Contention

JP between Omin, Hunter and Winteroak

Sir Zane escorted Hunter and Voah to see the Duke, wincing at what could be perceived as disrespect towards the Arbiter, as the Duke insisted in not seeing the woman alone.

The Duke was standing, looking at his maps, when the three entered the room.

"Ah Arbiter, glad to see again." He said, but his eyes looked at Hunter.

"And you are called 'Hunter'? How quaint." He commented, asking them to sit and offering them a drink form his private reserve. The Duke served and poured them a generous amount of fiery cognac.

Hunter was respectful as he replied with a bow and took a seat before accepting the drink. He didn't want to volunteer any information nor did he want to speak out of turn. His past owner was a Duke who was very strict on how he communicated with those of lower stations. Since he figured that most nobles were the same, he remain quiet and respectful to the arrogant and greedy man. Based on his attire, Hunter could see that the Duke was not suffering from lack of money and food. Hunter also picked up on the lack of eye contact the Duke had with Voah. It was obvious there was a power struggle. He wondered if things would get out of hand soon.

Voah accepted her glass, her eyes lingering on the Duke as she sat down. He seemed to be avoiding her still. What was that about? Was he afraid of her? He was...definitely holding something back.

Either way, she returned a measured response as if nothing was wrong, “A pleasure to see you again, Your Grace.”

This she did not mean, but she knew well how to fake it. Such was the game of royals.

"A most fortuitous happening that you stumbled upon these degenerates right as they were about to complete their foul ritual." He said taking a sip of the cognac.

Was it reproach she could sense in his tone, she wondered.

"Friar Jassin tells me you are thinking of taking our young friend here under you wing? A Primus? Or an Incus maybe?" He asked genuinely interested.

Hunter remained calm as he held the drink while observing the reaction of the other three. He wondered what the cause of the tension was between the Duke and Voah. Did she overstep her boundaries in his eyes? Did she not live up to his expectations? Was he upset that Hunter appeared to be working for Voah instead of him? Too many variables in this equation to work with. Normally Hunter would not care, but since it might involve him he decided to see what reaction Voah would give him. He then sniffed the drink to identify its contents.

“That’s right, an Incus if he is willing.” she replied plainly about Hunter.

“And I plan to seek out the remnants of this creed, in the woods, in the city… even the ones who walk amongst you here in the Keep.” she said cocking an eyebrow over a sip of cognac.

"As you should. We found one of the guard's Keep in the clearing among the dead. Islana already confirmed he was the one that led her to a trap." He said assessing the Arbiter and the assassin. "I hear someone that lived with your friend here was also part of this cult. Nasty business. I assume you have assurances that her sister knew nothing of this..." The Duke left the statement in the air if Hunter and the other twin were cleared of any wrong doing.

Hunter again remain quiet as he knew this game from the past. Nobles like to ask questions to get a rise out of the person in question. Anyone with strong emotions would easily get provoked and say something bad. So he remained calm and sipped his drink as he again waited to see what Voah would do. However, he did plan to ask her what this was all about later on.

Voah nodded with concern. "Hunter had the unfortunate discovery of this realization. And yes... it has been taken care of. She has been cleared."

"Very efficient of you Arbiter, I must say. Well, you have our support in your investigation into this matter. Although our own findings suggest most, if not all members of this Creed that managed to flourish under our noses, are dead." The Duke made sure to emphasize the word 'Our'.

He pulled a leather pouch from a drawer in his desk and passed it to Hunter.

"For your services." Inside Hunter would find 10 gold pieces. One for each Creed member he had killed two nights ago. "The events have been an exception and we do not expect you to go around killing people. Despite your past calling." He warned. "If you get the urge to return to your old ways I'm sure we can find a place for you among our ranks, if the teachings of the Inquisition are not to your liking."

Well played. The Duke knew about Hunter's past. Voah knew now that the Duke had superb means of intelligence working under his command and that she had purposefully been left out of the investigation and the raid. Perhaps to test her or to prove a point that the Empire didn't need an Arbiter of Mizar to manage the work of the Inquisition. She couldn't help but feel slighted, especially after the deals with the Odsier and Sentinel Island. She had been mostly ignored ever since her return; just another pawn to him.

