Finances

Income

Mission #14

£7

Profits from The Rose

3s

Expenses

Wages

£1 9s

The Golden Blades Protection

4s

Profit

£5 10s

Total

£30 12s 9p

The barrow mission seemed like it was a success. Lothar was pleased to see a couple of his mercs levelling up. He was more than a little interested in inspecting the loot when they returned.

No doubt he would also hear how well the new recruits had meshed with his existing squad. It was a matter that occupied his mind, since he had a meeting with yet another member of The Blades.

Leonard Babler arrived at The Rose promptly. He was average height, muscular, with closely cropped, salt and pepper hair. His skin was bronzed, so much so that Lothar thought it likely he had Alinko blood in his ancestry. There was something familiar about his appearance. He was businesslike, providing Lothar with his stats before he asked for them.

Lothar felt like he was looking in the mirror, in some respects at least. Leonard, or Cap as he was known, was a Level 7 Hargon warrior. He did everything well. In other respects, Lothar had to admit, Leonard was superior. He had ten years on him, for a start. He was also a better warrior, with mastery of the spear and shield.

Such an impressive resume came with a price: 9 shillings per day, to be precise.

‘I think you know the obvious question. Why leave The Golden Blades for my outfit?’

‘I’ll be honest,’ Leonard said, his voice deep and reassuring, ‘I wouldn’t have contemplated it a couple of months ago. I was paid well in The Blades. More than that, I was respected. The Blairs used me as their sergeant—training up the disparate mercs they recruited and making a fighting force out of them. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say The Blades have a mini-army now, in no small part down to my efforts.

I didn’t get big headed about it. Never claimed to be a second in command, even though I carried out a lot of the organisational work behind the scenes. The Blairs have their qualities, but they lack the kind of experience I offer. I was happy enough that they recognised my contribution, and valued me.

‘But recently, I’ve been taken for granted. So much so, that I see the respect they gave me was a sham, to get what they wanted from me. These days, I get blamed when things go wrong. Spoken to as if I’m nothing. Or past it. Sal thinks he knows it all.

‘The other day, I looked around for those mercs I liked best. The ones who were keen to learn, and showed a bit of gratitude. I realised they’d gone over to The Apples. That’s when the idea to leave first entered my mind, and it hasn’t shifted since. I wondered, from what I’d heard about you, whether you were the kind of man who might appreciate someone with my skill set.’

‘Of course. You’d be the standout merc in the squad. The gods know, I could do with some leadership skills in there as well. Only, that’s a difficult area.’

‘How so?’

‘No doubt the ex-Blades will welcome you. But the Apples contain—let’s say, some independent minded characters. Others might say prickly. They didn’t sign up to join an army, or take orders. And for all their rough edges, I need to keep them.’

‘I understand. The Rotten Apples are a merc company, like The Blades. But they have different targets, objectives, and personnel. I can adapt.’

‘Then great. It’s a pleasure to have you with us. How do you think the Blairs will react to your defection?’

Cap was silent for a while. ‘How do you think they’ll react?’

‘Not well, I presume. But you’re the one who knows them. Hence the question.’

‘They were already talking about having to deal with you, Stiff. Not just you. The Council of Avolo, too. Sal thinks he’s let his grip on the city slide since moving to Dorwich. That it was a mistake. Thinks that unless he does something soon, you’ll get strong enough to defend Avolo from The Blades. Better to kill you now, than let you get any stronger.’

‘I see.’

‘Then there’s the strange disappearance of Bletcher.’

‘Ah. I was hoping that might have gone unnoticed.’

‘Someone imprisoned for witchcraft getting released isn’t likely to go unnoticed.’

‘That was never my intention. But it’s done now.’ Lothar looked at things from Sal’s point of view. ‘So he wants me dead.’

‘He says a lot of things, then talks himself out of them. I don’t think my defection is going to cause Sal to lose any sleep. On the other hand, it won’t make him calmer. And Stiff,’ he said, wafting a hand around the lounge of The Rose. ‘You’re not any better protected here, with your mercs out west.’

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‘I knew I’d seen your face before. You came with Sal that time?’

‘I was here. And I thought our visit was pretty intimidating. Instead, I find you without a single bodyguard. And with the same ineffectual doormen as before.’

‘Yes, well. I did plan to base myself out west after that visit. I drifted back.’

Leonard shrugged. ‘You do what you think is best, Stiff. But like Sal told you, it’ll be Rylan who comes for you next time.’

‘He’s really that bad?’ Lothar asked doubtfully.

‘You really want to find out?’

‘So, let me get this right?’ Rosalind said. They were sitting in bed in her house. ‘You come round here to have your wicked way with me, and only afterwards, tell me you’re leaving the city again?’

‘At least I told you this time.’

She gave him a frosty look.

‘Of course it’s not like that. Out west was always where I had the best chance of making it. Then The Blades’ former sergeant tells me they want me dead.’

‘I know, Stiff. I don’t mean it. I don’t want them to kill you. Not while you can still live up to your nickname, at any rate.’

‘Thanks. Now, listen. I want you to come with me.’

She raised an eyebrow, but did as he asked.

‘We make a good team, you and I. You could help me build something. Then, when we’re strong enough, we return to Avolo. Deal with The Blairs once and for all.’

‘If we both abandon Avolo, the Blairs really will take over.’

‘Now you’ve changed my mind completely. I’m not leaving you here to take them on yourself. I’ll stay.’

She patted his arm. ‘Very chivalrous of you, Stiff. But I wasn’t suggesting that I would take up arms against them. I’m a more subtle operator than that. My job is to prevent a complete take over of Avolo. I think I can manage that. While the idea of spending more time with you out west has its appeal, it’s not really the best use of my abilities. Building a merc outfit is your job. Maybe this Cap can help you. But be careful. He’s been working with the Blairs until now. Don’t trust him.’

