"Merry!" Wilhelm's sharp call echoed within the surroundings of a weathered wooden house nestled amidst a grove of towering bamboo trees.

"Ah! Aaaaah! Willy!" A high-pitched voice responded from inside the house.

"Yes! Papalo's home!"

"Lechuga, you're late!"

Their bright voices filled the air, contrasting the chaotic surroundings warmly.

The house's exterior was littered with piles of junked utensils and scrap materials, broken wooden works like chairs and tables, balls of torn rags, and various unusable household debris scattered around the front lawn. It looked more like a junkyard than a thieves' home, an appearance far removed from what Adolph had envisioned. Moreover, hearing Wilhelm sound so sweet in front of them made Adolph question his earlier words... Was he a thief for real, as he claimed?

"Quite surprising, isn't it benefactor?"

"You said it, Niche."

"Well, as you can see," Ernst began, approaching the two, "Wilhelm has a weak spot for adorable things. One of which is a little girl he's taking care of—"

CREAK...

Suddenly, the wooden door of the house creaked open, and a little girl's face peeked out. Everyone stopped at her mischievous sight. The door opened wider, revealing her fully. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation and her grin widened at the sight of Wilhelm, but it all vanished instantly as she saw the unfamiliar faces behind her dearest grandpa.

"Who are they?" she asked softly. "Are they going to eat here too... Ah!" The little girl gave a sudden gasp: her eyes now locked unto something else. That something was the black fox sitting beside Adolph, which this little girl found extremely—

"CUTE!"

The little girl immediately ran outside toward the newcomers. Her dark, short hair bounced all around her face in a messy bob. Its strands were as black as a moonless night, complementing her adorable, expressive deep brown eyes. Her plump cheeks were sprinkled with freckles, giving her wide smile a perpetually endearing sight.

"Yes... Being that cute should be a crime under our oath." Wilhelm ought to have muttered those words only to himself, but it was loud enough that everyone around him heard it. Adolph and Niche found his words quite lovely, but Ernst did his best to contain the laughter building in his lungs. Thankfully this time, he successfully contained it.

Wilhelm kneeled and stretched his arms as wide as he could, hoping to catch his beloved Merry who was running toward him, but the little girl slid under his arms and through the grass and dried bamboo leaves. Her simple, faded blue dress made a long, scratching sound as it cushioned her body from the ground. Merry stopped just enough to catch Niche in her small, delicate hands.

"Eh?" Wilhelm was left hanging, arms open wide. That posture was pretty easy to maintain, even for an hour, but his shattered pride wasn't as resilient. Sadness was evident on his soured, teary face. He tried to look back at her girl with an awkward emotion. "Merry chose a fox over me?" His dumbfounded voice didn't even reach Merry's ears as the girl was already preoccupied with snuggling Niche.

"Bwahahaha!" Ernst erupted in a burst of crazed laughter at Wilhelm's sad figure. "Old man's charms, my ass! Wahaha—ACK!" A tiny pebble found its way accurately to Ernst's forehead, effectively stopping his laughter.

"Ahem..." Wilhelm promptly cleared his throat. "Merry, let's go home now. Ernst's said he won't eat his fill for tonight."

"Wha—What?!" Ernst exclaimed, his surprise tinged with sarcasm. "You mad again?!"

"Papalo, can I have her for the night?" Merry asked as she hugged Niche tightly in her hands. "I'll have her eat Uncle Ernst's food instead."

"Merry?!" Ernst exclaimed again, eyes widening at the little girl's decision. "I have a say in this, don't I?!"

"I... I'm fine, little girl..." Niche struggled, a bit uncomfortable with the child's most warm welcome. "You can put me down now."

"HUAH! Lechuga, she speaks!" Merry's surprise turned into pure amazement in mere seconds, evident in her sparkling eyes. "Awesome!"

