Leviticus Markford was not like the other Inquisitors. They were religious fanatics, kicking down doors and apprehending anyone with a broomstick. Leviticus saw them as little better than the churchgoing rabble that they stirred up from the populace. Wielding power and fear mongering did not interest him. Hunting down the degenerate practitioners of Necromancy was his motivation, and he had weaved a legend of his exploits amongst the devout circles of the Inquisition. Like all Inquisitors, he was drafted from the country's Academy. It was not his knowledge of the arcane that made his fearsome reputation, but his cold cunning that brought down the wrath of God on those who dared to violate His laws.<br/><br/>It was that cunning that led him to the quaint hamlet on an out-of-the-way road. Whereas the other Inquisitor brandished crosses at every major port and crossroad, Leviticus made to study his 'prey.' He knew that Necromancers are. or at least once were, human, and like all humans, followed habits. While his peers prepared an assault on the home of the Academy graduate, Ivan Cane, Leviticus began to lay his own traps. From what he had gleaned from his informant, Ivan was an astute men and the raid on his home would be expected. Ivan would have an escape ready. Instead, Leviticus followed the man's old wanderings. It was not difficult to learn which roads he frequented as every village's inn could recall the wealthy couple stay. At each location, Leviticus laid the foundations of his net. He instructed the priests of every parish to tell sermons of the unholy undead, and paid waifs to spread stories of the corpses who walked at night. Leviticus planned to turn the citizens in which Ivan was hiding into his weapon. Ivan could hide his abomination from the Inquisition, but he could not hide everything from everyone.<br/><br/>For now, Leviticus needed only to wait. This was the last hamlet, the least frequented place of Ivan's travels. He had yet to spread knowledge of Ivan's sorcery. First he would let the fear simmer and boil, until the villagers were a breath away from accusing one another. Then he would make his hunt known. This way, Ivan would have no place to hide. The villagers would be so desperate to pin the rumours of the undead onto someone that Ivan would find no friends amongst the inhabitants on this village.<br/><br/><br/>Ivan woke up twelve years ago, with Teresa's arm lain across him. Ahead of them lay an endless adventure and behind them an ocean of cherished memories. No worries gave haste to their step, and even in the light of the setting sun that streamed through the window could stay their sportive tricks. It was only as his mind shook off the stupor of slumber that he noticed the peculiar twist of her arm, or the lack of her weight besides him. When he opened his eyes, he saw that she sat besides the bed. Slipping from beneath her grasp, Ivan rose from his rest like the bitter tide of memories from the past years. Gently lifted Teresa, careful to not wake her, and placed her where he had just slept. Asleep, Ivan could almost convince himself that she was Teresa, but that illusion was broken when she was awake. Caroleen did not act as Teresa did. She was far too demure.<br/><br/>Once Ivan set her on the bed, he made to ready the wagon for the night's journey. It was then that he saw the chair propped firmly under the door's handle. It raised some concern from Ivan. He made his way into the hamlet, keeping an ear pricked for whatever may have given Caroleen cause to barricade the door. The next village was three night's travel away from here and they would need some supplies for the road.<br/><br/>The hamlet was no different from what he remembered. It was a small affair, but catered to the travelers who made their stop at the inn. If the innkeeper's drunken boasts were to be believed, the inn was there long before and the hamlet came afterwards. Having paid for the last item, Ivan's suspicions were rouse once more.<br/>"You 'ave a good day, sir, an' beware o' the dead tha' walk," said the merchant.<br/>"Excuse me?" replied Ivan.<br/>"The pastor says there be unholy happennings about."<br/>"Have there been any specific tales?" asked Ivan, fearing that Caroleen may have given them away."<br/>"Nah, but me lad said he saw a Inquis'tor. Those folk don't come to a place like this lest there be something afoot."<br/>Ivan's heart beat faster. Had they already caught on to his trail? Were they so close that his unplanned stop in the forest allowed them to over take him? With as much nonchalance as he could muster, he bid the vendor goodbye and began to return to the inn. All the deliveries should arrive within an hour, and Ivan intended to leave as soon as they arrived.