A Knight's Lilies

“Did you kids know? If you all perform bad deeds and don't repent for your actions, the Night-Haunter will come for you. When you're sleeping on night, it will knock on your door, speaking in a soft, soothing voice, before asking you to join it for a meal. If you said your prayers, it will eventually leave and let you sleep. But if you've sinned and haven't repented, it will torment you every night until you agree. Then, it turns you into the meal in question, another soul to be served on the Night-Haunter's platter.”

- Stellar Warden Iram Pubell, "Chronicle of Clerical Children's Tales" - The Night-Haunter: Moral: Repent and Don't Sin

A haunted silence greeted them, the empty cobble streets showing little signs of life besides the occasional caw of a crow or the guttural cries of something shuffling in the darkness. Stone, timber and brick townhouses lined the sides of the road, next to little alleyways that branched off from them every few units or so. But what once would’ve indicated a thriving metropolis, the capital of a nation, now stood abandoned. Windows boarded shut, doors left ajar, swaying in the wind with every creak and groan of their hinges making the party tense up that much more. Clothing lines still stretched from house to house, carts, crates and other goods laid stacked neatly in some places, scattered over the ground in others. For Sophie, it all brought forth a very familiar sense of dread that she felt back at Eichafen, of a city once alive, but no longer. She turned to find her companions in various states of distress, but most of all Mila seemed tense, unusually so for the constantly scowling inquisitor.

They had watched in morbid fascination as the city burned yesterday. Faint orange glows sprouting up from where she assumed the army had reached. The party could see the siege engines, trebuchet, catapults and onagers sitting quietly in their berths. The wooden machines of death had fallen silent after the gates opened. At first, the legions of militia, pikemen and professional troops that passed by their campsite had rushed into the breach, their tiny forms like little ants scurrying inside a giant stone fortress. Then in went the longbowmen, then the calvary, and then finally what appeared to be the support and command troops. Over the course of the day the field around Melisgrad grew empty, the fires within soon fading soon after.

It had left the party disquieted, but figuring that they would be better served being well rested when they entered, it meant setting up a campsite where the Prince had suggested. So it came to be that what felt like an eternal day had passed, no trace of sunlight breaking through the clouds when they had all finally reawakened. Their expressions left much to be desired, the strange pressure, darkness and lingering gloominess had seen to it that sleep was to be anything but fruitful. Though they were still tired, they had at least agreed on one course of action. Get to the tower then get out. Failing that, just getting out.

Their apprehension had also transferred to their mounts, the wary snorting of the stout Carradorian stallion that had carried them so far gave her pause enough. It had seen first hand the destruction of the folly of the expedition tampering with powers unknown, the chaos unleashed by the cult, orcish raiders, and the undead. Though he disliked having her as a rider or passenger, for him to have gone through so much and show his fear visibly, she got even more worried about what lay ahead. Mila’s dark grey horse was silent, but the tenseness of its muscles were clear for all to see, much less the frozen expression of its rider.

What made it all the worse were the signs of the struggle that took place, the evidence more and more prominent the deeper into the city they went. Patches of blood, sprayed unnaturally on the walls and cobbled streets like some painting; weapons and armour, pried from their owners in their last moments sat eerily where they had fallen; broken windows and doors left ajar, the openings often covered in darkness. Those that still had functioning lamps or candles only painted an equally grim picture, furniture tossed asunder, torn cloth left hanging from splintered wood, and makeshift barricades hastily tossed aside. It didn’t help at all that the wall which protected the city, the very same one that loomed over the city now seemed more like a prison warden than a protector, consigning its residents to whatever fate awaited them.

“Keep your eyes peeled, I don’t know how the inquisitor’s gonna act here.” Annalise murmured, “And I’m not sure how your new…friend performs in combat. I get the feeling that today’s gonna be a shitshow soon enough.”

Sophie grunted, turning a curious eye upwards to meet Anna’s gaze. “So what should I do about that?” She whispered.

“I’m not sure,” Anna hissed, “I think she’s still going through shit from her past. She also always gets all funny whenever you talk about your visions. Talk to her more about it. I dunno, just make sure she’s focused on the task at hand, yeah?”

“Mmhmm. What about Aryana?”

“I don’t know? I'm not your mother, you picked her up Sophie, you deal with her.” Anna snapped.

“Sorry.”

“Just keep everything working and we should be fine. I just don’t like this feeling scratching at the back of my head.”

“Like there’s something watching us around every corner?”

“Yeah, I hate it. It’s just like in the elven ruins.” Annalise's voice dropped to a whisper.

