Duty calls.

There was really **** in this situation. She wanted him by name, and he knew the gravity of the situation. Heavy is the word of the gods. And it was better to get this over with as soon as possible.

That settles, and trusting the girl’s soul with these...things, Marius set off to go meet his patron. The mistress that had her chambers at the top of the castle. He was all too familiar with this trip, as it wasn’t the first time he was summoned to her chambers to discuss matters of importance.

The price one pays when being the best, to be competent and trusted.

The room was the same as ever. Richly decorated and furnished. The odd thing was that the Madame Inquisitor of this castle was a professional in almost every sense of the word. To the point that her bedchambers did in fact of a bed and other necessities did high cost living...but also, at the very center and front of the room, was a large workstation. The lady using only one space for living and work.

And speaking of her...

“You finally arrived, I have been waiting, my child.”

Dressed in dark attire, a masculine suit that showed a lean and slim frame, hair of holy red, and with a glass of wine in hand, there stood the mistress of this corner of the Empire...High Inquisitor Valerine de la Aturre. The Inquisitor’s cold gaze looked out the window, not looking at Marius.

Marius bowed his head and spoke plainly but respectfully, “My apologies, Madame Inquisitor. The job became more complicated than initially thought.”

The woman didn’t answer, taking a sip from her wine. After awhile, she turned around to face Marius.

“Complicated how?”

He immediately answered, “The murderer was a powerful Vampire, with great control of blood and Necromantic magic. It also dabbled in Execrism to extract blessings to help it overcome its brethren’s weaknesses...I...also had to slay a wild griffin not native to the area to acquire information of its whereabouts.”

As he spoke, he could hear the Inqusitor’s footsteps getting closer. He kept his head and eyes downcast out of respect for her position. When he was done explaining, it wasn’t long before he felt the familiar sensation of a hand running through his dark, unkempt hair. The hand then went down and around to his chin to raise his head.

He looked up from his bowed position to look up at the stern, yet softened gaze of the Inquisitor. He felt a finger trace the same scar that Selenae had traced.

“You have been through much, dear child. Going so far above and beyond what is asked of you...even when such things are above your capabilities. All because it must be done.”

She withdrew her hand as she went to her desk and sat down, “And I suppose that, among other things, is why you are my most trusted and dependable sword...the best judicator in my arsenal...and my most beloved of adopted children.”

Marius raised his head and looked curiously at Valerine, “Madame Inquisitor...is this a lead up to asking of me a task you only trust in me to accomplish?”