POV Simeon
The boat bumped into the stern of the ship with a thud. In the same instant, sentries appeared above, bows drawn. They tried in vain to make out who had come aboard the Order's ship, but in the darkness, only three vague silhouettes were visible.
"Password!" barked one of the warriors.
"Fire and word," came a friendly response from the boat.
"Never heard of it," the warrior shouted gruffly. "Get out of here while I can still turn you into porcupines!"
"Ask your commander," a clear female voice called out from below.
"As if I'll wake the captain for you. Get lost! My patience is running out!"
"You already woke him," said a knight in plate armor and an open helmet, gently pushing the warrior aside and peering over the edge. "Who are you?"
"Fire and word," they repeated from the boat.
The knight paled.
"Lower the ladder, now!"
Within seconds, a flexible rope ladder was tossed down. The ropes tightened, and the first guest climbed aboard. It was a girl in a sand-colored cloak and hood, with a bow slung over her back. She glanced disdainfully at the retreating sentries, who were staring at her long ears, and stepped aside.
Behind her climbed a huge warrior, his full armor clanking. His face was hidden by the visor of his helmet, but even through it, one could sense the heavy, hostile gaze. The last to board was a fat monk with a shaven crown.
"You have a good guard," he cheerfully said to the captain. "Distrustful."
"Your Grace," the commander bowed ceremonially, followed by his bewildered soldiers.
"No need for formalities. Rise," the monk said gently. "Wilhelm, if I'm not mistaken?"
"That's correct, Your Grace," the captain kept his gaze lowered, his head trembling slightly.
"My dear Wilhelm," the monk said kindly. "I am your guest. Let me into your cabin so I may explain the reasons for disturbing you."
"Right away, as you command!" The commander snapped to attention as if grabbed by the collar. The elven archer squinted slightly and glanced at the monk. The priest shook his head.
"Follow me, Your Grace," said the captain, quickly striding toward the stern of the ship on unsteady legs. The monk followed, while the elven archer and the warrior remained on deck. The soldiers cast uneasy glances at the odd pair but didn't dare approach or speak to them.
Entering the cabin, the commander removed his helmet and discreetly wiped the sweat from his forehead. The monk shut the door.
"Your ship is in exemplary condition, Captain Wilhelm," the holy father said encouragingly. "Fear not! The Inquisition brings fire only to heretics and monsters. For the faithful, we have the word. A kind word."
The commander exhaled in relief, but immediately tensed again.
"Forgive me… the papers… I believe you, but protocol…" he stammered nervously.
"Papers are paramount," the monk agreed easily, pulling a parchment from his robe. The scroll glowed faintly in his hand. Without removing the protective spell, the parchment would have ignited the moment it fell into foreign hands. The monk unrolled the scroll and, without letting go, extended it to Wilhelm. The captain quickly scanned the text. When he finished, he collapsed to his knees and impulsively kissed Simeon's hand.
"You're like an impressionable maiden, Captain," the monk said with mock indignation, pulling away and playfully wagging a finger. "That's enough," his voice rang with steel. "I don't have much time. When you're in the capital, you can bow all you want. For now, let's get to the point. Through your mage contact, you sent a report on Alexandra Corbett. I trust you've kept her under surveillance?"
Wilhelm didn't respond. His entire body trembled, his teeth chattered, and his armor clanked as his face contorted in a fearful, forced smile. His eyes were dark with terror.
"Stand up," Simeon said, relatively calmly, but with a hint of disdain. The commander acted as if he hadn't heard.
"Stand up!" the monk barked.
The commander's lips pursed, and he clearly tried to say something, but instead of coherent words, only a strained wheeze escaped his throat. Simeon winced in disgust. Wilhelm was on the verge of hysteria, and there was only one quick way to snap him out of it.
"Idiot… fool…" the monk said with convincing malice. Then, taking careful aim, he kicked the captain in the face. Wilhelm toppled sideways, belatedly yelping and curling up. Blood trickled in a crimson stream from a cut on his cheek, dividing his deathly pale face into two uneven halves. Simeon lunged at the captain, grabbed him by the collar, and yanked him close.
"Where is Alexandra Corbett?!" the monk roared into the captain's chalk-white face. Wilhelm silently opened and closed his mouth like a fish tossed onto dry land.
"Scum! Where is she? Where did she go?!" Simeon shook the commander so hard his teeth clicked, then began hitting him, breathing heavily with feigned rage, aiming for the wound.
"I don't know… to El-Farrah," the captain finally rasped. "To El-Farrah…"
Simeon immediately released him, and the commander collapsed onto his back.
"When?"
"Eight days ago…"
"Alone?"
"No," the captain rasped, smearing blood across his face. "With a warrior. Tall, broad-shouldered. I don't know who he is… not a Southerner, not a Justiciar… I don't know."
The monk's expression changed.
"We're too late," he said coldly and distantly, speaking into the void. "They didn't report. Didn't think to report, fools…"
Simeon stared intently at the captain. Wilhelm began to cry, covering his face with his hands, but it was too late. In the Junior Magistrate's eyes, the captain saw his fate.
***
"Your captain's performance is unsatisfactory," the monk said cheerfully to the commander's deputy, leaving the cabin. "As of now, he's demoted to a foot soldier. You're in command."
With those words, he descended the ladder. Twenty minutes later, the boat bumped into the dock. The monk and his companions disembarked. From the darkness, five more figures emerged, holding horses by the reins.
"El-Farrah," Simeon said cheerfully, easily mounting his horse.
"By horse?" asked a man with a staff, doubtful. "I can open a portal."
"No," the Junior Magistrate replied curtly. "The Academy will notice. We don't need unnecessary trouble. We're already behind. But!"
Simeon spurred his horse, and the squad disappeared into the night.