Colin Tabor - The Fall of Ossard

Pedro’s face lost its fear, colour flushing his cheeks. He raised his arms to fold them across his chest, the movement squaring his shoulders. He would listen to me be branded a demon, but not his beloved Maria.

The Inquisitor said, “See, the little beast has already ensnared you. She no doubt uses her big blue eyes, curly black hair, and honeyed giggles as her weapons.”

I turned to Pedro to see his eyes sparkling with anger.

The Inquisitor said, “Such spirit! Most melt away, some have even dropped to their knees and offered me their own kin for burning, but not you, oh no, not you our most pious Pedro. I’ve heard about you, and I know that you will offer me nothing, not even your own wife despite the crippled feelings between the two of you.”

Pedro didn’t flinch. “I offer you nothing, but to my god I offer everything.”

Anton smiled. “And what god is that?”

“The same god as you.”

“But your daughter is demon-spawn, do you not fear her?”

Pedro unfolded his arms, and reached across to grab one of my hands, “Our daughter is but a little girl, innocent and loved.”

Anton looked down at our joined hands. “Nothing is what it seems.” He then turned to me. “And what of my offer?”

I noticed Kurgar loitering behind the Inquisitor, distant but listening.

“You speak to me as though I’m nothing, but also ask my help?”

He smiled. “Strange, isn’t it. I am genuine. You help me get the city through this, and I’ll spare you and your family, but you will have to leave it along with your people.”

I said nothing, so he added, “Please, there is so much more happening here and no one is telling you the full truth of it. If you help me, I will give you one morsel of it here and now.”

“What do you want me to do?” I asked.

“I will address the crowd gathering in the square, you need do no more than stand tall and proud and deny any involvement with this new saint.”

“And this truth?”

His tone softened as he took a step forward so only Sef, Pedro, and I could hear. Gently, like a father, he said, “There are countless factions at work in this city, and they all want power. Across all of them there is only one thing that they fear.”

“What?” I asked.

“You.”

Anton and I took the stairs to the third level, heading for the balcony that ran the length of the Malnobla’s front. We followed Lord Liberigo, the Benefice, Pedro, Sef, and Kurgar. Word had come via an attendant; the crowd was demanding to see the Inquisitor.

Maria and Lady Liberigo were waiting for us in the ballroom that opened onto the balcony, accompanied by two men at arms. Before we reached them we could hear the crowd’s rumble.

The Inquisitor said, “The Lord and Lady will step out first to address the crowd and introduce me. Benefice Vassini will accompany them, but shall not speak.”

Vassini looked affronted.

Anton ignored him. “I will follow with Pedro and Juvela.” He then turned to face Kurgar and Sef. “You two shall stay here and well back from the doors, we don’t want to confuse our message with too many faces.”

Too many Flet faces…

Pedro said, “I’ll bring our daughter.”

“Yes, of course.” Anton paused before continuing, “Once out there, I’ll undo the damage caused by the fraudulent Heletite, and offer the people some reassurance. That will be all.”

The square spread as a sea of scared faces with thousands upon thousands holding branches of oleander in the air. Clearly those preaching the word of the Protector of Children had been busy.

The crowd hushed at the sight of their Lord and Lady, not so much out of respect, but because they wanted answers. The silence was short-lived. When Benefice Vassini came into view many began to shake their oleander in anger and boo.

A lone voice yelled, “Remember Saint Santana’s martyr!” And thousands of voices sounded in agreement.

Lord Liberigo let the crowd settle while the dusk sky grumbled in its own disquiet. A thunderstorm had come rolling across the heavens bringing with it a whipping wind.

The Inquisitor and I waited for our turn, watching from a window by the doors. Pedro stood with us and held Maria. Sef and Kurgar watched from another window where they’d been exiled to a far corner.

The air grew tense, suddenly cooling.

Anton closed his eyes for a brief prayer, before opening them to ask, “Did you feel that?”

And I did.

Outside, a growing vortex of power made the air prickle as it hung over the city. “What is it?”

“Take a look.”

I relaxed as the room before me sprang into clarity. I looked further, my view fading into the hues of blues and blacks while the soul-lights of those around me flared. My perception shifted as I swung it about.

Market Square spread as a blinding sea of life-lights, but above it all swirled a dim blue whirlpool of gathering power. At the heart of that disturbance lay a huge circle, as wide as a warship is long, and within lay a stunning cobalt-blue iris that was split by a sharp edged pupil. It was an eye.

My soul felt brittle.

Only one thing could be so big and make me feel so small.

It was a god!

I lost my concentration and fell back into normal vision. The shock of it left me weak with my legs buckling to send me slumping against the wall.

Anton moved to my side, but not to help. “See, he’s sensed the beacon and now comes for Ossard!”

Pedro paled and took a step back.

I cursed; I’d just let him see me look into another world. Turning to him, I reached out with a hand and begged, “Please, Pedro…”

Anton laughed.

Pedro flinched at my reaching hand, but stilled himself at Anton’s mirth. He composed himself as he stood there. He didn’t take my hand, or step closer, but neither did he step any further away.

Outside on the balcony, Lord Liberigo addressed the crowd, “People of Ossard, it is true that the kidnappings threaten to spiral out of control, that they are linked to ritual magic, and that last night the city watch discovered the bodies of many victims.

“My people, we of the city are working hard to get answers, and each new answer brings us closer to the guilty!

“Still, it is such a diabolical thing, that we’ve felt it wise to accept the offered aid of the Inquisition. The Black Fleet is currently moored in distant Lucera, but has heard our cry and dispatched a ship. That ship, the blessed Ba-Mora, has arrived this very day. I present to you Inquisitor Anton, their mission’s leader.”

Anton grabbed my hand and led me onto the balcony.

People generously applauded the Inquisitor, but a cheer erupted as they laid eyes on me. Some in the crowd yelled, “The Lady of the Saint!” It didn’t take long for those calls to fall into a chant, “Lady of the Saint! Lady of the Saint! Lady of the Saint!”

The Inquisitor stood before them with me at his side, while Pedro followed but kept a couple of steps back with Maria.

My husband watched me with questions in his eyes. He loved his daughter, loved her more than life itself, and not so long ago a seed of love had begun to sprout between us despite the barren soil of our marriage. That poor love, a union that had waited so long to take, still seemed determined to struggle on.

Briefly our eyes met.

I offered him a smile to try and reassure him.

His tense face relaxed, but he couldn’t hold my gaze.

Maria also looked to me.

I called to her, “Be good, Maria, be good for your father.”

She smiled and then nuzzled into his chest.

He again met my gaze and this time held it. There was hope there, in his beautiful brown eyes – but also so much pain.