Perceived Fate

The night came to and end and sadly no straw mattress was waiting for Malum as they arrived at another cave. The Knight spoke of picking up another group on the morrow, so Malum was asked to hunt for more prey in the morning.

To prepare for this Malum set his traps earlier than usual, and let night guide the beasts into his traps.

His sleep was poor, the cold ground not providing comfort in the slightest. At least his mind was healthy and so sweat dreams allowed for a much better rest.

Morning came, and hunting was back on the agenda. The traps had time to work and so Malum started with 2 bodies to his basket. Malum pondered on finding a stream to just fish the rest, but he decided to use the dead bodies to catch some more valuable prey.

When they came across their next village their pelts could sell for bread and perhaps some sleeping gear, both of which Malum desperately wanted.

With that in mind, Malum reset his traps and began his hunt for either a stream or a beast he could ambush.

Mud covered his scent, and Malum used it to hide behind trees and catch a deer off-guard. Holding his breath whilst ensuring his heart beat remained quiet was tough but the rewards spoke for themselves. Malum then returned to his traps where he found only one had managed to claim a prize.

Overall, he had a full-grown deer, 2 rabbits, and a squirrel. That would be enough for a group of 10 to last the day and once they reached the village Malum reckoned he could use the skins to bargain for anything extra he would want.

After a morning meal, Malum and the group went back to marching.

The sun remained high in the sky as Malum, and the group crested a hill. Usually they took the flatter valley route to save on stamina but the small path they took changed this pattern here and after seeing the view Malum could guess why.

It was hilly, everywhere there was rolling green hills and in the basin Malum could see the village where he assumed the next pick up was. The small wooden wall surrounding the village could be seen even from here, and Malum also spotted a medium sized river not far from the village: he noted that down for hunting later.

By now he was familiar with most of the group and whilst some held continued dislike him for being an `outsider` that entire thought process was slowly falling apart. They weren’t in the village anymore; they were in the army and in a place like that having strong friends was a good asset to have and so far two people had differentiated themselves as the strongest people of the group. Those obviously being the two hunters, Malum and Trent.

Malum had kept an eye on him, and he seemed to be forming a faction of his own. The other faction appearing was based around a louder chap called Brick. He was a construction worker who had spent his days lugging around trees and bricks, and so he had the muscles and physique that even Malum couldn’t compare to.

He looked strong, but Malum knew behind that muscle wasn’t any fighting techniques and so he would likely still win in combat. Not like that would be necessary as so far Malum had stayed in the good graces of both sides, he planned to make a small fraction of his own, but he wanted talented and loyal people for that, and time was needed to observe both qualities.

Keeping his eyes observant, Malum and the group settled just outside of the village as the Knight went to pick up the other conscripts. At first, Malum wandered why they didn’t just enter but at the thought of appearing like bandits it seemed wise to have the Knight be the only one to enter and it doubled as a much-needed break for the marching soldiers.

For the first time since they set off, the Knight was no longer looming over their heads and so they began to speak freely. By now, most of the recruits were past their depression and had focused more on their hope.

Sitting down, Malum reached to massage his aching legs. He had realised that his arms were not receiving the same attention as his legs so he had began to use his baskets as mock weights to ensure an even training regime. Some in the troop called him a monster, Malum liked to think he was just smart.

Because it was monsters they would be soon facing.

For now though, Malum took a breath. He stopped all his training and settled down to release his heart of the strain. Never before had been under such constant pressure and it beginning to weigh on Malums mind that a heart attack may be his downfall if he pressed on too hard.

Some soldiers in the group had been preparing their lunch, and a fire was quickly made to cook the meat which Malum and Trent had caught beforehand.

Eyeing the other hunters catch, Malum assumed Trent was some sort of sword fighter. Wolves, boars, and other aggressive beasts were all the man seemed to catch and lacerations down their pelts, Malum had covertly taken some of these `garbage` leftovers and with his haul he discreetly snuck away from the group.

The Knight had said that they would be here until nightfall, after all they had to have the time to pick out their conscripts like Malums village had so with that in mind, Malum entered the village through a small hole in the wall.

A fox or other beast had likely made it, and Malum had seen them countless times in nearly every village he had been inside off. They weren’t to block humans, mostly, they were for roaming beasts.

Looking at a few houses Malum was unsure if he had lived in the village before. At some point they all looked the same, shabby houses, with dirt roads and perhaps a few other buildings for specialities. Then they either farmed or hunted, that was about it for variation.

Malum walked around the city centre as he looked for some sort of butchers or hunting den. He followed the small of blood to one particular hut and knocked on the door.

*Bang, bang!*

“Hello, I want to sell some pelts.”

Malum listened through the door for any movement and was happy when he heard someone move closer to the door.

The door swung open to a tough looking woman,

“What’u want?”

Malum indicated to the pelts in his trap turned basket.

She smiled at the sight of new goods, and after a pleasant, “Come in,” Malum entered the house.

Inside the smell was far worse. Skins lay on small racks as they dried out and the bare dirt floor had a certain moisture Malum found extremely concerning. Laying his goods on a bench Malum took them out one for the woman to inspect and give a price for, whilst they did that she struck up a conversation.

“I ain’t ever seen yu round here kid, yu new?”

“Just passing by.” Malum didn’t really want to get sold out to the Knight. He doubt it was that much of a crime, but Malum always preferred the safer side.

“Well aren’t u yung for a little traveller. Yu should be careful; monsters are getting more and more common nowadays. Just last week there was news of some Noble dyin on the road. Bastard probably deserved it, but at’s not the point.”

