Blackrock Mercenaries

For the rest of the week, my days turned into a repeating pattern. Jenkins would wake me up at the crack of dawn and I would go down to cook breakfast. It was a different meal each time, and he would instruct me on how to make it as he watched. None of it was fancy, only the typical bachelor's fare, but it expanded my repertoire.

After breakfast, Penny would show up wearing her dress and bell. Once she had said her hellos to Jenkins, she dragged me into the back fields to play chase. I hadn't spotted her again after the first day, though by day seven I was getting used to reacting to the sound of her bell and swishing skirts.

Her lunging tackles became a touch less effective, and my face was somewhat safe from her attempts to mark me. I never went totally unmarked, but the petals Sasha had given me scrubbed it off before work, much to Penny's irritation.

After bathing and getting dressed, I spent my afternoons meeting with those I could. I found that most of them needed work on a schedule, and not just whenever like Rita had sold it to me as. I wasn't required for most of those jobs, though Rita reminded me to stay with Jenkins when I wasn't with them.

That meant cleaning. Throughout the week, Jenkins and I cleaned the house the best we could. We dusted window sills, wiped down surfaces, and I reorganized his pantry and junk drawers. Then it was back to crossbow training.

As we trained, he talked more about his time as a solider. It was never in great detail, but I could tell most of the memories were bittersweet for him. He continued to give me tips to improve my aim, and though I never got every shot, he clapped me on the shoulder more than once at the end of our sessions.

On the last day before our job for Callahan, a knock on the door interrupted our routine. I looked up from where I was moving a box of glasses and glanced at Jenkins. He waved me to set my burden down, and so I did.

The knock sounded again before I could get to the door, and when I pulled it open, I found myself shocked by an unfamiliar face. It was a young man, wearing a symbol I remembered from the Mayor's office in Ophilim.

Behind him stood a dapple roan horse that snorted, but didn't tug against its reigns. The courier, not one from the Lace Company, held out a small letter. He smiled as he did it, a genuine one of someone glad for a job to be over.

"Delivery for Burling?" he said, and I nodded as I took the note.

"That's me."

He nodded and handed me the letter once I showed him a contract with my name on it. That done, he turned and moved away, but before he could get too far, I stopped him.

"There's still water in the stables if you need something for your horse." I saw his grateful look and waved him on. "Just by the door. Then can you wait for me in case I need to send a reply?"

"Sure can. They paid for return postage too. You have good kids." He gave me a grateful smile, and I turned to break into the seal as I made my way back to the kitchen.

Penny, who I hadn't seen arrive, and Jenkins sat at the table, chatting about some Flower Festivals long gone. I barely paid them much mind as I read over the words. The words tumbled across the page in a jerky, awkward way, as though the recipient wasn't used to using a pen. It was legible, however, and the news made me smile. A fact that Penny caught on to. Soon enough, I had her hanging over me as she read over my shoulder.

To: Chad Burling, Cunso Consultant, Leyloon?

Hi Mr. Burling. This is Theo, Maddison is running the stall. It's doing well! Mr. Withers is letting us rent rooms in the inn now, but the others say he's under charging us? I'm not sure I understand that, but it's nice to have an actual bed. Sales are going well! We bought all new supplies, and some new clothes for Maddison and still had money left over. Five whole pieces of bronze!

Thanks again for doing this for us. Maddison thinks she's going to try something new with the stew soon, so we bought a new pot. Any advice on that front?

Yours, Theo and Maddison
The Witches Brew

"You have kids?" Penny asked, her voice loud from being right next to my ear.

"No, I do not." I mulled over what to send them, and eventually penned a reply with some stationary I borrowed off Jenkins.

To: Theo and Maddison, The Witch's Brew, Ophilim

Good day to you both, and I hope this letter finds you both in good health, and with many financial successes. Though if you're earning enough for rooms in the Inn, the last hope may be redundant. To answer your question, Theo, he is under charging you because he wants to help. That, and he wants to associate your business's growing popularity with his own.

Perhaps you could offer a sit down service and he could pay you a small licensing fee? It might be worth discussing. I'm glad to hear Maddison is branching out into new products. The stews are good, but perhaps something else simple like a type of bread would be worth looking at? You'll want something you can serve on hotter days.

Continue to send letters. I am rooting for your success.
Chad Burling, Consultant.

"Penny, do you have any silver? I lost my money in the woods," I asked, as I stood up, causing her to scramble away from me.

"Maybe?" She shrugged and searched her dress. "Why?"

My chair scraped as I pushed it in, and I gestured outside. "I need to pay the courier."

"He said the kids paid them."

"True." I nodded. "But he's come a long way, and any extra money should go into looking after his horse."

She pulled out a silver coin and handed it on. I blinked, not actually having expected her to have any on her. Penny beamed and pointed at it.

"You never know when silver will come in handy. Plus, I was going to throw it at you as a distraction to score a point in my game."

