Chapter 37: Chapter Fifteen: The Testament of Shana MacArthur

Before we could think of leaving the city, we had to get Naomi’s carta back. That was unfortunately in the possession of a certain high profile Inquisitor. Lucky for us, he was a drunkard, something I had known from my own previous encounters with the man. Yes, out of the two inquisitors I had to face, he was the burning thorn in my side, turning up at every corner in my life. You could say he was part of the reason I had left the outer circles and looked for a new life in Gold City. 

So there he was, in that tiny little bar. His voice was husky and smooth like a well aged scotch, I hated scotch. In fact, you could say I liked my scotch in the same way as I liked this man, thrown down the gutter. He prattled on three tables away, recounting his gallant tales to a pair of swooning ladies. These tales were not new to me, I had heard them before, after all the man was famous, the kind of famous that a woman like me could never forget. Though his stories were embellished, as most men’s stories are, there was a certain kernel of truth to them, though where fact and fiction blended was hard to tell. 

It was a sort of reunion for us, as I hadn’t seen his face in some time, though it wasn’t on account of our time apart, but because the last time I saw him he was wearing his Inquisitor's mask. My stomach churned as he continued to brag, but I needed to remain stoic, and await the opportunity to make my move. 

“It bothers me,” Reli had said earlier, “why would they not have an inquisitor present for the execution?”

“Maybe the church has gotten too cocky for their own good?” Josie had suggested.

“No, there was absolutely an inquisitor sent out,” Delun confirmed, “though from what I’ve heard of him, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d rather drink than do his job.”

“You really think that a person could hold their position without a sense of responsibility?” Reli questioned.

“Certainly could, when you’ve got the record this guy’s got,” Naomi said, “Church boy here is right, there was an inquisitor, bastards got my precious Bara held hostage like some sort of trophy.”

“Well you can’t do shit without your carta,” I sighed, “who’s this dirtbag anyways?”

“His name is Salem,” Delun answered, “the man who killed the Witch Queen.”

And so now I found myself stalking the infamous Queen Slayer, every ounce of my will overworking in order to show restraint. Josie, who was one of the swooning girls, played her part to doop the bastard. She giggled at every cheesy overused line he threw at her, buttering him up by showering him in praise. Famous or not, he was a fool, and it was only a matter of time before he gave up the information we needed. 

“Salem baby, why would they waste a man like you in this dust hole?” she said, stroking his shaggy beard.

“Now my little morning flower, that’s church business,” he caressed her cheek, “I can’t go blathering secrets like that.”

“You’re so mysterious,” another of the girls bayed. 

“Is it because of that nasty old witch?” Josie baited him, “you are going to catch her right?”

He cocked a grin, “I have no need to seek her out, afterall a good hunter knows how to bring his prey to him.” 

“I can only imagine what genius method you must have in mind,” Josie handed him his cup, “you’re amazing, Salem.”

“You’re too kind dear, I’m just a man,” he took the cup and drank, “hells what am I saying, I am a god among men!” he took a bigger swig, finishing his drink in a second gulp, “ladies shall we have another round?” he said slamming the glass back on the table.

“Allow me,” Josie offered, “as thanks for your hard work keeping us safe from those awful witches.”

“No need to thank me, my beauty,” He said, bringing her face closer, “unless you’d care to show your gratitude another way?”  

She smiled coyly, bringing her lips near his, “My kiss would taste all the sweeter with more wine,” and she left him to retrieve a glass from the bar. Returning with two glasses, she gave him one, and kept the other for herself. “Allow me to toast you, brave and crafty sir Salem.”

He received the glass and raised it up, “I’ll drink to that,” their glasses clinked, and he took a sip.

“How does one become so clever as you?” the other girl asked.

“It’s a gift you’re born with,” he answered, “just as your beauty is a gift from the Goddess.”

“Then the Goddess has truly blessed you,” Josie continued to feed his ego.

“Mmm, yes,” he yawned, “I really have been.” 

“You should tell us how you plan to catch that evil witch,” Josie pleaded, “so we can see just how clever you are.”

“I have her carta, I’ve kept it on my person this whole time,” his eyes grew heavy as he spoke, “there’s no way she would be able to,” he yawned again, interrupting his train of thought.

“A carta, what is that?” Josie played dumb, “Is it a weapon?”

