Scourge Thirteen - Mercenary

Scourge Thirteen - Mercenary

Scourge Thirteen - Mercenary

After our showdown in the arena, things settle down. The announcer tells people to come back in ten minutes after theyve had time to arrange a few things and when they can continue with the selection matches.

I give him time to get off his box before I approach the announcer and the mercenary captains around his end of the makeshift arena.

So, I say as I come closer. Im happy that Im growing taller, soon I wont even have to look up to stare these guys in the face. Was that good enough? I ask.

The announcer smiles, but theres some brittleness there. Ah, you fought to join the Swinging Sabers, did you not? he asks.

Wasnt that the deal? I ask.

Well, technically, we never shook on it, he says.

Val, this jerk is trying to weasel out of our deal, Felix says. The air around us shifts, and a quick glance back reveals that Felix is smiling from ear to ear.

I scuff my shoe against the cobbles below. Is she right? I ask. Are the Swinging Sabers trying to back out?

One of the mercenaries in the little ground of boss-looking guys steps out and closer to us. Hes a bigger fellow, tall, with a lantern jaw and narrowed eyes. Nillo, the guy I beat, is standing a step behind him.

Youre bringing the companys word into question? he asks.

Isnt the company bringing it into question themselves, you know, by not fulfilling their part? I ask.

His chest puffs out and he comes to stand closer to me. I think hes trying to intimidate me? Are you accusing the company of not being faithful to its word? he asks.

Do I need to write it down for you? I ask. Ill use little words. I can feel a dark pit of disgust welling inside me. This jerk just made me waste my time, and then he dares be angry when I call him out on it?

Do you think you scare me, little girl? he asks as he leans forward. I can see his eyes more clearly now. Mom always says that the whole thing about the eyes being the window into the soul is a myth. But theres some truth buried there. Eyes reflect the truth underneath, and this man staring down at me wears his emotions in his.

I grin up at him. Do you want me to scare you? I ask.

He glares.

I step back. Come, I say to my friends as I turn away and dismiss him. We dont want to work with these guys. Theyre not good enough.

Hey! What does that mean? Nillo asks while his captain fumes.

I want to reply, but Moms taught me that to really succeed in life, you need to be able to look past and ignore things that dont matter anymore. I think this is one of those moments.

Were going to need to find another group, I say as I scan the courtyard.

You might have made an enemy there, Bianca says. The Swinging Sabers are moderately popular here.

Yeah, but theyre also idiots. Mom says that I should always pray for smart allies and stupid adversaries. I glance to the side as a young man walks our way. Hes in his late twenties, if I had to guess, with some well-maintained but not very impressive armour. A long red sash goes from his right shoulder to his left hip, with a few coloured cords woven around it. Maybe well find someone smarter, I say.

I saw your fight, he says as he pauses before our little group.

A lot of people did, Esme says.

He laughs. Fair. Im Teo Alcaide. Im with the The Big Hill Lions. Saw you got, ah, refused by the Swinging Sabers.

How much you paying? Felix asks.

Teo rubs at his chin. Twenty coppers.

Each? I ask.

For all four of you, Teo says.

Lady Malvada, Biana mutters. I suggest we leave. Those prices are robbery.

I huff and put my hands on my hips. Two silver.

Thats a big hike up, he says.

Each, I add.

Thats what an optio would be paid!

Didnt you say you just watched me kick the Swinging Sabers optio in the rear? I ask. I think that means Im worth at least as much.

Teo waffles a bit. Well, yes, but an optio does a lot more than just fight. Theyre leaders.

I pout. Youre saying that my friends and I cant lead? Were all accomplished cultivators, we all know how to read and write and have pretty decent educations. I bet Ive led more things than you.

Teo raises his hands in surrender. Fine, fine. One silver, each. I really, really cant promise any more than that. And at that price, I expect you to bring your own equipment.

I consider it for a moment. When are you heading out?

Were leaving in three hours, he says.

Thats soon, I say.

He shrugged. Were bringing food to outposts. We should have left last night.

Alright, I say. Give us ten minutes to talk it over? I dont mind joining you guys, but I want to see what my friends think first.

Teo nods, then half-turns and points towards the gate and to a small band of people gathering around a trio of carts. Ill be right over there, with the rest of the company. We can do introductions if you agree.

Teo heads off, and I turn to my friends. Sounds decent? I say.

Yeah, I guess, Felix says. Bit slower than going on our own though.

Yeah, but then well be with others, have carts to ride on, and we wont risk getting lost, I say. Ill just need to send a few little friends to the air while were heading out to tell the monsters around us to leave the caravan alone, and then we should be fine.

Id rather ride in a cart than walk, Esme says. I still have some reading to do.

As you wish, Bianca says.

Brilliant! In that case, I think its time for us to become mercenaries!

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