Sophie shuddered and clung a little closer, the ranger seemingly paying her no mind as she mulled over other problems. Peeking over her shoulder, Sophie could see the other two, the inquisitor as if she was nothing more than an automaton leading the group towards where the safe house was supposed to be.

The first district had been relatively calm, the empty houses though unnerving had proven just that, empty. Whatever had ravaged the city was thankfully not near the gates. It took them barely a handful of minutes before they passed under some shamanistic looking statues that indicated a different district. As with most cities, there would always be a hub area of sorts, a town square that housed the most important functions and means of commerce. If they were Astralian faithful then a church would be present, but there would always then be an administrative building, a tavern or two, some crafters if fewer than in a dedicated crafts quarter, and finally the merchant stalls and shops that would line the outsides. The safehouse was evidently by the church, though Sophie couldn’t help but feel a flicker of disappointment at how almost ordinary the chapel seemed here, far less grand than the one back at Eichafen.

“Something’s not right.” Mila raised a hand to halt the group, “Tribal, take the reins. Maid, with me.” Mila ordered as she thrust the horse’s reins into the startled redhead’s hands. With an echoing thud she landed on pavement, her hand already drawing her inquisitorial shortsword, a dark looking steel blade etched from top to bottom in sigils and symbols.

Annalise halted their own mount, the horse nickering in annoyance at the sudden stop. “Don’t worry, I can handle myself.” Annalise slowly pulled out her bow.

Sophie grunted and carefully clambered off the horse, the stallion giving a satisfied puff of his nostrils at her getting off. Cheeky shit.

“You gonna freeze up again inquisitor? I’d rather not get little Sophie here killed.” Annalise quipped.

Mila spun around, rage filling her eyes as the inquisitor’s scowl deepened into a fury, her hand unsheathing the sword in a motion so quick that no one could react before she growled at the ranger. “I. Won’t.”

With both hands up Annalise shrugged, “Alright, alright. Just…you know…”

“I know.”

“Sophie.” Mila barked and Sophie reluctantly approached.

“Y-yeah?”

“You’ve got a problem with me too?” Mila lowered her voice alongside a vicious scowl.

“N-no? We’re um…never-”

“We’re what? Sophie, might I remind you you’re one step away from being a condemned heretic with the stunt you pulled a week ago? Is there something you need to hide from me…void touched?”

“M-Mila, we’re just worried you know? I mean…I am too of course and I know how much Karelia cared, well at least in that…eep!” Sophie almost squealed when Mila grabbed the cuff of her tunic with one hand, matching her eyelines directly and glaring into Sophie’s eyes.

“Inquisitor!”

“Sophie!”

“Don’t you dare say her name again, especially not in someplace like this.” Mila hissed before slowly turning towards the other two, her arm slowly letting go of Sophie’s cuff.

Annalise quickly spoke up, “Enough. Inquisitor, you’re part of the team now, however long that might last. Whatever’s going on, we can argue later, we need to focus up.”

“Mmm.” Sophie nodded in agreement, only to find Mila's eyes flaring up in anger at Anna’s last comment.

Aryana just shrank a little under the inquisitor’s intense gaze, unsure of what was happening when Mila finally relented.

“I can handle myself just fine.” She replied, “But you are…right, the task at hand is more important.” She muttered, her scowl returning to normal.

“Tch, you can. But, that’s good enough for now.”

“Mmhmm! We uhh…can all yell at each other after we get out. I don’t like it here either.” Sophie added sheepishly.

“Uhh-umm yeah!” Aryana threw in her enthusiastic cheer, bringing the group to silence.

The redhead looked worriedly around for what she did wrong when everyone else chuckled a little. Afraid of alienating her new companions, she hesitantly chuckled as well, earning a small grin from Sophie that calmed her heart.

“Yeah, like Aryana says, it’ll be alright.” Sophie agreed, eager to not get stabbed again.

Mila sighed once more before cocking her head towards the church, “If you’re all done goofing around, we’ve got a safe house to check.”

“That’s right! But why dismount? Wouldn’t we be faster on horseback?” Sophie asked, earning herself a condescending look from Mila.

“True, but look out there.” Mila pointed at the square beyond the statues, “Barricades and blockers, it means someone fought back against something. Whatever it is might still be out there somewhere, and I don’t want to risk our mounts. We need them to get away if things go wrong” She stated matter-of-factly. Fair enough.

