Before Hex 2: "Grudge"

Gemma had not slept alone, but for a stray night here and there, for almost six years. The warmth of Meila curled up next to her had always been there. Gemma didn’t sleep as long, so she’d always fall asleep with Meila breathing softly in her ear, and wake up the same way. There was no breath on her ear now.

Gemma really did believe those days would last forever. She really was a fool. It’s not for an adjunct and her mage to be happy or to be together forever. Gemma’s own command of magic had grown strong; she could’ve become a mage already, but she wanted to be with Meila, so she remained her adjunct and continued to study under her.

“I guess I’ll get my own adjunct now,” she says, staring at the ceiling. “I wonder if they’ll be as foolish as me, and think the vow they take to open my throat is some far off fantasy.”

Gemma is just finally dozing off when a knock comes at her door. It’s late, so it must be bad news. She jumps up and wraps herself in her blanket and opens the door to her small inn room. Lloyd is standing in the door. He’s wearing his armor. Definitely bad news, then.

“Get dressed, kid,” Lloyd says. “They found a witch.”

Gemma doesn’t bother to close the door, she drops the blanket and runs to her dresser and pulls on some clothes. She’s still putting her tunic on when she leaves the room on Lloyd’s heels. “Are you sure it’s her? Where?”

“Listen, the inquisitors are already there. It’s a homestead out across the river, not far outside of town. I don’t know for sure it’s her, but the timeline would add up. And we haven’t gotten any other reports of mages turning in the area, so chances are good it’s her.”

They walk briskly through the city toward the river, the cool night air at their backs.

“Even if it’s not her, if it’s indeed a witch, the inquisitors will still probably welcome our help.” Gemma is silent for a few moments. “Lloyd I wanted to say I’m sorry for how I treated you the other day, and thank you for being there for me.”

Lloyd snorts. “I didn’t do anything, but I’m glad I was of some comfort to you anyway. I’m sorry about Meila, I know you two were a couple.”

“You knew?” Gemma is genuinely surprised.

“You guys never did hide it all that well,” he says. “But I guess it was more of a suspicion until the last few months. At any rate, it doesn’t matter. I’m sure you had your reasons for keeping it a secret.”

They reach the bridge spanning the river a few minutes later, after walking in comfortable silence. “There it is,” Lloyd says. He points to a small compound in the distance. Gemma can already smell the scent of death hanging on the air.

“Smell that?” Lloyd asks.

She nods. “The people who lived here…”

As they approach, a woman comes barreling out of the house, screaming. She’s dressed in black clothes and her face is dirty and her hair unkempt. Gemma grabs Lloyd’s arm and pulls him back. The woman’s eyes are wild with fear, and she looks back and forth at Lloyd and Gemma before seemingly disregarding them and turning back to face the house.

“That isn’t Meila,” Lloyd says. “Is it a witch?”

A woman comes striding out of the house in silvery armor, her long blonde hair tied neatly in a long, high ponytail. She bears the mark of an inquisitor upon her armor. She is flanked by two men, also inquisitors. In her hand is a short spear, gleaming and golden. “It is indeed a witch,” the woman says. Her voice is deep and soft. “And you are?”

“I’m Gemma, the adjunct of the great mage Meila.”

The woman looks at Gemma, a hint of pity in her eyes. “Ah. Then it makes sense you’d come here chasing rumors of a witch. I came for the same reason.” The woman raises her spear and stabs the witch through the heart. While no normal weapon could fell a witch, this one falls dead anyway. “I’m Longren, master inquisitor. When I heard Meila had turned, I came as fast as I could. Meila will certainly become a powerful witch. Ordinary inquisitors won’t stand a chance.”

“I wish we could meet under better circumstances,” Gemma replies. “Your spear slayed the witch so easily. Is it enchanted?”

Longren frowns. “This spear is the product of many sacrifices, and I do not wield it lightly.”

Lloyd sighs and shakes his head. “So it’s a grudge weapon, great.”

Longren nods. “I see you’re familiar.”

Gemma isn’t certain, but has heard rumors. Grudge weapons are capable of sundering the soul from the body, instantly killing witches–or anyone, really. But they are rare for a reason. They lose their power over time, and lose it faster when used, and the weapons themselves are the product of human sacrifice. If a master inquisitor wielding a grudge weapon has been dispatched, the inquisitors must be terrified of Meila.

“At any rate,” Longren says after an awkward pause, “it seems we all want the same thing.”

“Are you going to ask why I didn’t slay her?” Gemma asks.

Longren smiles sadly. “It’s not my place to judge you. But neither can I absolve you of your guilt. I knew Meila many years ago. I know how powerful she is. Even back then, rumors about her incredible reserves of mana were rampant. ‘One in a million,’ they used to say. She will kill a lot of people, you can be assured of that. Grudge weapon or not, I may not even be able to get close to her without being killed myself. If you want to make this right, I would welcome the help.”

Gemma is about to say something, but Lloyd interrupts her. “We’ll let you know if we find anything. Let’s go.” With that he turns to leave. Gemma isn’t sure why he seems so against the idea of working with Longren, but she follows his lead anyway.

“Good,” Longren says. “I hope to hear from you soon, then.” Longren watches the two leave, and continues gazing at them even when they’re far off.

“I’ll have someone watch them,” one of the inquisitors says to Longren.

Longren shakes her head. “No need. They’ll do the right thing when the time comes. For now, focus everything on finding Meila.”