Ufia " Actually, I bring you some customers today."
He looked at us.
Seamus" Long time no see my lady." He said with reverence.
Firuza" I am not... that person anymore... neither I have my title...." She said looking down.
Seamus" You have changed... and who are you?" He said to me.
Ufia" He's a mercenary hired by Lady Ubik."
Seamus " I heard, she had contacts in South. So, how long are you staying here?"
I moved forward.
Usman" We shall stay for a week and give me room near her." I said pointing towards Firuza.
Seamus" Alright. Are you paying for yourself?"
Firuza" I can----"
Usman" I am and this is not your concern." I said looking at Firuza.
Usman" So, how much with meals?"
Seamus " 28 sp, you might realised situation here."
Usman" I have." I said putting 1 gp 20 sp on the table.
Seamus " Alright. Here are your keys."
I took mine and Firuza took hers. We moved upstairs and got in Firuza's room. I closed the door after inspecting the hallway. Ufia and she was sitting on the bed with Xiona.
Firuza " I knew you earn well but don't waste money." She said pouting?
Ufia sighed and Xiona was looking at me.
Xiona " So, what you wanted to talk about?"
Usman " Before I said mine, I want to ask both of you something." I said pointing towards Ufia and Xiona.
Firuza " What.."
Usman " You will know." I said cutting her words.
They both nodded after looking at each other.
Usman " Ufia, when did the prices double?"
Ufia " Last week?"
Usman" Did everyone accepted this?"
Ufia" No, only Mahogany family and their partners accepted this."
Usman" How many rejected it and what was total income that day?"
Ufia" Except 4 merchant and their income was nearly 20%."
Usman" When was the first and second incident happened?"
Ufia" First, on the 4th day of price change and 2nd on 6th day."
Usman" And today is the 8th day."
Ufia" Wait?! You mean... YOU ARE RIGHT!"
Usman " Not now. Xiona, how much your brother love the coins?" I said stoping Ufia and looking towards Xiona.
Xiona " More than anyone else." She said with disgust.
Usman" That's enough."
Firuza " So.."
Usman " The one behind the attacks is none other than your brother. Who doesn't want to give a single coin to opposition."
Ufia" What proof you have?"
Usman" First, each attack happened to an opposition member only. Second, each attack happened on an even day. So, the next and final attack will happen tomorrow night."
Ufia" But he can't do it for just 20%."
Usman " Did he suggested your father to triple the prices of everything?" I asked Xiona.
Xiona" H..he did.. but how you..." Xiona said with widened eyes.
Usman" A greedy scum like him, will not satisfy with not only his and he will always want more."
Ufia" Didn't he is Viscountess' ally?"
Usman" You think a power hungry person will care about increase of prices." I said looking at them.
Firuza" No, she won't." She said looking down.
Usman" For now, rest. We will discuss rest tomorrow morning after breakfast here."
Xiona" I will be here tonight." She said to Firuza.
Ufia" I will come tomorrow." She said going out.
I went to my room and locked the door. I projected the alarm.
Usman ' Luminous, what you think?'
Luminous ' You did good.'
Then, I slept.
Next morning ~
We were in Firuza's room after breakfast.
Ufia " So, what's the plan?" She said looking towards me.
I looked at them and started explaining my plan.
Usman " First, we will meet each victim and tell them what we know. Second, we will take them to the last target and informed him about incoming danger. Third, we shall gather some trustful villagers as witnesses."
Xiona" Witnesses?" She asked me with a raised brow.
Usman" We are going to catch him red-handed." I said stoically.
Usman' I love my pokerface.'
Firuza " Will it work?" She said anxiously.
Ufia " It will, it's a good one." She said.
We went out to the closest victim.
Meanwhile~
In the house of Mahogany.
There was a old crooked person, who was biting his nails reading some paper.
???" Damn... that old wench...she is.. still working... against me.. I will...show you all... I will become...a.. Baron!"
???" Father!"
???" What is it, Quilt?"
Quilt " Father, I need some money."
