Brigid Montgomery was bored.
The revelation came to him while he sat in his private study, the specially crafted chair he ordered from a traveling carpenter making no noise as he leaned back in it. He lazily stared out the window at the town of Pran while contemplating this fact.
He was not bored with his life. Having so much wealth at his fingertips and being able to use it without worry was amazing. He couldn't be more pleased with his current living situation if he tried. Even his apprentice, Micheal, had done little to dampen this feeling of superiority. The young man was far too naive and idealistic for Brigid's taste, he had a good eye for business and was far too spineless to go against his master. It would take some work, but Brigid would turn the boy to his way of thinking soon enough...or he would simply make sure he never finished his apprenticeship.
No, he knew the reason for his malaise.
The girls.
"Did I please you, Master?" the young girl between his legs asked, her face a mess from performing her deed.
Montgomery nodded while waving at the door to the room, "Yes, yes. You may leave now."
She stood up and made to leave, not bothering to wipe her face. Just as he taught her. He kept his eyes on her small naked backside as she left out the room. When she was gone he sighed in disappointment. Fixing his pants he stood up and walked to the window to look out over Pran. Gray clouds hung ominously over head, carrying the possibility of rain while also exemplifying his foul mood.
As it stood he had three girls that he could call upon to do whatever he wanted with. The one had just left, a little waif of a girl that hadn't put up a fight when he made his real intentions known. One named Samatha who was already selling her body to help her family pay their rent. Convincing her to let him do as he wished had been a simple matter. Lastly there was Veronica. He wanted to see if feeding someone an aphrodisiac for three months straight would lead to any developments. What he got was a girl who was always horny and wouldn't look that out of place in a brothel.
All three were attractive in their own ways. And, with his position and ownership of their homes, all three were always at his beck and call.
But no matter how many times he slept with any of them, it never truly satisfied him. And he knew exactly why.
Maggie Mercer.
The moment he saw her, he knew he had to have her. While her looks were passable by his standards what attracted him to her was her personality. Being the primary owner of many of the homes in the slums he had seen the same type of person day in and day out. The down on their luck, completely broken, all hope has been lost type. Their bodies had sunken bloodshot eyes, fresh cuts and bruises all over, and were usually in various states of undress. While there were the occasional flower among that patch of weeds, that was usually only surface deep.
Not her, oh no. She was different from every other person in the slums. She could still smile and look forward to the next day. Her optimism was so high that he had caught her singing one day when he was coming to collect their rent. Singing! About living in the poorest and least maintained area in Pran! She was the one bright spot in that stain upon the city he called home.
Which was exactly he wanted, no, needed to break her. To corrupt her into his personal plaything. The feeling of conquering and defiling someone so pure and happy made his loins quiver with excitement. He hummed and stepped away from the window, heading towards the door. He grabbed one of his many furred coats from a rack near the door in case the outside proved to be chilly.
He would've had her and been working on her conversion months ago, if it wasn't for that annoying brother of hers. Nick. Just the thought of that nuisance made Montgomery's lips curl into a frown.
He descended the stairs and saw his apprentice speaking to one of his clients. A squat man with a slight hunch in his back, wearing something that was at one point a shirt and trousers but was now little more than strips of cloth hanging from his body. He was smiling while vigorously shaking Micheal's hand. His young apprentice did his best to appear unmoved, but Montgomery could see how he struggled to remain in his seat.
Montgomery sneered at the sight at the bottom of the stairs. He stopped on middle step to put on his coat while waiting for the client to leave. Only when he was out the door did the merchant walk down the last few steps. He spoke to his apprentice without looking at him, "I'm going out. Watch over things while I'm gone."
Any protests his apprentice put up were ignored as he exited out the door and into the streets of Pran. A biting gust of wind blew across his frame, quickly validating his concern as he began the trek to the west end of the town.
