Alaster ordered his Undead to stop and stepped forward calmly.
“Hello there!” He called out, putting on his most innocent smile and stopping roughly ten meters away, his Undead another ten behind him, something his Minotaurs did not like at all.
“Identify yourself boy!” A man in mismatched iron plate called out, apparently the leader of the Village Guard.
“I am known as Al, and I am the spokesman of the mercenary group behind me.”
The Guards shifted uncomfortably.
“They send a Novice to speak for them?”
“They don’t speak at all! At least not to me nor to each other in any way I’ve heard. They hired me through writing.”
“What are you doing in this area?” The captain asked, suspicious of such a heavily armed group in close proximity. He had not heard any reports of any such group in the area.
“Training! Apparently they are all Warrior Types, so they hired me, a mage, to help them locate a Dungeon to train their newer recruits. We have come here to sell our gains. We have a great many furs and hides.” Alaster yelled back.
“To whom do they pledge their services to?”
“Currently none, they prefer to keep their group small but strong, hence the training. We have been hunting within the Dungeon for a great while, and wish to learn of any recent happenings.”
The Guards relaxed, and the captain yelled, “Then you are free to enter, so long as you all obey our laws.”
“We seek only to trade and hear the news.” Alaster affirmed, walking forward and his Undead speeding up slightly to catch up to him.
The Guards had mostly dispersed, but there were still a few who remained to watch over the group. So used to living in the wilds where any creature could be a threat, Alaster could not help but measure them. Could he defeat them if they attacked? No. His Undead were powerful, but didn’t have any Abilities of their own. He could cause a great deal of damage and maybe even kill a few guards, but his Undead would be slaughtered, including the [Horde] Skeletons he would raise.
He had to keep it peaceful.
The captain was one of the guards that remained, and Alaster noticed that the man kept his hand close to his sheathed sword.
“Good to speak without yelling. Now, as much as I would like an actual bed, they desire to sell their goods and be on their way to the next Dungeon. As I’m sure you would prefer to have such a heavily armed group out of your Village. Perhaps you could point us to someone we could sell our furs?”
The man grinned, he found the boy’s tact to be entertaining. “Certainly, follow me. I’m not sure what price you’ll get, but our general merchant is an honest man.”
“No tanner?” Alaster asked, curious.
“We do, but he can be quite harsh with his trades, we prefer selling our own furs and hides to the General Merchant and allowing him to deal with the Tanner. Besides, from what I can see of these Furs, I’m sure not all of them will go to the Tanner. Might I ask why the mercenaries don’t speak?” The captain asked, leading them through the dirt roads of the village.
“No idea myself. Then again, I have never seen any of them without their helmets, so perhaps they have a way of speaking to each other? They are a strange sort, but kind enough, and they pay well enough that I don’t care about their peculiarities.”
“Will they also be selling the furs they wear?”
“Probably not. They seem to wear the furs of their latest hunt, so they probably won’t sell them until they hunt another creature.” Alaster simply enjoyed how they looked with the furs.
The Captain pointed to a building in front of them.
“Here you go, kid. I’d recommend most of them stay outside, It's pretty cramped in there. If you need anything else, I’ll be somewhere in the middle of the Village.”
“Thank you for the help, sir.”
The man chuckled to himself and walked away, but the rest of the Guards, who had followed from a distance, remained. Alaster handed his armload of furs over to one of the Minotaurs and ordered the Undead to stay outside while one of the Black Guards were chosen to follow him in. He needed to show the merchant the type of goods he was selling.
The boy opened the door and followed the Black Guard in, closing the door behind him. The store was even smaller than he thought it was. Goods of various sorts were piled up all over. The only clear spots was the counter and the path leading to it. Behind it, stood an old man who looked only one stiff breeze from death. He was currently writing something down in what looked like a ledger.
He slowly looked up at the newcomer.
“Oh, I don’t recognize you. Did your family move here recently?” The old man asked, with a kind smile.
“No, I’m here with a traveling mercenary group. We have some furs we will to sell.”
“Very well then, could you bring them here for me to examine?”
Alaster ordered the Black Guard to set its stack of Snow Ape Furs on the counter. The old man wordlessly grabbed one off the pile and examined it. First the fur side, then the skin side.