???" Money? You want more....do you know... anything else than coins.... what about the compounds... there's still one remaining....if you want your precious coins....do your work first... what are you waiting for... do you think nobody will find out... what were you doing last night?" He said looking towards him.
Quilt" I was drinking..."
???" YOU WERE... WHAT.... DO YOU KNOW.... HOW MUCH I LOST... TO ACHIEVE MY DREAM.... WHAT I AM STILL DOING.... TO PLEASE A DAMN WITCH... AND...IF YOU WANT TO... TAKE MY PLACE...DO IT QUICKLY... YOU HEARE ME...BOY .. YOU SHOULD DO IT AT A TIME...?
Quilt " I AM NOT AN IDIOT LIKE YOU, FATHER!"
???" WHAT DID YOU SAY ...I... QUINTON MAHOGANY...WHO DID EVERYTHING FOR BEING A HIGHER NOBLE...AN IDIOT.... IT'S LOOK LIKE YOU.. NEED TO KNOW... YOUR PLACE..." He said snapping his fingers.
Two figures standing in the corners started moving towards Quilt.
Quilt " Wh.. what are you doing... father..." He said scared.
Quinton" SHOWING YOU... YOUR PLACE..." He said and snapped his fingers again.
The figures stopped.
Quinton " Now...go and finish your job.." He said with a gesture.
Quilt" Oh! Yes father. But I remember something, that slut is alive..." He said recalling.
Quinton" I know... she seemed to be with a Cr 2... mercenary?" He said showing paper.
Quilt" He's a southern, father. His equipment was impressive." He said enviously.
Quinton" So... the wench had ... contacts in South... watch out.." He said cautiously.
Quilt" I know, he seemed strong." He said and left.
Quilt ' A CR 2.'
Near sunset ~
Underwood " Are you sure?" He said doubtfully.
Usman " You will know it tonight." I said looking at him.
He nodded and we left.
Ufia " I hope, this plan works." She said looking with hope.
At midnight ~
We were standing to a house near compound.
Firuza " It's midnight. Are you sure?" She said looking at me.
Usman" Yes."
Before someone said anything. There was a noise like something was crawling near us with screeching noise. We looked towards the direction of noise.
Check
Swarm of rats
Cr 1/4
Poisonous snake
Cr 1/4
Quilt was standing there with a swarm of rats and a snake on his arm.
Quilt " Now, go my pets and destroy your target." He said.
Firuza" Dear lord.."
Ufia" So, it's true.."
Xiona " Scum..."
Witnesses were shocked. But before the rats and snake which started moving reached near the compound. I shot three arrows consecutively three times. The red streaks fall down on them and.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Xiona " What.." She said and looked at me with others.
Usman " What?" I said looking at them.
Ufia " No, you did good." She said and went out with others.
Quilt, who was shocked. Became angry looking at all the people.
Quilt " DO YOU KNOW?! WHAT YOU DID?!" He said angrily.
Ufia" Yes, stopped a greedy man like you." She said looking at him.
Xiona" You scum...HOW COULD YOU?!" She said with disgust.
Quilt" YOU BITCH! YOU WILL DIE WITH THEM TOO! FOR BLOWING MY PETS WITH EXPLOSIVES! TO THINK, YOU ALL HAVE THAT MUCH MONEY BUT NO MORE!" He said taking his sword out and running towards them.
Before he got closer, I pinned him down by shooting arrows in his arms and legs.
Quilt " AAAHHH!!!" He yelled falling down.
Usman " Now stay there, scum." I said coming towards them adjusting bow on my chest like robin hood 2019 movie.
Quilt " You!" He said looking at me.
Firuza " You really have to do that." She said with a glare.
Ufia" No, he saved us."
Xiona " Plus the way, he shot him. He can't move." She said looking impressed.
Firuza" Now, what?" She asked everyone.
Usman " We will hide him and bring him out tomorrow in front of his house to both inform the villagers and stop his backer." I said to all.
Xiona" My father..." She said looking down.
Usman " Yes."
Then, we tied a cloth on Quilt's mouth to silence him. We put him in the compound and returned to the tavern.