It didn't take long for the guards to release Priscilla, after they took her to Jeffers Inn the barman waved it off. The woman really was just minding her own business until the crazy man came in. She paid her part in it, so he didn't care to hassle her too much. He laughed at her display as well, sending him through the window was a nice touch. He wished his own wife would be able to toss a man around like that. Which resulted him in a few stares from the guards and Priscilla as well.
Priscilla wasn't sure where Jensen went, but she figured he might've went out of town when the guards came. Did she want to meet up with him? She kind of did. It was rather conflicting, she didn't trust the man inherently; but she wanted to feel the thrill of the adventure regardless.
'Whatever, what's the worst that could happen.' she thought with a grin, as she made her way out of the city and into the woods. She shuffled through trees without a goal in mind, she just trusted that man's so-called woodland instincts to find her eventually. She stumbled upon a small creek, she dipped her toes into it and sat leisurely. After some time passed she heard the rustling of fallen leaves behind her, as Jensen appeared covered in sweat and scratches. He made his way towards her and sat atop a rock near her. ''Damn those guards were persistent, it took a whole night to get them off my ass.'' the man grunted unhappily. ''You were so clever there. 'ooooh it was the bear, not me!' and they just let you off with a warning.''
Priscilla laughed at the man's attitude. ''I called you a boar, not a bear. There is a difference.''
''Same thing, bah. It was a good move anyway, a nice distraction as well.'' he said with a wave of his hand. ''So I take it, you're in? You'll join us?'' he asked.
''It seems like it.'' she said. ''I don't trust you, to be honest. But it's a good offer.''
''So yes— I'll work with you.'' she finally added.
It made the man jolt up and grab her shoulders with a large grin. ''That's great! Trust be damned, think of profit first. Trust can be built later on. Since we'll need to trust one another in the thick of battle. But until then, profit is the best!''
''Anyway, come with me. I've got a cabin nearby where we can meet up with the others.'' the man said as he began walking north.
Priscilla followed him through the thickets, it was a long walk, but she loved the freeing feel of traversing through the nature. It was as relaxing as can be. Eventually they came to a small wooden cabin in a fenced up clearing. Vegetables were growing in a few plots nearby, and the creek ran not too far away from where they stopped. It was a surprisingly well chosen location. It was a simple home; but Priscilla felt some envy seeing it.
''Do you live here alone?'' she asked curiously, as she looked around the place.
''No, got a wife an kids to do most of the living around here. The wife took the kids to her folks, before she comes back here.'' the man said as he opened the door of the cabin to let Priscilla in.
''Is she going to join us?'' Priscilla asked, cocking her head in confusion.
''Did I not mention it?'' he chuckled; ''Yes, she's actually a mercenary— well semi-retired now because of the kids, but a lot better at it than me nonetheless.'' he said matter-of-factly.
The man lit a fire in the small wooden stove in the cabin, and put a pot of water to boil atop it. He set two cups on the table, filled with a mix of floral leaves in front of him and Priscilla. After a couple minutes he poured in the water and sat down across from the woman.
''It's going to be five of us. My wife and brother, an old family friend, and then you and me.'' he said, as he took a sip of his steaming hot drink.
''Is that— it?'' she asked reluctantly. For such a supposedly big job, it felt lackluster to her ears; only five people were supposed to accomplish what even full on groups of fully armored and trained soldiers couldn't do? Was the man actually a lunatic and she was wasting her time?
Jensen noticed her gaze and scratched his nose. ''It's not that we can't get more people, but it's a lot harder to work then when you don't know who'll stab you in the back and when.'' he said sincerely.
''I suppose that makes sense.'' she nodded. ''Why are you so eager to have me join then, if everyone else sounds like someone you can trust already— and I'm the only outsider?'' As she spoke the words out loud, she became wary and suspicious once more. Even if the man hadn't provoked her, saying the plan out loud really did raise some questionable thoughts about it. He also looked at her a bit stumped. It wasn't often he talked to someone so inherently paranoid, but she did have a fair point with that one.
''Uhm.'' he croaked. ''I don't have a response to that one, to be honest. I just chose you because of what you're capable of, and since you protected the boy, I figured you're kind enough to not betray people without reason.''
His answer seemed to satisfy Priscilla sufficiently as she lifted her cup and took a sip of the drink he made. ''That's amazing!'' she uttered as she felt the flavours intermingle with her tongue. It had such a soft and sweet taste that lingered warmly in her mouth, putting a smile on her face.
''Tell me one thing,'' the woman paused taking another sip. ''Why's the Empire even so desperate to attack the barbarians now of all times?'' she asked curiously.
''What do you mean? You haven't heard?'' Jensen almost jumped out of his seat in surprise.
''Lady, what rock have you been living under?'' he asked with shock
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Priscilla almost choked on her drink seeing his reaction; 'was it such a strange question?' she thought. Before she could make an excuse Jensen spoke up regardless.
''Ever since Duke Valentine disappeared, things have been insane. You know Emperor Ellis and Duke Valentine are brothers? Without the Duke's support, several of the houses questioned the Imperial Family's stability and methods. They began to pressure them to solve countless issues, most of which they had little control over in the first place.'' Jensen narrated freely, he was about to continue when Priscilla interrupted him.
''Wait, wait! Duke Valentine disappeared? When did this happen? Why?'' she asked with bewilderment.
''Huh? Yeah? He did! Everyone knows about it, it happened not long after he murdered his own daughter for all to see three years ago— like some twisted form of entertainment. Then he was just gone. Some said she cursed him to death in retaliation, others said he merely went south with his new Duchess to focus on making a new heir. Problem is nobody seems to know for sure, not even the Emperor.''
