The Ecstasy of Gold: A Mercenary Tale

"Alright you lot! Listen up or by the Goddess I will have all of carted off to the stockades and hanged by your scrawny little necks!" Casion bellowed, "if you are under seventeen, get the hell out of my sight, if you are under nineteen and out of shape don't waste my frealing time unless you want my boot so far up your hindquarters it comes out your smutty little noses!"

Casion jumped up on the table, waving frantically to the dispersing crowd. "On top of that, if you are an old fart I suggest you find a new line of work. Women aren't welcome so get a move on. Quickly now I haven't got all day."

Casion pointed at one of the prostitutes who was eyeing Brunn with curiosity. "That means you too sweetheart." The woman stuck her tongue out at the Captain and fled from his sight, her golden hair bobbing to and fro as she tried to find another customer in the crowd.

"What a lovely job you got," Brunn commented from the table, "you must have really done something awful to deserve such a fate."

"It seemed like a good idea at the time," Casion growled between clenched teeth as he plopped back into his chair. He covered his face with his hands, silently hoping a stray arrow would hit him squarely between the eyes after this debacle.

"Most bad decisions do," Brunn remarked dryly. "I wonder if," he stopped mid-sentence, and grabbed Casion by the arm, "I do believe we have our first recruit, fearless leader."

"Don't tease me like that Brunn," Casion said behind his hands, "let me guess, is he thirteen and plump as a pumpkin?"

Brunn nudged him impatiently. "No, it's a Watcher." Casion uncovered his eyes, expecting a cruel joke from the hardened Calidan, but to his surprise there was one of Brunn's country men in the door way, a giant of a woman next to the young Watcher.

"Do you know him?" Casion asked, hoping Brunn would know he stranger's identity.

"No, but I intend to," Brunn smiled gravely. He stood up in one fluid motion, almost as if gravity had little or no hold on his body as he walked over to the younger Watcher.

Such a strange people, Casion thought to himself, strange but deadly. Casion had seen what the Watchers of Calidan could do first hand in the theatre of war. They were nimble and dexterous soldiers; their skills unparalleled by the majority of Minesse infantry. Three years ago Casion had fought against the army of Count Van Hitter, a pompous man who had employed Calidan mercenaries from time to time.

The Watchers did not fight in rank and file, opting for a unique style of hit and run, skirmish tactics that threw Casion's men into disarray. Luckily for Casion, sheer numbers of men overcame the skill of Brunn and his men. After the battle, Casion and Brunn became aquatinted with one another during the surrender of Van Hitter's army to Von Clarif's. The two men had mutual respect for one another and a friendship blossomed out of the fires of war.

"May I introduce your newest recruits," Brunn said, interrupting Casion's brooding. The younger Watcher was in front of Casion, grim face almost miring Brunn's. The Calidan was defiantly young, probably no more than twenty with striking blue eyes and short blonde hair. He wore a grey tunic with grey pants which was typical garb for the Watchers. Even though his complexion was that of a boy, his eyes and scars clearly marked him as a man.

"This is Tristin of Calidan and his friend Germine."

Casion turned to focus on the giant woman that towered over him. She was easily five inches taller than him if he stood up, making her much more ominous sitting down. Germine looked down at him with her silvery grey eyes, almost as if she was looking into Casion's soul. Her black clothes made her pale skin seem snow white beneath her black hood. She had a strange black orb around her neck that seemed to glow in the dark tavern, making Casion more than a little uncomfortable.

"A pleasure," Casion stood up, extending his hand first to Tristin and then to Germine. "You are interested in the army?"

"If it pays," Tristin responded, his voice deadpan and serious.

"Well of course it pays!" Casion laughed, "We are people of honor, sir. Fifteen gold pieces for every day of work."

The youth looked back at him in surprise, trying to mask his excitement about the pay.

"Far too low, I expect twenty-five for my work, and I am worth every penny."

"Eighteen," Casion countered.

"Twenty," Tristin replied.

"Deal." The two men shook on the number and Tristin signed his name bellow Brunn's on the enlistment sheet.