Niche wore a timid expression as Merry held her securely, running toward the cottage's entrance. "Adolph! Help me—" Niche's voice gradually faded as they disappeared into the wooden house.

"Oh my, sorry for my daughter's actions just now. Welcome home, Wilhelm." Another voice manifested behind Adolph and the others. It was a woman—her complexion perfectly matched the adorable face of Merry whom they just met earlier.

"Helen..." cried Wilhelm. "Merry ignored me just now."

"Shouldn't you be entertaining your guests instead? You don't want to keep them waiting in this cold, do you?" Helen gave Wilhelm a stern look before heading toward the house. "I'll fetch you all some water. Please come inside and have a seat."

"I'm sorry. Thank you, Helen." Wilhelm turned to Adolph and the three men behind him. "Just leave that cart there. You will need it for later."

The one with the V-shaped visor let go of the cart's handles he pulled. It was the cart that carried the stolen belongings back of Mycen's hovel that the thieves had "failed" to take.

"Once again, I welcome you all to our humble abode." Wilhelm bowed his head and gestured warmly to his guests.

Adolph stepped forward, responding to Wilhelm's hospitality with nothing but a single word. "Talk?"

"Mhmm..." Wilhelm squinted his eyes, amused by Adolph's straightforwardness. "Let's talk inside."

A few minutes have passed...

A long table, one that could seat eight, dominated the center of a brightly lit room. The air around it was charged with an intense atmosphere as if the very space were holding its breath in anticipation. The stark illumination of hung torches cast sharp shadows, accentuating the intensity of the moment for those gathered around.

Wilhelm sat at one end, hands clasped together with eyes filled with stern seriousness. Ernst sat near him, playing idly with a silver coin while rocking his chair back and forth. Across from him, Merry endlessly pestered Niche, who was now tired and weary from the child's boundless energy. Adolph and the others sat in pairs: Adolph with the one adorned with a golden plume on his helmet and the V-shaped visor with the red-crested helmet.

"Here you go." Helen placed a bamboo pitcher on the table, along with enough cups for everyone. "Please, help yourselves."

Before leaving, Helen leaned down to Merry. "Behave. Don't say anything unless you're asked, okay?" Merry nodded obediently to her mother's instruction. Helen then tapped Wilhelm on the shoulder and said, "I'll be in the kitchen. Call me if you need anything."

"I will. Thank you, Helen."

As soon as Helen disappeared into another room, Ernst stopped rocking his chair. Wilhelm placed his hands flat on the table, and when Merry noticed, she stopped scratching Niche's belly and sat still and silent. The atmosphere... took a sudden shift.

"May I ask why the little girl is here with us?" Adolph inquired, skeptical.

"She's our lucky charm," Wilhelm answered. Adolph found it quite odd, but seeing the little girl quiet down earlier, he thought it'd be just fine.

"Now, while I know that you and your friends are not thieves like us here, I assume you lot can hold a peaceful... and dignified transaction. Do you promise?"

Head pondered, Adolph thought to himself, do thieves even know the word dignity? You barely see those two together in a sentence. If Adolph's facial expression could just change, he would be already wearing a confused face now. Is there a need for such extensive terms for small talk? Nevertheless, Adolph and his lot needed Wilhelm's information, and so he decided to play their game.

"We promise," Adolph simply answered back to Wilhelm.

"Alright. Let's do this then. Ernst?"

"I'm with you..."

Supra omnes animas, sub uno sacramento.

"Excuse me, little girl..." Niche asked, its head glancing back at Merry. "What did those men say?"

Merry looked at Niche, subtly smiled, and whispered, "Willy always says that whenever he gambles with Uncle Ernst. He says it brings luck to his side..." She leaned closer and softly whispered, "But he always loses."

"Merry, dear..." Wilhelm's stern warning made Merry purse her lips.

"So, to start things," Ernst slid a piece of parchment to the center of the table. "Three band leaders: Fishnet as their keeper, Petro as their brain, and another one named Barth who's supposed to be their brawn," he elaborated while looking at Adolph on his side.