‘Very well, Rosalind. And don’t worry, I don’t fully trust anyone.’

‘Except?’

‘Except you, of course.’

The Apples returned to Avolo. Lothar received the loot from the barrow, and heard the account of the mission.

He invited Ashlyn up to his room.

‘Run through the mission for me,’ he asked her. He liked to get a few different perspectives, to find out exactly what happened. He’d found the girl’s reports to be the most accurate.

‘This shieldwall debacle,’ he said when she was done. ‘We have a new recruit. Cap. He’s going to do some training with the warriors in the squad. Just…give him a chance will you? I think we need to get more organised. We came too close to losing people.’

‘Sure. Don’t see how it can hurt. You thought I would kick off about it?’

‘No, it’s just that everyone respects you. If you go along with it, they probably will too.’

‘They respect me?’ she said, sounding surprised. ‘Doesn’t feel like it.’

Lothar grinned. ‘Yep. I know. You’re never going to get any warm words from most of them. But you’ve been the glue holding things together a lot of the time. Just because this Cap comes in sharing his experience, doesn’t mean you have to take a step back. Alright?’

‘Sure.’

‘So when you all sort of fell asleep inside the barrow. No one saw any signs of other rooms? Openings? Mechanisms?’

‘No. You think there was more to explore? I suppose that’s quite likely. Bletcher was the only one free of the spell, and he’s not the sort to notice things like that.’

‘Yeah. It’s just that we came up a bit short on what we took from the first barrow. Could really have done with more of those healing potions. Still. It was a decent haul. Talking of which, I’ve got something for you.’

She gave him a look he couldn’t quite place. Nervous, maybe? Of him? ‘What? You think I’m going to try something?’

‘Well. You’re a fifty year old man bringing a younger girl up to his room alone.’

‘Oh, for the gods’ sake. Fine, I won’t do it again. But I have a woman, you know. One my own age.’

Ashlyn’s expression became excited. ‘Really? Who? What’s her name?’

‘Like I’m going to tell you. The gossip will be around the whole crew by the end of the day.’

‘Tell me and I’ll keep it a secret. Promise.’

Lothar sighed. ‘Fine. Me and my big mouth. She’s called Rosalind.’

‘Rosalind. I bet she’s lovely.’

‘Aye. She’s beautiful and classy with it.’

Ashlyn looked at him doubtfully. ‘What’s she doing with you then?’

‘I have my good points.’

The girl’s expression didn’t change.

‘Anyway,’ Lothar said, reaching under the bed and pulling out the suit of armour. He placed it on the bed for her to inspect. ‘This is for you. A kind of celebration for reaching Level 4. You recognise it?’

‘I do. The armour from the first barrow.’

‘I figured there was no point in holding onto it. It’s more your size than anyone else’s. It’ll weigh more than you’re used to at first. But you’ll get used to it.’

‘Thank you, Stiff. And it’s magic?’

‘Aye. Matter of fact, got Rosalind to look at it for me. Armour of Resilience, she called it.’

‘What does it do?’

‘Makes you harder to hit, of course. Lighter than chain mail, stronger than plate. You’ll need it, if you’re going to stand in the shieldwall.’

‘I’ll do whatever it takes. So we’re heading out west?’

‘That’s the plan.’

‘But we’ll deal with The Golden Blades eventually, won’t we? When we’re strong enough?’

Lothar’s thoughts turned to Rosalind, left behind. ‘Aye, girl. We’ll deal with ’em. Eventually.’

***

Femke wiped at her eyes. But it was too late. Wade had caught her.

‘What’s up?’ he asked, concern on his face. He approached, tentatively, wary of intruding on her personal space. But she needed a hug, and clung to him for a few moments, as he patted her head.

She pulled away. ‘I can’t go on like this. You know I nearly lost Christoph.’

‘I know.’

‘And you.’

He looked pleasantly surprised at this. As if someone caring if he lived or died was a new experience.

‘You have a son, Trent.’

He looked at his feet. ‘I know. I’m no warrior. I was out of my depth out there. And you’re putting yourself in too much danger as well. But I need the money. For Eden.’

‘We don’t need the money, you and I.’

‘How so?’

‘My family has a farm. You and Eden can come back with me. It’s a good place for a kid. Safe.’

Wade made a face. ‘Farming?’

‘It’s not so hard. I can teach you. Eden can learn it too. You don’t want this life for him, do you?’

‘Of course not. What would Stiff say? Feels like he needs us right now.’

‘Stiff will always want us a little longer, won’t he? It’ll always be “just one more job, and everything will work out”.’

‘I suppose.’

‘But one day, one of us won’t come back. And Stiff will be all sad, and blame himself. But it won’t stop him sending his team out again the next time.’

Wade nodded. ‘Alright. So we leave. Soon. What were you crying about?’

‘Christoph won’t come. I’ve just spoken with him. He’s fallen for the girl. Ashlyn. I like her, Trent. But she’s not the sort to quit this life. There’s a rod of steel in her, that we don’t have. As long as she stays in The Apples, he won’t consider leaving.’

Wade nodded. He hesitated over his next words. ‘Christoph is—’

‘—a grown man. I know. He can make his own decisions. I said I would stay with him until he got settled. But I feel like the time has come. Stiff is talking about moving his base out west. Goblins, wargs, and who knows what else will become the norm. And there weren’t any healing potions in that barrow, Trent. Next time something like that happens, I won’t be able to save anyone. Just watch them die.’

Wade nodded. He seemed to understand. That in itself made her feel a little better.