Chapter 173 - Warlock Accusation

Hump couldn’t take his eyes off Graham as the man walked over to him, the warlock detection artifact in his hand. He had an apologetic look on his face, which Hump understood. Graham had about as much control over this situation as he did. The moment Countess Daston decided to test him, there was no getting out of it. He didn’t blame the man. He didn’t even blame Countess Daston.

For a few short moments, he considered running. It was pointless, of course. He wouldn’t so much as make it out the door with so many powerful people present. Still, he was tempted. Or perhaps it was best he simply told everyone the truth now, admitted he was a warlock, and attempt to explain that it wasn’t his fault. That he was a victim. That he was on their side. It had worked with his party, and with Marcela, yet somehow he didn’t see General Bennet or Sir Roderick being quite so agreeable.

“This is ridiculous.” Bud stepped in front of Graham. “Countess, after all Hump did for your family, are you truly going to betray him like this. Is this how you treat your people?”

If Countess felt anything at what Bud said, she didn’t let it show. “This is no betrayal, Robert. This is exactly how I treat my people. Nobody is above being tested, and I would not have anyone here believe that my people are any different. The test is non-invasive and quick. It’s the simplest way to refute these accusations.”

“Let’s just get this over with,” Marcela said. She reached over Bud and snatched the artifact from Graham’s hand.  “My mother has given her instruction. If you’re not going to hurry up, I’ll do it myself. It should be me anyway. Wizard Humphrey has been under my command. If he’s truly a warlock, it’s me that he’s fooled most, and I want to be the one to uncover it.”

Hump stared at her, unable to guess at what she was thinking in the moment. Everything was happening so fast. She extended the artifact and he braced himself, waiting for the familiar tug of essence.

It didn’t come. He didn’t sense anything. Marcela made a show of using the artifact on him, moving it around him just as Graham had done, but it was all pretence. She wasn’t using the artifact on him. When the first crystal started to glow, shining the pure essence, Hump realised it was her own essence the reader was detecting. She’d covered for him. It was over in less than a minute.

“He’s clean.” Marcela took a step back from Hump and held out the detector for everyone to see. “Are you satisfied, Inquisitor?”

The man was red faced. He glanced at General Bennet along the table from him, who stared stoically ahead, leaving his supposed ally to fend for himself. Abraxus turned back, appearing as if he was ready to bite someone’s head off, but he gave a begrudging nod instead.

“Good.” Marlcela handed the artifact back to a confused Graham. “Thank you, Graham.”

He took it, staring at her for a moment. Hump swore his heart stopped beating as he waited for the man to speak. To give his identity away.

Graham cleared his throat. “You’re very welcome.”

He returned to his seat.

Hump swallowed, his mouth dry. He tried to appear as casual as he could as he turned to Bud, smiling. “All good, Bud. It’s no big deal.”

Bud had a frown on his face, but he had the good sense to sit back down. “I guess it’s not. Apologies, Countess. I meant no offence.”

“There’s no need for that,” Countess Daston said. “It’s good to see a young Chosen who is so protective of his party members. Now, Inquisitor Abraxus, unless you have any substantial evidence to put forward, this is nothing but an empty accusation.”

“Your highness—”

“—Abraxus,” General Bennet interrupted, turning to the inquisitor, a tight-lipped smile on his face. “Unless you have something physical to present, I suggest you keep it to yourself. Well, what is it?”

The veins bulged on Abraxus’ forehead. “It seems I was mistaken, my lord.”

“Twice mistaken,” General Bennet corrected. “You were certain of Wizard Vivienne’s guilt too, were you not?”

Abraxus’ eyes widened as he realised what was happening, the blame for everything placed at his feet.

General Bennet laughed before he could respond. “I suppose I should have expected as much. You inquisitors have a reputation. Good when sniffing out lone necromancers, I’m sure, but such… sweeping methods are less effective in an environment such as that of the Upper City.”

“I still do not think we should rush a decision,” Abraxus said quickly.

General Bennet waved him off. “Do not concern yourself. Wizard Vivienne, I apologise for your confinement these past three days, but I do hope you understand. We had to consider every avenue. You are, of course, free to go.”

“Should I interpret that as a lack of evidence on both accounts, General?” Countess Daston asked. “When we spoke the other day, you were quite convinced.”

There was an iciness to her tone that froze the room.

General Bennet brazenly maintained his smile. “I am limited by the information my subordinates bring me. I meant no offence, of course.”

“I will keep that in mind when I update Duke Malar on our progress this evening,” Countess Daston said. “I’m sure he’ll be pleased to hear the good news regarding the black stone artifacts, especially after the failure of your expedition to the Telver Mine Dungeon. We lost many adventurers that day.”

