Chapter 275

The caravan stopped a short distance from the gate at my request. I didn't want to ride into town on my summoned mounts, so all of us returned to our wagons for the time being to hopefully make getting into the city smoother. The caravan we were guarding happened to primarily be beastfolk, so they were pretty understanding about wanting to make our entry into the small town as stress-free as possible with the Tamin church protecting the city. We didn't know the full situation yet, but the banners were a big clue that whoever was in charge of the city was at least cooperating with the Tamin church.

To make up for the lack of mounted guards, our carriage took the lead and Cecilia would deal with whoever was waiting for us at the entry gate. I hoped that putting a human, or at least human looking, person in charge of the convoy would make things easier on us. Most of the caravan seemed hopeful that this would make things easier for them as well.

I got in the carriage, and Fellia took my place on the coach. The Tamin church wasn't as hostile toward elves as they were to beastfolk, so maybe she would make things a bit easier than I would. I usually preferred to be in the front when we entered cities, but I didn't like our chances of this visit going by without any trouble. It was late in the day, so the only alternative to Norta would be circling the wagons outside of the city and fighting off the monsters active at night. We could handle it, but everyone, especially the merchants, would prefer to be better rested, and this would be the last actual town or city before Traehall.

I leaned against the wall and cracked the door of our carriage so that I could listen in to the conversation. Cecilia flicked the reins and the uunas in the front slowed to a stop. "Hello, Sir Paladin. We wish to stay the night before starting the last stretch of our journey to Traehall tomorrow morning." Cecilia was telling me that it was in fact a Tamin Paladin in charge of the gates. We agreed beforehand that she would say the relevant god if it was anyone other than the Tamin church in the unlikely scenario some other Paladin happened to be there guarding the gate instead.

"Papers. Guild paperwork and shipping manifests," he said with a bored voice.

I heard some ruffling before the man groaned. "Lead your caravan into that field for an inspection. No one can enter Norta until we finish."

"I should mention now that we have a group of demon hunters escorting this caravan," Cecilia said.

"That's good to hear, but the inspection actually has to do with the beastkin. They have us checking all shipments coming through from any beastkin caravans as a security measure," he said.

Fellia spoke up in a high-pitched voice. "Oh dear, did one of those animals do something to warrant these inspections? I wouldn't want to be delayed over this."

"I'm afraid I can't answer that. Beastkin wagons are to be inspected. That's all I'll say." He had seemed annoyed by how Fellia addressed the beastfolk. I could sense through the bond that she was trying to deceive him, and it worked, but it didn't get the reaction she expected.

"Alright, Sir Paladin. I'll lead the caravan over there for inspection and talk with the caravan leaders," Cecilia said.

"Very good, ma'am. Thank you," he replied.

The carriage lurched slightly and we started rolling over to the field the man had indicated. The small city looked a lot less chaotic than the last time I had seen it. Though I shouldn't be surprised by that, this place was pretty much a warzone the last time I was here.

As soon as the carriage stopped, I moved to stand up before Torien reached out and took my wrist. "Perhaps you should hide your identity this time, create a disguise and give them a fake name."

I turned to her. "Do you think that's a good idea? Isn't my name on our paperwork?"

"They might be looking for you. If you at least change your appearance, they might not connect you to your regular self," Torien replied.

Morrigan shook her head. "I think that's risky. Even with her transformation powers, she might have to hold the transformation for a long time and we would have to figure something out about the paperwork anyway."

Torien frowned. "We can change the paperwork, take her name off our passenger list for now. After everything, they might be looking for you. We ran into the Tamin church the last time we were in Norta and things went to shit when we were in the capital. I don't think it's wise to give them another chance to stop you here."

Silva grunted. "It won't work anyway. The Paladins and Priests have magic that can see through illusions. I don't know if it will work with your shapeshifting, but the Order routinely advised us against using tricks like that. It's more likely to complicate things and make them treat you as an enemy once they find out. It's better to hope for the best and just fight your way out of the situation as yourself if things go south."

"I agree," Lorriene added. "It's not just the Tamin church. Most paladins and priests have ways to see through disguises. It's not worth the risk. I don't think Mimi should come out though, she should hide in here as something inconspicuous and hope they don't find her during the inspection."

Nelly nodded. "I can do something similar with my Goddess' magic. I hadn't thought to test it before now, but the magic I have specifically sees through deceit. I believe this would qualify."

Torien looked concerned but she sighed and let go of my wrist. "Fine. We'll have to risk it then. Be ready to fight back if they try anything." This got a round of nods from everyone.

Nelly smiled. "I may be able to smooth things along as a priest of Velenthel. The Tamin church has to abide by the Accords, and I'm on a mission from my Goddess. I believe stopping us from our travels would qualify as interfering with other gods if the delay is significant."

"It sounds like we have something of a plan. Let's hope this makes them leave us alone." With that, I finally hopped out of the carriage and joined Cecilia who had gathered all of the merchants together to explain what had happened. Many of the merchants looked irritated, but thankfully, none of their ire was directed at us.

I pulled Cecilia aside so Nelly could explain what she had told me to Cecilia. Kal'daeryn stood next to her and dutifully guarded her like a personal knight.

"I can use that to our advantage. Thanks, Nelly. I never traveled with a priest before, but that should give us a good way to talk our way out of this or at least move things along quickly."

