Blackrock Mercenaries

It took longer than I wanted to pull Sasha away from Hester, and Penny was still out in the woods, but Sheryl was kind enough to let us use her house for the meeting. I made us tea while Rita shifted on the cushion around the small table. Sasha was pouting, though she denied it, but smiled when she received her own cup.

"What happened in the woods?" Rita asked me, when I finally sat down.

I took a deep breath and explained it to her, leaving nothing out. When I mentioned that Penny killed the woman who was threatening me, Sasha frowned by Rita didn't appear that concerned. She only appeared to pay attention when I brought up the fact they wanted to kidnap me to get to her. Though her expression turned blank, her agitated tail flicks gave her away.

"They said that?" She asked, and then gave a deep sigh when I confirmed it. "Dammit. I wish I knew what they wanted."

That threw me for a loop. "I beg your pardon?"

"What?" She didn't meet my eye as she asked the question, though I noticed Sasha giving her the same shocked expression I knew I was wearing.

"You don't know why they're after you? What was the bounty they placed on you for?"

"Murdering the people they sent out after me a few years back, I would have thought." Her tone was prim, but I could tell she was hiding her nerves. "It was before I met Sasha and Penny."

"Is that why you were so stand offish at first?" Sasha asked, eyes going wide.

Rita's tail flicked again, this time in acknowledgement. "Yes. The last two who tried to kill me claimed to be friends of my father. They wanted to know if he had taught me his particular martial style. When I said yes, they jumped me."

Things she had mentioned came back to me. That her father had taught her an eastern combat style. How her stance felt familiar. It was like an itch I couldn't scratch, or a word at the tip of my tongue. All I needed was something more to get rid of the sensation.

"To make sure I understand," I said, my words slow. "They attacked you over a combat style?"

"Yes. I don't know why."

I believed her, but I wasn't sure what it meant, or even if it mattered. Then again, I supposed that it didn't to me. All I needed was to get her the money, and then I would be gone. Though, I wasn't sure if I believed that anymore.

"Would Penny even let me leave without check-ins?" A smile tried to make its way onto my face as I imagined her barging into a boardroom meeting. "No, no she would not."

"Well, that at least explains why the price was so high. If you killed someone of import. Did they have any identification on them?" I shifted on my cushion, and picked up my cup.

"They did. Both wore a necklace that linked them to the Peol Mercenary Company."

I sipped at my drink as she spoke. "Well, that explains why she gets all worked up anytime someone mentions them."

"If you had told me that was who we were going up against, I wouldn't have taken the job," I told her seriously.

Rita didn't smile, but there was a small tug on her lips. "That's why I didn't."

"Fine." I paused for a moment to think. "So your bounty is being driven by the biggest mercenary company in the country, over a murder you committed due to your father. How does that link in with the Lace Courier Company or The Howlers?"

"No idea."

"And what about the Lord's hunting trip?" Sasha asked, and when I glanced her way, she continued. "If Chad got attacked while in the woods. What's to stop them sending people after us when he goes out himself?"

I glanced at Rita, and it was clear by the look on her face that she was happy for me to answer this one. "He won't be by himself. If he goes out hunting, he'll have us, his knights, and probably several others. They might attack us, but I can't imagine it being worth their time. They won't win."

"An assassination attempt then? If they can get us blamed, we would never get anywhere near the city to pay our debts off."

That, I had to concede, was a possibility. While I had never ordered someone killed over a business deal, rumours abound that it happened if the money was big enough. Even the queen was said to have engaged in such tactics, though no one dared speak about that openly. Not least because the king didn't take kindly to such talk.

"Then we do our best to not have that happen." I shrugged, and looked between them. "What else can we do?"

"Deal with them first?" Rita suggested.

"How?"

They both looked at me, and I shook my head and held up my hands. "Absolutely not."

"They might press the issue." Rita's tone was filled with warning. "Come after you again."

"Possible, but with the knights and other things in town. I doubt it, provided I keep myself here."

She didn't appear convinced, but it was obvious she knew she wasn't going to sell me on it either. I didn't like the way she was watching me though, or the way Sasha was looking between us. A sigh tried to escape me, but I held it down."

"How about this? I promise to stay in town, and near Lord Henry until the Festival is over. Will that ease your concerns?" I asked, as I finished my tea.