"He's my partner," Germine added, "I go where he goes."

Brunn and Casion exchanged uneasy glances. Casion was a very superstitious man and a lady on the battlefield was just asking for trouble.

"I can't offer a woman the same pay, company's policies," he said.

"That's ok, I will work for fifteen until I prove myself worth twenty," she smiled, grabbing Casion's hand before signing her name next to Tristin's.

"Fascinating girl," Brunn remarked.

Tristin took a seat next to the young Minesse (is that right?) officer and pulled another one out for his partner in the same fluid motion. The inn was dark and full of nondescript boys much too young to be drinking, and men far to old to have a stomach for hard liquor anymore.

He motioned for the barkeeper, "Glass of water please."

He shook his head, red hair bouncing up and down, "Only got beer, wine, mead and ale. No water here."

Tristin smiles, "well, I'm sure you can work something out."

The bartender trudged away, absentmindedly muttering curses towards Tristin, and from what he could hear Casion as well.

Tristin turned to the officer, "How long have you been recruiting?"

Mikael

The recruiting officer stood up and yelled causing all those inelligable to leave in a hurry. A man and a large woman approached before haggling and signing their names. Finally Mikael decided to reveal himself. He stood up, cast his travelling cloak onto his seat, hefted his mighty hammer onto his shoulder and strode over to the recruitment officers desk. He walked past the man and his large compatriot, acknowledging her with a nod. He rolled his huge shoulders and sat down opposite the officer.
"Ok heres my offer. You pay me, i kill people. End of story. None of this rescue missions and behind enemy lines rubbish. If we are getting slaughtered, don't expect me to stick around." The officer looked shocked. Not only at my sheer size but at the brash rudeness of my offer. Finally he laughed.
"20 gold peices?" He asked.
Mikael nodded, shook his hand and signed his name.
"Here" he said hand the man a silver coin. "Get yourself a drink. You look like you deserve it."

Casion's mouth turned down into a frown. "It doesn't bode well, having a woman among our number," he commented quietly.

"If she can handle herself, it doesn't matter." Brunn smiled wryly. "But I've got the feeling you aren't referring to strength or skill."

"I just don't like to tempt fate."

Brunn laughed. "I forgot how superstitious you Minesseans tend to be... or is that just you?"

Casion didn't answer. He was gawking at something behind Brunn, who had his back turned towards the front of the table. Curious, he turned around.

"I'll be..." he muttered when he saw Mikael. He hadn't expected Casion's recruitment table to attract a fully fledged Wolfengrad warrior. It was a little scary, thinking about the damage a bear-like man like that could do with that warhammer of his...

After the man signed up, he tossed Casion a piece of silver. "Here. Get yourself a drink. You look like you deserve it."

Brunn laughed slightly. "Does he ever."

Rosaline

Rosaline looked at Desmond and smiled sheepishly. After witnessing the treatment that lady, Germine she had been called, was given, Ros wasn't sure she should. Reaching behind her, she pulled a single, emerald pin out of the bun she had done her hair up in. It had been her mother's, bless her soul. It was her only form of luck out there.

"Yes, actually. Though it does look as if pay shall be high," Rosaline told Desmond, finally replying to his question. She turned on her creaky bench and took a sip from the ale she had received and set the mug down. "Wish me luck."

Rosaline left Desmond at the bar and slowly made her way to the officer's table. She was cautious, watching her surroundings. You never knew exactly who your enemies were, nor where they hid. Recalling the hulking man's entrance, Rosaline removed the blue fabric she had covering her left arm and bundled it all into a ball in her hand.

Finding a single open spot around the table, Rosaline dropped the fabric, stained slightly with blood, on the table and made sure the officer could see her arm. Scars covered it, short or long. It was her hand, however, that proved to be the worst. Following the officer's gaze, Rosaline stated her case;

"My name is Rosaline Kayor, Ros for short. Age twenty-one, originating from the mountains of Calidan. I am seeking work."

Casion couldn't believe his eyes. Another Calidan mercenary? Was there anyone left in the mountains?

