The following day, after a morning spent singing and making up new songs, for which he earned $28, Giulio is accosted by Gundred who is upset with him for not telling her where he had gone. Promising to let her know in the future, he, I-na’Queh and Sarmad go off to a park during the siesta period to listen to Giulio sing. While there, a boy that had been in the choir with Giulio came up on them, quite stealthily; this was not normal for this lad, Gregory, who formerly had the grace of an ox and the speed of a slug.

In short, Gregory was possessed by one of the cultists from the Risen Lord, and had been following them earlier in the day. He pointed the crucifix of the Risen Lord at Giulio, who immediately began to flee. Two henchmen came up from behind them and a short skirmish followed, during which Giulio was briefly stunned; I-na’Queh entrapped the possessed Gregory with plants she made grow, Sarmad used magery and battle skills, and Giulio managed to stun everyone with an ear-piercing note, whereupon he made good his escape from Gregory through the hedges. Sarmad and I-na’Queh take flight, I-na’Queh using her power of flight and Sarmad changed into the form of a red eagle, chasing after Gregory who was levitating under “his own” ability, casting fireballs at Giulio.

Sarmad was wounded during his transformation and I-na’Queh helped him escape into the woods.

All of this activity during the siesta period rapidly brought the attention of the Scarlet Salvation, a.k.a. the Inquisition, who arrived upon the scene. The possession left Gregory, who fell to his death and upon examination of his belongings all were taken to the cathedral for an inquisitorial interrogation, as one of the objects in his possession was a Risen Lord crucifix.

The Inquisitors, being at least moderately satisfied with I-na’Queh and Sarmad’s stories, let them go. Giulio, however, was being held on suspicion of heresy, as they did not quite buy his total innocence. I-na’Queh and Sarmad then hurried back to the Gelded Lion to inform Lady Gundred When they got there I-na’Queh collapsed in the doorway; however, Sarmad was able to relate what happened.

Lady Gundred, upon hearing of this, went into her rooms, and began throwing things about. Without exiting through the doors of the Inn, she came to the cathedral, where she and Taraq, the Inquisitor argued over Giulio; she threatened to “cut off his supply”, and warned him to not interfere with her art or guild; he referred to her guild as a “trifling little guild”, but in the end, she won and Giulio was released.

Back at the Inn, Sarmad confronted Giulio and demanded an explanation, which was slowly forthcoming, but not fully. He told them of the cult and his escape, but neglected to mention he had killed the cardinal and a couple of other things, such as his castration. Giulio is moderately convinced that Qan is a member of the Order of the Risen Lord, and that he is also behind his current problems. Giulio is given a potion by Talbot to make him sleep for about 12 hours. Sarmad is not fully convinced by Giulio’s story, and I-na’Queh does not agree that Qan had anything to do with it, but they begin making plans among themselves to depart from Lady Gundred’s service.