I could see our final destination in the distance. Maybe another half an hour and we’d be there. I began to observe the surrounding area. It was heavily covered in pine trees, their thin leaves a very dark green. It was almost unnerving to be surrounded by a forest so dense that it appeared pitch black inside. Mary looked terrified but she’s a child after all; can’t really blame her.

The path was currently going downhill towards the sunken valley of forest in which the village was located. Once we got a certain distance down into the forest, I lost sight of the village. It was relatively easy to spot from the high standing we previously had, but now all that remained visible was forest.

The last few days had been uneventful to say the least. No heretics to burn, and no cliché scenes to witness. To be honest I was starting to get a bit irritable. Gant and Mary had been quiet for the majority of the journey. Ever since our night at the first inn, their company had been much more pleasant. They no longer attempted to I include me in their little chats and in general tended to keep it down when near me. It looked like they’d become more considerate of me. I’m quite touched that they’d go out of their way to make the environment more relaxing and comfortable for me.

As the carriage made its way at a steady base down the dirt trail I decided to look over the expedition instructions once again. It would seem this village hasn’t had an inspection for quite a few years. Not surprising, considering how remote it was. It would appear that the real aim of the expedition is to deal with some sort of disease. Guess that explains the priestess. The disease holds similar symptoms to the plague the capital experienced last year. I suppose they don’t really want that happening again, the body count was awfully large. If anyone infected somehow gets to the capital, it would start quite the ruckus.

So Mary heals the sick, Gant protects Mary, and I go heretic hunting! Joyous days, and if there aren’t any heretics I’ll just frame some relatively bad people and burn them instead. I also seem to have the additional task of exploring the old ruins of a pagan temple. I don’t really see the point, it’s been explored before and nothing was found. Maybe I should just skip that part of the job and go whole heartedly heretic hunting. But if my superiors somehow find out, I’ll be severely reprimanded. I suppose there’s no helping it; I’ll go and maybe I’ll get lucky and discover something interesting.

It was midday when we finally arrived at the village. It had a pretty standard set up; simple wooden houses with thatched roofs. It wasn’t too large, maybe 50 or so families living here. Most have the occupation of hunter according to the data from the previous inspection. It makes sense; personally I can’t see any other way of gathering food from the surroundings. Well, apart from foraging.

We would officially begin our jobs tomorrow, seeing as we had arrived slightly ahead of schedule and during the evening enjoyed a simple yet satisfying meal of wild game and forest vegetables at the home of the village chief. He was an old fellow with only a few wisps of white hair still on his head, but he compensated with a magnificent beard. He was going on and on about how grateful he was to the church for sending us, and how he knew his dedication to Sol would pay off. For some reason he kept glancing at me when he said that last part. Don’t worry old man, you’ve fed me well, and in my book that means you’re not a heretic.

All three of us had to stay in the same room that night due to the limited space in the village chief’s house. It was fine though, I would never lay my hands on a child, like Mary, and would make sure Gant kept to the same principles. As we each got into our respective beds I bid them each goodnight.

“Goodnight comrades, tomorrow begin our tasks so rest well”

Mary flinched when she heard my voice, poor thing must be nervous sharing a room with two men. Gant on the other hand paused before replying, but what can I expect of someone as slow as he is.

“Goodnight”, “G-goodnight” they both responded.

The next morning we all woke up early, just as the sun was beginning to rise. We each got dressed in our official uniforms, of course we gentlemen exited the room when Mary was changing. Mary and Gant quickly bid me farewell, heading over to the area where the sick had been quarantined, at the very edge of the village. The villager’s eyes seemed to light up with hope as they saw those two. The white clothing really made us stand out from the dreary surroundings.

I looked to the sky, and saw an endless grey instead of the constant blue sky I had become accustomed to. Grey is good too. As I made my way to the first house I would inspect, people soon began to notice me, and in their eyes was fear and worry, greatly contrasting with how they gazed at the other two. What’s with this biased treatment? I am also doing a much needed job you know. Now time to find some heretics, hehehe.

First house nothing, second house nothing……….. The day was drawing to a close as I checked the final house… and nothing. I was beginning to feel irritable again. Calm down and smile. Alright! Nothing to be worried about, this was just the first stage of the hunt. The house checks are well-known for barely ever producing results. Tomorrow begins the individual interrogation!

