"And what even this Xantia is?"Annoyed by the haughty tone of the messenger, Budewain shouted while patting his b.a.s.t.a.r.d sword handle. Despite all the bloodshed back in the day, those few beers he had made him look for another fight already!
"Shut your c.r.a.p!"
While keeping the stoic expression, those who know Nix could clearly how terrified she was. From the small glint in the corner of her eyes, defensive foot placement, hands clearly visible… All those small details could be brought as proof of the Xantia"s fame in the region. While straightforward warriors like Budewain might not know about them, Nix grew up in the area and always attempted to keep up with her friends living here.
"Forgive him, he is clearly drunk. How can we help you then?"
Turning back to the messenger, she sighed deeply, as if dropping a great weight from her shoulders. The newcomer didn"t seem to be annoyed at all!
"Nah, don"t sweat the details. I grew up in slums so I"m accustomed to this kind of people. Looking at the reports, you had to have a hard time obtaining all this loot. I can understand the need to let off the steam!"
Young guys explained himself. While those three guards on his side made him put on airs, he appeared to be a rather sympathetic, down-to-ground type of guy.
"I"m sorry if my request sounded hostile, but as you can see, negotiations can be done only with the top bra.s.s. There is no need to gather everyone in one place and break their celebration!"
"I get the message. If I may ask, give us a second to decide."
Turning around Nix looked at her drinking companions. She wasn"t going to give up the opportunity to speak with Xantia bra.s.s. Claudio was an obvious choice due to his leading position, but there was still one more person needed! Just as if the bad luck had to hit him twice, matron noted El"s presence.
"I know who I will be bringing. Let me grab them."
Excusing herself, Nixy rushed to the leader. Seeing that El shrugged when she looked at him, she knew he understood his position. Against her, the young bard had no chance. Despite being treated as the elder of the company, in this higher company he was the one to clean the dishes!
Just a mere moment later, she came back while dragging a protesting Claudio along. Since the El was already obediently waiting in place, they didn"t waste any time and moved out.
While most of the town residents were still sleeping, a great number of merchants, peddlers or just common workers were filling the streets. Although they were still in the poor area"s of the town, the vibe that the crowd gave was that of handwork and motivation! Compared to other places, it was apparent that the local powerhouse operated in the lower areas simply by the energy present in here!
"This way please."
Stopping in front of one of the buildings on the street, the messenger invited them in.
"I"m pleased to welcome you to the Xantia reception. Mister Syrkas will spare you some time shortly. Please, make yourself comfortable!"
As soon as the young guy from before disappeared on the street with his guards, an elegant butler came to guide them in. The interior of the building belied its outer appearance. While it was kept in humble terms, the sheer quality of the furniture showed the wealth of its owner.
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Contrary to El"s expectations, this so-called Mister didn"t force them to wait outside. Apparently, this way of flaunting one"s influence didn"t apply to the local powerhouse!
"The housemaster will meet you now."
The butler appeared out of nowhere yet again, bowing slightly with his left arm showing them the way.
As the mercenaries entered the corridor, they could see another party leaving the room at its end! From the looks of things, they had to wait for a while, not for some petty reasons but because another meeting was taking place!
Entering through the open doors, the party saw just a simple room with plenty of chairs and simple desk manned by a plain-looking guy. There wasn"t a bit of jewellery on him, neither his robes did look expensive. If one were to describe him shortly, it would be along the lines of random middle-aged guy pulled out from the street. There was nothing distinguishable in the local master, except for his eyes.
With a deep gaze, he seemed to a.n.a.lyze and judge all of them, even before they allowed themselves to sit. There was a certain radiance in his sight, putting everyone in place without a drop of protest.
"Welcome to the Latavia. I"m sorry for the abrupt summons, but in current times this city need"s to supervised. You can imagine if we were to let parties like yours roam the city free."
While his words were harsh, they could easily fathom the possible results. Mercenary belonged to the lowest cla.s.s in society. Only slaves and serfs could be considered worse than them. One didn"t need to be ultrbright to understand the implication of letting people like them have their share of fun in the busy town!
"We understand your intention sir. Your messenger said that you might have a deal for us. Would you please be so kind as to elaborate on this point?"
Taking the initiative, Nix asked the most important question. They just arrived in the city. While they might have loads of spoils for sale, they need to find the buyer in the first place. Without this man approval, they would probably have to grith their teeth and travel all the way back to Verkses!
"Of course. There is no need to be in such a hurry though. At first, I would like to hear your reasons for visiting this town."
Emphasizing "this" word, the man called previously Syrkas tapped his desk.
"While I heard a bit about your adventures in the east, I would love to hear about your future plans right here and now."
"We don"t really have any plans clarified right now, sir."
To the Nix and El"s surprise, Claudio actually entered the talks in a rather graceful way. This ordinary and brutal man apparently knew how to speak with high-cla.s.s governors! While they knew him for quite a while, before the last ma.s.sacre, all of those official matters were dealt with by his deceased attendant!
"What would you say if I were to propose you another job? I know you just arrived in the city, but this is an urgent matter. One of our traders went missing on the northern areas. Because he departed early in yesterday"s morning, we happened to receive a report from the scouts that they saw him fighting with some brigands. Do you think you would be able to bring him back safely?"
Putting his hands bound together on the table, Syrkas leaned over the table. During the whole talks, his face didn"t even twitch for a bit.
"And what is in it for us? With all due respect, mercenaries don"t work for free!
Claudie asked while relaxing his back on the comfy sofa. The quality of this furniture was wondrous. This was the softest sitting spot he had in his life!