"I suppose there is room for you," Casion conceded, "you will have to take a pay cut like Germine, but if you prove your worth I might be able to renegotiate your terms of service."

"Fair enough," Rosaline said, signing her name on the list.

"What kind of action of you seen, Rosaline?" Mikael thundered with genuine curiosity, "you picked up a lot of scars for someone so young."

Rosaline turned to the towering Wolfenguard with surprise. She hadn't anticipated a warm reception from the islander.

"Mostly marauders and scouting parties of the enemy. Someone has to protect these lands. The Minesseans are too busy fighting each other and the Altridians are too busy tinkering with their inventions to care about the true enemy." Casion ignored the insult and excused himself claiming he had a drink to buy.

Brunn was suddenly next to Ros, his voice low and steady, "You speak with great confidence for someone your age," his eyes shifted to the Captain at the bar, "but remember, we are the visitors here and we currently employed by the good Captain. Casion is a respectable man you will enjoy serving under him."

"Doesn't make the Minesseans any less ridiculous," Tristin chipped in.

Brunn nodded, but he frowned. "Perhaps, but if the enemy is mobilizing, we will need the Minesseans as much as they need us. Never forget the bonds forged in war."

Bastilla

She ambled into the tavern, eyes slowly adjusting to the dim lighting. The tavern was nothing special, that was for sure, but the rumours had drawn her in. There was rumours of war. There was rumours of blood. She felt her lips curl into a little smile. Another ploy she could use to get out of her fathers clutched. There was a large crowd on the one side of the tavern, some people sitting, others standing are watching. All of them seem to be in discussion.

"M'lady, would you wish for me to clear the tavern?" She heard the feeble words of one of her guards. Idiots.

"They aren't doing anything wrong, I don't think." Her slow, quiet speech came back to her. The voice of the idiot. She did not care, all she wished for was a drink of warm ale at this moment in time.

"Don't you wish to have some privacy ma'am?"

"This is a public place, I like the others here." She took one furtive glance at them all talking over there, then started toward the bar in itself, her armour, clinking uncomfortably. She pulled her helmet off and carried it under her arm, eyes following the crevices in the floor boards, quietly noticing the ones that were rotten. Sitting down, she looked back at the five of her men still standing in the doorway looking unsure.

"Leave and wait outside. There is no need of you at the moment. Talk Oleg for a ride. I believe he is becoming restless."

They all looked at her as if she were absurd. Obviously by now she should of known that horse hated everything that moved. Smiling at there uncertainty, she waved them away with a flick of her wrist.

---------------------

Sorry for the late post. I decided I would skip the theatrics and get her into the tavern. She is there now, and has observed them. If any of you feel like bringing her in, go ahead.

~Incognito

Desmond

Having seen the Watcher and his partner sign up, and then the Wolfenguard, Desmond had a very good idea of what his pay was going to be like. Fifteen gold pieces a day was a fortune compared to what he'd been living on of late, and this little unit looked to be shaping up to a very effective one. What he'd walked in on had been misleading, to say the least.

He drained his mug, set it on the bar and made his way to the table, smiling pleasantly at those gathered around it. "Well," he said, "Seeing as everything seems to be going so well for you, Captain, I might as well sign myself up now. Don't want to miss this chance. Twenty gold pieces a day, right?"

"That depends." Casion said, looking him up and down. Desmond shifted a little so that his swords were more visible, but the pair of duelling pistols remained hidden beneath his coat. "Who are you, and what kind of experience do you have?"

Desmond bowed in reply, "Desmond Tamar, age twenty-five, of Helase." As he spoke those last few words, his eyes shifted to the enormous Wolfenguard. No doubt he wouldn't be too happy about working with Desmond. "In terms of experience," He continued, then cleared his throat, "I have quite a lot in, uh, unconventional warfare, as well as a degree of diplomatic experience, though I doubt that would be useful against the Skarnors."

"Where exactly in Helase did you pick those skills up?" One of the Watchers asked, flashing him a bitter smile.

The Helasean reached up and adjusted his hat a little until it was tilted slightly to the right. "Was a highwayman." He said, "But that's behind me now."

