Blackrock Mercenaries

Light streamed in through the window, and I groaned as I felt the uncomfortable seats of the coach underneath me. I shivered, and grasped for a blanket, but found an empty wine bottle instead. My throat ached, and my tongue felt heavy. Nearby, I could hear the sounds of people talking, some still sounding celebratory. With an immense amount of effort, I tried to figure out where I was.

"Leyloon isn't this loud, and it's too quiet for Peol. Where—"

A pounding at the door dislodged my train of thought, and I groaned as I sat up. When I opened my eyes, I let out a sigh of relief. No one was in here with me. That meant no awkward morning conversation. After a yawn, I stretched out and pushed open the door. As more light filtered in, I squeezed my eyes shut to block it out.

"What?" I croaked, the simple word making the pain of my aching throat worsen.

When I opened my eyes, I found Rita standing there with her arms folded, and her sword hanging at her side. From the look of her, it was obvious that whatever party had happened; she hadn't partaken. I found myself wishing that I had done the same.

"Have you seen Penny?" Her words were short, but thankfully quiet. "We need to head out soon."

My vision swam, and I closed my eyes, leaning back in the coach seat. "No. Why?"

"I told you, we need to head out soon. She's gone somewhere." There was a panic in her tone, and I wasn't sure why.

"Can't she look after herself?"

"Not when she's on one of Sasha's potions. Don't you remember anything from last night?"

Flashes of something came to mind when she asked. I remembered dancing, food taken from the town, Penny. She was everywhere from what brief memory I had. Never stopping for too long. The last thing I could recall was something to do with the guard. Or maybe Sasha?

"Sasha?"

"I know where she is. Can you walk?" She sounded annoyed.

"Maybe." I tried to stand up, and the world spun. With effort, I got to the door. "Yes."

Rita sighed and folded her arms as her gaze flicked up and down to take me in. "You're hung over."

"Observant."

"Alright, we're going to find her and see if she has anything to give you. Then we find Penny. Lord Henry wants us to meet with him soon."

"Did he see…no. Say. Did he say why?" I half slurred the words as I stepped down.

The world spun, and Rita caught my arm, the act all that stopped me from falling over. None of me felt good, and I silently prayed that someone had a cure. We should have money. If not, Lord Henry could pay for it. His booze did this to me. That was only fair.

Our coach was by the makeshift Lookout Tower, and around us was a collection of tents, sleeping bags, and people simply napping in the grass. Those who weren't unconscious were talking or eating. My stomach growled at the scent of meat being cooked over open fires, but that brought on a wave of nausea.

When we found Sasha, she was sitting by a cauldron with what appeared to be some merchants from the market. They waved, and she gestured to the cauldron. It stank of green. I didn't have a better way to describe it.

"Hangover cure," she explained. "Easy enough with the right herbs. Do you want some? We're getting it for free."

"How… how much are you charging other people?" I asked, the smell of the concoction making me want to be anywhere else.

"Two copper."

"Right."

I took the vial she handed me, and as instructed, drank it like a shot. The cough that came after made my chest ache, and I doubled over. Someone laughed, but when I pulled myself up, I felt better. Tired, but no longer like I had a head cold combined with a migraine. That was something.

"Are you going to be able to drive us today?" Rita asked as she gestured Sasha over.

"Slowly." I paused, and yawned. "With breaks. Why?"

"Because the people of this town watched us drag a monster closer and aren't happy about it. The celebration and all the free booze last night helped, but I've heard Penny and Sasha's travel stories. That never lasts."

It took a moment for me to piece together what she meant, but when I did, my blood turned cold. "So you want to run before they turn on us?"

"Or worse."

She gestured towards the city, and I turned to look. From ground level, it was hard to see with how intact the front wall looked. But the small glimpse I got through the gate was enough. The back wall was gone, and there was enough brick dust to be seen ever here. I shivered. Someone was going to have quite the time putting it back together.

"I wonder how much of the docks survived."

If they were lucky, as much as possible. A town like this would need them to survive, not to mention the impact of trade. Rita was right. When people realised exactly how much damage was being done, and the long-term consequences, they would want a scapegoat. We needed to leave; fast.

"Alright, we have to find Penny." My words were a touch panicked. "Then go. Sasha, do you know where she is?"

Sasha didn't sound concerned when she answered. "With the guard, they arrested her."

"Why?" Rita looked about, expression disappointed.

"Penny tried to fight them. Twice. Not well, she was drunk and over stimulated at that point. So they imprisoned her under a tree. Come on."

It didn't take long to find where the guard had stationed themselves. Guard-Captain Hudson looked haggard, but he had a warm smile on his face when he spotted us. He wasn't wearing any of his equipment. Nearby, under a tree, a handcuffed Penny was sleeping under a tree.