"I thank you for the support on the continuing investigation." she said in a normal tone that did not betray her inner thoughts. She decided she would come to that matter sooner or later, but for now it was best to see what else was in store for her.

Hunter quietly took the pouch of gold coins for his services. Then he wondered how many coins he would have by now if he got a gold coin for each life he took since he began killing. He finished his drink and put the glass on the desk remaining quiet as the Duke and Voah were exchanging quips. It was obvious that the Duke appeared threatened by Voah and cheated that Hunter was hers and not his. Still Hunter had already analyzed the Duke and Sir Zane in case they had to clash in the future. Hunter waited to see if the talk was over.

He nodded. "Alas Arbiter I have nothing else to offer you for you services. Although I know you were not expecting any reward, as you were simply doing the good work of the Inquisition." He quickly added. "I can only trust that my previous gift continues to guide you and strengthen your faith and unshakable resolve in the works our people that was started so long ago." He told her, making reference to the 'Road to Salvation' and the doubts about the natives.

Voah answered genuinely. "I must thank you again for that gift, it has been enlightening and I look forward to continuing my study of it."

How much did the Duke and his “intelligence” know about her?

The Duke nodded at them both and added. "You should come and dine with us soon." He extended her a cordial invitation and with that, their audience came to an end.

"I accept and await your summons." she said, finishing her glass. Then as they got up to leave, she waited for Sir Zane to open the doors and as the knight did so, Voah turned back toward the Duke and decided to confront him.

"Is there a reason, besides my obvious illness and incapacitation, that I was excluded from these investigations? And why was I not notified about a raid?"
She knew the Knight and the Duke had some personal conflict and hoped that this might give some pleasure to Sir Zane, and anyone standing outside the door, to see someone openly question his authority. It was within the Arbiter's rights to question anyone about anything regarding the Inquisition.

"I believe you were on the farm just an hour or so before we raided it." He started not upset at the questions at all. "Another cultist that died under our friends' blades over there." He said plainly, blatantly referring to Hunter. "Someone that could have given us more information on the Creed. The same friend, might I add, who is now found to have maintained a relationship with a Creed member. Odd coincidence wouldn't you say?" The Duke picked up a few notes from his desk looking them through. "And as far as I can tell... you became aware of Islana the huntress' findings, almost at the same time as we did. We shared all information we had with you." He shrugged. "Bad timing on the raid it seems." He looked at Voah waiting for her reply.

"What are you suggesting, Your Grace?" she said, wanting to hear him say it.

The Duke put his papers down. If the Arbiter wanted to do this now he would oblige. "I suggest we start addressing the issues that plague our city and this continent and that we don't cherry pick what merits our attention or what doesn't. Or when." He told her. "Ostiarium respects and enforces the old accords with the Holy Office of the Inquisition. That is what I'm suggesting, Arbiter."

"And how many heretics and witches have you hunted and struck down?" she said in a husky tone leaning over with her hands on the desk. She didn't wait for the reply. "It seems we each have our methods. And until now mine have not failed me."

The Duke stood up staring Voah down. "My family has been allied with and doing the work of the Inquisition since the inception of the great crusade against the kingdoms of the Forsaken Lands." He growled. "Do not dare to speak to me of duty. Your accomplishments pale in comparison, Arbiter Voah Sahnsuur. Magik blooms all around you and now a outlawed cult. Maybe you need to spend some time evaluating your methods. Or you will soon find out you won't have to do so for much longer."

"I am not some pawn you can throw at your problems and leave to rot. Cutting off a leaf does not kill a tree. It must be severed at its base or uprooted. Had I acted in the manner you suggest I would have been easily overwhelmed and your latest expedition to the frontier would have been one more failure. As for the cult.... these people may not have turned from the Gods had their government done better to work with them. So maybe you should evaluate YOURS. Good day, Your Grace." she grimaced.

For a moment she thought she had gone too far but the Duke only smiled. "My time in Arcadia tells me that soon you will be tested in ways you have never been." He told her. "I can't wait to see what this land takes from you as a way of compromises. Good day to you, Arbiter..." He grinned. "And good luck..."

She left the office with a bitter expression that rumors would later exaggerate could kill a witch on sight.