Casion exchanged a look with his Watcher friend, then said, "Well, if you'd be willing to take a pay cut - fifteen gold instead of twenty - I suppose we could have you along."

He gave a nod in reply, actually still quite happy to be receiving that kind of pay, and signed his name below the others.

Casion believe his change in fortune. Two days ago he had no coop and today he was up to his ears in experienced fighters. A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he thanked the Goddess for her blessings.

"Shaping up to be a decent little unit wouldn't you say captain?" the smooth talking Helesean said, his voice dripping with charismatic charm.

"It was till you got here, southerner," Mikael growled beside Casion. The bear of a man's ham like hand twitched maliciously on his war hammer, his eyes burning with righteous indignation.

"Come now dear boy, this outfit is large enough for the both of us," Desmond replied with a lopsided grin. He held his hands up in an apologetic manor, but took two steps back from the agitated northerner.

"I won't tolerate infighting in my company," Casion warned, coming between the two men. He glanced over at Brunn for support. The grizzled Watcher already had his hand on his sword, eyeing the scene in grim silence. The rest of the table had gone silent, all eyes focusing on the lumbering giant.

"It's been over fifty years since the war, but we are not a people who forgives and forgets," Mikael said his braided hair flopping at his side, "your people are no better than the vermin that invests your forests." Desmond took another step back, his hands moving to his coat.

"Good, then you shouldn't forget the lesson we taught you," Desmond replied, his voice dripping with scathing venom.

"That's enough you two," Brunn said, stepping between the two mercenaries, "you heard the Captain. Sit back down and finish your drinks."

Suddenly, fifteen soldiers burst into the room, swords drawn. The customers cleared out of the tavern, leaving the mercenaries alone in the room with the soldiers. Casion noticed they had the livery of Duke Meddane, a rival noble to Von Clarif, on their doublets. Tilbert the owner ducked beneath the bar counter as the men advanced, cursing the day Casion Romin was born.

"What in the," Ros exclaimed, drawing her blade.

"We are here for the man named Casion Romin," their leader said, his voice muffled by his closed helmet. The guards advanced slowly, spreading out as they circled the mercenaries. "Should he come quietly, we will have mercy on his associates."

"I hope you're ready to earn your first twenty pieces," Casion said to his coop as he draw his saber.

Tristin~~

"This might actually be an interesting job after all." He kicked the chair he had been sitting on backwards as he rose, drawing his sword in the same movement.

"Hey Brunn, me and you get the left?"

He nodded, the stoicism their people was known for already taking its place. The Minessean army was good, but these were not their conditions. They fought on plains, not in buildings that closely resembled the caverns and caves of the Calidan Mountains.

One of the soldiers came at him, blade high. He fell in less than a second and Brunn moved into the space created by the dead man, his blade already wreaking havoc. These men had no idea what they were getting into, and this was not even counting the Wolfengrad with the hammer, Casion, or any of the others who had joined the group.

Bastilla

The shock of the soldiers bursting into the tavern was a surprise. The demand for a simple man another. But the biggest surprise of all was that a fight out broke. She swore under her breath, regarding the fight warily. She could easily get out through the door and leave with her men, but curiousity seemed even more than the desire to live. This was fighting, this was blood. This was an adventure.

The exact same thing her father had sent her with thirteen men to protect her from.

Getting to her feet, leaving her helmet on the table, she unsheathed her heavy claymore. Grasping the two handed sword tightly, she faced the mass that was going. They were easy to tell apart, the attackers wearing matching armour, but she did not know which one she wished to help. Those of the mercenaries, or those of the armed guards. The armed guards that prove social status with her father from some far off Duke.

Smiling lightly, she stepped into the darker corner, away from the fighting, then charged into the midst of it, swinging broadly, and coming down heavily on one of the armoured guards. The armour dented below her blow, not harming him much, but knocking him off balance. Swinging again, she plunged the sword into the opening in the stomach area, breaking effortlessly through the chainmail.

Black hair falling loose around her, she looked around once more for another to strike down.

