"Armando had Marie explain her mission?" Betty asked.
"Remember that while Lupmen and Leomen were more gender equal, that does not entirely mean that they didn't know how human women were treated and it doesn't mean that they were necessarily all that kind to those outside their species," Marie explained, "The Lupmen only agreed to train Katherine because they thought it would be a challenge worth their time, not because they were friendly toward her. The sudden revelation that the Inquisitor that Katherine was friends with as female was not something that could easily be believed."
"If they didn't believe her, why would they want an explanation?" Maddex asked, "why didn't they just throw them out?"
"Partially because Marie had managed to surprise Armando," Marie answered, "and because he was totally confused by everything. It went totally against what he knew of humans, and he had to sort it out..."
++++++++
Marie was slow to answer the male Lupman's question concerning what her mission and who she was. After all, officially, she didn't exist. If they went to the Council to double check her facts, the Council would deny even knowing her and let them have their way with her.
"I do not think you would believe me..."
"Armando," Katherine told her.
"Armando," Marie finished.
"Then you'd better give me a good explanation for why you claim to be an Inquisitor," Armando growled, "or I will take my chances with you and that knife."
"There are details about my life and mission that you can not double check," Marie told him.
"How?"
"My name is Marie Cruz, and as far as the Council of the Inquisition is concerned, and the world as well for that matter, I do not officially exist," Marie spoke, "If you took my story to them they would deny my existence and possibly allow you and your pack to try and kill me."
"Why?"
"Because the Inquisition only accepted me as a favor for my Godfather's years of service to them," Marie answered, "I have no illusions of importance to them."
"This is all unbelievable," Armando spoke, "a Felman asking us to train her, and now a woman "Inquisitor"."
"It is the truth, even if you do not believe it," Marie answered, "or like it."
"Just explain yourself," Armando growled, "it'll let me sort some things out about all of this."
"I will not tell you how I came to be an Inquisitor as there is nothing I can do to make you believe me, and you can not double check my story," Marie spoke, "but if you must know... I will tell you my mission. If you promise not to tell anyone..."
"I'm tempted to throw you both in an asylum," Armando grumbled, "explain."
"I have what is known as "second sight" a talent of prophets and witches," Marie spoke as calmly as possible, "through this, I have seen a vision of three witches in the New World turning their backs on God and humanity... and if not stopped will destroy the world and everything in it. Katherine here, is a friend of mine and wanted to help, but the mission is too dangerous for her, and I don't want her hurt. Which is probably why she came to you. Since I do not have the time to train her, she came to those she thought would help."
"She has repeatedly spoke of helping an Inquisitor... but we had assumed that the Inquisitor was male," Armando answered.
"That goes with the secrets I have had to carry," Marie spoke, "I do my best to conceal my gender on missions. Everything from armor to heavy robes to even the old costume my godfather wore at times. If I were allowed to show the world my gender, everyone would know who I am because I am the ONLY female Inquisitor."
"And you have survived?" Armando questioned.
"Yes," Mare replied.
Armando then looked down to the spear that Marie had earlier knocked out of his hand. The throwing knife was still embedded in the wood.
"I will say you have exceptional combat skills," Armando admitted, "worthy of the trials... but we normally only offer that to Lupman from outside our Pack."
"I wouldn't want to make your life any stranger," Marie answered.
Armando slowly nodded, "I do not believe you entirely... but your skill is enough to let me give you the benefit of the doubt... but you must allow your friend's training to continue. If these witches are real, the two of you will be an unstoppable force... if not... then well, I guess it would make the church more interesting."
"But you could kill her!" Marie protested.
"Trainees are never hurt," Armando answered smugly, "at least not lethally so. And besides, it is the best teacher. If you wish to test your friend, return here at the end of her three years of training. And then the duel with training swords will be done."
"Training swords?" Katherine asked.
"Swords made of wood," Marie explained, "the Ancient Romans called their version the rudius."
Marie glanced to Katherine.
"Please, Marie," Katherine spoke, "I will do anything to help you. You're my friend, and that is what friends do."
"You won't give this up?"
"No," Katherine shook her head, "I will help my friend at all costs."
"Very well," Marie sighed, and then turned back to Armando, "don't hurt her."
Armando didn't answer. By all rules, he should have killed the intruder when she let her guard down and lowered the knife, but she was brave and skilled. That did deserve some respect.
+++++++
"So he only accepted Marie's story because she was a good fighter?" Samantha questioned.
Marie nodded, "For the Roman Pack, bravery and skill in combat was important. And in Europe, they were probably the only Pack that had few "wars" with humans, likely coming from their connections to the founding of Rome."