Zealot

On the journey back up the cliffs, Jane noticed something she had missed on the way down. A jet of yellow goo was expelled from the side of the wall and landed in a steaming pool. The girl looked at Isaac, who merely shook his head sadly. Wandering over to the pool of goo, she was surprised to see a cage built into the cliff face. Behind the cage was a giant lilac caterpillar with an enormous mouth, filled with metallic, knife-like teeth. Its two eyes were set apart and resembled pin-pricks in the snow. Reeling from the shock, she backed away.

“Careful, that stuff is like lava,” Isaac said.

~What is that?~

“This here is a Witch-burner who pushed her luck and burnt the wrong sister. The witch responsible let this individual retain her memories, if only to torment every waking hour.”

~That’s terrible.~

“So is burning an innocent. You reap what you sow. C’mon.”

***

Jane was deep in thought on the way back to the Keep. This was the second time she had encountered a creature that had suffered at the hands of a witch, and she wondered what she would do if she met one. It didn’t take long for Rufus to notice the girl’s dour mood.

“What’s up with her?” he asked. “You two go swanning off and she comes back with a face on.”

“She saw the Caterpillar,” Isaac said. “It was a shock, to say the least.”

“So it bloody should be. Mardy cow thinks she can go ‘round burning who she likes. What did she expect?”

“No one expected that.”

“Exactly. Let that be a lesson to everyone.”

~Didn’t they have any proof?~ Jane signed.

“The accusation is the proof,” Isaac said. “Guilty by suspicion.”

Rufus exhaled contemptuously.

“Ever since the ‘burners took over the village, they’ve been ruining everyone’s lives with their own warped sense of justice. You won’t get any sympathy from me, that’s for sure.”

“I would never have guessed.”

Jane was suddenly curious and gestured toward the Sundered Knight.

“She wants to know what happened with the village,” Isaac said.

Rufus scoffed and poked the fire.

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“Ilith Londo, city of the Moon,” Rufus said. “Once there was prosperity and light. Money was rolling in from all corners. It was the envy of the world and the hub of a thriving industry. The Artisans were skilled, their talent unmatched and sought after from stem to stern. It was a comfortable place, friendly, and no one cared what you said. Suddenly, there was a shift. The Witch-burners had infiltrated the council, and soon people were no longer allowed to speak their minds. Those who did were publicly shamed and their lives ruined. Then the ‘Burners came for the Artisans. One by one, these skilled workers were pushed out and replaced by zealots, who thought they could do a better job. Soon, accusations were made, histories revisited, and reputations muddied. Friends turned on friends to save themselves from being burned. Those lying Throckmortons…”

“Stick to the story.”

“Anyways, once word got round, there was no money to be made, shops closed, businesses folded, and the industry became a shadow of its former self. As of today, the Mayor lives in fear of the ‘Burners and their ‘Bloody Code’; too afraid to speak against them, to tell them they are bad at their jobs. So he lets them do what they want, give them jobs they are too unskilled for, pretend that there’s no crisis, and that the village isn’t drowning.” He shook his head. “Those that benefit from tyranny are the first to deny it exists.”

Jane sat horrified. She then asked another question.

“What happened to the Artists?” Isaac said. “I think she means Artisans.”

“Oh, they did better than they could ever dream,” Rufus said. “They used their talents and found riches away from the village. There was always a demand for their work, unlike the zealots, who complain they’re not making enough money. No one wants to tell them why, of course…but we all know. The End!” He looked at his companions and saw their sunken expressions. “Oh, come on! You two looked like a pair of smacked bums.”

“You didn’t exactly help things.”

She wanted to know!” Rufus said. “I’m not going to sugar-coat it or spare her feelings. I mean, she doesn’t look like a zealot.” He laughed. “Go and show her the pony, maybe that’ll take her mind off it.”

~Pony? You have a pony?~

“Yes,” Isaac said sheepishly.

Why didn’t you tell me?

“You weren’t ready for it.”

Jane stood up, steely-eyed and resolute.

~I want to see it.~

“Maybe later, you’ve just done training.”

~I’m not tired.~

“Well, maybe I am.”

~Please!~

The Old Knight puffed out a breath and turned to Rufus with a disappointed look.

“You had to open your mouth.” He said.

“I really did,” Rufus said, tearing off the meat from the tip of his knife. “Happy trails.”

***

Isaac led Jane to the courtyard ruins. Among the broken walls were the remains of stables. Chewing on the high grass was a black horse with a long man.

“Bandit.” He said. “Rufus may be a lout, but always has a soft spot for this old dear.” He then moved to a heavy grey horse and stroked its side. “Of course, you know Ruggerio. This chap saved my life more times than I care to count.” Jane checked out the stall at the far end and noticed a small brown pony lying in a bed of straw. “This one doesn’t have a name. It used to be Reinhardt’s, but he won’t touch it now, too many bad memories. It’s skittish, probably due to the Rats in the walls. Anyway, it’s yours if you want it. Rufus calls him ‘Moany Pony’ You’ll need one if you have any hope of leaving this place.”

I love him, thank you! Jane said and stroked it gently. It trembled with every touch. It’s shaking.

“Poor thing has been locked in a permanent sleep cycle thanks to night terrors. Rats in the walls, to be more precise. Maybe you’d like to get rid of them? They’re in the cellar.”

The girl looked at the Horse and then back at Isaac.

~Show me.~