------------------

~Incognito

A grim smile crossed the Calidan man's already grim face. "You'll have mercy on us? I think you have that backwards."

Brunn didn't hesitate to step in and help Tristin start fighting off the guards. It was obvious that these men weren't ready for their attack.

He slashed the first few aside with his sword before drawing a knife in his other hand. It would be difficult to wield swords in such close quarters (he didn't even consider trying out his halberd) but putting it away wasn't an option, not when the enemy chose to use swords as well.

After fending off a few blows, he was able to slip under his adversary's swing and stick him with the knife before turning to tackle another soldier who'd advanced on Casion, sword out. "Heads up!" he called as he pushed the guard back.

Casion ducked just in time as Mikael's giant war hammer caved in the man's skull, splintering bone and flesh in a horrific spray of hot blood.

Casion paired a couple of clumsy strokes before catching one of the attackers in the neck with his saber. The Minessean stumbled backward, grabbing at his slashed throat.

"I think we've over stayed our welcome Captain," Desmond said smartly as he pulled out his pistols from within the folds of his coat.

"Just shut up and kill them," Casion exclaimed as he caught one of his assailants in the leg before elbowing the bleeding man in the face. His efforts were rewarded with a sickening crack as the man's jaw snapped out of place.

"Who is that girl over there?" Ros asked from beside Casion.

"Does it look like I care?" Casion countered, "if she isn't attacking us I am going to assume she is one of us."

Bastilla

"...if she isn't attacking us, I am going to assume she is one of us..."

Bastilla heard the voice over the sounds of battle. She felt her lips curl into another smile. It could have meant anything, but the voice meant something different. That man who had spoken had the tone of a commander, someone who was above the rest. The one who would always issue orders. She hated orders. They could have been talking about her, something she knew was quite the possibility, and she did not wish to be thought on anyone's side on this particular moment. She did not even know what they were fighting for.

She made her way over to them, blindly swinging her claymore at any of the silver armoured fiends. She did not care about the damage she caused to them. She wanted to see just who exactly this man was. Slipping through the crowds, she got stopped faced to face with a giant of a man, a large hammer in his hand, braided blonde hair, eyebrows furrowed in frustration. This didn't seem like a man to mess with.

He looked at her for a minutes hesitation then continued with the rest of the fighting, hitting one of the enemies with one sharp blow, probably killing him instantly. Dodging around him, she saw a man. The man looked like a leader, reaching a hieght taller then her own, and dressed in leather armour. He did not seem to even notice her. Maybe a quick glance, but just swung his saber at another enemy, connecting with the neck, splattering her lightly with blood.

She smiled.

Charging at him quickly, she swung her heavy claymore at him, him blocking it just in time. He looked at her in surprise, but thrusted forward, knocking Bastilla and her claymore back.

It was then that she noticed a man pointing a pistol directly at her, the other pointed at the rest of the mayhem. This was the commander. But the question was, should she kill him or not?

-----------------

Not quite sure what I am doing. xD
Tanith, I am just playing around until you want to sneak out the back door. It is easy to get her to change her views and attack the rest of the guards. She just hates people giving orders, to her or anyone else.

~Incognito

Rosaline

Ros watched as the chaos unfolded around her. Desmond now stood with his pistols out, one pointing at the girl who had been, seemingly, helping them, the other at the mess of soldiers still pouring into the tavern. The bar keeper, old age suddenly showing, shook mercilessly at the back of the bar.

Gripping her estoc, Rosaline quickly unsheathed it and swung at the first soldier to come near her. She caught him under his arm, slicing deeply and quickly, enough to cause him to double over in pain. She finished him with a quick swipe to his visible neck. She looked to Casion, who had his eyes locked on her, and shot him a smug glare.

She moved to the next soldier in line, now fighting next to another Watcher. Tristan, he had called himself. Rosaline grunted as she dispatched another solider.

"You know, Captain," she said, defending herself from the fatigued swinging of another solider. "they're just going to continue coming. More and more of them."

Casion grunted in reply. Rosaline rolled her eyes.