"My best men scour this forest in search of these creatures, your lordship," Diana said, concluding her hour-long report on the events that had occurred days prior. She watched the nine aged members of the town's council as they murmured amongst themselves, seeking to stomach what she had just narrated to them. Suddenly, the large town hall went ghost-quiet.
"Do you, by any chance, Diana Yves, take us for fools?'' The oldest member and presumably the head of the council, asked in a calm but daunting tone. His voice was hoarse and raven-like, the grit texture penetrating the atmosphere.
Diana gazed at the grey-haired elder, confused. "I beg your pardon, sir?" She responded, wondering what would guarantee such a question. The council leader said nothing, gesturing to a nearby guard to come over to the long table that lay before him and his councilmen. In the guard's hands was a large plate with a steel covering, the sentry's footsteps reverberating as he approached. He placed the dish on the table and took off the rounded steel cover. On the plate laid a human head.
"This…was delivered to my home two days ago alongside a letter claiming it was from some beast Othello's Lance had slain…" The councilman's hands wavered in the air in mockery as he spoke, "…But herein lies before me--a decaying human head!" The elder arose in fury as he hollered. The dish before him hit the stone floor in the process. The 𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑔 of the metal echoed through the elephantine hall with the other council members grimacing as they watched the pale-faced head tumble across the flooring towards Diana.
"My townsmen grow apprehensive as more of their kin go missing and here you are-! Offering me fairy tales?? Babbling about a faceless girl and a wolf??!" The council elder questioned.
"They aren't silly tales, I slew the creature myself," Diana replied in a sharp tone.
"What creature?! The head before you is human," another council member interjected, reaching out to point at it.
"Only God knows whose corpse was mutilated to put together this cock-eyed story," a lady spoke.
Diana turned sharply to glance at the elderly woman, their eyes clashing like a battering ram to a castle wall. The aged lady shifted in her seat awkwardly and looked away. Again, the hall went quiet.
Diana bent to pick up the disembodied head that laid beneath her, dragging it by the scanty hair that littered its scalp.
"I too was suspended in disbelief when I came face to face with the beast…" She spoke slowly, examining the dismayed faces of the council members, "…and when it changed forms to that of a man, the blood coursing through my veins ran cold," She continued.
"You chose Othello's Lance because you believed in our competence to carry out the job, to end the killings and bring the perpetrators kneeling at your doorsteps. I assure everyone present here that on our part, that hasn't changed," Diana said, sliding her gaze over to the council leader. "We are genuinely concerned about your people and are helping in any way that we can. I empathize with your concerns of my report, especially as there was very little proof provided," She continued, stepping forward and lifting the metal dish that had fallen.
"No proof." The council leader threw in, his brows furrowed. Diana gave a light sarcastic smile and walked closer towards the elder. The two guards present mobilized, ready to take down the mercenary if she caused any trouble. "All I ask is your trust and patience to let us complete this dire task at hand, my lord." Diana responded, placing the appendage she held on the plate. "We aren't liars, neither are we frauds…or grave diggers," She finished, glancing at the lady who had accused her company of corpse mutilation. She handed over the dish to one of the guards and stepped backwards.
The head councilman closed his eyes and let out a sigh. Drum-loud murmurs enveloped him as he slowly took his seat. Diana watched as he conversed with his associates, her insides dancing like an eel out of water. She was growing impatient.
Three gentle knocks on the table by the council leader and the muttering faded to a sudden halt. He leaned in closer, his hands intertwined with each other as he rested his head on his kissing thumbs. He deliberated for a second and then spoke.
"Diana Yves, condottiere of mercenary band, Othello's Lance, you are hereby relieved of your duties to the town of Valaise…," The head councilman declared with a deep frown carved into his face. His eyes remained fixed on Diana as an unbound scroll and a stamp was passed to him by one of his councilmen, "…with your contract terminated." He continued, stamping the scroll with purple ink.
+ + + + +
"The company of Othello's Lance is to vacate the town of Valaise within forty-eight hours of the issued notice. Further delay and disobedience of the ordain will be met with the intercession of The Church…?" Finn asked rhetorically, looking at the scroll before him in confusion. "They're firing us?! But we slew the beast!" Finn yelled, turning to face Diana. His exertion was not met without consequence as he was reminded of his condition with a sharp pain in his abdomen. "Ow-ow-ow-ow…!" He muttered, reaching for his bandaged sides.
Diana rubbed his back softly as she eased him into his bed further. "It would do you some good to relax…," she mouthed as she stole the scroll off him.