"You come to pick up your prize fighter?" He asked jokingly, holding up a plate of meat.

"We have." Rita glanced over at Penny and ran a hand through her hair. "She didn't hurt anyone, did she?"

Guard-Captain Hudson shook his head and gave a laugh. "Nah. Got aggressive after losing at cards. Paul and Jemima put her down. Once we handcuffed her, she fell right to sleep."

"Typical."

I moved to follow Rita, but Sasha grabbed my arm. "You don't want to be close to this."

"Why not?"

"Because it's going to get loud."

Rita stopped before she reached Penny and grabbed a long stick. With it in hand, she got into a fighting stance and then jabbed it at her. Penny awoke with a howling screech before launching into a tirade of curse words that broadened my vocabulary significantly. Sasha pushed a plate into my hands and took one for herself.

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Penny didn't calm until we were done, though she still muttered even after Rita got her out of the handcuffs. Fed, and with our team together, we went to find Lord Henry. He wasn't too difficult to locate. Someone had dragged out a large tent, and a servant met us at the tent flap.

"The Blackrock party, correct?" The man asked.

"Yes." My throat still ached, but I did my best to sound confident. "We're expected."

"Please."

He pushed aside the flap, and we walked in. It was a pleasant space, lit by a small lantern and covered in cushions. Lord Henry was sitting in the middle of the space as a few servants shifted about platters of food and a pitcher of wine. The sight of the latter made me want to squeeze up my eyes again.

"You're here," he sounded genuinely excited to see us, most of his lordly persona gone. "I can't believe that worked."

"My lord, we said it would." I tried to ignore the way Sasha scowled at him.

"Yes yes. Now, tell me about this next monster we're going to fight. The Timber Tyrant."

"Timberaine Tyrant, my lord." Rita stepped forward, and I was glad to let her. "A monster of the woods. You'll be a local hero if you can defeat it. Do you intend on joining the battle yourself?"

Lord Henry nodded. "Oh yes. With the kraken, it didn't matter if I held back. No one would expect one such as myself to operate siege equipment. But this isn't a giant monster, is it? One that can turn away blades and bolt alike?"

"It's a far cry from the size of the Kraken, My Lord." I thought back to my experience with the creature, even as Rita tried to explain it.

As they talked, I let my attention drift over the room until it landed on a small chest. The cracked open lid let me see the gold inside. A smile crossed my face, as I realised what it was. Our pay. The first half anyway. Enough to get the mayor on our side and pay off his debts.

"With a little extra to make sure he doesn't lose the bail paperwork, we need him to sign."

Laughter brought me back to the present, and I tried to nod along with whatever was being said.

"In that case, excellent. A full group, and I can slay the beast myself. You mentioned a festival as well?" He looked at me. "And the price of fifteen thousand?"

The servants stopped moving, and he looked at me. I let Poker Face hide my smile. This was a common negotiation tactic from those just starting out. They would hope after a hard night that I would cave. Thankfully, the easiest way of dealing with this was simple: feign ignorance of the strategy.

"Fifteen my lord? I didn't realise you were paying us ten thousand up front. Is that what the chest is for?"

He frowned. "No, that's got the one thousand that we agreed on."

"Excellent. So the original agreement of twenty-five thousand with a one thousand upfront payment is intact." I smiled at him. "It is always nice to deal with someone honorable."

His gaze searched the room, and it was clear he came to the correct realisation. We were the only ones with him who had weapons, and he had seen Rita fight. A smile, one tinged with panic, crossed his face.

"Of course. Twenty-five as agreed. Will you be travelling with my retinue?"

"If that is my lord's wish."

"It is." He stood and shook my hand. "There is safety in numbers, and you can introduce me to the towns along the way. My plan was to leave by midday, as we should be able to get to Lostmane before dark."

"As it pleases, My Lord."

With that, we found ourselves dismissed, and I moved off with the servants carrying the chest of gold to ready the coach.

{System Message: The Blackrock Mercenary Company has added One Thousand Gold to the Ledger}

***

The week-long trip back to Yuliosa wasn't as bad as I had feared. Once again, our biggest stop over was in Catswatch. Both due to Janice wanting to talk to us, and Lord Henry wanting to meet her. There was a formal dinner, and I discussed budget and rates with the council as Lord Henry chatted with Clarince and Janice about monster-based nobility.

Each other town was a simple stop, though we found ourselves treated with a royal welcome. Both because of the stories that had travelled, and because of Lord Henry's station. When we reached Creeksbend as night fell, I dipped into our savings.

"Here." I handed two gold coins to a young man. "You know the way to Yuliosa?"

"Yes, sir," he said, his eyes wide.

