"late" irritated I slam my drink down the cheap stuff. I scan the room again looking for him the oppressive heat seeping in from outside stoking my anger such abysmal conditions could make anyone insane. I finally spot him strolling in through the back door. He sees me and makes his way over ordering a drink on the way. " long time no see you big bastard" I clasp his arm in a friendly embrace the captain was a bear of a man large and hairy with a permanent scowl on his face running a company of cutthroats will do that too you. We sit down and his drink arrives and he settles in taking a large gulp. 

"so any news " I ask him leaning in just the tad bit impatient. He leans back stroking his modest beard a smirk playing on his face." Mmmmmm depends on what you call news but you never know with you and that magical rock you live under". He leans forward and speaks his tone conspiratorial " We got word of strange goings on over in Heart out west a Imperial Investigator will be be looking into the situation" He leans back taking a sip a please let look on his face. "damm" I take a large swig "Which investigator is it and anything more than just strange goings on" He grimaces then with a even deeper scowl than his usual face he says " The Conflagration " it looks like someone poured vinegar in his drink and kicked him In the nuts with the face he made. "oh shit" I fall back into my chair " I'm gonna fucking die" then with a smirk he tells me " relax a bit friend you might be in luck the rebel is active over by Heart which is why she is sending The Conflagration so you might have some distractions at least if not a ally".

I stand up dropping some coin for the drinks as I chug the last of my beer and start for the exit. " Thanks Captain you know where I'll be and if you take on a new commission id be real great if you did it around Heart." I make my way out of the bar in a sour mood with the knowledge that my next destination will probably get me really dead. I ready my horse and supplies for the trip as 100 miles even in the empire is no small journey. I tag along with a merchant as a caravan guard out of tradition more than anything as most routes though the empire are safe except for where the rebel is active. We traveled through some 100 miles of bland temperate forest as we pass through the Forest of Giants. I do not know why it's called the forest of Giants the trees aren't very tall and there have never been any sightings of giants in the area. Maybe it's called that because it takes a giant's endurance to get through the whole forest without wanting to kill yourself it's so bland and peaceful. 

We breached the other end of the forest just as most of us were contemplating unpleasantness on each other the trip was so damm tranquil it was a curse. Now was the time I earn my pay this side of the forest the rebel is active plying his brand of "freedom" by raping, pillaging and commandeering the occasional caravan. Two days after passing through the forest we see our first bit of "freedom" . "Smoke is rising from over yonder go check it out quickly " the caravan master points at me and 3 other to go scout it out. Nominating me as leader by virtue of being pointed at first.

The three others with me Tony a stout boulder of a man, a small boy honestly named sleepy you can guess why he was called that and the last a man made of cold steel Nicodemus he called himself bloody stupid name if you ask me but who does. We rode towards the smoke slowing down as we got close. From a distance we could see a village being burned to ashes and then we spotted the rebel amidst the flames. I look at Tony " go warn the caravan we'll stay and keep watch and catch up in a hour if nothing happens" he nods and scurries off like he just avoided a death sentence or something. We left the horses to sneak up on foot to get a closer look staying well inside the wooded area near the village. We definitely got a good look because behind me Sleepy was audibly sick. The rebel claims that they are freeing us from the tyranny of The Empire and The Golden Bitch but right now I could be forgiven for not seeing the difference. Nicodemus looked unperturbed beside me but I could see it in his eyes. We watched as the rebel does what conquerors the world over do when they win. I am no saint myself but they seemed to be taking far too much enjoyment in the depravity. " It ain't right we should do something" I hear Sleepy start to stand up. I thump him good in the stomach before he does anything stupid. " what the hell are the 3 of us gonna do against all them expect help redecorate the ground with your guts!? Best we can do for these folk is pass word to the next Imperial outpost we find". I tell him an with a sullen look he eases back down this is a lesson he will be unlikely to forget. The hour we waited felt like eons the things they were doing I aged a year for every minute we were there finally I had enough and decided it was time to leave. As we were getting up to leave Nicodemus taps me and points my eyes follow his finger to a large figure the man must have been 10 feet tall a giant brute of a man wearing a tight leather bodysuit and ball of steel as a helmet completely engulfing his head. The sight of him makes me queasy I shake my head and we return to the caravan like death himself was blowing in our ears.

I could not banish the giant man from my mind even after we rejoined the caravan. Sleepy was babbling nonsense and you would have a better chance of getting rock to talk than Nicodemus. I was shaken to my soul the disquiet if felt from the needless glee the rebel seemed to be taking in the village's destruction was now being exacerbated by the giant man. The memory of him festering in my mind i was not looking forward to the night. Sleepy had first watch by way of now being so paranoid he couldn't sleep and he just kept babbling he could listen well enough but he could no longer string two coherent words together. I fell into the sweet embrace of sleep the giant plaguing my dream when a commotion woke me. Groggy from sleep i tried drawing my sword and stand at the same time just to fall on my face it saved my life. A blade whirled past me as my face became acquainted with the ground i rolled kicking up as much dirt as i could to hinder my assailant. I got to my feet steel in hand and faced my opponent and was surprised to see Nicodemus coughing as the dust swirled around him. I went at him still groggy and him in a coughing fit a quick exchange of blow and bat his sword away and then run him through. Taking a moment to gather my senses i finally take in the camp and then i see him the giant. My Stomach does a weird flip flop thing and before I can think about doing something stupid I run like hell.