Blackrock Mercenaries

The sun beat down on us as we made our way through the streets of Nettersville to the training arena outside the city walls. Townsfolk watched us pass, and for once, I saw expressions of curiosity instead of distrust. An idea sprang to mind, and I hurriedly whispered a plan to Penny and Sasha.

Penny laughed, but Sasha gave me an impressed look. "I'm surprised you thought of that."

"Half of any business is advertising. If we're going to be stuck here until we can get rid of his Kraken, we may as well get work."

"True enough." She beamed, and soon all of us were shouting up to the watching citizens.

"Come one, come all! An exhibition match between the leader of The Blackrock Mercenaries, and Lord Henry's personal hunter! Who will reign supreme? Come find out. Free viewing!"

Some servants caught on and started doing the same. It didn't take long for doors to open and our ranks to swell. When we arrived at the training arena, we had almost doubled our number. Penny and Sasha helped me push to the front. Lord Henry simply ordered people to move aside, and I watched him from my spot across the area.

My eyes met his, and the noble smiled and tipped his head at me. Despite the attempt at appearing noble, I could see the excitement in his eyes. His desire to see the fire was clear on his face. That didn't surprise me. He was young after all, and everything I had seen of Rita let me know this fight was going to be interesting.

Rita stepped up to me, the same way Hunter Garret approached his lord. Around us the crowd jostled for space, trying to get prime spots to see the large dirt rectangle. Their eagerness for what was to come allowed them to break through their apprehension at being near the nobility.

"Would you be willing to do some additional work before the fight starts?" I asked Rita, my words low.

Her ear twitched in my direction, and her lips pursed into a thin line. "What do you mean?"

"Don't worry, nothing major." I glanced around, making sure no one was watching us. "Before you start, simply mention that we're looking for work."

"Why?"

Her words were suspicious, and it took self control not to wave her words away. "Because we're going to be here for a day or two. We need to buy food and supplies for the trip back. Any jobs we can collect while here will only benefit us."

"I see." She paused, and for a moment, I thought she was going to say no. "Alright."

"Thank you."

We didn't get much more time to talk. Lord Henry stepped forward and made a short speech. It was about how he was excited to be here to witness two combatants showcase their skills. That both contestants' blows needed to remain non-lethal. A fact made easier by the training weapons they were being given. How he guaranteed that the outcome of this fight would end the previous disagreement. Three strike victory.

He didn't go into what the disagreement was about, but the crowd was more than happy to speculate. I let them, watching Rita as she walked over to grab her weapon. Garret got there a few steps afterwards, and while she perused swords, he lifted a rather large club.

"That can't be non-lethal," I whispered.

Penny's tail flicked, and her eyes narrowed. "Because it's not."

"Then why is he allowed to do it?" I looked at her. "He can't pull a punch with that thing."

"True. Though that's only a problem if he can hit her. Look at Lord Henry."

The young lord was smirking as he eyed the hunter's large weapon. He turned and whispered something to a nearby knight, who pointed at Rita and smiled. They both laughed, and I realised they were having a similar conversation. I relaxed a little as Rita picked up a sword, balanced it, and then nodded.

Once they were both in positions facing each other, Lord Henry held up his hand. "Fighters! Introductions."

Rita went first. She bowed to Garret, and then to Lord Henry. When she spoke, it was with her professional voice.

"My name is Rita Thrumlin, owner of the Blackrock Mercenary Company. We are available for hire when we aren't working for Lord Henry."

A smile crossed my face as Garret gave his name and rank. Lord Henry clapped his hands and then stepped back, saying a single word to start the fight.

Garret charged, his legs pumping as he raced towards her. Rita didn't move, not even when he positioned the club to swing it at her. It was halfway through the air when she stepped back and to the left. By the time he passed her, the weapon was on the other side of his body, and he was too far away to manage a second strike.

In contrast, her sword flashed out, and she slashed at his passing back.

"Strike one!" Lord Henry called out, after a whisper from the same knight he had whispered with earlier.