“Indeed we did.” General Bennet let out an awkward chuckle. “I’m sure the duke will be relieved to hear that things have taken a turn for the better.”

“Yes, I hope so,” Countess Daston said. “And if we’re to continue on this path, there is still much to answer. Primarily, who killed our prisoners? My investigation began three days ago, and it won’t stop just because Wizard Vivienne is now free. Someone close did this. Quite possibly someone in this very room. Whoever it is, I will find them. I have already seen it happen. Now, it’s just a matter of time.”

From anyone else, that would sound like nothing more than a promise. From a Chosen of Imira, Hump wasn’t sure there was anything more threatening. If she could see glimpses of other people’s future, he wondered how much of her own she could see.

“We should move forward with the assumption that these warlocks are aware of our progress with the black stone artifact in that case,” Sir Roderick said. “They will likely know how we intend to track them.”

“Good,” Countess Daston said. “They have the entirety of Sheercliff coming for them. I want them to be afraid. While we prepare, Sir Roderick, I want you to gather the Temple Guard captains. Identify the areas where we’ve seen the highest warlock activity. We will start with them.”

Sir Roderick nodded. “Understood.”

“General Bennet, I’m sure I can count on you for additional manpower,” Countess Daston said. “While we wait for the new detector to be finished, I want men on the ground using warlock detection devices. The Temple Guard are stretched thin as is.”

“I will have my captains report to Sir Roderick,” General Bennet said.

“Good.” Countess Daston took a seat for the first time that meeting. “With that out of the way, let’s move on to the other topics for the day.”

The conversation turned to things well outside of Hump’s areas of interest. Resourcing, material costs, people; it was all a load of big words and empty promises. The key point was, the research lab would see an increased guard presence, and that local enchanteries would be granted all the resources they required at a cost to the nobility.

Hump’s mind was on other things. He couldn’t stop thinking of what Abraxus had said. His master had been found. Not just found, but from the sounds of it, he’d been dug up and had his throat cut. Hump wanted to shout over the table and demand answers. Instead, he waited, quietly seething. He wondered how Abraxus could know so much.

It was another half-hour when Countess Daston dismissed most of the attendees from the room, Hump and the others included. There were matters to be discussed in private by only the most senior members of the council.

Outside, Dylan rushed on ahead to speak with Vivienne.

“Go ahead,” Hump told the others. “I’m going to speak with Marcela for a minute and then catch up.”

As the room emptied out, Hump found a moment to take Marcela to the side out in the entry hall.

“You saved me,” Hump said quietly. “Thanks.”

“It was a rather close call, wasn’t it?” Marcela said.

Hump snorted. “Close? I think I now owe you a favour.”

She shook her head. “You don’t. You’ve been honest with me at every opportunity. This was nothing.”

“Why did you do it?” Hump asked.

She paused a moment. “Favours or not, I consider you a friend, Hump. I trusted you, and you rewarded that trust. Whatever Inquisitor Abraxus thinks about you, you have my confidence. Though I will require an explanation.” She nodded toward the now closed doors of the meeting room where Countess Daston was still inside. “I believe my mother likely will too. She’s turned a blind eye to our… misadventures so far, but I suspect that won’t last forever.”

Hump sighed. “I knew that was a risk when I got into this. I’m more than happy to answer any questions you have.” He caught sight of Vivienne heading out the front door, quickly realising why. Abraxus was out there with Eliana. “Forgive me, but for now I have my own questions I need answers for. If I don’t hurry, they might leave before I get a chance.”

Marcela followed his eye. “Is this about your master?”

Hump nodded.

“What really happened?” Marcela asked.

“He really was killed by goblins. At least, that’s what I thought. After what Abraxus said, I’m not so sure.”

“Tomorrow then,” Marcela said. “I’ll see you in the training halls. Good luck with Abraxus.”

“Thank you.”

Hump hurried out the doors, meeting the others on the steps outside where Vivienne had Abraxus cornered off to the side. Eliana stood with them, looking amused and making idle conversation with the rest of Hump’s party while they waited for the crowd to diffuse.

“Wizard Humphrey!” Eliana said, waving him over. “Quickly, come join us. This is just delightful.”

“You’re not helping,” Abraxus growled.

“Don’t be like that,” Eliana said. “It’s time we all had a conversation on equal ground, don’t you think?”

“We are not equals,” Abraxus said. “You may have been cleared, Vivienne, but don’t think for a second that I’ve let this go. I find the truth in this.”