That boy had proven to his primary obstacle to getting Maggie under his thumb. No matter how much he raised their rent, that boy always seemed to scrounge up enough to pay it. And he couldn't raise it to the point that no one would've been able to pay it. If he did that then Nick would get the guards involved. Montgomery was a man of means, but he did not have the influence to deal with them...yet.
However, it seemed that the lad had slipped up. Montgomery hadn't seen the three of them at their home for five days now. And, as a businessman, he couldn't let that slide. Everyday they were gone was hurting his business after all. If they were gone for just one or two days, he could look the other way. But being gone for so long suggested that they did not wish to live in the home he had so graciously given them. And if that was the case, then he would find someone who would better appreciate his generosity.
Like a certain noblewoman who bought a manor at the edge of town a few days ago.
Brigid openly smiled at his own cleverness. While Lady Albion didn't have any servants with her when she first came to him, that was no reason think that she didn't. While he hadn't obtained a personal audience with any nobles, yet, he had interacted with their servants and courtiers for his business ventures. From what he could manage to glean those meetings, the nobles were much like him. And if he could avoid going out in public with those who are lesser than you, he would not think twice about doing that exact thing.
And without a doubt Lady Albion likely has more servants she wishes to bring with her, but wishes to a have a place for them to be when she has important guests over. Which is where he and a house in the slums that just became open for sale come in.
He chuckled as the purple manor came into view. A smile was on his face all the way to the building...until he saw who was standing in the front yard.
Not Lady Albion nor one of her servants.
But Maggie Mercer playing hide and seek with two boys, one he recognized as her younger brother, and a girl.
Montgomery had to take a moment to rub his eyes to be sure they weren't playing tricks on him.t When his hands pulled away, Maggie was still standing in the front yard grabbing the girl by the hand and trying to lead her into the house. Completely stunned, Montgomery moved towards the house in a trance.
Maggie noticed him when he reached the edge of the property. She immediately stepped in front of the girl to greet the merchant. With a glowing smile she spoke in light happy voice, "Hello, Mr. Montgomery. How you been these past few days?"
"Fine, Ms. Mercer," he coughed into his hands to clear his throat, and mask his displeasure at seeing the children. They began to gather around Maggie, hiding and looking at him from the assumed safety of her skirts. He recognized the thin and wide eyed face of Marcus, but the other two were unfamiliar. Their similar facial features and shared black hair suggested the two were siblings. He waved a hand towards the two, "But I can see that things have changed quite a bit for you. I wasn't aware that you were in the habit of adopting children."
"Oh," Maggie looked down at the two siblings then back towards the merchant. She waved a hand through the air in dismissal, "Oh no. They're not mine. They're Ms. Cynthia's."
Montgomery had to force his eyebrows to remain stationary to hide his surprise, "Ms. Cynthia?"
"Yes," Maggie nodded, "She's-"
"Hey, Mags!" all in attendance turned their heads towards the house. There they beheld Nick Mercer stepping out of the front door of the house. He had gained more muscle mass since he started his training...along with a few bruises that had yet to heal.
"Nick!" Marcus shouted while rushing towards his older brother. Nick smiled and knelt down as his younger brother got close enough to touch.
He placed a hand on the child's head and tousled his hair, "Hey there, Mark. You mind heading inside? The Old Man says it's gonna rain."
Marcus pouts and crosses his arms while puffing out his chest, "So? I'm not afraid of rain!"
His brave face lasts until Nick picks him up. He holds the toddler in the crook of his arms while chuckling, "I know. But I don't think you'd want to stay out and get sick. Wouldn't make you look very good in front of a certain someone."
Nick obviously turned his gaze towards Gloria, who was clutching the statue Cynthia had given her. Marcus followed his brother's eyes and his cheeks turned a bright red. He fought his way out of Nick's grasp and rushed towards the door to the manor. Nick shook his head before turning his head back to Maggie...and only then did he realize that Montgomery was standing right across from his sister.
The sight made his lips curl into an evil, smug grin.
"Well, Brigid. Fancy seeing you here," he crossed his arms as he slowly walked over to where both his sister and Montgomery were standing, "What brings you all the way to the edge of town?"