"Of course, there will be a reward, or if you prefer to stick to official terms - a quest prize. What would you say about two red golden"s?"
There had to be a proposition first to even start the negotiations. Usually, the party that initialised the bargaining offered a very low price, but this man brought his offer up a notch right off the bat! If the matter was as easy and simple as Syrkas described it to be, their usual cost would amount up to three red golden"s!
"What about five gold coins then?"
El finally decided that it was his turn to speak. Keeping silent through the whole exchange made him the best candidate to raise the first bet. This proposal brought him Syrkas attention the moment his words left his mouth. Gazing deep into those perfect eyes, El couldn"t help but shrug a bit.
"Let"s make it three and close the deal right now. I won"t raise the price any higher. Sadly, your troop can"t dictate the prices anymore. I would actually love if you were to serve under Xantia as the entire unit, but your losses made it impossible. So treat it as a chance to prove your worth to me."
Syrkas stood up from his chair behind the desk and moved closer. They spent more than enough time to discern the warrior movements. Shifting his foothold with every step, the man in front of them always was ready to either run or engage! This wasn"t something that a newbie or amateur could do. At least, it explained the lack of guards in the room.
"If you are okay with my proposal, I would love to see how the rest of your company would react to the news of a sudden job landing on them, right after they thought they will finally rest. While I"m lenient on this part, our leader enforced this rule a long ago. People serving under us need to be able to react in a timely matter."
"We didn"t agree to your terms yet!"
Annoyed by the man believing everything would go his way, Claudio couldn"t help but growl silently. When he quietly murmured those words, the local powerhouse stopped.
Turning around, he smiled and replied.
"And do you think you have any choice here? Your friends seem to be better versed in the power balance in Latavia. To put the things short for you, the moment you entered the City, you are on my mercy. Consider me introducing you nicely to your work as an act of compa.s.sion, not weakness."
There was a hint of coldness in his voice. His eyes kept their radiance, but the feeling they gave was a lot different now. Instead of feeling a.n.a.lysed, El could feel the creeps when the aura of the judgment pa.s.sed by him.
Just as if something was forcing his steps, bard followed the Syrkas as he left the room. Soon, conflicted Nix and furious Claudio closed the doors behind them and joined the group.
Travelling through the streets in Syrkas company was a whole different feeling compared to the trip they took before. Instead of gazing at them with a look of either hostility or fear, whole mercenary part of the four of them got ignored!
People that pa.s.sed them never missed a chance to greet Syrkas with a nod or a wide smile. All of those commoners were visibly respectful toward him, yet there wasn"t a hint of fear in their eyes as they continued to welcome him. What surprised them the most, was the fact that this mighty figure was amiably responding to all of those people!
The moment that the tavern the rest of the mercenaries were staying at, came to view, someone appeared running in the distance. In an unbelievable short time, he appeared in front of Syrkas, bowed and reported.
"Lady Revy wants to see you immediately."
With his lazy smile disappearing on the spot, Syrkas straightened himself and nodded.
"Take care of this matter for me, please. I will go to report myself immediately."
"Now then folks, your fates got pa.s.sed to my hands. Show me your team and I will figure out what use can you be for the great Xantia!"
As soon as the man left, the messenger took up his role, rolled up his sleeves and announced loudly. While his words sounded a bit haughty, his happy smile making him resemble a puppy banished all of their anger steaming from hurting their pride!
As the newcomer was entering the Tavern with his new friends, Syrkas was almost running through the streets. In reality, there was no obligation for him to appear as fast as he could. He never considered Revy as someone who would demand him to do so. But by demanding his presence while he was in the middle of his work… Something urgent had to happen!
After a short jog, Syrkas finally reached the doorstep of yet another house, not different from any other in this part of the city. Knocking respectfully on the door, he heard slow footsteps before the entrance got opened.
"Come in."
It was no one else than Revy herself who invited him! Despite unimaginable power she wielded, this young girl never acted in a way other people would expect her to. Refusing to keep even a single servant or butler, she was known among the upper bra.s.s of the organisation to be the only one preparing her own meals!
While some believed that she insisted on doing that herself in fear of being poisoned, but Syrkas knew better than them. Being one of the founding members of the organisation, he knew her personally from the times before ever the idea of setting up the family surfaced!
"What happened for you to summon me in such a way?"
There was no need to stand on the ceremony. With the doors now closed, they could act the same way they used to back in their childhood years. Who would be so dumb to call his friend a lady, while knowing how detached she felt because of her position!
"I heard a report today. They said he is going back."
With her head unusually low, her tiny body appeared even smaller than usual. There was only a handful of people who knew the real Revy, not the bloodthirsty and authoritarian figure created for the sake of the family.
"Who is going back? Barran? And I was about to send a rescue party for him…"
Catching up on her words, Stern exclaimed in surprise. Why did he send the distress signal then? Why didn"t he run to his place to inform?
"Stop making fun of me. It"s Mike who is coming!"
Gritting her teeth through her friend response, Revy erupted in fury. There was only a single person she would mention with such emotions to it.
"Mike?!"
This one single word broke all the composure that Syrkas was so proud of having.
"Didn"t he die on the frontline two years ago?"
"You actually believed in that?"
Opening her eyes as wide as her eye sockets allowed, Revy stared at her friend, unable to utter another word. They both grew up with Mike, so she believed that Syrkas wouldn"t underestimate their friend abilities!
"Forget that. I got a report that he is pretending to be a merchant now. He tries to act covertly, but as usual, leaves a trail of blood and hate behind him. If my predictions are not wrong, he should be running away from someone right now. Ignore the Barran. Send those people to his aid and bring him back!"