Rita turned, her movements careful and controlled as she watched Garret right himself. Next to me, Penny leaned in, speaking just loud enough for me to hear her over the excited crowd.

"See his eyes?" Penny said. "He believed that would work. Probably would have. That much muscle and power bearing down on someone can make people freeze. He's recalculating."

I tried to see what she did. The man's eyes roamed over Rita as he stalked forward, the club held out in front of him like a duelist rapier. When he got within reach of her sword, he dropped it and sneered at her. In the bard's stories, he would say a one liner here. Something that showed he was the villain. What happened instead was he stepped forward and gave an almost lazy swing.

Rita didn't move, even as the tip of the club almost brushed her nose. Garret chuckled, the sound mocking, but she didn't raise the bait. As he moved around her, talking fake swings, she rotated slowly, watching as he moved.

"What's he doing?" I asked Penny, but as I spoke, I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. Sasha was watching someone nearby, her eyes narrowed and her tail flicking with anger.

Penny's attention remained fixed on the fight, but she answered eagerly. "He's testing her, seeing if he can get her to flinch. He'll take the fight to her properly in a minute. If she doesn't step forward first."

Before I could ask her about Sasha, Garret did exactly what Penny said. He stepped forward and swung, shifting his body so there was nowhere for her to dodge, too. Rita raced back, and this time the narrow avoidance of the club didn't appear as intentional. Garret chased her, his weapon swinging through the air with a series of quick, though a Penny pointed out, weak strikes.

Rita parried a few but mostly continued to dodge. As the battle continued, I kept half an eye on Sasha. When she pushed her way through the crowd, I knew I had to make a choice. A glance showed that Rita's fight hadn't changed much. Nearby, people were complaining when Sasha pushed them aside. It was an easy choice.

"This fights a forgone conclusion then?" I asked, and when Penny nodded and rose to her toes for a better look, I slipped away and called over my shoulder. "I'll be right back."

Sasha continued to push her way through, and it took me a moment to see where she was heading for. Several people had set up stalls nearby, and were catering to the crowd. It didn't surprise me. A gold weasel never missed a chance for the thinnest fraction of profit. My attention fell on the man that my fellow employee appeared to be heading directly for.

Sleazy was the word that came to mind. From his slicked brown hair tied into a ponytail hung over his shoulder, to the way his tanned skin only showed superficial signs of being weathered. This was a man who wanted to look like a cheap travelling merchant, with none of the cosmetic costs associated.

He wore clothes that appeared at first glance to fit in with the common folk, but I could tell without my skill they were anything but cheap. Upon seeing Sasha, his eyes widened, and he attempted a smile that was all teeth.

"Apprentice, fancy seeing—"

She punched him in the mouth. It staggered him, and I moved forward to grab her arm as I saw the town guard look in our direction. None appeared inclined to help, but I didn't need them, deciding this was going to spoil the fight happening behind us. Sasha struggled in my grip, her tail slapping me as though it was going to get me to release her.

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

"I should have known!" she shouted, as she made to punch him again. "As soon as the guard captain said something was fishy about the potions, I should have known it was you."

"Sasha, calm down," I hissed into her ear.

Poker Face couldn't hide my wince when she stamped on my foot, and I let her go. The moment I did, she was on the man again. He held up his hands to block his face as she scratched at him. Guards were coming now, especially when red lines appeared on his arms. He was shouting now.

"You never understood! We couldn't generate the profits we needed doing it your way. The academy—"

Again, his words cut off, but this time it was by the guards arriving. Sasha struggled against them too, but they were less gentle. Three ganged up, and I stepped back as they hauled her away. The man watched her, and his babbling ceased the moment she was out of view. Some people were watching us, but most were still watching the fight.

A cheer rose, followed by Lord Henry shouting. "Strike two for Miss. Thrumlin!"

"She was always too high and mighty for her own good," the man muttered, and turned to his blanket where he had his wares laid out.

I mentally noted that I would need to figure out what her bail price was as I checked out what he had on offer. He had arranged a variety of potions, tablets, and herbs on the red and black mat. Most claimed to be for healing, but that wasn't all. Pills for bad breath, herbs to act as marital aids, and even a gel for smoother skin.