"So you finally remembered Barth?" Adolph asked, cutting into Ernst's explanation.

"I had their names in my notes, but this Barth is still... foreign to us. I even doubted it at first, but I wrote it myself, so it can't be wrong."

"Is that so?" Adolph examined the parchment Ernst had shown them. "There's only coins in here..."

As Adolph scrutinized its contents, Ernst explained in the background. "They call themselves 'Triple Fortune.' That's the symbol of their standard." Supporting what he just said, the parchment had a figure drawn on it; a figure that depicted three coins stacked in a triangular pattern.

"You should have seen it on the body of Barth you showed us earlier. His shoulder," Wilhelm added.

"I do remember seeing a coin tattooed on it," Adolph confirmed.

Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

"That indicates he was one of the three leaders of that band. But we're not sure if he was the real Barth we're talking about."

"Alright... So, where is their location?" Adolph finally asked as he returned the parchment.

Ernst withdrew the parchment he showed them and as he did, he told Adolph. "The rest will be discussed after your payment."

"Payment?" Adolph was confused, again. "What payment?"

"An exchange," Wilhelm answered in a bold tone. "What you will give to us to receive our information." The four young men, as they understood the meaning of the situation, grew restless as they heard the demand of Wilhelm and Ernst.

"I thought you would help us?" Adolph sprang up to his seat. "No, you said earlier that you'd help us—"

SCHWING.

A high-pitched shing of a knife echoed through the air as Ernst unsheathed his blade and held it to Adolph's neck.

"Mind you that you drew the knife first," Adolph stated coldly, and the situation immediately turned for the worst.

"And you showed the aggression first," Ernst retorted.

"You can't kill me with your knife," Adolph threatened, his eyes faintly glowing red again.

"Maybe not," replied Ernst, "—but your captured friends can."

Enraged, Adolph grabbed Ernst's hand tightly, but before he could act further, Wilhelm's resounding voice cut through the tension.

"HALT!" It drew everyone's attention towards him. "You make someone bleed here right now, and this whole discussion is over."

"That's fine by me," Adolph growled.

"But it isn't for your captured friends, remember?"

Dissatisfied, Adolph made a clicking sound as he let go of Ernst's hand. He felt defeated by Wilhelm's words alone.

"You agreed this transaction would be peaceful and dignified." Wilhelm slouched back in his chair and sighed. "Now you're breaking your promise."

"You were the first to break your promise. You said you'd help us, and now you're demanding something? Is that why you made us pull that cart to your house?"

"Oh, believe me. I am helping you even right now, Adolph."

"No. This is just a... robbery. You're really nothing but a thief—" Adolph stopped abruptly as he caught a glimpse of Merry, eyes teary and on the verge of crying. Wilhelm, seeing him stop, sighed in relief before speaking again.

"You need information, and I can give you that. What I ask now is what you can give us in return. It's a simple trade."

Adolph returned his gaze to Wilhelm. "Then I guess we wasted our time here," he declared. His feet pushed back the chair he was sitting on earlier. "You can keep your prized information. We can find them ourselves."

After his fierce declaration, Adolph turned his back and started to walk out of the room. "Let's go," he urged his fellows to leave. But before he could even reach the door—

"Is that before... or after your friends are sold to slave traders, hm?"

Wilhelm's voice struck deep into Adolph's mind. He suddenly remembered that one thief who had said the same thing before. He turned back and looked directly at Wilhelm.

"The underworld works that way, you see?"

"Damn right, it does," Ernst seconded Wilhelm.

Finding Adolph frozen in his spot, Wilhelm sensed he had overstepped his words this time. Even the three who were still sitting at the table had their spirits dampened, their absolute silence speaking volumes. Niche, nestled in Merry's lap, was no different. Realizing the need to mend the atmosphere, Wilhelm spoke up once more.

