Blackrock Mercenaries

"That's an ambitious plan. Tell me. How sure are you that you can get the Kraken into position for me to shoot it?"

This was the third time during the dinner that Lord Henry had rephrased the same question. Though he had rephrased it subtly each time. From the corner of my eye, I noticed the way Rita clutched her knife, the subtle movement the only sign it was getting to her. Penny simply continued to eat, with Sasha following suit. There was an awkward pause, and I gave an internal sigh. It would be up to me to fill it.

"As stated by my employer, krakens are rather single-minded creatures. They've evolved that way." I kept my tone light, and raised my wineglass, a sip, giving me a chance to pause and think about my words. "They attack big ships because it reminds them of the prey they chase in the deep. If we can give them something similar, then it will arrive."

Lord Henry shifted in his seat, and the creak filled the nearly empty common room. A few servants looked over, but when he didn't signal them, they returned to standing by the wall. I watched the Lord myself, wondering if he would ask the same follow-up question. Rita's knife scraped against the plate.

"And the itching powder won't wash off?" He asked.

"He's young. It's not his fault."

The thought helped as I answered him. "No. Well, it will, but by that point, it will have done its job. Little harms a Kraken, so they aren't used to uncomfortable sensations. This is a good way to give it such a thing without having to pierce the thick hide."

"I see."

From the way he looked at me, it was clear he didn't. That was fine. I simply needed him to agree and to let us do our job. His gaze shifted to Sasha, who twitched under the sudden scrutiny. I did my best to give her a supportive look, but it didn't seem to help.

"And you are the one who will make it, yes?" Lord Henry watched her for a moment, before adding. "Even though you failed out of the academy?"

"I left on my violation," Sasha said primly.

Lord Henry's eyebrow raised. "That wasn't what Merchant Tenner said. He claimed you ran."

"You talked with the merchant?" I jumped in as Sasha's eyes twitched. "My apologies for the abrupt question, but that type of thing seems beneath you."

"True, which is why I sent a trusted servant. He had quite the interesting story to tell. Said he caught you diluting potions and—"

A thud and a rattle of plates and cutlery sounded out as Sasha's hands hit the table. She was on her feet, tail bristled and ears flicked back as she bared her teeth. Lord Henry looked aghast, and I sat, trying not to swear. Beside her, Penny smirked as Rita watched with her calm face on.

"FILTHY LIES!" Sasha stood, shaking, as Rita reached out to grab her arm. "My work was too thorough for him. It cut into his profits. When he wouldn't hand over medicine, I left. How dare he?"

"I can see that I've upset you." The words sounded apologetic, but there wasn't a hint of it in his tone.

With as much grace as I could manage, I finished my wine and stood. "My lord, perhaps it's getting late? It's been a long day for us all for a variety of reasons, and we wouldn't want to keep you. I'm sure you have things to discuss with your staff about listening to con-artists and thieves."

"Of course." There was a smirk there, the same one he had worn at the arena. "You said it would take a few days to get the supplies together. I take it you wish for me to pay the expenses?"

"That was the agreement we came to." I watched him.

"Yes." He got up. "Very well. You tell the merchants what you need, and I'll make sure you have it. Do you want an escort out?"

"No, thank you, my Lord. I'm sure we can find our own way."

With that, we quickly made our leave, though I noticed Penny stealing some bread before we left. I tried not to shake my head as we returned to the room we had hired. It wasn't much, but it was the best we could afford. Sasha was still shaking in rage as we entered the room, and I couldn't think of a way to calm her.

Rita put her sword down before she turned to me. "That man is insufferable."

"He's also our best, and only, chance at getting what we want. Unless you want to hope we get lucky raising your required fortune by doing busy work for small villages?" I watched her as Penny moved to embrace Sasha.

"I just might." Rita bristled. "If he keeps antagonizing us like this."

"He's worried. Terrified what happens if this plan fails. A young man in his position will lash out."

"That's not an excuse," she hissed.

"No." I shook my head. "It isn't. But it's the reality we live in. We can pretend otherwise, but that's not going to help us. The best we can do is get this job done quickly, drag him back home, and extort as much money out of him as possible."

"How much do we even need out of him?" Penny asked.

"The Bounty is one hundred and twenty thousand, and then the hundred and fifty for the mayor's gambling debts."

Penny frowned as Sasha asked quietly. "Wasn't that one hundred?"

"It was." A small smile crossed my face. "But I want him to owe us big time."

"You don't even know if Lord Henry has the money," Rita pointed out.

I shrugged and sat at the small table. "If the expensive wine he's buying and the sheer amount of Gold Weasels following him is any sign, then he does. You're right, and he might not. That would mean we're in serious trouble. This is the best idea we have. Besides, when this Kraken plan works out, it'll look terrible for him if he backs out of any deal he's made with us."

"I can't believe he had the gall to claim it was my fault," Sasha muttered.

Penny gave her back a pat. "You mentioned something about getting back at him, didn't you? The merchant guy? How do you plan on doing that?"