"I see." My tone was a touch concerned, both because I wasn't sure it wouldn't have worked and that she felt the need to distract me. "If you'll excuse me?"

Before I could get distracted, I hurried outside and found the courier by the stables. He was looking over Sockit and Thruit, who didn't appear perturbed by his presence. At my approach, he turned away, and after I handed him the silver coin tip, he bowed.

"Your generosity is appreciated."

"No need for that. I know what it's like to be on the road." My words were casual as I waved him off and handed him my letter. "If you could deliver this? Maybe buy something at the cart when you're there."

"Everyone does. They're doing well for themselves," he said, before mounting his horse.

With one last wave, he raised his reins, but before he could give the order; I stopped him.

"Sorry. One more thing. What do you know about The Lace Courier Company?"

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"Some rich people's service." He shrugged. "Not really something I deal with. Withers uses them, but I mostly do local. If they hadn't paid me so well, I wouldn't have made the trip out here. Why?"

"No reason, simply curious. Thank you again. Tell me though, are they doing alright? Not the business. Maddison and Theo I mean."

He snorted. "Oh yeah. The mayor eats at their place regularly, and everyone tries to buy something when they can. None of us want to see them back on the streets. They need drinks, though. It's annoying to have to go to the inn to get an ale after the bowl, you know? But both of them are looking better. It's nice to see them smiling instead of skulking."

"Hmmm." A memory of something Hester had said came to mind. "Would you take cider?"

"Sure?" The man looked confused.

"Interesting. I'll see what I can do."

With that, he left, and I moved into the stables. There would be no training or cleaning today, as we had to go back to Yuliosa and meet Callahan about the lumberyard. As I tended to the horses, I tried not to feel nervous about it, and instead focused on the important parts. This would be our first job that would earn us some actual coin.

Sure, eight silver wasn't a lot, but it was a start. It meant a few new clothes and some other things I needed. Also, it would hopefully get people used to paying us. The issue came what happened next. Penny wanted to travel, I knew that, but I wasn't sure that was the best idea yet. Not until we got a more solid foothold here, and dealt with Rita being banned from town.

Yuliosa was the biggest place nearest our headquarters, and having our leader not able to access it was annoying. I, and I assumed Penny and Sasha could still go in, which meant it would be up to us to manage getting new contracts and supplies. At least with those two, I knew I was unlikely to get ambushed by The Howlers again.

I finished getting the coach ready by the time Penny joined me. She sat up in the driver's seat with me as we made our way down the path and through the gate. After stopping by the hut to pick up the others, we made our way back to Yuliosa.

This trip didn't have the excitement of my arrival, a fact I was thankful for. Though Penny made me jump. Right where the turn onto the main road started, she sat up and shifted her gun into her arms. With a glare towards the trees, she fired, the bang loud and scaring a nearby bird. No monsters, or people, appeared, but she didn't lower the gun as we made the turn.

"Penny?" Rita called from inside the coach.

"I think I missed them." She sounded annoyed. "If that was them. Illusions, you think?"

Rita let out an irritated hum. "Maybe."

"Is it The Jackal again?" I looked around as I sped up the horses, but I didn't see any signs of them.

"Maybe," Rita repeated, her attention locked onto the trees at the side of the road.

We made our way to Yuliosa, but instead of stopping at the gates, we cut around the walls. From the walls, guards watched us, though none called for us to halt. The Lumber Camp, now that we were there, wasn't much to look at. In fact, the most interesting thing about it was the lack of things to see.

A massive area covered by tree stumps sat in barren dirt. As I stopped the horses and climbed down, I could have sworn I saw some of them move. Not enough to be certain, but the one nearest at me seemed to wiggle. I thought back to The Timberaine Tyrant, and the stump that acted as its face. My breath caught in my throat, and Penny slapped me on the shoulder.

"Breathe, and good catch. You're getting better. Don't worry, these are just babies."

"She's right," Rita said, and I turned to help both her and Sasha out of the coach. "We have this well in hand. They're hiding under the stumps. They haven't become one yet."

Sasha gave me a small smile as she let go of my hand. "I have the poison for them already. They shouldn't cause any significant problems. Provided The Mayor's goons aren't going to chase us off again?"

Callahan stepped forward from where he was waiting with a collection of other workers. They had appeared from the smaller of the two buildings in sight. One which was clearly designed to house workers, and feed them if the smell was anything to go by. He smiled and shook everyone's hand before he answered.

"No, they haven't been around in a while. I've talked to the mayor, but he isn't interested in discussing it." His tone dripped with disdain, and his tail swished angrily behind him.

"Color me surprised." I smiled as I spoke. "Do you have our money?"

"What do you mean they haven't been around?" Rita cut in before he could answer my question.

He shrugged and bared his fangs. "Like I said. They left. All of them seemed happy enough to do so, if I'm being honest. It was strange, and I don't trust it. One of them laughed, said that anything they needed to do here was done."

