Grand Inquisition

 Drinan couldn't help but feel like he was being watched the moment he returned to the road. His honey brown eyes continuously looking around.

Perhaps it was his nerves- A fireball smashed into the black carriage unexpectedly. The carriage bursting into flames.

The magjestic black stallions panicked from the sudden acird stench and crackling of fire. Drinan moved quickly he jumped astride a black stallion.

Mr.Weaver’s blade sang as it effortlessly sliced through leather and freed the stallions from the horrid burning carriage.

Drinan was not in the mood for leniency. It took gumption to strike at an inquisitor.

If they wanted a battle, he’d be happy to oblige.

There on the sides of the road.

Mages.

He hefted his sword. It thrummed in his hand as if waking.

With a quick prayer it threw it and missile true it sailed. There was a brief flicker as a shield formed for a moment as the blade sailed through it and slid through the mage’s surprised mouth as it pinned them to a tree.

The several of the mages fled.

Drinan gripped the bridle hard. With a forceful yank the black stallion hurtled towards the mages.

He was in his element and all out of mercy as the stallion crashed into the attacking group. He let go of the reigns and rolled to his feet.

“May your gods be at peace with your unannounced arrival.”

He shouted as he splayed his hand to the heavens

The ground cracked furiously a with a sudden golden flash and there was silence.

Drinan wasn’t done as he stalked forward his hand brutally choking a survivor as he slammed another to a tree.

There was a sickening crack and the body slid to the parched ground bonelessly.

“If you are going to kill an inquisitor. Here’s a tip. Don’t miss.”

As he dashed the mages head against the tree he pinned her to it. Her hooded visage revealed itself. Loose leaves and twigs rained down on her. Drinan’s weight pinned her to the tree.

“I have a legal right to your head.” Drinan stated smoothly. His voice even and as nonthreatening as he could manage.

“Promise to not further harm or kill me.” She gasped out dazedly.

Drinan easily swore. “I will not further harm you nor kill you.”

“I want you to look over my shoulder and see your…. Acquaintances. Go on. Look at what became of them and don’t even think of moving your hands or my promise is forfeit.”

Her brown eyes widened.

“Yes, they are pillared statues of salt. I am powerful enough to ensure you can still see those looks on their faces.”

Her hands stood wide.

She didn’t move a single finger

“If you want to return. you will tell me who sent you.”

“A whore paid twenty thousand gold pieces.” He kept a hand on her neck.

“His sex was the one calling the shots. It was a horrid demonically infected thing. Wanted you to have a memorable honeymoon.” She whispered terrified.

Drinan sighed as he took his hand off her throat and backed away.

He casually retrieved his sword. The sword was free of the body as the head was cleanly sliced through.

No blood clung to the blade.

It gave a soft hum as he touched it.

She bolted.

Drinan had been willing to spare her.

She made it three steps as a pillar suddenly slammed her with its shoulder and drove them down pinning her to the ground.

The other salted statues slowly converged on her location.

Implacable golems.

“Y-you promised.” She screamed.

“I will not further harm nor kill you. I won’t lay a finger on you. My oath stands”

Drinan sighed loudly.

“Mercenaries and assassins, your love of coin is so… distasteful. You’d so easily betray your empire for mere coin.” It was frankly insulting.

“Two people can keep a secret.” As the pillars mobbed her.

“If one of them is dead.” He lamented as he watched the carriage burn as he stood at attention. Her cries stopped ultimately ceased as the pillars collapsed ontop of an unrecognizable smattering of gore.

It was sunset as Drinan finally made it to Cadoc’s office. He knocked then promptly kicked the door open. He had walked the entire distance back to the city.

His patience was razor thin.

“Cadoc.” He rasped.

“We have a problem.”

Cadoc looked up from his desk.

“I didn’t expect you back so soon.”

The governor poured him a cup of refreshingly cold water.

“I’d rather dwell on this growing issue. Than on the fact I got my lover snatched by monsters.”

Drinan gulped the entire cup down and rested his tired feet on the governor’s desk.

To Cadoc’s credit his face remained politely neutral.

“Just…Damn.” Cadoc pulled out a bottle of whisky from his desk.

“Here’s something stronger than water.” He pressed a button. “I’ll get you some food.”

Drinan nodded tiredly.

He threw a couple tattered remains of mages robes on the desk.

“Oh and the genital demon problem has gotten worse."

“It paid mercenaries to kill me.”

Cadoc put his pen in the inkwell.

“I don’t want to live in a world where demons can send people after the exorcist.” Cadoc affrontedly stated.

Drinan took a swig of whiskey.

He took a breath and started his tale.