There was an explosion of noise when the trio burst into the Mercenary Guild. Exill lowered Tsarra on a bench near the back and frantically looked around for familiar faces, anyone that could help, but the only person he recognised was Mattan. The hulking mercenary was standing in line, scratching his greasy locks as he waited to turn his haul in for the day.
Exill squeezed past the people waiting in line, ignoring the shoves and complaints while approaching the bulky mercenary and was hit with the reek of weeks old armpit.
“Mattan, it’s good to see you again.” He breathed through his mouth to avoid the worst of the eye-watering stench.
“Ah, You returned! How is Father Jonas doing?” The large Mercenary beamed, turning to face him.
“He is doing well and is due to return in a week. Actually… I’m here to ask for a favour. I need you to escort me for the next hour. How does a hundred Denars sound?” Exill hurriedly spoke, not caring who overheard. Several ears pricked up at the mention of a hundred Denars for an hours work, but turned away upon noticing the smeared blood across his tunic.
“Anything for you, boy! Let me just drop this haul off.” Mattan hefted the netting and boomed in agreement.
They waited together as precious minutes passed by and Exill grew increasingly paranoid, periodically glancing back to find Envy standing protectively over Tsarra. They finally reached the front of the queue and Iris let out a gasp when she recognised him.
“You’re back!” Iris reached out to grasp his hand, but recoiled upon hurting herself on the splinters still embedded in his palm. Her kind grey eyes turned into a worried frown, only now realising his tunic was smeared with blood.
“I would love to chat but there’s something I need to do first, can you quickly process Mattan’s haul and look after Tsarra for an hour?” The words rushed out of his mouth.
“Um… sure, there is room in the back office. What is happening Exill?” she faltered when the Witchdoctor slipped out of sight and returned seconds later with Tsarra in tow.
“I’ll explain later, please look after her, and I’ll be waiting for you by the entrance Mattan.” Exill rudely threw most of his personal belongings behind the counter then joined Envy to wait by the entrance.
Iris released a pent-up sigh and processed the greasy mercenary’s haul, then dragged Exill’s baggage to the back office. If the Guild clerk had been a lesser person, she might have resented his actions, but the kindly women took it in her stride and resolved to interrogate him tomorrow.
By the time she returned to the counter, Mattan, Envy and Exill were already long gone.
***
Exill checked the strap on his newly acquired heater shield, formerly owned by the dead bandit leader. There was a functional indent on the right side, allowing him to brace his spear while the shield was raised.
“Thank you for helping me out Mattan. I’m not sure if we will be attacked but it would be best to stay on guard.” He said briskly while passing under the looming shadow of the North Gate.
Perg’s Clinic was in the northern quarters of the Outer City and the trio weaved through the back alleyways until they reached an accented building that was painted a light blue colour.
Exill barged in, frightening the receptionist when she saw three heavily armed personnel enter the premises, before recognising the familiar Witchdoctor.
“Do you have an appoint-” she began, but he cut her off.
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“I’m sorry Hana but I’m in a hurry, I need to see him urgently.”
The Assistant took in the bloodstained tunic and scowl on his face, hesitating for a moment until she made up her mind. She knocked on an elaborate door to her left and waited precious seconds for a response. Hearing nothing, she cracked it open and spoke to the Healer inside.
“I’m sorry to disrupt your mid-afternoon tea but Witchdoctor Exill is here to see you and he says it is urgent.”
“Let him in, let him in!” a cheerful voice rang out.
Exill excused himself from his companions, leaving the spear and shield with Envy and entered the luxuriously furnished room.
“The glorious hero returns! But my, you are in quite the shape my friend, had a run in with scoundrels I dare say. Please, where are my manners, take a seat, take a seat!”
Exill remained standing, worried about leaving bloodstains on the opulent chair and refused the cup of tea offered by his host. “I’m sorry for disturbing your break but my life is on the line, and I need the Guild payment now.” His words came out jagged and rushed.
“After your life you say, could it have something to do with the Vampire? You hear rumours in the upper circles you know, absolutely terrible things! Well, if someone is after my friend’s life I shouldn’t tarry on…” Perg ruffled through a side cabinet, withdrawing a small coin pouch. “and here is your promised reward! 1500 Denars as promised.” The portly Healer waddled over to Exill and placed it in his hand.
“As I mentioned weeks ago, the Guild is very much in your debt, the situation in Virigo is still unresolved mind you, but I feel we have a handle on it now. Off you go and remember to give old Perg a visit, it gets awfully lonely around here!”
Exill counted the five silver and one gold coin, confirming their receipt. He thanked the talkative Healer and left the Clinic.
‘It’s a fifteen minute walk to the slave market.’ He thought while adjusting the straps of the heater shield. His fingers itched to throw the divination coin, but already knew what answer it would yield. Putting aside personal misgivings, Exill turned to his longtime manipulator and asked her opinion.
“Do you think we should go by main street or alleyways?”
Envy was taken aback by the sudden question after receiving the cold shoulder for so long. Nevertheless, she answered without a moment’s hesitation, “They will knife you in the gut in the crowded streets. I would rather risk an ambush in the alleyways.” Mattan also nodded in agreement, hefting his harpoon like spear.
Gratified to hear the team was aligned, Exill stepped forward to take the lead, but was surprised to find Envy holding him back.
“Stay in the middle, let us protect you.” She gripped his arm, a rare look of worry in her eyes.
It took incredible self-control to not jerk away from her touch. Instead, he shook his head while moving forward, “I know the streets around the slave market better than anyone… Bring up the rear with Mattan instead, he can provide you support with his spear.”
They traversed the narrow streets warily, and were startled by the sound of children laughing as they chased each other. Before long, Exill peeked around the corner and observed the North Gate up ahead.
A dozen soldiers guarded the ivory stone gates to the Inner City, and two lines of a twenty people each shuffled forward as they were waved through by the guards. At peak times, the number of queuing people could swell to three or even four times that number.
“Let’s go!” Exill checked the surroundings then sprinted to the back of the queue, Mattan and Envy quickly following behind.
“What did you do to get yourself in such trouble, boy?” The hulking mercenary asked in a low rumble. The tension had subsided as they drew closer to the gate, feeling safer in the proximity of armed guards.
“… it’s related to Envy” Exill offered, not fully understanding the situation either.
“It’s always women, am I right?” Mattan laughed throatily, and slapped his shoulder with a meaty palm. The hulking man suddenly yelped in pain, as the Murderess kicked the back of his leg.
“It’s never worth it to stick your dick in crazy, boy. How do you think I ended up like this?” Mattan ruefully whispered while wincing in pain, earning him another kick in the same place.
They were waved through by the guards and Exill immediately took a side passageway, hugging the city wall on one side. He passed a side street offering the most direct route to the Slave Market, and jogged further down, choosing to approach their objective in a roundabout way.
“It’s a straight run from-” Exill was cut off when a dark figure emerged around a corner, setting loose an arrow. He raised his shield in time, and felt the projectile thud into its solid surface. “Ambush!” he yelled, firing a quick ice bolt in retaliation, but the figure stepped back, avoiding the slow projectile with ease.
‘Dammit!’ He had predicted another ambush near the slave market, and it bought no satisfaction in being proved right. Exill hastily glanced back to find they were surrounded on all sides. The situation took a turn for the worse when an earth wall erupted from the rear, separating him from Envy and Mattan.
A [Wizard] had entered the fray.