"Hello, Nicholas," Brigid placed both hands in to his sleeves while warily eyeing the young man, "Nothing in particular. I just happened to be passing by when I saw Ms. Mercer here. It surprised me."
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"Oh, really?" Nick stopped just behind and to the left of his sister, leaving enough room for the two young twins to get to the house whenever they chose, "And what, exactly, surprised you? Seeing us standing outside a building as fancy as this? Seeing us watching over the children of a noble woman? Or is it just that you can't stand the fact that you haven't gotten to stare at my sister in a few days?"
Maggie elbowed her brother in his side, still smiling at the merchant, "I am sorry for my brother's rude behavior sir. And for not informing you that we will be away from our home for an extended period. You see, we have recently become acquainted with the Lady of this manor. Due to certain events she has trusted us with watching over both her home and her children while she is away."
A single eyebrow raised on Montgomery's face while his gaze shifted to the two children by her legs. Maggie smiled while shifting to give him a better look at the two, "Montgomery, this is Horace and Gloria. Horace, Gloria, this is Mr. Montgomery. Go on and say hi."
Gloria took one look at the thickset merchant, then turned and rushed back into the house. Her brother remained outside and stepped towards the older man. Brigid stared down at the boy with a practiced mask of indifference. He had no love for children, but he didn't want Maggie to see that here. Better to stomach the child now to gain a bit of rapport with Ms. Willaims.
At least, that was his plan.
Until Horace kicked him hard in the shin.
He cried out in pain, kneeling to rub his injured leg. Maggie gasped in shock as Horace turned and ran to Nicholas. Brigid shot an angry glare at the retreating boy's back. Horace looked up at Nick and asked in a small voice, "Was that good?"
Nick knelt to Horace's height and shook his head, "No, no, not at all, Horace. You do not greet someone you just met by kicking them. I am very disappointed in you."
Nick kept up his act until he was certain Maggie and Montgomery weren't looking anymore. Then he smiled and patted the kid on the head. He leaned in to whisper, "Good job, kid. I'll show you that trick later like I promised. Now, go check on your sister while I keep mine safe. Ok?"
"Ok. Bye big brother, Nick," Horace ran to the manor while waving at the young man.
Nick returned the wave before turning back to Brigid. He stood up while shrugging his head at the frowning man, "Sorry about that, Montgomery. You know how kids are."
"Indeed," the merchant said slowly while getting to his feet.
"I am so sorry, Sir! I've never seen Horace do that to anyone before," Maggie assured Brigid.
"To be fair, Mag's, we've only known the two scamps for five days now," Nick clarifies for his sister, "Can't expect to know everything about them after such a short time."
"Still, it's-"
"I assure you, Ms. Mercer, it is fine," Montgomery says while regaining his composure, "I believe I am going to take my leave."
"Aw, but you just got here. Why not stay a bit longer? Try to patch things up with Horace?" the barely disguised sarcasm in Nick's voice makes Maggie elbow him again.
"No, it is alright. I need to return to my office and take care of some important business matters. But, before I go, when will Lady Albion be returning?"
"Albion? Oh, you mean Lady Cynthia," the smile on Maggie's face swiftly turns into a worried frown, "I'm afraid I don't know. She never told us when she was expecting to return."
"I see," the merchant nodded while walking away from the siblings. He yelled to the two as he left, "I would appreciate it if the two of you could let her know I wish to speak with her once she returns."
"No promises," Nick calls as the merchant leaves. Montgomery ignores him and continues his walk back to his office. He quickly arrives back at his place of business...before walking past it and heading towards the slums.
He bites his lip to stop himself from screaming his rage to all around him. This was a disaster. He didn't know how the two of them had managed to gain the favor of a noble, but he knew that Nicholas had a hand in it. All that the little rat had to do was say he was willing to watch over the Lady's children whenever she was away on business. All he would ask for in return was shelter. And that would be the end of it.