“Are they all of this kind?”
“Yes, all from the same type of Monster. We were hunting in a Dungeon.”
“How many do you wish to sell?”
Alaster thought for a moment. He had counted them before, but he had run out of space a while ago. It took him a moment to recall it.
“Fifty Furs from a monster we called Snow Ape. Just like that fur you're holding. And twenty furs from a larger variant we called a Ghost Ape. Its the one on the bottom of the stack.”
The old man lifted the Snow Ape furs off so he could examine the Ghost Ape fur.
“Interesting. I’ll buy the lot for five gold.”
“Ten.”
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
“Six.”
“Nine.”
“Fine, seven Gold and fifty Silver.”
“Deal. By the way, we’ve been in the Dungeon and Wilds for a while now. Any notable news?”
The man reached under the counter and pulled out a pouch of coins and began to count them as he answered.
“A great deal, in fact. Let's see here. Celarn is building more forts while taking the ones they can from Tarian hands. The Warriors of Xedora are defending their Bamboo forests from the Slave Legions of Hason. I hear that Kemore is having yet another Civil War, I think that makes four in my lifetime.
The Savage City States tried to capture the Mountain Pass of Lissura, but failed, now they are dealing with a large Monster Wave from their Northern Forests. The Mountain Folk of Taurus are combatting an invasion of Orcs in their lands, both above and below. The Fair Folk Athera have cut off all trades and communications once again, preferring to isolate themselves.” The man had to pause to catch his breath before he continued.
“The Gilaen Empire is once again pressuring Lissura, and both are preparing for Military Conflict. In fact, I believe the only nation I haven’t heard news from is Zalar.”
“Sounds like the entire world is only one small step away from a full-blown war.” Alaster commented.
“Aye. It makes me sad for the next generation.” The merchant agreed with a grim expression, sliding over the coins.
“Tell me, how is it that a store keep from a small village knows all this?” Alaster asked, putting the coins in his pouch before sneaking it into his Ring.
“I used to be a businessman in the Capital. I decided for a more peaceful life in the countryside many years ago, but I still have contacts around. Some of which travel the lands to do business.”
“Yet no news from Zalar?”
“No. Zalar had always been a quiet nation. Very rarely heard from. However, over the years, and the occasional news from Zalar, I hear they are excellent crafters of machines and Golems. But that could just be rumors. None of my contacts do business there, in fact, I don’t think I’ve met anyone who does business with the Zalarian People.”
The old man seemed glad to have someone to talk to, which Alaster was all too happy to exploit. This was incredibly valuable information, both the general news, as well as news about the Zalarians. They truly were quiet. The Atherians were isolationists, they cut off communications regularly and totally. When they didn’t wish it, nothing was heard from them.
However, the Zalarians did communicate with the other Nations. It was just that they never did anything of note. That might be fine if it was for a generation, maybe even two, but even the History Books in Colius’ Library only had a very small section about the Zalarians. If Alaster didn’t know better, they were actively trying to seem as unimpressive as possible, draw the least amount of attention to themselves.
Of course, he wasn’t the only one who thought so. But the Zalarians never attacked anyone, only defended their lands. Their agreements were equal and fair. They presented no threat to anyone, and so despite the thoughts about them, they were ignored for more pressing matters. There just always seemed to be more pressing matters.
“Thank you for the coins and the information. Where would you like us to put all the furs?” Alaster asked, eager to get on his way.
If the international tension was rising to such a degree, it was extremely dangerous, but also extremely profitable for someone who used the dead. Battlefields would be ripe for Harvest, if he was careful.
“Oh, you can just leave them stacked out front. I’ll have moved later. Be safe, young man, the world is becoming a much more dangerous place.”
Alaster gave the order, and his Undead stacked the furs beside the door before he even opened it. He politely waved goodbye to the old man and closed the door, the Black Guard returning to the group of Undead. It might have only been a business transaction, but the man was kind to him.
Without any ceremony, Alaster and his Undead began walking to the other end of the Village, where another gate stood. The Guards followed them at a distance, and most of the Villagers stopped their work to watch them pass. It wasn’t everyday you saw such a large group of heavily armored individuals, especially the two Minotaurs, who stood seven foot tall.
