Cid sipped on his cup of tea as he watched Captain Laurent rubbing the back on his neck and Grand Consul Allianna reviewed the reports in her hand. She breathed slowly, her face showing no emotion while she read the page carefully, flipping the sheet over to look at the other side. Even her blinking was slow and calculated. Cid was trying hard not to clench up or quicken his own breath.

“Well,” she said after a long period of silence, “this is … something.”

“I am certain the captain will agree in that, we were defending two of our own from these bounty hunters,” said Cid.

“Hard not to see that when they had crossbowmen on rooftops,” Allianna replied, placing the report on the table in front of her. “And from what some of the residents heard prior to the fight, there wasn’t even a call to surrender before the weapons were broken out.”

“They did put a bigger price on her head if she was dead,” Cid replied coldly.

“Yes,” Allianna replied. “That tends to encourage a more heated confrontation. One I do not appreciate.”

“Of course, my lady,” Cid said.

“They certainly turned their little operation into an Outland skirmish,” Laurent replied.

Cid snorted at the comment, Laurent and Allianna turning to him.

“Our doctor used to live there for a while.”

“My condolences,” the captain said, “but that doesn’t tidy up the fact your group turned a city alleyway into an open-air slaughter house.”

“Well worded,” Allianna told Laurent.

“I had time to think on that one. But in all seriousness, this is rather concerning.”

“I concur,” said Allianna. “And I know the people of this city will quickly forget all The Wolves have done if, whatever this is, continues to escalate. The last thing we need is a full-scale war between two groups to be waged throughout our streets.”

“I agree entirely,” said Cid. “One of the reasons why I came was to ensure that the relationship between The Wolves and the city of Koulberg is still on good terms.”

“We have not considered that relationship to be anything but on good terms,” said Allianna. “But something must be done regarding whatever caused this incident.”

“I am concerned, though, that if we leave to attend to this matter, it may complicate our established contract with the city, specifically pertaining to searching of any loyalists to Callanband or Baeron.”

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“There is a risk to be taken in your absence, I will not deny that,” said Allianna. “But between the Kolvilles acquiring an artifact with potential destructive capabilities, and this dispute between Lady Marais and the Kolvilles, I would say this takes a higher precedent for the immediate moment.”

“And whoever benefits from a group of outlaws being eradicated will probably want to show some appreciation to whoever aided in this effort,” Cid followed.

“My thoughts exactly,” said Allianna, “and a trade agreement or even an alliance might be beneficial. Though we should not count our eggs before they hatch.”

“What exactly is this whole situation between The Wolves or the Kolville Gang in the first place?”

Cid took a deep breath. “Unfortunately, there seems to be some unresolved matters with one of my seconds back in their home country. One of the Kolvilles assaulted and murdered the sister of my second, Jeanne Marais and when the court would not hold the man accountable, she did.””

“The upstart?” Laurent asked.

Cid nodded.

“And now she was a price on her head, wonderful,” Laurent followed.

“How are you planning to handle this?” Allianna asked bluntly.

“I thought you wouldn’t want to know for deniability,” Cid replied.

“No one is recording this, and I’m hoping the captain will not experience any loose lips.”

“I prefer to keep my jobs, if its all the same to you, my lady,” said Laurent.

“But to answer your question, my lady, we aim to go to her homeland and see what is needed to resolve this issue,” Cid said calmly.

Allianna lifted an eyebrow up. “I see. You’re traveling over to the Prydainlands where?”

“That was the plan, yes.”

“In the midst of a war of succession.”

“That appears to be what is occurring there, my lady. Yes.”

“I can imagine this will be far from an easy endeavor. Especially when such circumstances will make strange bedfellows.”

“We’ve been working to acquaint ourselves to the situation as best we can. And we aim to influence the struggle as little as possible.”

“Really?” Allianna asked, taken aback. “I’d thought a mercenary company would leap at the chance to earn some extra coin for your company.”

“I admit the thought is tempting. And ransoming myself a new suit of armor would make my day. But I’ve been involved in these struggles, both as a noble and as a sellsword and I prefer to keep myself out of this as much as possible.”

“Then I feel obligated to advise that any protection I may provide here in Koulberg and the lands that answer to this government will not be there if you undergo this expedition. We cannot appear to be taking a side in this struggle.”

“We expected as much,” Cid replied, placed his tea cup and saucer down onto the table. “And we would not want to place you or the city of Koulberg into a compromising situation. The alley incident notwithstanding.”

Laurent cleared his throat. “In all honesty, that’s what you get when you send in the bounty hunters and not professional bondsmen. At least they coordinate with authorities before moving to catch a criminal.”

“Bounty hunters don’t,” Cid asked.

“God no!” Laurent exclaimed. “They act as if they are above such protocol and after that as if they’re better defenders of law and order than we are.”

“Which is why we would prefer this matter with Lady Marais be dealt with quickly before this escalates into a full-on blood feud.”

“I have two of my people searching for the ship that brought this group of hunters with them. See if there were anymore trying to collect this bounty.”

Laurent pulled out a slip of paper and placed in front of Cid. “I think this might help in the effort.”

Cid grabbed the piece of paper and read it. His eyes narrowed and he let out a low groan. “Oh Jeanne’s going to be tickled.”

“I don’t care if she uses their guts and visceral to decorate her home for the winter holidays, just don’t make a scene here.”

“I only promise to try,” Cid replied.