Rita and Sasha shared a glance as Penny stared out over the field, her gun resting against her shoulder. I didn't speak, letting them finish their silent conversation. When they did, they turned back to Callahan and Rita spoke, her voice hushed.

"Did they take anything?"

"No?" He shook his head. "All my equipment and the like were here. Why?"

"Not sure, at least, not yet. Anyway, shall we get started?" Rita asked, as Sasha searched in her bag and brought out bags of what appeared to be a bright pink power.

Callahan shrugged. "Start when you like."

"Payment?" I asked again, my tone firm as I eyed the money pouch hanging on his belt.

"After." He grinned. "Not letting you get off that easily."

"In that case, if you would wait a moment, Rita?"

She shrugged and nodded. Callahan and I spent the next ten minutes hashing out a proper contract, which included both the silver and being able to take any of the leftover wood for back home. Jenkins would need it, I knew, and I wanted to make sure we didn't change too much of the pre-established payments.

Plus, anything that kept expenses down was a good thing. Money we didn't have to waste on firewood would go to staying at inns when we started travelling. That, and it got me closer to my required one million.

Once Callahan and I established the contract, Rita gave her orders. I was to stay back and help guard the workers as the three of them went to spread the poison around the area. It was a good plan, and one I was happy enough to agree to. After double checking with Callahan that no one was going to need to go into the stump field, they left to do the work, leaving me with the workers.

My gun sat loosely gripped in my hand as I watched them do their thing. Each handful of the pink powder sprinkled on the stumps had an immediate effect. The wood would bubble and then a small creature would force its way out of the flat surface. They were like strange worms, made of leaves and dirt and vines.

Each time one poked its head up, Rita would be there to chop it down. It still shocked me how fast she was. Though I knew it wasn't, it wouldn't be unfair to call it teleportation. A worm would pop up, and she would simply be there, sword seeming to drink in the light as she swung it through the air to bisect the monster.

Beside me, Callahan chuckled. "They really do amazing work, don't they?"

"She does." I couldn't take my eyes off her, the way she moved so gracefully even as the others made more and more of the worms. "They do."

"It was a shame when the Mayor kicked her out of town. He didn't have my vote for that, I'll tell you what. Not that he asked any of the council." His tail wagged softly behind him, and his fingers clenched, as though he wanted to be gripping something, an axe maybe.

"You have a council?"

"Of course." He gave me a side-eyed glance. "Myself, Captain Roderick, Miss. Celut, and Mr. Linson."

The way he said the last name gave me pause. "Isn't he the one who runs the caravans out to Leyloon? You don't seem to like him."

"I don't. He's a two faced rat. While I don't have proof, I know he's selling our lumber to other towns cheaper than he should be. Ass. There's no way he's getting silver for it. The bag I handed you is half of my recent earnings," Callahan growled, and his tail stopped wagging.

There was an opportunity here, and I pounced on it. "How much would you like to know for sure?"

"Why?" he didn't look away from the group in the fields, but his ear flicked towards me. "How much?"

"Smart man. One gold, and we can investigate for you. Penny is near invisible when she wants to be, and I have a good working knowledge of the type of thing you're talking about. My guess is you get a part of the lumber sales? Or do you sell it to the town wholesale?"

He scuffed his boot along the ground. "A part of what I cut down goes to the town, but Linson helps me distribute the rest to surrounding villages. It's a good deal, but it's the same every time he travels. That doesn't feel normal."

"Because it's not." I shook my head. "Shall we write up a contract while we wait for them to finish?"

"You want to put this in writing?" He looked at me, concerned.

I shook my head. "No, but we both need something in the books. This one gold will be for something else, say, a priority service fee. We can slip it in with no one raising suspicion. But we'll know."

"Alright." Callahan shook his head and then took my hand. "I've never had a head for this cloak and dagger thing. We'll sign your contract."

Together, we moved to find a table, and we haggled over the details. None of that mattered, we both knew, but it needed to be done in case someone asked. Then he signed it, and I shook his hand again.

"Excellent, now—"

A shout of terror from one worker cut me off. With a racing heart, I ran out of the building, Callahan on my heels. Rita nor the rest were anywhere to be seen, and instead all I could witness was a massive dust cloud. Inside, shapes moved, and then I saw Sasha falling out and collapsing in the crowd.

Without knowing what else to do, I gripped my gun and ran forward to grab her. She looked at me as I dragged her backwards, serenaded by the sound of gunshots and metal on wood.

"What's happening?" I asked as I propped her up on a cracked stumped.

She whispered her answer, the cuts along her face and arms bleeding. "We were wrong."

"About what?" I glanced back at the dust cloud, seeing the shadow. "Sasha? About what?"

"It wasn't just the babies left…"

As she said the words, I heard an enraged roar as a large wooden fist punched its way out of the cloud.