ve heard from Sir Zane of your deeds, both before and hence your…fall from grace. You’ve shown your quality, your strength, and your weakness. You hold little back when your heart is on your sleeve.”

Voah’s pulse raced, but she kept her expression neutral, waiting for the final judgment to come. She could feel the Purger’s silent hatred burning into her, waiting for a reason to strike her down.

“A heretic you may be, Voah Sahnsuur,” the Duke continued, his voice growing more pragmatic. “But a living weapon. And in the face of the Arcadian threat, I need every weapon I can wield.” His gaze hardened. “You will help us prepare for the coming battle and fight alongside us. On two conditions…”

Voah remained in her kneeling position and bowed slightly as she awaited the terms of her mercy.

“First,” the Duke raised a finger, “you will continue to keep your identity as secret as possible. I will not have the city in a frenzy over your return. Though I don’t suspect that secret will last very long. You will report directly to Sir Zane. No exceptions.”

Voah nodded, understanding the necessity of discretion.

“Second,” the Duke’s voice dropped in weight, “when all is said and done…” those words carried the weight of doom, not only for herself, but something deeper. “You will give yourself over to the Inquisition.” His eyes flicked to the Purger, who remained silent but leaned forward slightly, as if savoring the moment. “And you will face judgment, as is your due.”

Voah could intuit by the Duke’s tone that there was no real conviction behind the words. He was a pragmatic man, and it seemed clear that in his mind, their survival was unlikely. If they perished in the battle, the Inquisition would be a moot point. And if they somehow survived, he likely wouldn’t care about promises made to the Purger.

It was then that the Purger finally spoke, his words laced with contempt, “A decree, by mandate of the Holy Office of Inquisition.”

“I understand…” Voah said, her voice stoic and resolute. She would likely die in the coming battle anyway. Rather that, than afford the Purger his sick satisfaction.

The Duke nodded, seemingly satisfied. “Good.”

Sir Zane stepped forward in her defense.
“My Lord, if I may, I believe…”

“You may not,” he swiftly retorted.

The knight of Salos continued anyway, “Lord, I have witnessed her convictions in defense of our people and our faith, she did not abandon Aquilo when they were outmatched by raiding forces. This accusation of heresy was hasty and heavy-handed from the st—“

The Purger stood, turning his vitriolic fury upon Sir Zane, “Watch your words, Sir Knight!” He snapped. “You border very closely on heresy yourself. Do you wish to join her in her final act of penan—?”

“It is decided, Eudon.” The Duke interrupted. “And I will not have my authority questioned again, is that clear?”

“I fully understand. Forgive a battered and mind-weary, old knight who has, perhaps, experienced too much, Your Grace.”

Then the Purger continued, “One final condition…You will have an escort,” his voice cold and cutting like the edge of a blade. “Wraith... come forth.”

A shadow shifted in the far corner of the room, a figure stepping forward from the gloom.

“I believe you have already been acquainted,” the Purger added, a hint of cruel satisfaction lacing his words.

Voah’s breath caught as the light revealed a familiar face…a face she wondered if she would ever see again. It was her friend, her Incus. Hunter. Now hardened and grizzled, his expression unreadable, but his presence was like a chilling gust of wind through the room. Voah clenched her fists at her sides. What had become of him?