A Long, Hot Summer, Chapter 1

Gadilus lay behind the eave of a third-story roof, watching the candleshop below. The blond ranger kept his bow within reach as he watched the morning crowds amble along the street below, and for all they knew, he wasn't even there. The candleshop had been implicated in selling ritual candles to a secretive group of demon cultists in town, and he watched and waited for the owner to open the shop to handle the afternoon crowds. None of the general populace knew of this shop's secretive deals, and the Crimson Inquisition wanted to make sure that their suspicions were correct.

Either the shop owner knew what he was making.

Or the shopowner has been lied to and had no clue.

He didn't know which answer he'd rather have.

He didn't want to drag the innocent into their business, but the Inquisition had a reputation to maintain.

Especially when they were invited to work in this city, Qeynos of all places, where the two kingdoms were still technically at war with each other. He knew Captain Ashvale took this assignment because Qeynos needed help with a particularly nasty and inbred demon, at least until a new unit was trained here to allow his unit to return to Freeport, back home, and where they belonged.

Gadilus had no problems with their assignment; his family had long since moved to Freeport from the now ruined Antonica, and he'd grown up in the shadow of the walls, never leaving their safety for most of his life. The only times he'd left the city were for training or assignments.

He watched the shop owner enter the shop, the door opening as the small bells chimed. He didn't move from his spot as the shop owner unlocked the door and stepped inside, a few patrons following.

He raised his hand above the eave, signaling with two fingers to others in his unit in an alley below him, and across the street.

Trejario saw the signal and waved back. The hulking brute of a man stood covered in long robes, covering his blood-red armor, and waited for Gadilus to signal back. Gad signaled and went back to watching.

Trejario peered at the tiny spider perched on his shoulder. "Little one, the shop is open."

He got the spider as a pet from Slipps, the owner of the venue, the Spider, here in town, when the venue's mommy spider gave birth to a few dozen babies. The spider seemed very intelligent, and he did not doubt the tiny arachnid had some magic to it, and the little fella was tougher than he looked.

Trejario turned to the woman standing behind him, the cloaked and similarly mysterious warlock Scarletina.

Her blood-red lips curled into a smile, and she nodded at him. He returned the nod and started down the alley toward the shop, the spider crawling into his robes to hide and watch.

"The shop is open." She said to herself, her hands sparking with arcane power.

Captain Ashvale was walking through the streets, his cloak concealing the crimson armor he wore beneath it. His hand rested on his sword hilt, ready for combat at a moment's notice. Behind him were the unit's last two members, both female, one being Tamarisyn the inquisitor, a blonde beauty with a knack for getting confessions, and the raven-haired Selinah, a templar who purified the wicked and healed the sick.

They walked behind him in silence, the streets around them alive with people going about their business, unaware of the dangers within their city.

"Captain, if I may, I think we should stop by a local vendor. I hear their sweet rolls are the best." Tamarisyn said, smiling at him.

He ignored her, keeping his eyes ahead.

"Oh, come now Captain, it will only take a moment."

"Not now, we have a mission to focus on."

"But, you can't deny the smell. It's intoxicating."

"No."

"Please, sir."

"I said no, Inquisitor."

"Captain." Selinah interrupted, "The Inquisitor is correct, I believe we should stop. If you won't, I will."

Ashvale looked at her. "Fine. Just get what you need and hurry. We're on a schedule."

She nodded, "Very well, thank you, sir. This shall help us blend in better."

He rolled his eyes and followed her, watching as the inquisitor happily followed her to a stall, chatting with the merchant about his baked goods.

He didn't know why they bothered. He didn't need to eat, and they should have known that. He didn't understand why they had such an obsession with food.

"I can hear your thoughts from here, Captain. You need to relax, the city is quiet."

He turned to Selinah, her voice breaking him out of his thoughts.

"My apologies, Templar."

She shook her head. "You need to relax, Captain. This city isn't like ours. You don't have to be so uptight."

"I'll relax when this mission is over," he said. "A vile cult has infested the streets of this fair city, and it is our job to root it out."

"That will be some time, you must keep your strength up," Selinah said. "And we can't walk around like we are looking for someone to kill. The art of watching is not to stand out and be watched yourself."

He didn't say anything, just turned his attention back to the Inquisitor and the merchant, who were wrapping up their business.

"Thank you for your service, good citizen," Ashvale said.

The merchant nodded, handing them the pastries.

"You're welcome, good citizen," he said, smiling at him. "Take care now, you hear."