"Easy for you to say! You weren't the one who took a blow from that thing and broke all five hundred ribs." Finn retorted, grimacing.
"You don't have five hundred ribs." Diana chuckled, turning her attention to the notice in her hands.
A stone-heavy silence befell the physician's tent as Diana pondered her next move. The council of Valaise had agreed on making payments for Othello's Lance's service in two portions. A down-payment to start the investigation and the rest after the perpetrators had been apprehended. A total of seven hundred gold coins was agreed upon, enough to cover supply expenses and pay the troops. With only the down-payment of three hundred and fifty gold coins however, performing the aforementioned tasks would prove very difficult.
"We are still receiving the rest of the payment before we leave, right?" Finn questioned as he reached out for a jar of water that lay next to his bedside.
"No." Diana answered, getting up to make her leave.
"What?! Why? W-we gave them their murderer. What else is there to do?" Finn asked, pausing as he was about to take a sip from the jar.
Diana let out a lengthy exhale and reluctantly took her seat again. "They didn't believe us."
"Believe…?" Finn asked in a puzzled tone. He set down the jar of water without taking a drink and turned to look at her sharply. "What are you talking about?" He asked, perplexed.
"The creature…remember, it changed forms to that of a man right before us." Diana explained.
"And…?"
"I-I don't know, it may have taken some time but the same must have happened to the head we sent the council."
"My God! You're right!" Finn exclaimed. "…That means we would have to capture one alive…" Finn bent over, stroking his blond beard as he pondered to himself.
Diana made a slight pause and stared at him, baffled. "What…?" was all she could utter.
"Yes! We have our men conquer another one of the beasts and bring it to the council alive as proof." Finn continued, making wide hand gestures as he spoke. "Oh! How terrified they would be! Think about it, Diana." He finished with a hearty laugh, nudging her with his elbow.
Diana sighed and got up. "You know we can't do that. We are expected to leave the town as soon as possible." She mouthed, heading for the exit of the tent.
"Diana! Wait! What are you talking about?! We can't just forsake these people. If there are any more out there-and I am certain that there are, the killings are bound to continue." Finn said as he struggled to move to a sitting position.
"It's out of my hands, Finn. Lay back down." Diana replied, her voice darkening.
Finn glared at her, a frown forming on his face. He shakily took to his feet, using the walls of the tent as support and spoke in a cross tone, "No. Diana, listen to me, you and I saw the caliber of that monster. If we abandon these people, they won't stand a chance."
"And you don't think I know that?? They're taking us for jokes—I tried pleading with their council to let us help them, what do I get? A notice to either get the hell out or face the force of their church." Diana responded, as she unbounded the scroll and pointed at it. "As far as I know, I have done my best. These people, they say they don't want our help, that they don't need us. So I wash my hands off the case. They are not our problem anymore." She finished, sating the air with cotton-thick tension.
Finn heaved a deep sigh and stayed silent for a moment. Then he spoke, "How do you intend on paying the mercenaries their monthly? As well as handling supplies?"
Diana froze, staring at him quietly. Just then, a young female mercenary hopped into the tent and paused, trying to analyze the situation.
"Is there a problem?" Diana asked, turning to face the lady.
"No, not at all. It's just the merchant, Gunther. We've just received word that he has some cargo he would like us to transport. He said if you are interested, you should stop by as soon as possible." The mercenary answered.
"What of the search parties we sent earlier? Have they returned?" Diana asked, gesturing to the lady to escort her to the exit.
"The ones to find the girl, yes. No luck on that front but we are yet to receive word from those hunting for more of those beasts. Should I send someone to call them back?" The lady replied, as she and Diana left the tent.
"No, gather a small troop. We are going to see Gunther." Diana said, patting the mercenary on the shoulder as a signal for her to make her leave. She then looked back into the tent to address her wounded comrade.
"By the way, Finn, there's your answer." She stated with a grin.
The Diagon Lattice was an infamous tavern located two villages away from the pebble-small town of Valaise. Known widely for the notorious characters that frequented its premises and shadowy dealings that found solace within its four walls, the inn was home to rogue bounty hunters, scheming thieves and sly merchants. It was also where Gunther liked to conduct business with his clients and associates.
As Diana made her way through a sea of sheathed blades and rusty armour, she could feel the chill, cautious stares pierce the metal that protected her body. She headed straight for Gunther's favorite seating area, far left, deep into the great tavern. She was just a few feet away from the seats when an elderly woman, covered in sable black robes, passed her sobbing. Diana's gaze escorted the curious lady for a moment before she was reminded of her objective by a familiar giddy voice.