None of his typical methods would work on Lady Albion. She paid for her estate in full, has more than enough room to house the two, and he had no reason to believe that she would be of a mind to listen to any lies he could concoct. Not if she already trusted them enough to let them watch her house and children while she was away. Maggie and her nuisance of a brother would soon have no reason to interact with him anymore. Meaning Maggie Mercer would be completely outside of his grasp.
He would not let that happen. No, he had to have her. If not to sate his desires, then to at least ensure that damn brother of hers learned what happened to those who defied him. But to do that he would need to call in his "partners."
He tilted his head down while pulling his fur coat closer, eyes shifting to his left and right to check for any curious glances. Only when he was certain he was completely unseen did he duck into the alleyway between two dilapidated but still occupied abodes. He waited a few moments for his eyes to adjust to the darkness and see the relatively empty side street.
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Revor's dead body hit the ground with a wet splat, the blood that had pooled below him seeping into the stone floor. His face was mangled beyond recognition, his neck twisted at an odd angle, and his arms bent in ways they weren't supposed to. The three subordinates he brought with him were quaking in fear at the sight of their leader's broken body.
Looming over the still warm corpse, an armored figure idly flicked a speck of blood off its face. It skin was tanned from head to toe with wild red eyes filled with blood-lust, while it flexed its blood covered hands. Inky black markings formed the shape of a viper that ran from its neck to the ends of her hands. Silver locks of unkempt hair fell out from beneath its thick iron great helm that matched its breastplate and greaves. It backed up before the pool of blood managed to reach its brown leather boots. It lifted its gauntlet equipped hands towards the thugs currently quaking in their boots. The iron weapons creaked as it waved it at the exit dismissively.
"Get this trash outta here. Now."
Its words were short with a masculine, animalistic tenor to its voice. The thugs sprung into action, grabbing the body and dragging it out of the room. As they reached the door, one shouted, "It will be done, Viper King! Just a moment!"
He growled as he turned his back on the pool of blood seeping into the stone floor of his room. He'd get someone to clean it up later.
His stride took her deeper into the base of the Vipers. The building had been discovered by the original members years ago and had been built upon bit by bit. His additions were the black and white flags wrapped around wooden stakes placed at irregular intervals down the hall, the oil lamps hanging from chains, small wooden stands or stools to sit on, and dedicated spaces for what loot they took from their targets.
Ahead of him was the main room, where various Viper thugs lazed around the hideout in numerous states. Some were counting up gold coins from a successful extortion, some were sharpening or polishing cruel looking weapons, some were even feeling each other up while their comrades cheered them on. But the moment their Boss stepped into the room it all ended. All the Vipers froze in abject fear as their leader stomped his way into the room. His armor clanked with every step he took while his eyes swept along the terrified gazes of his minions. He counted every person in the room, then grunted in disappointment.
There were ten Vipers here.
Last time he was here there were thirty.
He stopped at his destination, a door at the end of the main room with a large black "S" carved into the wood. He shoved it open, igorning the hinges squeaking in protest, then kicked it closed with the back of his foot. Turning around he put the bolt lock into place on the door.
Then he turned back to his room.
It wasn't a very intricate place. A dirty and hole covered bed big enough for two people sat in the leftmost corner of the room. Directly across from it in a different corner was a weapon rack. Broken blades and spears leaned against the wooden structure while more were strewn about the ground near it. Two oil lamps cast light onto the only other notable thing in the room:
A shrine with a drawing of Nicholas Mercer sitting on top of it.
The figure removed its gauntlets and placed its the great helm. It unclasped the straps and pulled it off...revealing the female face underneath. Sera shook her hair out, a manic smile on lips as she spoke to the painting, "Sorry to keep you waiting, my love~."
She quickly discarded her gauntlets and boots. Slowly she unclasped her breastplate and greaves, letting both hit the ground with multiple clanks of metal hitting metal. She stood there in her pink undergarments for a few moments. She closed her eyes and let her imagination run wild. Within moments she had recreated her beloved from her mind. His perfectly sculpted body, his kind and gentle eyes, firey red hair, rough calloused hands, all formed from her memories.
