Not who you expected, though...

"So... where are they?" A male voice says.

Immediately, you rule out the Sisterhood of Templars. Thank God and the Hero - wait, you're the Hero. Well, just God then. You really don't want to be cornered in a run-in with them.

"Dunno, but the big E said he saw 'em heading this way..." There's another. At least two.

"The Big Eye don't tell us no lies - hang on, where are the other five guys we're supposed to work with?"

"Don't tell me they - oh, here they are."

You hear another couple sets of footsteps. There's at least seven of them, in a relatively small room with no other way out...

Gwylan begins moving towards a less well-lit corner of the room. There's only an old mattress here, leaned against the wall - of course there's a tunnel behind it! You silently chastise yourself for not considering it earlier.

"I've got a plan. Someone followed us here, but they don't know we've got Auth'shyr with us."

"I see the crux of your strategy. So you escape the room and sneak off to our secret room while I ward them off?"

"Business as usual. Now, come with me..?"

"I... don't have a name. I'm just called Red, 'cause of my eyes."

"Oh... that's actually pretty sad... ah, well. Come on then, Red. We'll have to solve that problem as soon as we can." She gestures for you to follow her into the tunnel.

There's just enough space to allow someone of your size to crawl quite easily. She fits quite nicely in here, quickly reaching the other side. Though that isn't really saying much due to the short length of the tunnel.

On the other side is a small circular room, slightly wider than the tunnel and vertical instead of horizontal. There's a ladder, which Gwylan climbs. You follow suit, seeing as she knows where she's going.

You arrive at a room about a full floor above the street. It's nicer than almost anything you've ever been in - there's a proper carpet on the floor, and a sword collection lines the walls. On the wall, a map of the city. It's several times the size of your room, and some.

It's reasonably easy to eavesdrop on the conversation going on in the underground room you were in earlier - in fact, you're sure that's intentional.

"Ma'am, we are so sorry, we didn't know this was official church business."

"Your Templarness, please forgive us for forcing ourselves into your secret base of operations-"

A slap. "I truly implore that you forgive us, ma'am."

Shie speaks. "I understand that you were just doing your jobs. I do not wish to cause a scene, though, so kindly leave as soon as possible."

"Yes ma'am, sorry ma'am."

You hear many sets of footsteps leave the area. Looks like she chased them off. A few minutes later, with the front door deadbolted, Auth'shyr arrives.

"What's the first order of business now?" You ask.

"Someone's onto us. This Big Eye sounds like a gangster, but no regular crime lord would really have anything to do with us. Could just be a codename for someone..."

"We don't know any big criminals named Big Eye. Could be someone new on the scene. If he can send this many men to search us, though, we'll need to watch our backs." Gwylan says.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

The leader of this gang arrives at a run-down church. It is lit by torch and fireplace, especially its underground rooms.

"Mista Big Eye, we couldn't find them. We searched the safehouse of the Sisterhood, sir, we might be in trouble!"

"Do not concern yourself with this, Jacksonne." A figure hidden in the shadow replies. "I have my sources - there's been a runaway Templar wanted by the Sisterhood. Rest. I command you."

The newly named Jacksonne runs away as the figure steps out of the shade and into the torchlight. He, the Holy Inquisitor Magellan, has his orders. They must be fulfilled, one way or another.

For the good of the world.