"Maybe buy his stock out? Set up a competing business? With the Lord's financial backing, we have options." I paused as I thought about it. "But I think we want something that will stick long term? A smear campaign. Penny. Do you know if they have someone who could ride back through the towns we passed?"

"Why?"

"Because Lord Henry should take that way back. It would be nice if he's treated with open hostility by everyone along his path."

Penny laughed. "Oooh, imagine what Janice would do to him!"

"Exactly."

"You're a cruel man, Mr. Burling," Rita said. "But isn't there a more direct path we can take?"

"Not unless you want to kill him." I watched her, but she shook her head.

"I do!" Penny raised her hand. "It would be easy."

Sasha waved Penny off. "No, I like Chad's plan. If it gets back to the Academy that he isn't making money anymore, he might not get apprentices."

"Excellent. I'll get started on the paperwork. If you'll excuse me."

With that, I left them alone. The rest of the evening was how I had spent many of them. My chair wasn't as comfortable, but my quill worked as I drafted several letters. One was for Janice herself, and another to the various people of importance that I knew. Then I paused to think about who else to write to. A multitude of contacts came to mind, and they received letters.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Then I wrote one of less financial importance.

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. I'm writing today to warn you of interacting with those merchants, a man named Tenner specifically, that are affiliated with the Alchemist Academy. Due to my own interactions, I'm wary of the prices that may charge. Feel free to show this letter to those you believe would also have dealings with them.

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

P.S. Did you solve that drinking issue?

A smile crossed my face as I sealed each letter and tucked it away. With my job done, I retired to the small bedroom to sleep.

***

The next day, we raided the market. Rita, Penny and I followed Sasha and a servant of Lord Henry as we went from stall to stall. Anytime the Cathinil stopped, the servant would pull out a small coin purse stuffed with gold. Only twice did he question what she was buying. Once when she picked up a rather expensive set of weighing scales, and again when she bought a rather large sack of rations.

Both times, I stepped in and explained them away. Though he didn't appear convinced, he didn't argue either, simply paying the prices offered. None of us haggled. By the time midday approached, all of us were carrying something. Sasha had purchased everything from monster scales to a variety of different plants.

Out of all the merchants, Tenner was the only one who didn't see a single coin from our pockets. We shopped at all of his nearby competitors. As we did, I remarked on how expensive his prices were to anyone who would listen. I made sure each time to add the name of a competitor, or even drop that fact we had an alchemist on staff.

That last one got us several interested parties, and a few coins added to our coffers beside. With new job requests, and quite a bit accomplished, we retired to our rooms. The next few days were a bit of a bore. Penny and I explored the city and work, or I went out to finalize our Kraken baiting plans with Rita. Otherwise, we simply left Sasha to make her concoctions.

On the last day of the week, Penny and I returned from dealing with a man who refused to stop loitering near the brothel. Sasha was pulling out a green paste from a small cauldron. We paused as she held it up for us to study.

It was viscous, and the medicinal smell made my nose wrinkle before I could stop it. Penny moved forward to touch it, but Rita grabbed her hand and issues a low warning.

As the two bickered, I turned to Sasha, who was letting it fall back to join the rest of the mass.

"Will this work?" I asked, curious, though trying not to breathe too deeply.

"We discussed this already." Sasha rolled her eyes. "Yes. We simply have to lure the Kraken so that the ballista can get a good shot."

"Which means destroying a ship."

Rita shook her head at my words. "Or something close to it. The carpenter said that he has enough scrap that we can build something to float out there. It will survive long enough for what we need."

"Perfect. Do we have something we can demonstrate on for Lord Henry?" I asked, as Rita grabbed Penny's hand again.

"We can get some live fish, I'm sure." Sasha scraped the paste back into the jar. "Will he want a demonstration?"

"Better to have one than not. I once had an investor ask me to explain the product the company had asked me to consult on. If I hadn't had my notes…." I trailed off with a shudder at the memory.

Penny laughed, the sound gleeful as she leaned away from Rita. "Maybe we can demonstrate it on him instead of a fish."

"No. Do not let him touch it. We cannot be responsible for that."

"I was joking," she pouted, but when I gave her a stern look, she rolled her eyes. "Fiiiine."

"Are we ready to present to him anyway, or do you want more time?"

Sasha looked up from where she was putting the jar into her bag. "We can leave now."

"Fantastic, no time like the present. Rita?"

"Do I have to wear my dress?"

"No."

"Then I'm good to go."

"Me too!" Penny agreed, bouncing to her feet.

With that, we waited for Sasha to pack away her gear for the demonstration and headed to the market. The midday sun hung overhead, and I listened to the people we passed. Several times I heard complaints about Tenner's pricing. Snide remarks or angry whispers that were spreading through the populace.

"That needs to spread," I thought to myself, as Penny bounced ahead of us.

The fish market was near empty, but we found a woman selling live specimens. They were large, and rather docile. I paid for both the fish and a small bowl she had for collecting them. Penny demanded she get to carry our new purchase, now named Scratch, and no one argued with her.

