The Price of Knowledge

Sirius was led alone in the spacious hall under the Ravenloft chapel by the Inquisitor himself. He was placed on a podium in the middle of a hexagonal room, while benches for the judges hanged over the stage from five out of six sides around the stage, surrounding him and making him feel small and insignificant. Behind him was a small row of audience seats, where after some time Father Gregor was seated. His face was pale and gaze restless, still nervous from the encounter. But some of his concerns were lifted - now the fate of Sirius was in hands of the Bishop, who was famous for being just and kind head of the Ravenloft church. Seeing that the Inquisitor or Rivervale was conflicted, he thought that the situation might be not as dire as he thought.

They waited for half an hour and eventually doors creaked and people entered the courtroom. The Inquisitor of Rivervale took place besides Sirius, while at the top of the bench another four Inquisitors and a Bishop appeared. Bishop's robes had a thin line of gold, and his mask was decorated with golden patterns around the edges. Three Inquisitors were female, while Bishop and the remaining judging inquisitor were male, indicated by the colour of their masks. After everyone else took their places, Bishop nodded and sat in the middle and looked around.

"Greetings, esteemed Bishop of Ravenloft and fellow Inquisitors. I asked for a holy tribunal to judge the Child of the Prophecy, Pupil Sirius." Inquisitor stated loudly. He then began reciting what he knew. "I will tell you his story to give the context of the situation, to avoid the unjust verdict. Pupil Sirius, you are to confirm or deny the information I give. In case we detect a lie three times, your credibility will be questioned, and you will not be allowed to clarify any statement from that moment onward. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Silver Inquisitor."

"Pupil Sirius was the target of the Cleansing nine months ago and survived after his foster father and mentor, Deacon Verden of Rivervale, sacrificed himself to protect his student." Inquisitor fell silent, and turned towards Sirius, waiting for him to speak.

"It is true, Silver Inquisitor." Sirius confirmed, hurt by the cold statement of facts.

"His senses are extremely keen, and his knowledge is advanced, despite not being baptised three years ago and not receiving formal education from the church. Singlehandedly, relying on his perception only, he understood the concept of spellweaving and reverse-engineered the circle diagram rituals accessible to the Laity."

"It is not entirely correct, Silver Inquisitor. Deacon Verden was a druid before he joined the church, so he taught me the underlying principles of magic he knew himself. He was not aware that the church knows about the... spellweaving." Clarified Sirius, garnering the attention of Inquisitor, who was annoyed for missing that when he met Verden before.

"Priest Gregor of Rivervale, can you confirm this?" Asked a Bishop.

"Yes, your holiness. I never taught Deacon Verden after becoming a Priest. He was the first to tell me this sacred information he knew before we met."

"Continue, Inquisitor. Pupil Sirius and Priest Gregor are truthful."

"Thank you, Your Holiness. I will restate. Pupil Sirius knew the spellcasting foundations and using this knowledge, along with his keen perception, managed to reverse-engineer the magic circle ritual, and even create a novel ritual for extended flame."

"It is correct, Silver Inquisitor."

"I have uncovered his sin of delving into the divine and gave an ultimatum. He was to either join the Order or be executed. However, Pupil Sirius stated that he is no mage and therefore can not enter the inner circle of the church. Was it the actual reason, Pupil Sirius?"

"No, Silver Inquisitor. I did not want to be bound by rules and follow the orders of those who killed master Verden, even if it meant to pursue magic research." Sirius bluntly stated, making everyone fall silent, waiting for the Bishop to voice his opinion.

"That is rather unfortunate to hear, but also understandable." Said Bishop. "I can not blame you for that decision, since it was the Order who let you down. Please continue, Inquisitor."

"Pupil Sirius promised to stop his research of circle diagrams and began studying medicine, since Deacon Verden was a healer of Rivervale, before his demise. He fulfilled his promise and began his learning. During that he stumbled upon what he has called alchemy."

"Yes, that was the case." Sirius confirmed, almost shaking from stress and fear.

"Pupil Sirius, could you present your notes?" Inquisitor said and waited for Sirius to take out his notes, which he laid upon the podium. "In this notebook Pupil Sirius documented his findings. According to him, with further research it can be perfected into additional method of spellcasting."

"That's right, Inquisitor."

Bishop extended his hand and the notebook lifted from the podium and flew directly into his hands. After he diligently read through every page he passed it to other Inquisitors at the bench and began speaking.

"I understand the reason for a Tribunal, Inquisitor. Pupil Sirius broke the Codex several times, but could not be judged as per usual, due to his case being unprecedented. Notably, he willingly brought a new branch of research into the Silver Order, knowing he might be branded a heretic. Therefore you made a decision of assembling a tribunal, in order to get an outside perspective on the case."

"It is correct, Your Holiness." Confirmed Inquisitor, while bowing.

"We will discuss the matter regarding the alchemy and after that we will come to hear the words of Pupil Sirius."

Saying that he and the four Inquisitors stood up and left, leaving Sirius with Inquisitor of Rivervale on the stage.