"Good."

With trembling hands, he accepted the letter from me and tucked it into his coat. It was an odd garment. More red than I would have expected. When he caught me looking, he gave a grin and tugged on it.

"Ma brought it from the traveling merchants you moved with. We got it on a discount when he saw us snubbing that Tenner fella."

"Did you now? Good man." A laugh I couldn't help escaped me, and I handed him another gold coin. "Take a fast horse. I need this delivered as quickly as possible."

"Yes, sir!"

He gave me his best impression of a military salute before he moved off to the stable. I waited for him, seeing him leave on a roan horse, his red jacket on full display. After returning his wave, I made my way back to the inn for a night of watching Penny lose at cards and sleep.

There was something in the air that morning that we left Creeksbend. Everyone felt tired, and a touch grumpy, though that was surprising after a week on the road. I had to admit; I was looking forward to getting back.

"Perhaps I should have sent a letter to Jenkins? He was kind enough to open his home to me."

Hubbarah snorted as I saddled him up at the front of the line, and I gave his mane a pet. Behind me, I could hear the sounds of the others getting ready. Servants barking orders, and knights moving their own knights into position. Lord Henry wasn't here. He was still at breakfast, and would be until moments before we needed to leave.

"Are you ok?" Penny asked through a yawn, as she leaned against the coach.

I gave her a quick nod as I tightened some straps. "Yes, I'm fine. Simply thinking about the letter I sent. The mayor knows we're coming, so he should have things prepared."

Rita's tail flicked into view, and I looked up to the driver's seat where she was waiting. "Shouldn't you have sent that sooner?"

"Maybe." I shrugged. "What's done is done. It'll be nice to see Jenkins, Reeds and Sheryl again. Plus a chance to sleep in a proper bed."

"Aww, you big baby. You loved to travel. Admit it." Penny beamed as she opened the door, allowing a sleepy Sasha to get inside.

"It was a different change of pace."

She smirked at me before hopping in herself. I finished my checkup, and then moved to sit beside Rita. Her green eyes watched me, and then ahead to the road, we would spend the next several hours traveling.

"Nervous?"

"I'm not meant to say yes, but I think so." My voice was steady, but I knew she could see through it. "This is close. We do this, and we'll pay your debts off in full."

"And then we can get you to your class upgrade."

That made me laugh. I hadn't thought of that in ages. My focus had swapped from one disaster to another. There hadn't been much of a chance to worry about that kind of thing. With a slow breath, I settled into my seat.

"Maybe. Let's get through this first."

It took fifteen minutes for Lord Henry to make an appearance, and then another ten for him to be ready. As was the standard, we took point, and I drove my coach through the gates ahead of the rest of the procession. The packed dirt road kicked up a little dust, and we moved at a quick pace. None of us wanted to slow for lunch, and so, as the sun sat overhead, we all continued on.

Though most of my concentration was on the horses, I checked out the scenery. Most of it was grass and road, but then I saw something. A flash of red of a rather familiar shade. Without thinking, I leaned forward, trying to get a better look, and then my blood ran cold.

A whinny came from the horses, and shouts erupted behind me as I slowed the coach to a stop. Rita's sword was out, and she was right behind me as I jumped down. Penny and Sasha weren't far behind.

"What's the meaning of this?" A knight snapped at me.

"Body."

I didn't bother to elaborate further, instead moving through the grass. My heart sank. The boy lay there, his throat slit. Beside him was his horse, two arrows through its side. Rita moved and gestured a few times, showing off various boot prints.

"He's been here a while," Sasha said as she checked the body. "Middle of last night, probably."

"Did you know him?" Penny asked, her tone gentle.

"Yes." I checked his pockets and found myself unsurprised to find it empty of coins and my letter. "He was the one I hired to take the note to the mayor. Who would have done this?"

"You know who."

Rita met my gaze, and she bared her teeth. I did too. There was only one group who would hunt these roads and knew we were coming. A knight stomped over, and then a dozen more. It didn't take long before Lord Henry was asking questions.

I did my best to placate him. Penny helped spin a tale of banditry as we tried to convince him we would check on what was occurring to ensure his safety.

"No."

"My lord?" I looked between him and his knights. "It would be for your safety."

He shook his head and repeated the word. "No. If I can fight a kraken, and take on a Tyrant, I will not be swayed by a few ruffians who play highwayman. Lead on. We shall go to the festival, and my men will keep us all safe."

When my attention shifted to Rita, I found her giving me a look as though she expected me to know what to do. I didn't, so I fell back onto pretending that I did.

"They'll be grateful, my lord. Shall we go?"

He nodded, and soon we were back on the horses and making our way into town.

"Please," I thought as we continued to travel. "Don't let there be another ambush."