No matter the use, they all had one thing in common. None of them, according to the cards they sat above, were cheap. I focused on them, letting my skills tell me what their true value was. The discrepancies appeared immediately.

{Potion of Healing. Actual price: Six bronze. Listed Price: Four silver.}

{Breath herb. Actual price: One bronze. Listed Price: One silver.}

{Stamina Supplement. Actual price: Three bronze. Listed Price: Six silver.}

"That's some markup," I said, staring at the healing potion.

"True, but you have to factor in time, travel, distance, and other things." The man beamed at me, and I watched as the cuts on his arm healed slowly before my eyes. "Nate Tenner, alchemist. At your service. I'm surprised you know the runaway."

I couldn't hide the curiosity in my voice, nor could I look away from his arm. There was something wrong with the way it healed. "The Runaway?"

"Yes, she was a journeyman. My journeyman actually. Decided she didn't like how I did business and left. Never ended up getting her certificates." He shook his head, as though sad.

It wasn't an excellent performance. He was still smiling, and from the way he watched me, I knew he was trying to figure out his sales angle. If I knew Sasha, then he knew there was little chance that my disposition towards him would be kind. Which was true, but I didn't actually know about him and I told him as much.

"She's never mentioned you."

"Never? Embarrassment, probably. She was such an excellent student, but simply didn't understand the business side of things, Mr…?" he trailed off.

I ignored the invitation to give my name. "She is quite the accomplished alchemist. My employer is lucky to have her. Though, I must admit to never seeing her lose her cool like that. Your parting must have been quite the affair."

"No denying that." He chuckled, but there was no humour in it. "Can I interest you in a purchase, sir? Otherwise, I had other business to attend to."

"I do, in fact. How much for the story?"

Mr. Tenner blinked at me. "I'm sorry."

"The story." I repeated. "Of how you two parted ways? I'll get it from her, but I'm sure you would like to tell your side."

"And why would I want to do that?" His tone was chilled.

"Because, sir. I want to know when I bail her out if I'm going to tell our current employer to let her come back."

The silence stretched on, and he rolled his eyes. "You don't scare me."

"No. I can see that. But that's because I have information you don't." I grinned at him.

"Oh?" His stare was as flat as his voice. "I'm assuming you won't leave until you tell me?"

"Good catch. The guards have a problem with you. They hired The Blackrock Mercenaries to find out what you're up to." A shout of pain came from Garret, and I saw his eyes flick to the crowd as Lord Henry announced the winner. "So. How much for the story?"

"I don't owe you anything."

His words were hard to hear over the cheering, and I gave him my most charming smile as I turned and walked away to go find Rita. Though as I walked, I called over my shoulder loud enough for him to catch the words.

"Not yet."

***

My righteous indignation lasted until I reached Penny, who was easier to find now that the crowd had dispersed. All around us, people were talking about the fight. Those merchants I had left were calling out their wares. A desperate attempt to capitalize on the good feelings to take their gold.

At my look, Penny's eyes narrowed, and she glanced around. "Where's Sasha?"

"Got herself arrested." I gestured towards Rita, who was shaking hands with Lord Henry. "We need to tell the boss and then go find the Guard Captain. Hopefully, your friendship will lower her bail price."

"What did she do?"

"I'll tell you both at once."

We walked into the arena proper, and Lord Henry gave me a friendly smile. Garret, I noticed, wasn't anywhere to be seen. I didn't mind. The last thing I needed was to deal with someone being a sore loser on top of Sasha's arrest. Poker Face activated, and I could feel the way it pulled at my muscles to stop my irritation from showing.

"Is my lord pleased with Miss Thrumlin's performance?" I asked, as Penny all but vibrated with impatience beside me.

"Indeed." Lord Henry clapped his hands. "You shall have your gold once your mission is complete, and I have had my hunt."

"That wasn't the agreement, my lord. As a mercenary, we prefer our pay upfront." I tried to keep my words gentle.