Rita paused, and then her tail twitched in ascent. "Fine. I know where the Tyrant's lair is, so I shouldn't need to leave on my own either. Once Penny gets stuck we'll stick together."

"About that…" Sasha trailed off and glanced between us. "I had plans with Hester tonight."

"Plans?" Rita perked up, and this time she did smile.

Sasha flushed, and looked away. "Yes, he's taking me out. Just onto the edge of town."

"Are you sure that's wise?" I knew it wasn't my place to question her, not really, but I had to admit I was curious. "Does Ted know?"

"It is, and he doesn't."

The curt response made me put my hands up again, and I knew when to back off. "Fair."

"She'll be fine." Rita looked over at me. "Sasha isn't the one they're after, besides, she can take care of herself. I trust her."

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"As you say, boss."

"It really is on the edge of town. We'll still be in view." Sasha gave me a smile.

"I believe you, really." I laughed, as I looked towards Rita. "So you know where the tyrant is?"

"Well, I know it's lair. Once we get there, we should be able to find what we need. Sasha will make us some concoctions to improve our skills, and we shouldn't have much trouble."

"And you weren't accosted?" I asked.

"Not at all." She shook her head. "I didn't see a soul. Whatever they're plan was, it seemed I wasn't a part of it."

"Strange."

A knock on the door was followed by Penny's voice. "I'm here! You'll totally not guess what I found out!"

"The Howlers are working with the lace courier company?" I asked.

"Yes." Penny waved me away. "But, they're being sent out of town too! I followed the ones I knocked out, and they met up with Jackal who was talking to a whole group. They're going east."

"Did he say why?"

Penny looked a bit put out by Rita's question. "No. I was found before I could get everything. All I know is there heading east. There were some others who were meant to be coming here as well. I don't know why. He wasn't happy about the woman's death though. Said he had plans for that."

"Fantastic." I couldn't keep the disgruntlement out of my voice.

"Aww cheer up." Penny beamed at me. "At least we know they'll be less Howlers to deal with. They're leaving tonight. Rita, did you find out about the tyrant?"

I zoned out slightly as they changed the topic, and tried to think about what this was all about. No real ideas came to mind. It all felt disconnected, too disconnected. Though the fact it was all centered on Erolis, our eastern neighbours, was interesting. My gaze fell on Rita, and I wondered exactly why the Peol Mercenaries would care about her.

"She claims her father taught her that fighting style, but what if it was something else as well? That the Peol Mercenaries are interested tells me it has to be more. They're the biggest private military group in the kingdom. They aren't going to kill her for knowing the wrong sword moves."

The thought consumed me, and I found myself unable to stop thinking about it even as the others planned. Rita's idea was fairly simple. We would take the Lord hunting the day after the festival ended, get paid, and then leave with the mayor to Crecia. There we would pay off our debts, and then part ways. Simple.

All we had to do was manage not to get ourselves into trouble for the next two days. After a while, Sasha had to leave, and I found myself dragged out to the festival by Penny and Rita. Together, we toured stalls, and I watched Penny clean out a ball tossing game someone had set up. Her accuracy was impressive, as was the toy bear woven from flowers and long grasses she won.

She was still discussing it when we ran into Lord Henry. There was a woman on his arm that I didn't recognise, but he seemed pleased. When he caught sight of us, he waved us over.

"Are you having a good time?" he asked, laughing, and I could smell the ale on his breath.

"We are, and you, my lord?"

"Wonderful." The woman on his arm giggled and he smiled at her. "Thank you for talking me into coming. This will be well worth the price. Do you have any plans for finding and killing the tyrant?"

I gave a smile, and a short bow. "Indeed. Rita here had discovered it. We thought we would go after the festival, if that suits my lord?"

"It does."

We chatted for another few minutes, before he left. As we continued around the event, and through the streets, I saw the knights spreading themselves out. On almost every corner I saw some form of security, and few signs of The Howlers. None of the security bothered us, but they were doing an admirable job on keeping an eye on the crowds.

After a few more events, and games, we found ourselves standing with Reeds and Sheryl. The older man had an arm around his wife, and she was smiling as we watched some musicians that Lord Henry brought stand on the stage. They were regular servants, but they played well enough.

"Thank you again for taking care of the horses," Reeds said, as the music changed to something a touch slower.