"Ah! Diana! You came! I was starting to think you wouldn't pay good ol' Gunther a visit!" Gunther yelled, his feather-light voice standing out in the pool of noise that had drowned the tavern. "Since, you know, you're now the leader of your respectable mercenary band. Wouldn't want to be seen with the likes of me, would ya?" He continued, as Diana slowly approached his table. A guard of his helped Diana to a seat while he signaled a passing waiter to get them some food and drinks.
With the build of a grizzly bear and a small pouty face, Gunther had the stereotypical merchant look, expensive robes and a big belly to match. His clean-shaven head and the long, caramel brown mustache that fell to the sides of his face gave him a very distinguished appearance. His hazel eyes, however, carried a mean gaze that made one think thrice before approaching him. It was a head scratcher how he got any business at all when he seemed so intimidating.
"The old lady crying, who was that?" Diana asked inquisitively, taking her seat.
"Ha! Her husband was an old associate of mine. Lent him a huge sum of money for some trade. He agreed to let me have his first-born son if he couldn't repay his debt." Gunther replied, leaning in closer with his palm cupping his lips. "Long story short, he didn't have my money at the due date, so I kept my end of the bargain." He finished, relaxing back into his seat. "That was the boy's mother, she was here to plead." He paused when the waiter brought the refreshments he had ordered. "But enough about all that, let's get straight to business, yes?" He said, pouring himself a drink.
"Heard you had some cargo that needed transportation. What is it?" Diana asked.
"Yes, just some meat and spices, you will deliver it to a man in Witherthur. His name is Rafael." Gunther answered. "I will pay you two hundred gold coins for your troubles, what do you say?"
"Witherthur is a three day ride from here, that would barely be enough to feed my men, six hundred." Diana replied, folding her arms.
While Gunther was a familiar merchant in the land, no one exactly knew his source of income or how he had gotten so wealthy. He would often be seen with high class nobles and affluent tradesmen but very little was to be known of the services he offered. Though he bore a crystal clear reputation, Diana still had her own suspicions and if there was even a shred of a doubt that she would not be transporting meat and spices but instead some contraband merchandise, she was going to make every second worth her while as well as her troops.
Gunther leaned back into his seat, taking a drink. "Three hundred is the highest I can go and that's because it is you, Diana" He said, laying his cup on the table.
Diana chuckled and leaned in closer, "You would really lead me to believe its just meat in there? Since when did you start selling meat, Gunther?"
The great man let out a thunderous laugh that seemed to shake the tavern, enough to make a herd of heads go quiet and turn in the direction of the racket. A moment and half and the Lattice was drowned in noise once more. "Hehe, what are you getting at, Diana? I am a businessman, I am where the money is, silk, copper, meat, you name it. I dabble in all." He replied, still laughing. He paused for a moment to pour himself another drink. "Very well, do it for three fifty. I will also assist with supplies for your journey."
"No. Five hundred."
"Four fifty, it is."
"Huh?" Diana paused, confused.
"Four fifty or you walk. There are others who will do it for cheaper." Gunther said, straightening.
"Then why not just have them do it?"
The merchant frowned with the retort, his gaze blackening.
"Deal. Where's the merchandise?" Diana continued, offering her hand for a handshake.
Gunther's face brightened as he took her hand, "Bani, over there will take you to it and also help with the packing." He said, gesturing to a nearby guard seated at another table. He then motioned to the man to come over. Across the guard's shoulder was a satchel. The guard quickly approached them, placing the satchel on the table. "In there is four hundred gold coins," Gunther said, reaching into his robes to pull out a small pouch which he slid across the table, "and that's fifty. Do you intend on counting it?" He asked.
Diana opened the satchel to have a look and closed it. "It's four hundred and fifty pieces of gold, Gunther, we would be here all evening. Plus, you have my trust." She replied with a smile.
Gunther watched as Diana got up to take her leave, bearing the satchel across her shoulder and strapping the pouch to her belt. "Thanks for the hospitality." she muttered, starting for the exit of the tavern with Bani escorting her.
"Now, Diana, I would really appreciate if you and your men could refrain from tampering with the cargo. No matter the reason." Gunther called, his tone heavier and more serious than usual.
Diana halted and turned to face him, smirking. "Why? Because a little fiddling could cause the meat to rot?" She questioned sarcastically.
"No, because it could cause far greater troubles—or you could end up like your beloved brother." He concluded before tearing into a large drumstick.
+