“I wouldn’t dream of anything less,” Vivienne said.

“Well, the boy is here now,” Abraxus said. “What did you want? Speak your piece.”

“You are ostensibly a wizard. For once, I’d like you to think practically.”

Abraxus’ cheek twitched. If not for the location, Hump was sure the man would have shouted at her.

“If you intend to annoy me, I will be taking me leave,” he growled out instead. He turned his back to them.

“I don’t,” Vivienne said quickly. “Truly, I don’t. I just want to have a conversation where, hypothetically of course, we are all on the same side.”

Abraxus stopped and looked at her thoughtfully. “Very well. Though it may be difficult when I caught Wizard Humphrey in a lie just a few minutes ago. I have seen Sethril’s body myself. There was no arrow wound.”

“Impossible,” Hump said. “I swear to you, I did not kill my master! He was a father to me. The only family I had. He taught me everything I know, and I did everything I could to save him.”

Abraxus studied him. “Vivienne has likely informed you that I have a strong nose, both for magic, and for lies.”

“I am not lying.” Hump raised his look, drawing the eyes of some of the attendees as they followed the path to the gate. Hump took a breath and stared at Abraxus, fist clenched. “If you are half as good as you claim, you will know I speak the truth. If my master was murdered, believe me, I would not rest until he was avenged.”

Hump met the man’s eyes. They were hard as iron, void of emotion. A blank, unreadable slate.

“Perhaps you are telling the truth,” Abraxus said finally. “Eventually, I will find out for sure.” He turned back to Vivienne. “I will tell you what you want to know, on one condition. You are to keep me informed on progress with the black stone.”

“Surely you have not fallen so far from General Bennet’s favour that you would need to come to me,” Vivienne said.

Abraxus glared at her impassively. “Either agree or do not, I won’t stand here debating the matter.”

Vivienne nodded. “Very well. Though I will inform Countess Daston of our arrangement.”

“So long as it gets done,” Abraxus said. “As for Sethril, he was found dead in Brookwood Forest. While I didn’t see the burial ground, I was informed he was buried beneath an ash tree.”

“That much is correct,” Hump said. “Did they describe the location in detail?”

“They mentioned a shoddy looking tombstone.”

Hump frowned. “That is also true.”

“He was buried roughly two days when his remains were discovered,” Abraxus continued. “His equipment was missing, which led to delays identifying him. This is where Eliana and I became involved. We were both stationed in Galonich at the time, so it was only a short distance for us to assist. It’s been years since I last saw Sethril, but there was no mistaking him. He’d died to a cut to the throat.”

Vivienne frowned at her. “You knew all this and didn’t speak with me?”

“It’s my job, Vivi,” Eliana said. “Some things I can’t reveal, even to you. You’d also failed to mention that Hump was Seth’s apprentice. That would have helped.”

“As if I could have told you that with a bounty on his head,” Vivienne said. “Seth was my friend. I thought you were too.”

“It couldn’t have been him,” Hump interrupted. “He had an arrow wound to the chest, just below his shoulder. I applied some herbs and did my best to imbue the wound with essence, but it was beyond my capability to heal. A wound like that doesn’t just disappear.”

“There’s a simple explanation for that,” Abraxus said.

Eliana cleared her throat. “Remember, for a second we’re on the same side.”

Abraxus sighed. Hump could tell the man thought this was pointless. He wasn’t even humouring them.

“If we assume that Wizard Humphrey was not behind this,” Abraxus said. “And that Sethril did indeed die as he has stated.” He frowned. “Perhaps someone disguised his body to look this way in an attempt to frame the apprentice. A job like that would require complex knowledge of healing and necromantic powers. All in all, it seems unlikely.”

“Why would someone do that?” Bud asked.

“If the goblins were more than they appeared, the goal could have been to place a bounty on his head,” Eliana suggested. “Maybe there’s something about the attack that could lead back to them.”

Hump had a fairly good idea of what that might be. Someone had desecrated his master’s body. Someone had tried to cover something up. Even if they weren’t after Hump, they were involved. This was beyond goblins. It was becoming more and more likely that his master had been killed for his spellbook. If that was their target, finding a single wandering wizard in Alveron was no easy job. For the Inquisition, however, it was more plausible. Perhaps someone had framed Hump in order to track him down. If that were true, it seemed very likely that they would soon know where he was.

“That’s all I know,” Abraxus said. “Are you happy?”

“My friend is dead,” Vivienne said. “More and more it sounds like he was murdered. What do you think?”

“I think you’re still ignoring the simplest answer.” Abraxus jammed a finger at Hump. “Open your eyes before it’s too late.”