The sun was bright and high in the morning sky, the sands moved with grace and ferocity carried by the winds, and the loud buzz of people moved to a unique and hypnotic rhythm. But it was all quiet inside an encampment as many surrounded the boundary of Secat the Lioness'. Many had eager expressions on their faces as they awaited their commanding officer's of what this important meeting was about. The smarter ones from last night already started taking bets, they had many takers.
Inside a large red and black war tent Secat stood with her hands behind her back as she stood looking at a large and very detailed map of the surrounding areas. She wore a black martial robe with orange edges, her dark red hair was braided and looped around her neck loosely. She had a slight flush on her face as she finally turned to face the head of her Huntress Guards.
The one in the middle was a short but, beautifully built female dwarven women, she had an eyepatch that covered her left eye that gave the remaining eye a fierce look, medium length silvery blond hair tied in a simple ponytail, she wore leather armor with small plates of metal protecting the more important parts.
Hevit was the head of her Huntress Guard and vice-leader of the Burnt Lioness. She stood next to Pella, and Nair.
Nair was in charge of their scouts and information teams across the entire oasis. She wore a light yet loose white robe that had a hood on the back. She had a white veil over her mouth with long flowing black hair. She had piercing green eyes that held a calm and calculative look.
While Pella was in charge of the logistics as well as in charge of basic training. She wore a battle skirt with an armored top that showed her well defined muscles, with a sword strapped to her waist. She had short red hair with a long scar that left her almost blind on her right eye.
Hevit spoke in a calm and mature voice as she saw the flushed look on, Secats face.
"So why have we been called for this important announcement hun? It seems quite important as it has gathered a huge crowd of people." She crossed her arms across her chest.
Nair giggled softly as she raised her hand to her mouth. "That's an understatement, as last I heard they have a betting pool for what the announcement might be. And last I heard it was 30,000 silver for a new member, 45,000 that the boss has a lover, and surprisingly one bet with 100 gold that the lover is the new recruit." She had a teasing look in her eyes as she looked at the slow rising fury of Secat.
Pella only shook her head with a smile as she looked at Nair teasing their Elder Sister.
Secat rubbed her temples which only made Nair giggle more and continued to rub them as she sighed. "Did you have to tell me that Nair, I could have gone without that. But to settle the bets the one with 30k wins the bet as it is a new member." She looked up expecting to see the expression on her Huntresses faces but wasn't expecting the reaction that followed.
"Congratulations Secat." Beamed Hevit as she smiled.
Nair bowed while still holding her hand to her mouth.
While Pella gave Secat a thumbs up.
Secat was confused as she angrily responded. "Just what the hell is with the over exaggeration of responses. I mean I expected Pella's response but, Hevit you don't ever smile like that, and Nair you definitely don't bow. What is going on here!?" She even started to crack her knuckles as a small amount of pressure leaked from her body.
Hevit broke into a hearty laugh while Nair sighed.
Pella continued to stand but with a small smile on her face.
Secat was getting further and further confused as her anger rose, until she heard a voice coming from the entrance of the tent.
"Weren't you a little surprised or even wondered why your three lovely sisters were a little late Secat? I mean it's kinda hard to hide Rose as I don't have a tent big enough for us both. That and seeing a new and unknown tent easily drew their attention. Damn near had a heart attack when I was enjoying my book."
Polemos entered the tent wearing a blackish-purple kurta, black harem pants, and a pair of boots. His abyssal black hair was tied with a simple rope along with his Death Bells. His axe and throwing harpoon, equipped to his belt. His purple eyes shone a dark and devilish glint, as he walked into the tent with a confident step.
"Hello again everyone, it's a pleasure to meet officially this time instead with a sword pointing at my face as I read. But still that's one way to welcome a fellow merc." He smiled as he walked and took a seat in one of the chairs. "And you never answered my question about the mercenary's unique library." He looked at Secat as he started to rub his shoulder. Ignoring the looks from the three huntresses.
'My arm wasn't supposed to bend that way, neither was my leg either, I haven't done stretching like that ever, just basic stretching. This is like some martial art extreme yoga stuff. Then I had another 'sparring session', her abs were amazing though.'
Polemos thought as he continued to ignore the stares and rub his shoulder, but had to look up as he felt his head getting hotter, and saw Secat glaring at him.
"What?"
"What do you mean, what? What your damn head, you read." Secat spat as she sighed and looked at her three smiling Huntresses. "Well there goes the surprise everyone, this is one of our newest recruits, Polemos the Mad One the second is his partner, Rose. Treat them with care and Pella I'll be taking care of Polemos's training." Secat smiled when she mentioned Polemos's training as she decided to increase the intensity by three times the original she had planned.
Everyone shook when they saw the smile Secat had on her face as Polemos painfully grinned inward as he stood to his feet and stretched, cracking his ribs and back at the same time.
"That felt good, well if you have questions please wait till later as I'm running late. I'll cook a welcoming feast to introduce myself properly to the troops, ask me anything you want regardless of what it is. Happy, sad, tragic, anything really I mean my eye color as tales, sagas, or legends about them so have at it, and I'll see what I can answer." He smiled as he waited for Secats response as she also had a small meeting to settle the details of their partnership.
Secat almost interrupted Polemos until she heard that he was going to cook; she stopped listening after that until she saw her three guards looking at her dreamy look in her eyes. She quickly adjusted herself but failed as her face betrayed her.
"Fine, Pella, make sure there is plenty of ale and food for the feast as it was bound to be found out, but Polemos is quite the cook and make sure you get the Chieftain and High Chieftain meat we have. I gotta finalize a partnership with the Grey Keepers, Hevit you'll join me to help finalize the deal and make it airtight, Nair I need you to immediately dispatch a unit to watch any movements from Drakeraz, I'll explain later, at the feast." She quickly gave out orders as she headed out of her war tent.
Pella just nodded her head as she immediately set out to do what Secat ordered, while Nair raised her elegant brow with a look of intrigue in her piercing green eyes. She nodded her head as it looked like she glided across the sands.
"You managed to get a deal with the Grey Keepers, how?" Hevit was utterly surprised as an incredulous look appeared in her brown eye. She immediately arrived next to Secat as she continued to ask many questions and details to get a better understanding.
When the other members of the Burnt Lioness saw Secat leaving with Hevit and being trailed by a man wearing a blackish-purple kurta, black harem pants, and a pair of boots with long abyssal black hair tied with a simple rope with silver bells. He had a devilish smile on his lips while he had an excited look in his purple eyes.
Many tried to push and shove in order to get a better look at the person who followed after their boss.
They didn't have to wait as Secat answered their curiosity as she continued forward, without stopping.
"I'll make it short and sweet as there will be a better time later tonight for any questions, Pella will explain. This is the new recruit Polemos the Mad One and the other is his partner Rose. Treat them with care."
Many were at first dissatisfied with the answer but when they heard that they were going to have a feast they erupted into cheers as they split apart to make it easier for them to leave the encampment.
Secat smiled as she walked through the split sea of people, while she continued to answer every question Hevit asked. Polemos was lost in thought as he couldn't wait to finally learn about Mana!
"Finally, some real knowledge of Mana, and finally get some of my questions answered.' Polemos thought as he couldn't wait to see his Master.