Lord Henry smiled, a calculating one that appeared strange on his young face. "As a lord, I like to make sure that I get what I'm paying for. Though perhaps an upfront payment is agreeable. One thousand gold on completion of ridding us of the kraken, and I shall pay for the expenses of the expedition. The rest will come after the defeat of this Tyrant."

It wasn't a fair deal, and he knew it. We both also knew there was no hope of me getting a better one. With a smile I didn't feel, we shook on it.

"Shall we go to discuss the plan, then?" He asked. "Your alchemist mentioned an itching powder. If it works, I'd be interested to see it."

"She's right—" Rita began, but I cut her off.

"Miss. Leed is currently indisposed. The guards detained her after she found a potion seller price gouging customers." I gave a laugh, soft and polite. "Those who have attended the academy have their pride."

"Price gouging potions?" Lord Henry looked stunned.

"Yes." I gestured back to where Nate Tenner had set up. "He claims transport and manufacturing. Without Miss. Leed, I don't have enough knowledge to dispute it. But I can't imagine what the process involves, that a copper potion is being sold for a handful of silver."

Lord Henry bit his bottom lip and looked over at a knight who shrugged. "That is troubling. Do you know when she will be back?"

"Not until dinner time, I'm afraid. They wanted her to give a full accounting."

"Late, but I suppose the guard must have their pound of flesh."

He sighed and gestured to several servants. After a whispered conversation, he turned back to us. With the details set, I watched Lord Henry walk away with his retinue in tow. Soon, only our small trio and the merchants remained. Though the latter were packing up and threatening each other over spots in the market.

"What happened?" Rita's tone brooked no argument.

I explained everything. How I had seen Sasha wandering off. The fact she had cut his arm. That his wounds healed slowly. Penny listened intently, her eyes locked on the man's retreating back. From the way she gripped her weapon, I was half afraid she was going to shoot him. Rita appeared worried about the same thing as she put a hand on Penny's shoulder.

"Don't." When Penny let out a small growl, she continued. "We have other options now."

She was looking at me, and I allowed myself a smile. That wasn't wrong. I had some ideas, but no real way to enact them. Not without Sasha. If I could prove he was doing something to his potions, perhaps?

"It's a possibility," was all I said.

"Good. Then we get Sasha out."

Without waiting to see if anyone was going to disagree with her, she marched back to town. Penny and I shared a look and followed her. Rita's irritation was palpable, although Penny kept her typically amused expression. When I moved closer to her, she whispered to me.

"This has been a long time coming."

"Oh?" I asked, genuinely curious.

Penny nodded, skipping slightly to keep up with Rita's determined march. "Absolutely. She won't tell me exactly what he did. But she's hated him ever since we met."

"He mentioned she was helping him while she was a journeyman." I frowned, thinking back to what I knew about her. "It makes me curious."

"We'll find out soon."

At Rita's words, I looked up and saw she was right. The guard house was right before us. Our guard moved to open the door and ushered us in. Rita walked through as if she owned the place, and I followed on her heels, trying to think of how much money we had. It wasn't a lot. Though bail couldn't be that much, not for the amount of damage she had done. Another guard met us in the hallway that held the cells.

"She's in the third one down," he said. "Captains already told us you would be coming. Bails set a single gold coin."

"That's it?" I asked, a touch startled.

The guard laughed. "She told him who she hit. Mr. Tenner's a snake, and no one's sad to see it."

"A gold then."

I reached into my pocket and pulled out our last coin. As he took it, he pulled out a set of keys and whistled as he walked us down to the cell. Sasha sat inside, back against the wall and her glare focused on the floor. At Rita's cough, she looked up and her yellow eyes went wide.

"You came to get me?" There was hesitation in her voice, but I didn't know why.

Penny laughed. "After all the times you came to get me? Of course we did. Come on, we paid your bail."

"And we have time before we meet Lord Henry for you to tell us why we're paying it." Rita watched as the guard opened the door. "Let's go."

Sasha nodded, and together we left the guardhouse to go find somewhere private where she could tell her story.