In her mind he leaned in and kissed her. She returned it while his hands moved to undo her bra-
A knock on the door violently shook her from her fantasy. In a panic, she put her helmet back on and rushed to the door. She took a moment to adjust her voice before yelling, "Who dares interrupt me!?"
"Viper King. It's Montgomery. I have a job for you."
"Then tell me what it entails!"
"I would much rather tell you the details face to face."
"Know your place, worm! Never forget that I own the Vipers! Not you! Do not presume to-"
"It concerns Nicholas and Maggie Mercer."
Sera went silent.
Then she yelled back, "Give me a few moments."
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Felix Soder, Guard Captain of Pran, let his face hit the counter of the bar with a thud.
The inkeeper, Mark, shook his head at the eyepatched man, "Felix. You're lucky you're my only customer right now. I don't think it would feel people with confidence if they saw their Guard Captain like this."
Felix slowly turned his head to regard his long time friend with frustration, "That's something I would care about, Mark...if I was still on duty. But I'm not. So they can screw off. And you can get me another tank."
Mark shook his head but did as his friend requested. He continued to speak while keeping his eye on the tankard in his hand, "Maybe you don't care, but some of us rely on the people in to give us our living. If they were to see the man who's supposed to keep them safe drunk off his ass, it would probably make them get outta here faster than the rumors are."
Felix grimaced and turned away from the innkeeper with a grunt, "Figures you'd heard about that bullshit, too."
"Everyone has by now. The Great City of Lescaite, the Order's number one place to recruit Heroes, fallen to one of the Lillim. The Frontier's moved up, and this town's right on the edge of it. People don't feel safe. So they're moving out. Just last week I saw Kolast pack up his things and ride off with a passing caravan. Didn't say where he was going, just trying to get away from here."
Mark finished filling the tankard and slid it towards his only customer. The rest of the inn sat silent in the dark of the night. Moonlight filtered in through the closed windows, but the primary source of light were the oil lamps hanging from the rafters. Felix caught the tankard without looking in one hand. Then he turned around on his stool to look at the rest of the inn.
He shrugged while preparing to drink his ale, "Not much more I can do about that. My men are already checking the borders day and night for anything that even looks slightly out of order. Don't see what else I could do other than that."
"You could contact the Order to get some Heroes out here."
Felix snorts, "Sure. Go to those holier-than-thou fuckwads and beg them to send me one of their 'oh so special' watchdogs. Then let those stuck up bastards in here so they take control of my town, just so one of them can turn on us after getting his dick sucked for the first time."
Mark winced at Felix's vulgar condemnation, "Come on, Felix. You can't hate them that much."
"I don't. But you said it yourself, Mark. Lescaite made the best Heroes the Order could offer. It was probably filled with those types...and it still fell. Why should I trust them to protect my city, when the best among them couldn't even save their's?"
The two men lapsed into an uncomfortable silence. Mark from being unable to find a retort to Felix's statements, and Felix from wanting to enjoy his drink in peace. The only sound in the inn was that of the Captain's drinking.
That is, until the door to the inn was flung open by a woman in a tight leather shirt with a strange wide brimmed hat.
She rushed over to Felix the moment she spotted him, grabbing his free hand and staring into his face with panicking purple eyes. She yelled out, "Please! You've got to help me!"
"Woah, easy there lass!" Felix said while trying to get his hand out of the girl's crushing grip. Damn she was strong, "Slow down and tell me what's wrong?"
"There's no time! This city is in danger, and if we don't hurry, a lot of people will be hurt!"
"What are you talking about? Who are you?"
"My name is Teresa Scarlett, and in less then three weeks a Mamono army is coming here!"
Felix was out of his seat before the girl was finished. He told Mark to put the bill on his tab while he started walking towards the door. His expression was grim as he told Teresa to tell him everything as the two of them went towards the Guardhouse.
He suddenly had a lot of messages to send out.