Malum just nodded to her warning. He had yet to find someone from a village who actually liked the nobility, as far as they were concerned they took their taxes and did little with it except party and feast.

There was more to it, but that was the general sentiment,

After the inspection was complete Malum collected 21 bronzes, a decent hall, very good for the amount he had given in. It was because of his exceptional slaughtering of the beasts that left the fur in very good quality after the death that allowed him such a good price.

With his coin Malum asked for where he could buy the things he wanted, and he got pointed towards the local bakery and the Mayors hut.

Back on the road, Malum eyed into the central area of the village to see his Knight still there speaking with the Mayor. It surprised him that the Knight had stayed so long, after all he didn’t spend much time inside his own village but perhaps they were friends or something. For Malum that just meant increased odds that his disappearance wouldn’t be noticed.

Entering the Bakery, Malum ignored the odd looks of the people around him and bought himself 4 loafs of bread. Not wanting to place the heavenly food on his blood-stained basket he then spent another bronze on a sack.

Leaving, Malum then walked into the Mayors hut, and decided to take a look at the notices whilst he was there.

Hunting Mission: Monsters

Pay: 10 Silvers per eligible person.

Issuer: Marlinton House

Extra details: see clerk.

Exploration Mission: Kingdom Ruins

Pay: 5 Silvers per eligible person

Issuer: The Crown

Extra details: see clerk.

Bounty Mission, Bandits

Pay: 1 Silver per Head

Issuer: Merchant Union + Crown

Extra details: see clerk.

Only three was a surprise but Malum had never seen more than 5 up at once. These were the jobs that paid the most in the Kingdom and it was a way of sourcing high quality workers. It was expensive but it was also effective.

The exploration mission put a frown on Malums face, but the Hunting mission found the Tanner Woman warning to have been justified. Such care was rare in the Kingdom and so that managed to put a smile on Malums face.

Putting that aside Malum found the clerk half asleep at her desk and spoke softly to wake her up.

“Hello?”

“AH! Yeah, sorry. Yes Sir, how can I be of help to you today?”

“Actually I have a list: 1 sleeping bag, a pillow with that and a rucksack would be good. I have 16 coppers so just get the best I can afford.”

“Alright...” She said as she disappeared into the back.

Malum took his seat as he began to chew on his newly bought bread. It was a familiar texture he had missed so much, the soft taste in his mouth brought more memories than he could comprehend.

As he finished up on his bread, Malum noticed that the woman was no longer making any sounds. The door to the backroom was open and so he decided to take a peek inside.

Shelves off goods were piled up and Malum could not help but want to permanently borrow some of the things he saw. Still, he could not hear the clerk, so he decided to just take the things he wanted.

He was in a rush and it’s not like he hadn’t already paid for them. Finding the closest things available to the things he wanted, he added a little to the cost as he was doing the service himself so he figured he could add something extra for his self-service.

With his goods secured inside he newly acquired rucksack, he finally heard someone coming from the lobby where he was waiting before. Curious, Malum snuck a look to see several armed people talking to the clerk.

“He was just here; I swear he must have left.”

Letting the cogs tick, Malum decided it was time for him to leave the village. The woman was selling him out; to fill the quota of able age men they were going to have him take one of those places. Malum wanted to laugh that this was the second time the exact thing was happening to him.

Was his luck just that bad, or were humans just that predictable.

Finding a backdoor, Malum slowly moved his way out of the village, and he managed to do it undetected so as he made his way to the camp he called his little venture a success and patted himself on the back.

Taking a breath, Malum found a small stream to drink from and took a few sips before he continued to look for the camp the soldiers had begun to set up in the morning. Looking for smoke on the horizon, Malum managed to find it and after reusing his toilet excuse he managed to enter unnoticed.

His loot though would catch attention if seen so Malum was forced to hide them inside of his sack for now. When it was night he reckoned he could get away with his sleeping bag and that was the most important part.

The soldiers were chattering away, using the spare time to do nothing except rest and banter. A few of the men had brought with them leather balls and were using them to play some games. Usually only kids used them, but on long trips even adults found their entertainment value was needed.

Malum thanked himself on creating a loner esk image as it had allowed him to get away unnoticed and continued his day relaxing against a tree. The shade, the breeze, and the falling sunset made Malum serene as he enjoyed the moment.

The future was full of worries, and Malum was sure he could spend this time endlessly calculating what would be best to do next. But, he thought it was more worth it to take his time.

`Life is a Marathon, not a sprint` were wise words from his Uncle although even the thought of the man soured Malums good mood.

The sun fell as it always did, the darkness slowly enveloping the land which once laid bare for Malum to see.

The Knight came and went.

Malum reckoned he would be back soon.

Thinking to the day they were picked up; they would march for a little time before they rested again and then the cycle would repeat itself.

On a more interesting thought, Malum noted how the new recruits may change the dynamic of the troop. So far, Malum had done well networking, but a strong opposition would ruin his efforts in a few well-chosen words. He had to adapt, make good friends, and stabilise his social position.

His bread would act as a good gift for any he might give it too, and his hunting catch was always well received. The next agenda was a few close allies whome he could call friends, before that he would need to simply observe those new to the group.

With the plan in mind, Malum rose from his seat and closed in on the campfire. He sat on a distant log, close enough to overhear anything from the major groups but not enough one could mistake his neutrality.

Politics were a nightmare, but Malum would need to navigate it the best he could if he wanted his best odds at surviving the hell he was about to enter.