Interrogation

Had they come for me?

No, it couldn't be. Even though I had fled from the Baron, the Church wouldn't involve itself in something so trivial. But the Templars wouldn't just show up without a reason.

Adrian quickly composed himself, though his mind raced with questions. He took a deep breath, pushing the fear to the back of his mind, and stepped forward as the one in charge of the shop.

"How can I help you, sir?" he asked, his voice steady but his pulse quickening.

The leader of the group stepped forward, his piercing gaze locking onto Adrian. A chill ran down his spine, but he forced himself to maintain a neutral expression.

"Is Tomas here?" the Templar leader asked, his voice firm and unwavering.

Adrian's heart began to calm a little. The Templars weren't here for him.

Adrian answered, keeping his voice steady. "He's not here. He left the city a few days ago on business."

The leader's eyes narrowed, studying him closely. "What kind of business?"

"I'm not sure," Adrian replied carefully, trying to sound as neutral as possible. "He didn't share the details. Just mentioned it was urgent."

The leader's gaze remained unwavering, a sharp edge to his voice. "Did he say where he was going or when he'd return?"

"No," Adrian said, shaking his head. "He only mentioned he'd be back soon."

The leader's eyes lingered, trying to gauge the truth behind Adrian's words. After a moment, he spoke again. "What's your name?"

Adrian hesitated for a moment before responding, "Luke." He paused briefly, then added, "I handle the accounts and correspondence for Tomas."

The leader's question followed without pause. "How long have you worked for Tomas?"

"About a year." Adrian replied, his voice even.

The leader continued his interrogation. "Have you noticed anything unusual? Any strange associates or activities?"

Adrian shook his head. "No, nothing like that," he said. "Tomas is a private man. He keeps everything to himself. As far as I know, he's just a merchant—deals in spices and fabrics, mostly."

The more they asked, the more suspicious he became. What had Tomas gotten himself into that attracted the Church's attention? Whatever it was, it was bad for him, as his connection to Tomas made him an easy target for suspicion.

The leader's gaze didn't soften. "Are you sure you don't know anything else?"

Adrian's pulse quickened, but he maintained his composure. "I swear, I don't know anything more. I just handle his books and letters."

The leader's expression remained unchanged, his eyes fixed on Adrian as if trying to discern the truth behind his words. After a brief pause, he motioned to one of his men. "Speak with the others. See if they have anything to add."

Moments later, another Templar returned with the other apprentices, their faces tense as they were lined up before the leader. They, too, were asked the same questions about Tomas and any unusual activities. The apprentices' answers were in line with Adrian's—nothing out of the ordinary. Tomas kept to himself, focused on his work, and had left without giving any details.

Adrian watched the exchange, his stomach tightening as he noticed their eyes darting nervously between the Templars and him. It seemed that Tomas's other apprentices were just as in the dark as he was.

The leader's eyes flicked between them, weighing their reactions. After finding nothing new, he turned to his men and issued a command. "Search the premises."

Adrian's pulse quickened, but he forced himself to stay still as the Templars began their search. They moved with methodical precision, emptying shelves, flipping through books, and upending drawers. They combed through the storeroom, rifled through crates and barrels, and even searched behind the counter where Adrian had been working.

Adrian stood motionless, his hands clenched tightly in front of him, watching as the shop was turned upside down.

The search dragged on for what felt like an eternity. Finally, the Templars regrouped near the entrance, their faces a mix of frustration and disappointment.

The leader turned back to Adrian, his voice colder now. "Remember," he said, his words deliberate, "if Tomas contacts you, you are to inform the Church immediately. The consequences of failing to do so will be severe."

Adrian nodded quickly, his stomach sinking. "Of course. I'll report to the Church as soon as I see him."

The leader gave him one last hard look before turning away. His men followed, their heavy boots echoing through the silence as they exited the shop and disappeared into the bustling street outside.

Adrian waited, letting out a slow, shaky breath once the sound of their footsteps had completely faded. He glanced around the shop, now a disarray of books and overturned crates, and his thoughts churned.

What had Tomas gotten himself into? He wondered, as he ordered the apprentice to clean the mess.

Adrian gripped the edge of the counter tightly, unease gnawing at him. The Church was not known for its leniency. If Tomas was truly involved in something dangerous, Adrian could easily find himself caught in the crossfire.

The Templars would return. If Tomas wasn't back soon, the next time, they wouldn't be as patient. And if they discovered his true identity, he couldn't even imagine the consequences. Adrian's mind raced as he struggled to control the surge of panic rising within him. His thoughts were a jumbled mess.

What should I do?

Should I run?

No, I couldn't run. The Templar Order might be watching me.

The thought of fleeing was tempting, but the Templar Order's eyes were everywhere, and he couldn't risk being captured for a crime he didn't commit.

His pulse quickened as he considered the other option.

Should I just wait and do nothing?

But the waiting felt worse than running. It was as if the seconds were dragging him closer to the Templars' inevitable discovery. Adrian couldn't shake the thought that Tomas, who had disappeared without a trace, had known this was coming. Tomas had always been careful, a man of plans.

Time was slipping through his fingers. The Templars weren't known for their patience, and every passing moment brought the threat closer. Adrian couldn't afford to stay much longer. If Tomas didn't return in the next few days, Adrian had already made up his mind. He would leave the city.

Leaving the city might give him a chance to survive. If he stayed hidden until the beast horde arrived, the Templars might shift their focus to more pressing matters. They would be too busy with the chaos to worry about a small figure like him. But if he didn't act soon, he would be caught—and if the Templars didn't kill him outright, they would hand him over to the Baron.

And that, Adrian knew, was a fate worse than death.

The Templar Order's presence loomed over him like a shadow. Adrian knew their reach extended far beyond the city walls, and any misstep could lead to his swift capture or worse. He had to be methodical, calculating every move and leaving nothing to chance.

He began by mapping out potential escape routes in his mind, piecing together fragments of information from Tomas's accounts and his own observations. The city guards regularly patrolled the main thoroughfares, so those were out of the question. Instead, Adrian focused on the lesser-known paths: the alleys in the poorer districts, the abandoned aqueducts rumored to run beneath the city, and even the smuggler routes Tomas had once mentioned in passing. These routes weren't foolproof, but they offered a chance at slipping through unnoticed.

For now, he had to stay low. The Templars were likely watching for any signs of irregular behavior. Moving too quickly, acting too out of place—anything could draw their attention. For now, blending in was crucial. Adrian remained behind the counter in Tomas's shop, keeping up the appearance of a humble scribe, just as he had been for the past year.

As the days passed, the tension in the shop grew unbearable. After waiting for three days, Tomas still hadn't returned. Adrian's patience wore thin—he couldn't afford to wait any longer. He had to leave before the Templars discovered his true identity.

Tonight, he would leave. There was no more time to waste.

Adrian had already packed the essentials for his escape. He gathered all the money he had. Tomas's shop wasn't filled with valuables, but there were a few items that might prove useful. He took whatever he could carry without drawing suspicion.

As he mulled over his plan, thinking about the safest routes, the sound of the shop door opening interrupted his thoughts. The bell above jingled, pulling his attention to the doorway.

Adrian looked up, expecting to see a customer, but the moment his gaze met the doorway, his heart stilled.

A stranger stood in the doorway, a face he didn't recognize. The man wore dark leather armor, a weathered coat, and boots, with a sword hanging by his side.

"Adrian," the man said, his voice low and cold. "You were a tough man to find."