After a delicious breakfast, the business talk finally started. The room was called boithak khana (drawing room) where we all sat for the meeting. The land lady Binodini Devi sat beside Surya Singha the local landlord. If I'm not wrong she would be in her mid 30s to early 40s. Adorned in heavy jewellery and traditional attire as I pre-assumed.
Madan Mohan sat beside Pravin Chandra the trusty old nayeb. While Maya Devi & Madhubantilata sat in a seprate place beside Bindoni Devi; as ladies would. Aranyak Singh Chowdhury sat beside his dad. Only, the younger son was not present in the meeting room.
Surya Singha introduced me to his family as I was his esteemed guest. I finished my hi, hello's in a minute or so to come to the main point.
"I have a proposition. Mr. Rahul I know what you are capable as a warrior, so I would like to hire you in my personal bodyguards/soldier."
"The payment, would be obviously negotiable. And I'm a very reasonable man." Surya Singha Chowdhury ended his presentation with a curious mind.
It was obvious he wanted me as his gun for hire. But, I never wanted to get stagnated here. I wanted to explore for better opportunities and to know the unknown.
"I understand what you wan't from me. But, I can't be stuck here. I'm exploring so being a sell sword is not my motive."
When I said sell sword, Surya Singa tried to say something. I guess he thought, I fel't disrespected when he said to hire me as his bodyguard or soldier. He would obviously try to sugarcoat his pervious words. I interrupted him with my hand & continued. In other time, I could get executed for this audacity! But, he knew; I can wipe out his whole existence If I wanted so he kept his cool.
"But, I can do some task for you that is creating a problem for you. I can work as an independent contractor, to finish a contract that you need me to finish. In return of a sum of money or something valuable as payment."
Surya Singha thought for a bit and replied, "So, you are saying you will work as a mercenary rather than being a permanent soldier."
Everyone in the room were listening to me, with curious eyes & careful ears. The ladies looked towards me through their veils. As, it was prevalent in those times. The elder son had a decent smile on his face. But, Madan Mohan's face spoke it all. He was ready to annihilate me from the moment he saw me, I guess he couldn't forget his past disgrace through my hands.
I chuckled and replied, "If you put it that way, then it is what you say. You know my expertise, so I can complete a task which you want for me."
"There is one problem of mine or rather I would say problem of the empire. The dacoits duo, Noshu & Durgeshwari!"
The old nayeb passed me a pair of wanted poster of these duo's including the payment slabs.
"One hundred gold coins for the base soldiers of the gangs, 1k for the generals of the gang. And 100k gold coins for each of the dacoit gang leaders. It's good money." I smiled while I read out the payment slabs.
"So can you take them out for good?" Surya Singha asked with a very keen face.
As any sly businessman on this situation would ask, I did the same "That's the royal payment, what're you offering me for this contract."
"Pardon me my lord, I couldn't stop myself from speaking. This man is nowhere capable of handling these dreaded monsters. He's suitable for local brawl or in petty fights..." Madan Mohan scoffed at me while speaking to zamindar Surya Singha.
"Madan Mohan, please don't speak unnecessary words to disrespect our guest. And keep your thoughts to yourself. Speak when you are asked to nor before nor ahead."
After venting on Madan Mohan, with wary face Surya Singha spoke to me. "Please. Sir Rahul, don't mind his foolish words or take it to your heart."
I smiled and said, "I didn't. Or else.. Leave it. Please, sir you continue on the part about the payment you were offering."
On a happy note Surya Singha spoke, "Ohh yes, the payment. Both of them extort 10k gold coins from me on a monthly basis. I'll pay you ten times of that money. 100k each for their individual heads."
"I guess that will do including the royal payment."
I was content with what I was getting out of this deal.
To everyone's surprise Surya Singha added, "And I haven't paid both of them last month."
When Surya Singa, finished his words everyone in the room gasped in fear. Or the turmoil it would bring in their life. Only two persons in the room held on their facial expressions. One was Prabin Chandra, I guess he knew it beforehand as the zamindars confidant. Secondly, it was Madan Mohan. He may be plotting something new out of this chaos for his own benefits. Once a hyena, always a hyena...
"It is tiresome and is also putting a dent on the treasury by paying these extortions. The public has to suffer a lot." Surya Singa broke the air of awe and continued.
"Now, as repercussion they would harm me. A lesson they would try to teach me and for other's to follow who would deny them their extortion."
"So, you decided beforehand. What if I denied to be in your personal army of bodyguards or be a contactor to take this contract!"
The zamindar with a sly smile chuckled, "Then, I would be doomed or survived. Moreover, I had to take the gamble today or tomorrow. So I did it."
"Do you know when they will come or have any hint or idea?"
"They will surely come for me, at the beginning of the new month. As, I have defaulted this month."
New month begins in 15 days.
'So, he has 15 days to live or in this case peacefully.' these words ran through my mind as I was en-route to another slaughter.