''Anyway, after all that happened. The Ellis Family panicked and promised they'd limit the barbarians territory to appease the families questioning, and that's how we got these current excursions. They're trying to flaunt their wealth, power, and prestige. By recruiting across their territory and bringing forth a massive army to the border. It beats going to war with the families that aren't supporting them.'' Jensen said, sighing and shaking his head.
''That's the gist of it anyways. We'll pretend to be a merc group from up north, impress them with our skills, make ourselves indispensable to them, and profit.'' he said with a grin.
''Fair enough, Jens. It sounds like a good enough plan. It does depend on the graciousness of the soldiers, and whether the Imperial family has any ulterior motives with this excursion. The disappearance of a Duke isn't a joking matter either.'' Priscilla replied positively. She acknowledged the idea, but there were some questionable parts. One could never be sure of people's motives and plans, it could easily turn bad if they got involved in things they shouldn't get involved with. But overall, she couldn't complain, the man had the right idea— and hopefully his people would be equally competent to make things happen.
As she was wondering about it; a knock slammed hard against the door, and Jensen stood up abruptly to check it out. He opened the door, revealing a tall fiery brunette standing at the door. She looked into the cabin and saw Priscilla sitting leisurely at the table, the woman was surprised by her beauty— reflexively she pushed the man in and kissed him passionately, her gaze focusing on the woman's reaction from the corner of her eye. Seeing that the woman didn't seem to care, she stopped pressing the man and smiled. ''Are you gonna introduce us, hubby?''
The man was stunned speechless as he looked at his wife as if he were looking at a stranger. 'Since when are you the jealous type...' he thought, but he didn't dare to say it aloud. ''This is Priscilla, honey. And Priscilla, this is my wife Hallie.'' he said, scratching his head.
''Are you in trouble already, bonehead?'' a man's voice came jokingly from outside the door. Two men walked in, one tall and well built, very similar to Jensen, just far less scars. He reminded Priscilla more of the noble boys she'd seen in the past, a bit prim and pampered. But he had a far kinder atmosphere around him, than they used to have. The other man was more short and stocky, a bit rough and serious faced. He didn't seem much like a fighter at all to Priscilla, but she thought maybe he'd be in charge of logistics or something similar, so she didn't put that much thought into it.
''You're finally here. That took a damn long time, you big lug.'' Jensen replied with a hardy laugh. ''Alright, now that everyone's here. This is my brother Jared, and Ferro here's been a friend for many years. And the woman is Priscilla.'' he introduced everyone matter-of-factly. ''Any questions?'' he asked, clapping his hands together.
''Can you handle two women?'' Jared asked with a smug grin as he nudged Jensen with his shoulder. ''It seemed like you were struggling.''
''Stop it, Jare. Don't annoy them, both of them could make you suffer.'' Jensen replied, pushing Jared off of him.
''You're meeting Priscilla for the first time, but trust me when I say she's far more capable than her appearance might demonstrate. She'll be a good addition to the plan, so don't bother her with your foolishness.'' Jensen said flatly, defending the woman from their questioning glances and comments.
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In a brightly illuminated throne room a man sat wearily, he held his head up in his hand as he felt the weight of the world pressing down upon his shoulders. One could see the stress and pressure on his face as he stared dully. He was exhausted— everyone was screaming at him to handle all their problems. Since when was it his responsibility to give a damn about all of the small things? Where had everyone gone— they should be working for him, not the other way around. He wanted to force them all to behave, but he couldn't do so, his father would be ashamed to see the state of the empire now. He grit his teeth in frustration and unwillingness.
''Your Majesty.'' a feminine voice said from the throne room's entrance.
The man lifted his head up and looked out at the woman. ''It's you...'' he muttered softly. ''You're finally back?''
''Yes, Your Majesty.'' the woman replied lithely. Taking long steps towards the man, her heels clattering against the pristine tiled flooring of the palace. Her hips swayed mesmerizingly as she walked up, part of her thighs revealing themselves with every step she took in her gown that was slit down her legs, as she approached the foot of the throne and knelt down. ''Your subordinate returns with a report.''
''Speak.'' the man uttered, waving his hand for the woman to proceed already. His gaze slightly lifted as he avoided looking directly at the woman.
''Duke Valentine— is still alive. There's signs of him in the south of the Empire, in Marquis Kronenberg's territory, Your Majesty.'' she replied sweetly, her voice like a summer serenade in the man's ears.
''That damned dog bastard brother of mine.'' the man said, raising his voice. ''Are you sure? How long has he been there? Send a messenger immediately, he must return to the city immediately.'' the man said, striking his fist against the throne's armrest.
''Your Majesty, don't stress yourself over it. I've already sent some people to force him to return. There's no excuse he can make to justify ignoring a direct summon.'' the woman replied confidently. She stood up and walked towards the throne, the man said nothing letting her approach quietly.
''Your Highness, let this subordinate help you reduce your stress.'' she said with a giggle as she walked behind the throne and placed her delicate fingers on the man's shoulders. She rubbed them softly, while her plump red lips neared his ear, whispering in a hushed tone some things, meant only for his ears. The man relaxed into the throne as he let the woman do her thing. He closed his eyes, escaping from the stress of the issues piling up on his shoulders. The woman smiled as she looked down at the man, a chilling glint flashing through her eyes as she freed a dagger attached to her thigh and pierced it into the man's chest.
The man jolted— his eyes widening in shock and fright. His heart beat— and stalled. His body slid slightly on the throne as the last breath escaped his body, his eyes bulged— at the last thing he saw in this life.