“No, no, it’s just some dumb little card, see?” He removed it from his pocket and flashed it to the girls, “this silly thing is the source of their witchcraft.” He began to slouch in his chair. Placing the card back in his jacket pocket he leaned over the table, “Ladies, I must apologize, I don’t know what’s come over me.”

“Don’t worry about that,” Josie whispered in his ear, “I owe you a kiss don’t I?”

“Yes, I, I believe you do,” he forced his body upright, and leaned in. I took this chance, as the inquisitor locked lips with my friend I briskly marched past them. I slipped my hand into his pocket, quickly and precisely, plucking the carta from his possession, a searing pain burning into my palm as I did. Exiting the bar I heard a thump, as the man collapsed on the floor. I did not wait for the ensuing commotion, and instead made straight for the safehouse, the two girls soon following me, while Naomi ducked in from around the corner.

“I’m impressed girl,” Naomi said, “I did not expect your disguises to work.” 

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“I’m flattered, though I’ll admit his level of inebriation deserves more credit,” Josie humbly said.

“The make up over our brands was genius. Though I can’t imagine it would last long,” Reli said, examining the foundation on her belly as it began to smear with sweat.

“Sadly it’s not a permanent solution, though I’m glad it lasted long enough,” Josie sighed. 

“Maybe less talking and more walking,” I rushed them, “you can all celebrate when we’re not wandering the streets.” 

“Maybe you should go ahead and hand that over now?” Naomi sped up to match my pace, “I’ve been separated from her for too long.”

I handed the other witch her carta, exposing my burned hand as I did, “Just like me huh,” Noami said, taking back her familiar, “that ante-eros shit is brutal.”

“Try fighting off a dozen soldiers surrounded by the stuff,” I quipped.

“I didn’t thank you properly,” Naomi admitted, “you really risked a lot for me, when you didn’t have to.” She grabbed my hand, pulling me to a full stop.

“Hey this can wait, we need to get back,” I protested, but Naomi shushed me.

“Maybe this can help,” she poured some water from her canteen over my hands, and pressed her own hand into it. The water glowed, and the burn disappeared. 

“Healing magic huh?” I examined my palm, which was as good as new.

“It’s not much, but it’s honest work,” Noami smiled at me, and I smiled back.

“To be reunited and see you’ve made friends, my heart beats like a thousand drums Naonao!” a voice could be heard from Naomi’s carta.

“It’s good to have you back, Bara girl,” Naomi said, her eyes shining bright.

Just then shouting could be heard down the street as a procession of townsfolk once more made their way to the city square. 

“We should probably get out of here,” I said sternly, looking at our exposed bellies, the makeup having completely worn off now. Naomi nodded and we rushed down the backstreets, avoiding the newly forming mob. 

“What do you think that’s about?” Reli asked while trailing slightly behind. 

“Probably caught another witch or something,” our new friend answered, “can’t kill me so they’ll just lynch another broad in my place.”

“Would they really do that?” my little buddy questioned.

“Why not? They got a thirst for witch’s blood, probably not going to stop them just ‘cause she’s innocent,” she said, “no skin off my bones.”

Reli stopped, “But that’s not fair, she shouldn’t have to die for something she didn’t do.”

“Come on girly you really think life’s fair?” Naomi, turned to her, “it’s every witch for herself out here, fight till you die, and if you can’t fight, you just die sooner.” 

“How could you say that after we saved you?” Reli restrained herself from shouting, “Every life has worth, just because some are weaker than others doesn’t mean they should have to suffer!” 

“Cut the idealistic crap girl,” Naomi barked, “if you want to survive, you got to prioritize your own life. You had a plan, a team, and an inside man when you saved me. And that was nearly bungled at the last minute wasn’t it?”

“But still,” Reli tried to argue, but Naomi cut her off.

“But nothing, you worked hard to save my life, you think I’m going to throw it away from some girl we don’t know?”

“Sorry kiddo, but she’s right,” I agreed with her, “we can’t just carelessly risk our lives like that.”

“Miz Shana, you too?” Reli’s eyes watered.

“Hey if it were you, or Lady Kara, hell even these two, I’d be there in the drop of a hat,” I reassured her.

“All your arguing was for nothing,” Josie said, peering down the alley to a main street, “it isn’t a witch.”

We leaned over the corner to see the cause of the riot, our eyes greeted by a fat, naked man, dragged kicking and screaming by two inquisitors. Even without his uniform and medals, it was quite clear to me who it was, General Radbury.

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