'What do I say when I get there?' The man was visibly nervous, he had never once thought that he would be head hunted for such a high position.

'You don't have to say anything, I'll speak for you. That's how this goes. I'll sell you to him, he'll send you off for some tests and then you'll be given your position.' Willow walked beside him, nearly a head taller, her womanly figure disguised by layers of light leather armour. She pulled her brown braid over her shoulder, as the quiver on her back always ensured that her hair would get caught amongst the arrows. 'For someone so talented, I'm surprised you're this anxious.' She looked down on him, and although taller, his muscular physique made him seem so much bigger than her. A large hand held cannon strapped to his back, and the impressive strength required to carry it, made the man a powerful sight to behold. But he's so quiet and nervous, the Admiral isn't going to be impressed. Not at first. She patted him on the shoulder. 'Remember, like I've said before, you better not have any links to Amaratsu or Churash. This is the admiralty considering your entry, they have access to information that you would never believe. This guy can find out more about you than you know yourself.'

This made the Cannoneer even more nervous, despite being as straight as they came. Willow had tried her best to verify his dependability, but some things could slip her by. 'I'll keep that in mind.' He said.

Stongharbour was built up around them with multi story stone buildings, clock towers and church spires. It was the largest port in Hurdland, perhaps the world, and was home to the largest Hurdland navy fleet, under the command of Admiral of the Fleet, Nicholas Demshir. The two travellers briskly walked their way through the stony streets, under the shadows of large grey-blue buildings, towards the main harbour. Players of all types passed them by on the streets. It was a busy day, NPC street traders sang their songs of discounts and deals, children could be heard from classroom windows, and the blue uniformed Hurdland military made their marching patrols around the streets, keeping the place safe from crime and invasion.

'Will I be meeting with Demshir?' The Cannoneer asked.

'God no.' Willow replied. 'He's never met with a head hunter, or a new recruit, unless they were particularly special.' She pointed down a side street, narrower than the main streets of the city. Darker too, but equally as safe. 'This way, it'll be faster. No, you'll be meeting Admiral James. He oversees most recruits.'

That seemed to put the man at ease. 'OK.'

The two walked for several minutes before exiting the side street and taking their course back on a main path through the city. Before long they were at the docks, huge military war ships lined the harbour, soldiers and seamen came and went, loading weapons and supplies. Willow figured for some naval campaign. She was not concerned greatly. 'This way.' She led the Cannoneer to the largest of the ships, a great war galley, white sails raised and blue flags blowing in the coastal wind. Armed guards, two Swordsmen, stood at the steps leading up to the main deck of the vessel. 'Ho.' Willow greeted them. 'Admiral James is expecting us. I'm Willow, a head hunter in service to the Admiral.'

One of the guards spoke, hand on hilt. 'I will inform the Admiral immediately, please wait there.' And with that he was gone, up the steps and across a gang plank on to the large vessel.

Willow was patient, but not one to keep quiet. 'How's it going?' She asked the remaining guard, but he did not answer. Willow shrugged.

Later the guardsman returned, he appeared at the gangplank with a third Swordsman who remained on deck. Taking his position once again at the foot of the steps, he spoke. 'The Admiral will see you now.'

'Thank you.' Willow gave a courteous bow and then headed up the steps, the Cannoneer in tow. Once on deck, the third Swordsman escorted them to the Captain's cabin at the stern. They went through a wooden door into a large well lit room, an oak desk sat in front of a large window at the rear of the ship, overlooking the smaller docked vessels in the harbour. Documents, maps, quills, ink pots and other clutter littered the desk. Sat amongst it all was a white haired man, young of face and dark skinned. He wore a tidy uniform in the blue of Hurdland with a steel breastplate glimmering in the daylight that came through the window. The guard made their presence known to the Admiral. 'Admiral James, I bring you the head hunter.'

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

'Good. You may leave.' The Admiral seemed grave. He greeted Willow kindly enough, but was much more subdued when it came to the other. He gave a simple nod of recognition, nothing more. 'I require a man of quality, Willow. Yet you bring me this rough looking sort.'

'Admiral, I was hired purely on my measure of quality. With me you get the best, and only the best.' Willow smiled pleasantly.

'You are supposed to be replacing a man who I was not only close to, but who was of such high skill that his worth to Hurdland was immeasurable. This lout looks hardly worth even the time of Amaratsu. I can see the fear of battle on his face even now.'

'Admiral.' Willow's voice became deep, serious. 'Even knowing my reputation, knowing my skill, knowing my professionalism, you insult me.' She then smiled, returning to her pleasantness. 'I bring you only the best.' She motioned to the Cannoneer. 'Sir Mokoe may be a rough man, he lacks the grace of the high Admiralty, or even the seamen of the Hurdland Grand fleet, but he more than makes up for it in skill and in power.'

James looked on her in silence for a moment, then agreed. 'OK head hunter, you are correct, I hired you for a reason, and I should trust your judgement. You've proven yourself enough times.' He opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out a near full leather purse, added a few coins to it from the same drawer, then tossed it to Willow. 'The gold we agreed on, plus extra for the insult.'

Willow caught it deftly in one hand. 'Thank you.'

'You may leave, I will put this man to work. He will prove himself.' James motioned for Willow to leave.

Willow obliged, but before exiting through the door she turned to Mokoe and held out her hand. The other gripped it gently and shook. 'It was good travelling with you, Mokoe. Work hard.'

'I will, thank you.' Mokoe smiled.

Willow gave a bow to the Admiral and left the ship, she made her way out of the harbour, back through the streets and then to the city centre. Business was competitive for head hunters during the war, so Willow had no time to wait, she walked to the local Soldier Academy in hopes that some other hunter had not taken jobs that were posted.

The buildings and streets gave way to the typical high walls of a Soldier Academy, with people going to and from their training. Willow approached a guard at the high archway leading into the compound from the east side, he knew her face and waved her through without issue. Soldier's were in the yard sparring with sword and spear, taking part in target practise with bows, drilling techniques in the centre of the yard, or practising group tactics for the battlefield. NPC and player coaches were littered around the yard, training those under them with strictness. Willow walked by them towards the brick building at the northern most wall of the complex, the Academy office, where on a wall outside would be a bulletin board. On the board would be quests and jobs posted by NPCs and other players. Amongst these player jobs would be requests for a head hunter to find and recruit players into armies or smaller bands on behalf of said organisations.

Willow approached the board as a Swordsman from inside the building pinned up several new notes and cleared it of outdated notices. She gave the man a friendly nod and then scanned over the information in front of her. Please let there be something here that doesn't involve Admirals or ship Captains or anything to do with the sea. I've never met such a stuck up bunch of players in my life.

There were requests for Soldier's to join particular Hurdland armies, advertisements from Traders and Makers who were reselling or crafting equipment at cheap prices. There was a head hunting request from one of the Hurdland leadership, Giles Thorn. Willow had dealt with him in the past, recruiting an Archer for his personal military force, yet found him lacking in manners or gratitude. She would not work for him again. Directly next to this note was another head hunter request. A bright, clean, crisp white piece of paper with bold red calligraphy inked across it. Willow recognised the red and white colours immediately, as well as the name signed at the bottom of the sheet. Perfect. She reached out and snatched it from the board excitedly. It's been a long time.