"Not a problem." I looked around, and realised Penny had vanished, chatting to a nearby Knight about something. "They're good animals. It was nice to hold the reins again."

"Aye, they are at that."

He made to say something else when the coughing hit him again, Sheryl rubbed his back until it resided and grimaced. When I gave him a concerned look, he waved me off. Though when he caught Rita's eye, his shoulders slumped.

"It's getting worse."

"What can we do to help?" I met Sheryl's eye when I asked this.

A big part of business is knowing who is willing to talk about details. When working within a company, it isn't surprising when you find people holding out on talking about their plans so no one else can steal the credit. Reeds wasn't interested in that, but it was obvious he was a proud man. One that wouldn't want to admit to weakness.

Sheryl wanted her husband to be well. I knew he needed a medicine that Healer Anna couldn't afford, nor make. That didn't mean we were out of options. Work around the house maybe, or something else small to keep him comfortable. All were options.

"Keep safe," She said after what felt like minutes of silence. "We worry about you all. Especially with the way the knights are keeping an eye on everyone. I do feel safer, but there's still a worry in the air. You won't do anything stupid. Will you? My darling husband would probably do something silly if you did. Then I would have to get out my stick."

There was a warning in her words, but I knew it was only partially for us. Reeds grinned at his wife, as though she hadn't less then subtly threatened him. After a moment, she smiled back, and he rested a head on her shoulder.

"I'll be fine dear."

"I know you will."

As the two fell silent, I found myself paying attention to the stage as a familiar piece started playing. The Dragon's Lament. Rita was watching the stage too, and I found myself moving to stand beside her. A pointed look from Sheryl, told me exactly what she expected me to do next. Reeds smile was telling me the same.

"A dance?" I asked Rita, who looked over at me.

"Why not?"

It didn't take us long to find the rhythm, as I moved with her over the mural that made up the center of the town square. Others were there as well, along with Lord Henry, who had a different woman on his arm this time. He smiled at me when he caught my eye, and then moved her away.

"If this goes well, you'll be leaving us soon," Rita said, as we spun slowly together.

I couldn't get a grasp on her tone, though her tail flicked in agitation briefly. A few notes passed, before I managed to get an answer out. My tone sounded curt to my own ears.

"That was the agreement."

She said nothing for a moment, before asking. "Where will you go?"

"They'll be something for me to do in Crecia." I let her twirl away before I pulled her back in. "Always work somewhere."

"You wouldn't think of staying?"

The question shouldn't have caught me off guard, but I almost stumbled. She managed to keep the dance going smoothly, and I mentally thanked her for it as I mulled over her words.

"Did I want to stay?" That wasn't something I had seriously considered. "I'm not sure if the benefits outweigh the risks."

"I'm not sure." I let her hand go as the song ended. "Would you want to keep me on? I still need those monster cores and I'm not sure if I can grow your business to the level I need."

Her green eyes locked onto me, and I could feel a sense of disappointment run through me. "Right. Of course. Though, I did promise you bodyguarding services through the year. I'm not sure I can do that if you leave."

"True. Tell you what, we can discuss this when we finish this job."

"Of course."

Her lips twitched into that ghost of a smile she used so often, and as she walked away I found myself wondering what I would pick. With a shake of my head, I made to return to Reeds and Sheryl when I found myself swept up by Penny. Her grin was wide, and her eye were slightly dilated.

"What did you get into?" I asked, as she pulled me back to the dancing area.

"Some herb stuff."

"From?"

She laughed. "A merchant. Come on!"

With that, I found my night spoken for. It wasn't until early morning that I found myself, tired and sore, slipping into the spare bed Sheryl had made for me. Penny was somewhere, and I heard Sasha sneaking in not long after us, though alone from the number of footsteps. Exhaustion overtook me, and I found myself drifting off, and I dreamed of my life before.

Rooms of business people, meetings and fancy dinners all flashed before my eyes. Then it changed to my new life. Time spent with Jenkins, talking with Sasha, and Penny. I could see myself smiling more. Laughing more. Using my skills in new ways.

By the time I woke up, I found myself refreshed, and happy. Then Sasha's anguish sounded out, and I knew the feeling wasn't going to last. Quickly, I dressed, and headed down the stairs to find out what the fuss was about.