It seems that Mary was able to successful cure the sick of their disease but it required a substantial amount of magical energy. Guess it really was the plague, that thing took tons of magical energy to put down. It looks like she’ll need a few more days to cure everyone. Plenty of time to continue the hunt. My smile widened in anticipation.

Day 2! I got up earlier than the other two. I was so excited to begin interrogation that I could barely sleep last night. I’m sure that I probably had dark bags under my eyes but my smile and cheery demeanour were ever present. With a spring in my step I set off to work.

Nothing… I tried everything to get something I could use out of these villagers, even some trick questions, the answers to which I could build a reasonable basis for suspicion of heresy. These villagers are too sharp. They didn’t fall anything and answered all questions I had about Sol and his religion with near perfection. I’ve heard about this from senior inspectors! They practice their answers and prepare for our arrival. Essentially that means everyone is still under suspicion.

The day had ended and I learned from a bored Gant and a tired Mary that they would need three more days to finish healing the sick. Only three days left… what to do, what to do?

Day 3… I was a bit stuck in my investigation. In all honesty, I could tell none of them were worshipping pagan gods, but in the end it’s not like I actually care. I just need to burn someone alive. My irritability was growing, and it had been about a week since I burned those fellows at treetop inn. Back in training we were brought prisoners every 4 days. Maybe I had become spoiled by such frequent opportunities.

My hands were itching to light a fire, or at the very least perform a bit of torture. I’ll just sneak around today and listen into any gossip. And so, I spent the entire day listening to the gossip of the village. Nothing serious, just this guy and that girl getting married, or that family having another child on the way, until I heard something interesting.

“Did you hear about John’s boy, Nathaniel, y’know the one with a few screws loose. I heard he attacked and ravaged poor Christine the other night. T’was a tragedy. The parents settled it by making it so that they would marry when they’re both of age.”

“Oh yeah. I heard that too, poor Christine, to be forced to marry an invalid! John shoulda just kept that boy locked up.”

“I heard he was locked up in John’s shed but then broke out in the dead of night. He was s’pose to stay their till that inspector fellow left, so that he wouldn’t cause no trouble.”

My smile by this point had turned into a fully-fledged grin. That was enough! That was all I needed! These two old housewives did me a huge favour today. A crazy rapist kid was definitely someone I could burn with a clear conscience. Not that it needed to be clear, it just felt more satisfying if they deserve it. I remember when I burned a fellow imprisoned because of debt. It helped me unwind, but I couldn’t quite get into the mood. I recall not whistling at that pyre.

I asked around and eventually found my way to John’s house, which was located on the outskirts of the village. It was rundown old building, barely usable. It looked like it would crumple under its own weight at any second. I gathered a little information on old Johnny boy and discovered that he was a widowed man. It seems his crazy son had even killed his wife a few years back, but he still didn’t let the other villagers run him out the village, claiming that the boy didn’t know what he was doing. This just kept getting better and better! A murderer and a rapist.

I knocked in the decrepit old door, and after a few moments, a middle-aged man who I could only assume was John answered the door. I gave him quick glance over. He had a full head of grey hair and a messily shaven face with patches of beard growing here and there. He was sloppily dressed in ripped clothing with a multitude of stains and stunk of alcohol. He looked very much like those beggars seen in the poorer districts of Sol city. No doubt it was his son that drove him to such a state. It looks like I’ll be doing him a favour rather soon.

He paled as looked at my uniform and narrowed his eyes as he looked me over. Such an openly hostile and cautious look… I was a bit offended. I’m only here to help after all.

“Wha do yer wan?” slurred an intoxicated John.

What an uncouth fellow. It seems we were going to skip exchanging pleasantries. Alright then, onto business!

“Hello John, I’m sure you know who I am. Yesterday I spent the day speaking with all of the villagers, yourself included in order to ensure no dangerous heretics had laid their roots in this lovely village. This morning I was rather concerned to here that you have a son who didn’t come to see me. Having some free time I decided it was best if I personally came to have a chat with him.” I said.

“I don know wha yer talkin’ abou!” shouted John.

His eyes were shifting back and forth nervously and I could see he was slowly moving his hand towards the hunting knife on his belt. Behind him, further into the house I could hear banging and crashing sounds. John nervously jumped at the sounds and positioned himself to block my entry.

“Mr Inspecter, yer should leaf righ now!” John said, his voice uneven.

I noticed my smile had widened yet again. Today was a very good day. Hehehe, this whole situation was oh so very entertaining.