"Even now," Wilhelm's words rang through the tense room, "I am helping you all to understand one thing: nothing in this world is free. Everything comes with a price. That is the harsh reality you have to face, boy."

For the second time, Adolph felt defeated by Wilhelm's hard truths. Wilhelm was a thief to the mind and soul... a real one. Adolph realized it far too late that the old man wasn't just kidding around.

"We made our vow to our code, so you can trust us to honor this transaction. You, however, aren't bound to this oath. But we’re offering you a choice: either return, sit down, and continue this discussion... or spend an eternity finding your friends wherever they might be scattered across this land.”

Adolph glanced at the three he had resurrected earlier. Their eyes seemed to urge him to act, and so he did.

"But we cannot offer you the things we have in the cart outside," Adolph pleaded, his voice edged with desperation. “I know you’re a thief and likely eyeing those items we have, but... can’t we trade something else for the information instead?”

“Now that’s the spirit, Adolph,” Wilhelm said approvingly. "Asking has never been a bad thing. Truth be told, your items outside were meant for a different purpose. After all, those practically stolen goods in exchange for a chance to rescue a friend's precious life? I believe the scales are not balanced if you ask me."

Adolph, for the first time, felt cornered by a man whose power and authority seemed boundless. "What do you... suggest we do then?" he asked, feeling helpless.

“First, we’ll take the goods outside for safekeeping. They’ll serve as insurance—a performance bond for this transaction, should you fail to fulfill your part. Now, we will discuss the details of your contract." Ernst, realizing where Wilhelm was going with the talk, blew a short whistle.

“A contract?” Adolph echoed, trying to grasp Wilhelm's concept.

“We’ll provide you with the location of their den, yes,” Wilhelm confirmed. “But if you manage to rescue your friends, we’ll expect a share of the spoils to complete the deal.”

"And... what is that?"

"I suggest that you should take full control of their camp. In that way, you can safely rescue your friends, while we can safely... take our share."

"You mean, you want to loot their camp?"

“Yes, their entire camp,” Wilhelm clarified. "But we can only proceed with that after you’ve cleared the camp from hostiles. That's enough for our end, and you can reclaim your items outside as your property again. What do you say?"

Ernst, who had been waiting, tapped the surface of the chair Adolph had vacated. "Sit back here if you want to do this," he said to Adolph.

Adolph, having pondered his decision in a short time, walked back to the offered seat and sat down. He then looked at Wilhelm and asked, "Do you trust us that we can achieve that?"

"Oh, am I wrong to do so?"

"No... I'm just surprised that you do."

Wilhelm straightened up from his slouched position. “After witnessing the devastation you caused earlier, I have little doubt you’ll succeed in doing this thing. You are someone who survived an attack by five champions and are one yourself."

"Is that so..."

"Mhmm... With that said, why won't your three friends here introduce themselves? They barely talked... No, they didn't talk even once ever since we met them."

Niche and Adolph exchanged glances at the three silent individuals who suddenly found themselves in the spotlight.

“I believe… they can’t speak,” Adolph excused, his voice cracking.

"What? Are they mute? Or perhaps... traumatized?" Wilhelm’s concern was evident in his eyes. "Oh no, I apologize if they are..."

"No, uh... It's... kind of hard to explain," Adolph stammered.

“Well,” Wilhelm continued, “My point is that you all appear to be knights in my eyes, yet I don’t see any of your weapons with you."

"We aren't knights... and our weapons are..."

"What? Looted? Oh, well... that'll be a problem then," Wilhelm said, crossing his arms. "Share with us what weapons you all prefer to use."

"But, what for?"

"Don't be daft, my friend." Ernst lightly tapped Adolph’s shoulder. "Of course, it's for all of you to use."

“Helen!” Wilhelm called out. "Short swords and some bows. Quiver of arrows too."

“Right away,” Helen responded, and the sound of rummaging came from the next room.

