Chapter 3. Job for mercenaries. Part 3.
As the first rays of dawn began to shine over mountains, Lilith stirred from uneasy slumber on cold, rocky ground. She rose slowly – each movement accompanied by creak of stiff joints, protesting long journey through harsh wilderness.
Cian and Sharr were already awake, tending to small campfire, where meager rations bubbled over crackling flames. The aroma of porridge wafted through crisp morning air, as they worked silently together. Squinting eyes against brightness streaming down from above, Lilith noticed commotion, stirring amongst strangers’ campsite below. Figures moving with purpose – voices carrying faintly on breeze.
Before she could ponder meaning behind such activity further though, a lone figure detached from group and began making way up slope, towards their party’s makeshift shelter. Even at distance it was clear who approached
– Mornin’, – the stranger called out roughly, his grizzled face creased into what passed for grin: – I see you made through night, without incident – that’s good. But I am afraid we run into small problem ourselves. You are mercenaries are you not?
– And what if we are?
– I’m afraid I have some bad news, from my side of the camp. One of my men was found dead this morning, throat slit while he was on watch duty. Another has gone missing, along with some valuable items we were transporting.
Lilith raised an eyebrow at this revelation, mind already racing through implications.
– That’s…unfortunate, – she replied slowly, weighing next words carefully: – And what makes you think I can help?
The man met her gaze unflinchingly, before continuing in hushed tones.
– Because my boy here kept watch on your lot all night, – he admitted grudgingly, nodding towards young sentry, lingering at edge of own camp below: – Says none of you left camp or seemed involved. Which means traitor has to be amongst us.
He sighed heavily then, glanced back over shoulder at somber-faced companions gathered around corpse by now.
– I know we didn’t exactly start things on best foot, – he admitted, voice tinged with regret: – But I could use your help. Can either of your men use magic?
– I can us View Air spell, – she admitted: – And my fallen angel can fly. But why would we help you?
– Do not expect you to do it for free, – he took out a wallet and unfastened it, allowing Lilith to look inside. It was filled with gold coins: – Help me to recover stolen items, and wallet is yours.
Lilith considered proposal carefully for long moment – mind whirling with possibilities opened up by such unexpected alliance.
– Fine. Which direction you think he went?
– Do not know. That is why I need more men to look, before he gets too far away. There are at least five routes, which he could take. I need more men, to cover them all.
– I see.
Lilith thought for a moment.
– I can send fallen angel with two of my men, to cover one of the roads. And we can take another, alongside my swordsman.
– Sounds good. My name is Arturus.
– Lilith, – she answered and Arturus nodded: – Let me separate direction for my men, and then I join you.
– Very well.
Lilith ate some breakfast, while waiting, and got up when Arturus came back.
– Ready to go? – he asked and she nodded. Cian joined them, while Azael flipped his wings and jumped into the air. He flew south-east and Kragor and Sharr followed him on fut.
Arturus led Lilith north-west. View Air spell was a useful for tracking targets in unfamiliar territory – allowing her to detect nearby living beings and gauge their location relative to herself.
As they trudged northwest, across rugged terrain, Lilith closed her eyes and imagined Spell circle in her mind. She used her mana to fill it and location of nearby creatures appeared in her mind.
All living beings were behind her. She shrugged. Spell had limited distance, and traitor had time to go beyond spells range. But he did travel during night, so they could still catch up to him. As they moved across narrow passage through mountains, she casted her spell, searching nearby grounds.
– I have them, – she whispered, voice tight with anticipation: – But there are more than a dozen people. Bandits maybe?
Arturus face darkened, but he nodded.
– Let’s see, who it is.
– We can climb over there, and look from above, – suggested Lilith, while pointing direction. Arturus nodded and they climbed the mountain.
As Lilith, Arturus and Cian reached the ridge overlooking northern pass, they paused to catch their breath, before scanning terrain below with wary eyes. The ground sloped sharply down into a narrow defile, flanked by craggy cliffs on either side – an ideal spot for ambush.
A sudden movement caught their attention, and all three tensed instinctively, as figures materialized out of shadows at valley floor. More than a dozen rugged bandits were gathered around makeshift campfire – their harsh laughter carrying faintly up on morning breeze.
Amidst their midst strode figure who Arturus recognized as his missing man. He moved with easy confidence amidst them, sharing words and gestures of camaraderie.
The bandits themselves cut imposing figures – weathered and hard-bitten men bearing scars, earned through long years, spent haunting these hills. They bore weapons worn from use – axes, swords, crossbows, resting idle in hands at ready for violence, should need arise.
– That’s a Hermonius, – pointed Arturus at particularly large bandit, armed with a long sword: – His band has reputation of having high level men. He likes to skin his victims alive. I heard that his men can kill two dozen mercenaries, without any casualties. That’s how strong they are. There is a price on both sides of a border of five hundred gold coins for his head, twenty coins for each of his men. Worth possible people we could find.
Comment (0)