The Island

Condessa asks for an audience with myself, Don Ramon Arturo del Lobo Garrida, and Una de Kirkwall the next day. I agree to go. The others arrive as well.
 
Her scholars were studying a relic called the Orrey Immortal. During the commotion, half the map was stolen and a book with details on the item. Rumors, she said, claims the book and map perhaps lead to a device or means to "open the gates of heaven"?
 
So, of course, I'm skeptical. But something like that... it would be as lethal as poison since people will kill for it.
 
We agree to help her.
 
She shows us a map to an island which is where we're to go. A ship will take us there. We just need to be there at the afternoon for the trip. I didn't need much, a few extra medical supplies and my rapier.
 
The island turned out to be rather small. Six miles wide at most, it's overgrown with trees; it's only population is cranes. A heavy, temperate forest. We land at a channel at the base of the cliffs, then head northwest. Our understanding, at least, the 'X' on the map is where we need to go. At least something important.
 
After a long march with the carriers that Lady Una brought along we come across an old footpath heading off to the west at 30 degrees from our current route. We discuss it, but we're of separate minds. There's a thought that the path is more interesting... which is more Don Ramon and an urge not to muss his clothing.
 
I offered my thoughts, and checked the footpath in case there was tracks or signs of life. Sadly, there wasn't anything. When the others start to argue, I choose and head north as per the map to the 'X'. The others decide to follow me after a bit more debate. It isn't a clear route but we make it. Lady Kirkwell realizes our map doesn't match the island.
 
But in looking at the map, I thought we could follow the cliffs to have a better idea where to look. The others agree. It isn't any easier, but it was progress.
 
Not long after that, we heard the sound of combat south of us. I raced for the sound. I saw the last thing I wanted to ever see again: The Inquisition attacking a village.
 
My urge was to run down to the village and take on the Inquisition was overwhelming. But I kept still. The villagers were winning, if only due to numbers. Lady Kirkwell headed down with Don Ramon in tow. I followed close behind. We didn't get that far before one of the villagers pointed off down a path to a cave and told us to look after their shaman. That was all that we needed to hear, we headed for the cave.
 
Or at least Lady Kirkwell and myself did. Don Ramon?
 
He needed to dress for the event...
 
I didn't want to know.
 
At the cave the shaman was just inside. He had been beaten, severely in some places. He was an old man, obviously the village elder. I didn't pay much attention to Lady Kirkwell. Instead I rushed inside.
 
The moment I got close, he wanted me...
 

"I told the others, I wont tell you where the medallion is"

 
I told him I didn't care about the medallion. What I cared about was him and his health. I explained I was a doctor then I got to work.
 
Fortunately, he wasn't hurt too badly. Just a cracked rib. Which is, painful and bad enough, but not lethal. The man's name was Te-Wakupa.
 
Te-Wakupa explained the Inquisition beat him to learn the location of this amulet. That didn't surprise me. While I worked, Lady Kirkwell asked the shaman about the amulet since she was intent on getting it. She asked mine and Don Ramon's opinion.
 
Honestly, I was against it. Recovering a relic from a ruin? Fine. But those people were guarding it. So to me it is theirs and we would be stealing. That is what I believed. That set off a moral debate that only ended when I left to get the correct herbs to help the shaman with his broken rib.
 
By the time I returned, Lady Kirkwell had not only learned more but determined where the amulet was hidden. Don Ramon? He had gotten the shaman drunk. Not exactly "doctor's orders" but... it worked. Once I crushed the herbs to a tea, Te-Wakupa drank that and was feeling much better. I made sure to write notes down about this herb along with my copy of the island's map.
 
That left the medallion itself.
 
I wasn't happy about it but Te-Wakupa had told Lady Kirkwell that those who "Walk in the Light" could carry the amulet. He seemed to be fine with us taking it to a safer place. Somewhere else so the village would be spared. That soothed my nerves over the matter.
 
Lady Kirkwell reopened the passage. It was in the back of the cave, heading down into an underground waterway. The amulet was on, if not in , the water. We debated how to get it, Don Ramon headed out to ambush any Inquisition that chose to poke their nose into this. Good idea. It would have been just our luck that the Inquisition would show up. Fortunately, they didn't.
 
We decided to use rope to secure Lady Kirkwell and I would anchor her. She would cross the water to get the Medallion. Before we could set out to do that, a disembodied voice says that only someone with no metal can cross.
 
That wouldn't work. Lady Kirkwell is practically covered in metal from weapons to pins. So, that left me.
 
Leaving my medical tools and rapier on the shore, we tied the rope around my waist and I waded out to get it. The water was cold, but... fresh. Clear. Clean. Like holy water in a way. Odd. But I recovered it, then waded back. No attacks by piranha or really anything else, thankfully.
 
After that, I re-armed and we helped Te-Wakupa back to the village.
 
While we were gone, a route at the village had taken place. The villagers survived, but not without a cost. A rough count? Four Inquisition guards and at least fifteen villagers were hurt. I had my work cut out for me. But it was my work to do, so set to it. Once done, there was the matter of the Inquisition soldiers. I tried to talk to them about better choices.
 
It was stupid. Foolish even. I know that. But... I had to try. I doubt they cared but I still had to try.
 
In the end, the villagers wanted us gone and the Inquisition gone as well. So we took the surviving guards as prisoners and sailed back to return the medallion to the Condessa.
 
This medallion is a step along what she wants to this relic. It isn't her book and maps and may be only a piece of what she's after.
 
But it was a start. Hopefully, we were putting the medallion in the right hands.