Sophie followed her gaze, her eyes wandering over the town square, makeshift wooden barricades formed from merchant stalls and stray planks of wood surrounded the fountain. A few more robust blockades at the end of a street leading into the square, and countless weapons lay where they fell, but like before, there were no signs of bodies. Surely something would’ve been left behind, and we’re not even questioning the entire army of soldiers that came in here yesterday. Where the saint damned hells are they?

A little more nervous than before, she too unsheathed her blade, looking towards the inquisitor for reassurance only to receive a nod.

“We’ll scout the safehouse, make sure we can hitch the horses somewhere if we need to. If not, you two stay here and make sure you’re ready to go.” Mila spoke, not even bothering to look back as the others grunted their agreement. “And you two, make sure you keep that lantern lit, I don’t know what it is, but I think whatever elven magic that Treesinger cast might be keeping…well whatever is out there at bay, we’ll retreat to you if we have to.”

“Will do.”

“Be safe S-Sophie.”

“What? Not gonna wish our inquisitor your well wishes?” Annalise teased.

“Uhh…umm…she said she didn’t want to be babied so I thought-”

Sophie could hear Annalise snort before they were finally out of earshot. I’m glad she can at least crack a joke. She followed Mila and dropped into a crouch, the two moving silently through the former battlefield. With every step away from the other two, they were one step further from the lantern, and Sophie could feel herself even more entrenched in the ominous feeling that lingered over the city.

Sophie was mildly upset, not because of the trouble they were in, but at how ugly the safe house was. Whereas almost every other building incorporated squarish shapes as part of their designs, they weren’t just a block. The safehouse on the other hand, was just a square shaped hunk of drab dark grey stone brick surrounded by an equally drab square courtyard wall. It also didn’t help that it was hidden behind the town square’s tavern, tucked into a small alleyway barely big enough for three walking abreast. Where every shadow seemed to hungrily leap up at her.

“Ready?” Mila whispered, snapping Sophie out of her thoughts.

“Yeah.”

“Alright, three, two, one. Go!” Mila pushed open the courtyard door, sword at the ready before Sophie followed soon after, her own blade at the ready.

They burst into the courtyard, scanning the area only to find nothing besides what seemed like a miniature stable more suitable for a skinny palfrey than their stout stallions. Under them a well maintained set of stepping stones led to the door of the safehouse, a few planters with a variety of colorful plants sat in stark contrast to the drab grey surroundings. On one side were a few roses, violets and marigolds, silent in their vigil against whatever haunted the city. On the other a few pretty cream coloured lilies had bloomed as well, bringing a soft smile to her face. Turning to the inquisitor, Mila just shrugged but shook her head at the area around them. Clear.

Satisfied, the duo pushed into the house, quietly tiptoeing their way around only to find nothing more than furniture. All the windows had their shutters closed, tied together by ropes and the main door opposite the courtyard door had been blockaded by a dressing and some planks. A bookshelf, a table, a fireplace and two and a half chairs were all that remained on the first floor, a small bathroom and supplies closet aside, it was onward to the second floor.

Here was a sight Sophie didn’t expect, two bedrooms, two cots in each but a bolt on the outside of one. Presumably if the inquisition needed to kidnap someone, she shuddered at the thought. Yet it was the other bedroom that caught the duo’s attention, one of the windows leading out was open and slightly ajar, little pieces of reddish brown stained cloth clung desperately to the splinters, and a strange ring resting on the stone floor.

Mila bent over to take a look and within seconds had already come to a conclusion, “By the damned hells.” She swore.

Sophie turned a concerned glance over as the inquisitor just stared worriedly at the window.

“Damned fool must’ve been caught sleeping.” Mila muttered, “That ring? That was our contact’s signet ring so we could tell who he was. Guess it doesn’t matter now…” She paused and poked her head outside the window. “Area seems clear enough though. Seal up the window, use whatever you need, maybe even that chair from below.”

Sophie tentatively nodded before she paused, noting a severe flaw in Mila's plan. “Why am I the one staying alone here?” Sophie asked, a faint hint of protest in her voice.

“Do you want to be the one running outside back and forth to get the others?”

“No…?”

“Well then there you go. Also no offense, but a few sparring sessions with Taurox hardly makes you a combatant, understand?”

“…of course.”

“Good. Now don’t look so glum, with any luck, we’ll not need to be here long. So stay here, keep locked up and we’ll be right back.”

“Yeah. Got it.” Sophie grunted, a little peeved at how quickly she was written off, however right Mila might've been.