She seemed ecstatic, humming as she walked along at the head of the group. I shook my head and glanced at Rita, who gave me a bemused smile.

"If it makes her happy," was all she said.

I couldn't bring myself to disagree. Outside of The Golden Scale, a servant was waiting, and I saw several more dashing about. They paused at our approach, but only the one at the door made his way over. A bow was all we received, before he all but shoved us inside. No one was inside, but I could hear muffled cursing coming from upstairs.

Both Rita and Sasha frowned, ears flicking down as though to mute the nose. Penny's, however, perked up, and she placed Scratch on the table.

"He got a letter," she announced, though not loud enough for her word to carry far. "And he's mad about it."

"Any chance we get to know what it's about?" I asked.

She paused and cocked her head to the side, seeming to get a better grasp on the sounds. Her tail wagged behind her, and then she nodded.

"His family wants proof, and soon."

I moved to adjust the chairs, trying to arrange them so they weren't so scattered. "Of his victory over the kraken?"

"Anything by the sounds of it." She paused, and then motioned to us all. "He's coming downstairs. Act natural."

"We don't need to be—" Sasha began, but the door to the dining hall crashed open. Lord Henry marched in, though he was walking with a near military precision. There were tears in his eyes. Heavy bags sat under them as well, and his hair was a mess. If someone asked me to describe him in the work, unkempt would be the politest that I could manage.

Upon seeing us, he stopped and stared. Relief and irritation washed over his face, and he pointed a finger in my direction.

"You're back. What do you have to show for the money you've spent from my coffers?" He snapped at us, and from the glass in his hand, it was clear why.

My smile was cordial, and I bowed as the three women curtsied behind me. When I stood up straight, I spotted the fact that his hands were shaking.

"We are, my Lord." I gestured for the chair. "We're here to deliver a proof of concept. If you're pleased with the result, I believe we can get manufacturing of higher quantities started."

To my relief, he sat and folded his arms. "Fine. Show it off and give me a proper explanation. One that even a layman could understand."

"Of course. Miss. Leed would be more than willing to explain it to you."

As she did, I helped Penny get everything set up. That meant catching the fish, harder because we both forgot to get a net, and then bringing it out of the water. Even in the air, Scratch wasn't particularly energetic. The slow beat of its tail showed it was still alive.

That changed when Sasha applied the green past. At first, it didn't appear much had happened, and then Scratch wiggled, then jerked. Its mouth opened and closed and we quickly dumped him back into the small fishbowl. Inside, it moved, slamming against the bowl as the green paste dissolved.

Even after the concoction was gone, the fish took another minute to calm down. Though it swam a little faster than it had.

"And that should prove the effect works." I gave him another bow. "Are you happy with the result, my lord?"

"It's fantastic. How quickly can you get it into production?" His attention swapped between myself and Sasha several times.

She glanced at me and then stepped up. "A day at most, my lord. We have the supplies. Most of the time has been making sure it works on things without direct flesh."

"I see. That… that should be fine. Yes. That will be fine. My courier can deliver the news." He was mumbling to himself, but I was happy to let him.

Penny was cooing over Scratch as Rita scanned the room as though she expected threats. I wasn't sure why she was on edge, but I intended to ask her. When Lord Henry looked up again, he gave another nod.

"Tomorrow then. You have a way to bait the kraken?"

"Yes, my Lord," Rita said.

"Excellent. This will work. This will work. Ok. Right." He stood up. "I have mail to send. Do you know of a courier? No. Never mind, I can handle it. You're all dismissed."

I didn't argue, and bowed before leaving. Penny grabbed Scratch's bowl as Rita and Sasha hurried out behind me. None of us spoke until we were away from The Golden Scale.

"You looked stressed." I gave Rita a look. "Was something amiss?"

Her tail flicked, a yes. "The state of the Inn. The emptiness bothered me. It's possible he sent everyone away in his panic, but I'm not sure. We might run out of time. I'll be glad when we can leave."

"So will I. It's certainly no proper city, and the idea of baiting a kraken scares me if I'm being honest."

"Oh Chad." Penny laughed. "What doesn't scare you?"

"Scratch?"

"You should fear him. If we feed him right, it'll become a mighty Leviathan!"

She continued to talk about the fish, and as she did, I checked over my shoulder to see the Ballista on the walls. Men swarmed around them, and I had the feeling they were being thoroughly checked over. In my head, I thought of all the plans we had made over the week. The shipwright, who had built us a barge of old wood, to act as bait, being the most important.

"If that doesn't work, we—"

"Chad," Sasha asked, breaking me from my thoughts, and I found we had arrived at the small home we had rented. The same one that the Courier had fled. "Thank you for what you did. Those letters and things. It may not stop him, but… I appreciate it."

"No problem. I think we both have issues about faulty products."

There was a look in her eye, and then she smiled. "Sure. Let's go with that."

Then she was gone. With one last look toward the Ballista, I followed suit. Tomorrow was going to be a long day.