"I will, and thank you."

Ashvale turned away and began walking down the street.

"Here, have a sweet roll, Captain," Tamarisyn said, offering him one.

"Thank you, Inquisitor, but I don't require sustenance."

"Oh, come now, Captain, you don't need to be so formal. And you should have something, these are the best rolls I've ever had."

He sighed, taking one from her. "Fine, if it will make you happy."

"It will, thank you, Captain."

"Just eat, and let's get moving."

"Yes, sir."

The three moved to a position to watch the front of the shop. As planned, Gadilus would keep watch from above, Trejario and Scarletina would cover the rear door, and the three of them would cover the front. They knew the suspected cultist they were watching for, the man who ordered the box of ritual candles, and the word was that the man would be here this morning to pick up the candles. From there, it would be a simple matter of trailing him to wherever the cult's hideout was.

Ashvale and his group made sure to dress the part of regular citizens, not wanting to attract any undue attention, especially with how they were dressed. They weren't exactly the most inconspicuous group, and while they weren't going to hide what they were, they didn't want to attract attention. The crowds milled by, and they eyed the passers by, looking for the man they knew would be here today.

Suddenly, the door opened, and a man stepped out. He was a short, portly man, dressed in fine clothes. He held a leather pouch and wore a large, feathered hat, a cane, and a small mask. The mask was white and had two eye holes, a nose hole, and a mouth hole. He didn't say a word, just stepped out and looked around.

"Is that him?" Selinah asked, leaning forward slightly.

"I think so," Ashvale said. "Keep your eyes open."

"We've got him, he's heading west down the street," Gadilus whispered from the rooftop above.

"Stay calm, follow him," Ashvale said, turning and following the man.

"What about the shop? Should we not check it?" Tamarisyn asked.

"Scarletina and Trejario will check the back and report back."

"If you say so."

The three followed the man down the street, trying to keep a low profile. They weren't sure if the man knew he was being followed or not, but they didn't want to take the chance. They didn't know if the man was part of the cult or not, but they had their suspicions.

The man kept walking, and the three followed him. He stopped a few times to look at the wares at various shops, and each time the three would stop and browse as well. They were careful not to get too close or to do anything that would draw attention to themselves, but it was hard.

The man led them through the market district and then to a warehouse district. The man stopped outside a large building and looked around. The three ducked into an alleyway to hide and watch him.

The man entered the building, and the three observed. A few moments later, a couple of men exited the building. They were dressed similarly, though theirs had a more sinister look.

"Those are the cultists," Ashvale said, his voice low.

"Looks like it," Tamarisyn said.

"They're leaving, we should follow them," Selinah said. "If they break up, we each take one."

The three followed the cultists down the street. They stayed far enough behind that the cultists wouldn't see them, but close enough to not lose them.

The cultists led them to an abandoned building. The building had once been a tavern, but now it was just a shell. The roof had caved in, and the walls were falling apart.

"That must be their hideout," Tamarisyn said, a note of excitement in her voice.

"Let's not be too hasty," Ashvale said, looking around. "This could be a trap."

"I agree," Selinah said. "There are probably more of them inside. We need to be careful."

"Well, we have to go in, or else this is pointless," Tamarisyn said, pulling her hood back.

Selinah shook her head, making notes and sketching faces in her journal. "Not yet. We got faces and descriptions of these three. We have a warehouse and this tavern. They aren't going anywhere. We need to make a choice on which path to take. Raid the warehouse, or take this tavern."

"Warehouse," Ashvale said.

"The tavern," Selinah said, frowning. "It has to be. The warehouse could be a red herring."

"I say the tavern," Tamarisyn said.

"Gadilus, you've been quiet," Ashvale said.

The young ranger dropped beside them from a nearby rooftop, and his expression was grim.

"There is a lot of activity in the tavern. Lots of movement. More than three people. I count at least ten, and that's only from the windows."

"Blasts," Ashvale said, "outnumbered. Head back and pick up TJ and Scarlett."

"On it."

The ranger scaled the building and vanished over the rooftops.

"Now what?" Tamarisyn asked.

"Now we wait," Ashvale said. "They're either going to leave the tavern, or we'll have to go in and face them. Either way, it's going to be a fight."

***

Gadilus walked quickly through the streets to return to the candleshop, where he could pick up Trejario and Scarletina.

He wasn't worried about the fight. The three were skilled fighters, and he knew they could handle whatever the cultists threw at them. But they were still outnumbered, and the last thing they needed was a battle on their hands.