She watched as Mila dashed back out, the inquisitor looking almost like some dark hero in a fiction. Like Inquisitor Silvia from Gunmar and Aurelia, stoic, stern, but a master of fighting the dark. Huh, I wonder if they had inquisitors back then. Stifling a small grumble, she quickly pulled the windows shut, sealing her off from the outside world.

She managed to salvage some rope, tying the window shut when she explored the house further. To say it was ill furnished would’ve been generous in her opinion. When she took stock of what furniture and equipment there was, she found that it was lacking even when compared to her servant’s quarters back at the estate, much less Eva’s room. Though she supposed this was for people like Mila, professional and likely requiring only the bare necessities to survive. Still, she couldn’t help but feel a little judgemental. So much space for stuff and there's just, nothing.

She had just finished prying off two passable planks of wood from the back of the half chair when her heart froze and her body stilled. The barely perceptible creaking of the courtyard door echoed just enough through the backdoor. Her eyes darted over, boring into the doorway, locked onto every little detail and scanning it for any possible movement. An unearthly chill came soon after, the intense feeling seeping through the backdoor and washing over her. She shuddered at the unnaturalness she felt but stayed still, locking her joints into place. Not a muscle.

Carefully, she dropped to a crouch and gently laid the planks on the floor, clamping her hands over her mouth as her breath echoed out to the world. Too loud, I’m too loud. She sucked in one last breath as a dark shadow protruded from the gaps within the doorway, a wispy unnatural darkness that snaked its way throughout the room.

“Hellooo?” Something called out, “Are you there?”

The voice jolted Sopihe’s soul, almost sending her crashing to the ground in a panic. One hand darted for the handle, ready to open the door when she stopped herself. No, no! She scolded herself, but her resolve grew weak.

“You won’t leave me out here right?” The voice asked.

Sophie dared not move, her muscles, though she swore a small gasp leaked out. Without warning the door shook with a fury, the hinges squeaking from the pressure as the wood bent inwards. Waves of icy air buffeted the room and Sophie could feel the temperature dip down to uncomfortable levels, the hairs on her arm standing up in a fright.

“It’s so cold out here. Please!” It pleaded.

Another few knocks rapped the door, the shadows underneath writhing at a frenzy, stretching, yearning for her with every push and convulsion that propelled them forward.

“It’s scary out here, I don’t want the monsters to get me! Please!”

She looked nervously up at the window, then back at the door, wondering which would give way first. Sweat dripped from her brow, the dread emanating from the doorway overwhelming her and she fought to retain control of her body. She had read about such things happening before, in her stories and books. When the dead arise, more things than the puppet corpses come to life, after all, some necromantic magics might power a few corpses, but not all of them. Others would be termed by the church as the possessed; wights, the unbound, hollow-men, wisps, and other such more ethereal entities. But there was one faced by Gunmar and his longtime ally Barodin the dwarf, that Sophie realized might be a bit more monster than myth. A lemuarch.

“I-I’m on my own. Everyone’s gone and I’m scared, I don’t want to be alone! Your friend left you too right? No one should be alone here.”

She clenched her teeth shut and pulled her tunic over her ears, hoping to drown out the mournful pleas of the creature outside. During Gunmar’s adventures with Barodin, they had ventured past a destroyed hamlet, the town far in the dwarven deep mines and recently abandoned. Though reluctant, the duo camped there only to be subjected to the cries for aid from a human-like voice, prompting the heroes to investigate. There, they found only death as the lemurach cried over a mountain of bones, the previous inhabitants of the village, before attacking them in a frenzy. It was only after defeating it that they shared what they had heard from the diabolical creature, a creature crying out with the voice of those they loved. For Gunmar, his parents lost early on and for Barodin, his deceased partner.

“I know you’re a good person, I can feel it! So please?”

Sophie could not recall the shape, nor the description of the monster beyond that they emulated the voices of the deceased. A perverse psychic attack meant to disorientate its victims. But she hated it, hated of being reminded of her failures, and hated the implications behind it. Because what it suggested meant that everything she had not only doomed a friend, but pointlessly so.

“Please! I just need somewhere warm for the night, I don’t want to spend it out here. I’m afraid, please.” The voice whispered solemnly.

Sophie could only try to focus on herself, futilely pretending that she could hear nor see nothing moving. MIla will be able to come back for me, right?

“I know you’re there. I just need to rest for a bit, please! They’re all gone, everyone’s gone and it’s all getting darker. I don’t want to be out here.”

Sophie closed her eyes and tried to calm herself down, but her mind raced with all the implications this lemurach brought with it. I’m sorry, she thought to herself, I’m sorry I was too slow Riza.