Flames of Doubt

Petro enters the Citadel posing as grieving refugee and meets Elder Miriam, who warmly welcomes him. He encounters Father Aldric, a defected Church priest, and meets families who fled persecution. That evening, he shares meals and learns their stories.

Petro scouts the Citadel from a distant hilltop for three days, observing normal village life that contradicts expectations of a demonic fortress. He witnesses a funeral with genuine human grief and begins questioning Church teachings.

Petro team rides east through farmlands encountering a fleeing family and a merchant supplying the Citadel. Petro recounts the Millbrook massacre to justify the Church hunts, but Thomas questions executing harmless magic users.

Witch hunter Sir Petro Marok is summoned by the High Council and assigned to investigate the Citadel of Light where magic users gather. Despite doubts from Father Clement and Sir Martin, Petro volunteers and departs Westminster with a small team, carrying trauma from a childhood massacre.