He turned the corner and saw the candleshop ahead. He hurried up and headed for the alley beside it.

Trejario and Scarletina were waiting for him, both wearing their blood-red armor and black cloaks to cover.

"Any news?" Trejario asked, his deep voice echoing in the alley.

"The cultists are holed up in an abandoned tavern, but they have a lot of numbers. We're outnumbered, and the captain has ordered that we bring the team together."

"Shh," Scarlet said from the back of the alley. "A cart is pulling up on the back street. Looks like they have a special delivery."

"I'll keep watch, you two see what they're delivering."

Trejario and Gadilus nodded and watched down the alley toward the cart.

The driver pulled the cart to a stop and hopped down. He was a tall man with a shaved head and a bushy beard. He had dark eyes and a scowl on his face.

"Well? Where's the payment?" the driver asked.

"The payment will be delivered shortly," the shopowner said. "As agreed."

"Better be, or we'll have words."

"You'll get your money. Now, open the crate."

"Fine, but no funny business. My boss is watching."

"Your boss is always watching," the shopowner huffed.

The driver pulled the tarp back and revealed a large wooden crate. It was marked with a symbol that Gadilus recognized.

"What is that?" Trejario whispered.

"I've seen that symbol before. It's a cult mark. It means the box is coming from a demon realm."

"Blasted, bad omens bring bad tidings," Trejario hissed.

"Let's hope not," Scarletina said.

The driver pointed to the back of the building. "We open it inside. That is the order of the boss."

"Very well," the shop owner said.

The driver grabbed the crate and carried it into the building.

Trejario felt something on his ear, and the tiny adopted spider was poking him with its front legs. He stared at the spider, and the little spider seemed to be weaving, or, perhaps, making a running motion, with its front legs.

"What?"

The spider made the same motion again.

"What got into your pet?" Scarletina said as she watched the rear door to the shop slam shut.

"I don't know," Trejario said, frowning, staring at the spider. "What has gotten into you, little one?"

The spider poked his ear again, and this time he felt it.

"Oh no..."

"What?" Scarletina said.

"I think the spider wishes us to run," he said.

"To what?" Scarletina asked, looking at the spider.

"A bomb," Trejario repeated, standing up.

"What's a bomb?"

Trejario grabbed the two and ran down the alley, towards the main street. "Run!"

Scarletina didn't question, and Gadilus followed, knowing that Trejario would not lie about something like that.

The shop exploded, the front glass and the front doors blowing out, shattering and sending the wood flying into the streets.

"Down!" Trejario yelled, and the three dove for cover as the wooden debris flew through the air. The shockwave shattered glass and sent people flying, and the screams and cries echoed in the streets.

"Damn cultists," Gadilus spat, standing up and pulling his bow free. Dust filled the air, and debris rained down on the three of them.

"Help the survivors!" Trejario ordered.

Gadilus ran into the building and saw people lying in the rubble, injured and bleeding.

"Help me!" one woman cried out, holding her leg, the lower half pinned under a wooden beam.

"Hold on, miss," Gadilus said, putting his bow away.

"Please, my baby!" she screamed, tears running down her cheeks.

"Your baby?"

"In the crib, please!"

Gadilus turned to see a crib smashed, its contents spilling out. He reached in and grabbed the blanket-wrapped baby.

"Is this your baby?"

She nodded, crying.

"You're going to be okay, ma'am," he said.

Scarletina helped others, dragging the wounded free of rubble and getting them to the street where the town guards could call for help.

Ashvale, Tamarisyn, and Selinah arrived and joined in the search for survivors.

"What happened?" Ashvale asked, his face dark with anger.

"The cultists blew up the candleshop," Gadilus said.

"Blasted cowards," Tamarisyn growled, helping a wounded man out.

"Where is the driver?"

"He's dead," Gadilus said. "We didn't have time to save him."

"Cowards," Trejario muttered.

"The cultists are long gone, we'll never find them," Scarletina said, helping a woman.

The group's two priestesses, Selinah and Tamarisyn, began healing the wounds of the injured and gave prayers for the dying.

"How did they know we were watching them?" Gadilus asked.

"I don't know, but this is getting out of hand," Ashvale said.

"Maybe you should leave it alone," a voice said.

Everyone turned to see a woman standing nearby. She had brown hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a white dress and had a blue shawl around her shoulders.

"Who are you?" Ashvale asked.

Lady Alustrae stepped into view.