Alaster hated the attention, but allowed the knowledge that they would soon be away from the Village and the attention soon to calm him. But it seemed like too many things had gone his way lately, and the Universe had decided to throw a brick in his plans. Standing at the gate, was a few more Guards and the captain. Beside the captain, stood a boy around Alaster’s age. The boy was dressed in light leather armor, but had a staff in his hands.
‘A Mage then.’
Staves and Wands were not necessary to cast magic, but they could help channel it. Thus improving numerous things depending on the item itself. They could make a spell stronger, faster to cast, more controllable, or even cost less mana to cast. However, they were fairly expensive. They couldn’t be made by just any material, or by any craftsmen. Special materials were needed as well as a craftsman who had the Ability and expertise.
Alaster greeted the captain as his Undead stopped a few feet back. He could the Minotaurs’ annoyance at being surrounded by potential threats. Just as he could feel the Black Guards identifying which of the Guards they would engage first, should the need arise. It once again made Alaster question how intelligent they could become.
“Hello Captain. Is something the matter?” Alaster once again put on his mask, an innocent smile playing on his lips while his second mind prepared to cast [Necrotic Bolt] at the Captain’s face.
“No no no, Nothing serious. In fact, I have a proposal for the Mercenaries.”
“Oh?” Alaster looked back at one of the Minotaurs, pretending to seek approval. “What sort of proposal?”
“You said that they hired you as a Mage so they could better locate Dungeons, correct?”
“Yes.”
“How would they feel about hiring a second?” The Captain motioned to the boy beside him. “This boy recently became a Novice Fire Mage.”
“Why would they want to spend more money on another Mage?” Alaster asked, already knowing the Captain’s response.
“To cast a wider net. The two of you could separate, cover more ground. Once one of you finds a Dungeon, the rest of the group converges and challenges the Dungeon.”
“As if this runt will be better than me!” The boy boasted to the Minotaurs. “I promise I can locate twice as many Dungeons as he can!” He had clearly decided that the Minotaurs were the leaders.
One of the Minotaurs tilted its head, not sure if that was a threat against it's master or not, however Alaster decided to use that to speak.
“Unfortunately, the Mercenaries are very picky about who they hire or recruit. They expect to be away from civilization for months at a time. They go into very dangerous areas regularly. They live rough, and many won't survive to return to civilization. And with all these wars about to begin, it will only become much worse. However, they are not against hiring him, but they have a few demands of him.”
“Those being?” The captain asked, narrowing his eyes.
“First, as I said before, they expect many won't make it back and they don’t want to pay any families. Anyone they hire or recruit must be independent of any ties, family, or business.”
“This boy’s parents were killed in a Hob Goblin Raid a few years back.”
“Second. There is to be no hostilities between any in the group. Friendly competition is fine, but no arguments or fights are permitted. They will leave the aggressor in the Wilds.”
The captain turned to stare hard at the boy, prompting him to speak with a warning.
“Don’t worry, I am sure we can all get along.” However, the cruel grin on the boy’s face said otherwise.
“Third, the mercenaries believe that all skills should be shared. As we travel, we each tutor each other in skills. For example, I am teaching that one how to sense mana and that one is teaching me how to use a spear. This will be expected of him, and vice versa. He will teach and he will be taught. Is this acceptable?”
“It is.” The boy answered, “But how much is the pay?”
“One Gold per Dungeon found at or over the C Rank. One Silver per Dungeon ran with the group, if you actively participate in the completion. As well as a share in any of the spoils, if you participate in its earning.”
“That is acceptable.” The boy struggled to remain calm. He likely had never seen that much money.
Alaster had a lot of money for someone his age and Tier. Of course, he was fighting Monsters and Dungeons while technically solo. He didn’t need to share the spoils with anyone. He was not against spending some on the boy. The only reason he was accepting to take the boy along and keep up the act of being a Mercenary group was because Alaster wanted to learn Fire Magic.
Anyone could learn any Ability. Mages could learn other School of Magic using different types of Mana. And Warriors who used long swords could learn Abilities for daggers. It was much harder for a Non Mage Type to learn Magic, but it was certainly not impossible.
“What’s your name?”
“Owen.”
“Welcome aboard then, Owen.”