“I also have some hatchets,” Wilhelm continued. “Anyone know how to throw one?” The four young men shook their heads to disagree.

"How about spears? A buckler? Or a mace perhaps, I did tell Misha to make one with the scraps from the other day..."

"No, I'm pretty sure she and Merry already used it to play with some bamboo yesterday. It might be already worn out now."

“Lechuga!” Merry interjected from the side. “You promised to keep that a secret from Papalo!”

"Did I now, dear?" Ernst teased the little girl before proceeding to giggle at her frowning face.

"Do you have any knives? Or daggers available?" Adolph requested.

Ernst and Wilhelm exchanged an awkward look before turning back to Adolph.

"We don't offer those, you see," Wilhelm said. "Would kitchen knives suffice for you?"

"Ah... No, thank you."

Helen then walked in, hugging a rather large brown sack in her arms. Ernst cleared the table from the water pitcher and cups unused earlier to give room for Helen to lay down the sack. Ernst unwrapped the whole thing, revealing four sheathed short blades, and two pairs of short bows with leather quivers full of arrows.

Ernst drew one of the swords and handed it to Wilhelm. Wilhelm brushed his metal arm against the blade, making a bright, schiwing sound that entangled everyone's attention.

"Pointed edge, a double-bladed short sword made of iron," said Wilhelm. "Pointed metal guard... not too sharp, but can pierce well enough if you use it to pickaxe someone's flesh... or maybe head. A rounded metal pommel at the end, should you need to bash someone instead. Then, a textured leather handle for a comfortable grip should your hands get... wet."

Adolph was puzzled. "Wet?"

"With blood," answered Ernst on his side. Wilhelm next took one of the short bows and gracefully demonstrated it to everyone, flexing its quality before their eyes.

"A hunter's short bow made from fine acacia wood. Polished surface, tapered tips, and a grip made from cured leather—textured, of course. The string was weaved from linen and it has a promising tensile strength. Having a draw weight of fifty to sixty pounds—finely tuned to accurately hit a target around fifty-five to seventy yards. If it misses, then that's a skill issue. Blame my bow and I'll shoot you instead."

Wilhelm took one of the arrows and flashed the pointed tip to everyone. "Ironclad feather arrow. Polished shaft, sleek arrowhead made from iron, and finely fletched feathers at the end. Stable—it can pierce a leather armor easily, but it'll have problems against metal of her own."

After a proud display of his finest creations, Wilhelm placed them carefully on the table and turned his gaze back to Adolph. “Consider this… an investment in the success you will bring us. Ernst will guide you to the camp and provide further details along the way.” Wilhelm stretched his back, his movements creaking softly. “Now, Adolph.”

Adolph lifted his eyes to meet Wilhelm’s. “What is it, Wilhelm?”

“These are the terms and conditions of our contract,” Wilhelm stated, his voice was sound and true. "As the main speaker on your side throughout this whole discussion, do you accept everything?"

Adolph didn't even need more time to give his answer. A simple feedback together with a subtle nod, "Yes, we do."

“Mm'kay,” Wilhelm replied with a decisive clap of his hands, the sound echoing crisply in the room. "This transaction is now approved and in effect, with Helen as its witness, please?"

"I will," Helen affirmed as she stood listening on one side, her tone calm and firm.

"Well said. With that, this discussion is now... over."

A gentle breeze wafted through the open window carrying the cold scent of the night. The room felt lighter as if the weight of uncertainty that once enveloped it had been lifted.

"I'm glad it went well," Niche softly remarked as it perched its body comfortably on Merry's lap.

“It did get a bit rough in the middle, but it’s all resolved now,” Wilhelm acknowledged. His eyes scanned the room with a look of satisfaction. "Now, does anyone still have a question?" Wilhelm asked, to which Adolph raised his right hand.

"What is it, Adolph?"

.

.

.

"When do we leave?"