"Oh no..." I turned to see Bella's ears had wilted. When I followed her gaze, I saw who she was looking at. Her mother Corrine. "Why did she still have to be here?"

It was already too late to do anything to get out of this conversation. Corrine's eyes had locked directly onto the two of us as she approached. "You again," she said quietly when she stopped near us. She turned to the two paladins that had come with her. "Leave me. I need to talk with these people alone."

"Ma'am, this group is high level, I can't—"

Corrine cut the guard off before he could continue. "I have dealt with this group before. I can handle it."

She turned back to me. "Give me some time to talk, and I'll let your caravan pass through town unmolested."

"If I may..." Nelly began.

Corrine shook her head the moment Nelly paused. "Lady priest of Velenthel, I will not hold you or your group long. A simple conversation is all I ask."

Nelly frowned and her ears went back. She looked defeated, whatever she was going to say got nipped in the bud. "Very well... As long as it doesn't delay my mission, I have no cause to stand in your way..."

"Well?" she asked me with a raised eyebrow.

"Just a conversation?" I asked in a guarded tone.

"Just you and your... friend." she said while looking at Bella.

Bella looked away and her ears went back.

-- "Do you think you can handle this, Bella?" -- I asked her through the bond. A moment later, I received an affirmative pulse from her.

"Fine, but we'll talk outside," I said as Bella came to stand next to me.

"Very well, but only you two," Corrine replied before leading us away from the group. Once we reached a short distance away and were out of the line of sight of anyone else, she turned and waved her hand. I felt the uncomfortable, yet familiar, feeling of a [Zone of Silence] being erected around us.

"So, what do you need from the two of us?" I asked.

Corrine crossed her arms and tapped her shoulder. "Last time we spoke... you asked me about my son... why?"

Bella's eyebrows rose and she unconsciously took a step back. "I..."

Corrine waited for her to continue, but when the pause stretched on, Corrine frowned. "After we last spoke, I asked someone I trust to look into my son for me. It's not something I'm normally allowed to do, but I became worried after what you said. I found out he had been sold into slavery around two months ago and then completely disappeared in Traehall. There isn't a trace of him after he was seen entering the city. Last time we talked, you asked me if I hated him and if I wanted to abandon him. Why? Why would you ask me that? Do you know what happened to Bruno?"

"I... I..." Bella's emotions were completely out of control. She started hyperventilating. She was having a panic attack!

"Bella, Bella, it's okay. Relax." I pulled her away from her mother and held her against me while slowly rubbing her back. "Just breathe, everything's okay."

Corrine watched on surprised. She looked completely caught off guard by the situation. I was just thankful that she didn't try to interfere or push the issue while I calmed Bella down. After a few minutes, Bella had caught her breath, but she was crying now. She was still standing on her own two feet, but she leaned against me almost limply.

When it was clear Bella had calmed down a little, Corrine took a hesitant step forward. "Did something happen to him... is... is my son dead?" she whispered.

Bella sniffled and turned to face her with angry eyes. "What do you care!? You abandoned your girly freak of a son! Your words! Not mine!"

Corrine's brow furrowed and she teared up. "You knew him... didn't you? I... I wanted to go back and help him one day, but I couldn't... You're supposed to cut all ties. When you first showed up and started asking me about my family, I thought you were trying to get me in trouble with the church... You asked me in a [Zone of Truth], I thought for sure I was going to get reprimanded, but nothing happened. And then I looked into it and Bruno disappeared! Please... just tell me how he died... I beg you."

Bella screamed, "I'M YOUR SON! I AM—" Bella's words were interrupted by a sob "I was your son... Bruno is gone... it's just me now... Belladonna."

"What? But I... I don't understand." Corrine looked confused and looked over at me. I was stunned. I hadn't seen Bella like this before. I put a hand on Bella's shoulder, and I felt her tremble under my touch.

Bella spoke rapidly between sobs, "I found... I found some...thing that let me change my body. I'm a girl now. I'm... I'm pregnant. I'm not your son anymore! Bruno is gone forever! You abandoned me with my father! No, with Bruno's father, and you left him there... Why do you even care what happened to him?"

"You're saying that you're Bruno?" Corrine asked in confusion.

"NO!" Bella screamed again. "I'M BELLADONNA!"

"I- I'm sorry... You're saying you were my son? Belladonna? You're alive?"

Bella sniffled and wiped the tears from her eyes. "What do you care?"

Corrine frowned. "I... regret abandoning hi- abandoning you. I'm so sorry... I couldn't take it anymore. I don't even remember the night my sister took me away from there... I think I almost died that night. I woke up... maybe a week later after being healed by a Tamin priest... I was so weak back then... I needed something to latch onto and it was only later that... that I thought about how we had left you there... Bru- Belladonna. I'm sorry for everything. I don't need you to forgive me, but... I... I'm just glad to find out you're alive and safe..."

I caught Bella before her legs gave out and held her against my chest. She was bawling now. Emotionally, she was totally a wreck. I felt pings of concern from all of the others through the bond, but I waved them away for now and reassured them that everything was fine. I would handle it.

"I... I should go now. I'll let you into Norta and order everyone to leave you alone." Corrine wiped the tears from her eyes and walked away.