Outlaw for Hire: Chapter 2.1 Bazinet

The courtroom fell silent. A lean man strode through the door, lanky limbs hung at his side, a red silk blouse lined with golden buttons concealed the man’s sinewy frame. His trousers were of equal extravagance, a fur lined cloak of velvet dragged behind him.

The other nobles in the court stared expectantly at the newcomer murmuring in unity. Taking his seat at the head of the courtroom the newcomer nodded to the court speaker to begin the day’s proceedings. “Very well, my lord Enroth.” The speaker a well-built young man with a short goatee as usual began to drone on in his monotonous but sharp and clear voice, his voice echoed of the courts walls for every noble to hear, Enroth rubbed his temples in discontent as the speaker continued speaking only of menial events and reports of the city’s wellbeing.

Duke Enroth of Bazinet, 3rd brother of king Ogmund, watched the proceedings of the court slyly. His beady green eyes darting from noble to noble, naturally suspicious of each wondering if any of them had a plot to undermine him. Hours passed and the Duke had yet to utter a single word, his mind begun to wander. He thought of his city, wealthy, happy even with the large amount of taxes, a mixing pot of culture as the Duke held no ill will to neither Beastkin nor Elf.

The busy commercial port and the development of a renowned adventurers guild, had caused the city’s economy to boom, Duke Enroth’s and the nobles pockets were lined with riches. The city was large covering almost a square kilometre of land. As wonderful as the city was, the Duke had carefully created a self-relying government and no longer had to do many duties other than attend the long winded court sessions, the Duke had not a clue as to why he felt so dissatisfied, he has everything he could ever ask for. “My lord… my lord!” the speaker bringing the Duke out of his thoughts. “We require your instruction my lord.”

“Very well.” the Duke lacklusterly replied. If this is another damn event or public appearance…

“There have been reports of an illegal landing on our shoreline to the south, the vessels are of unknown descent. Most likely smugglers or pirates coming in to sell illegal goods or do other things. What course of action should we undertake my lord?”

Duke Enroth’s face lit up. “How many ships are landing?” his brow furrowed “Are they raiders?”

The speaker visibly shocked by the Duke’s unusual excitement continued. “Uh… that was not specified my lord.”

His face contorted with disappointment at the response, “Very well, send a detachment of guards to go apprehend the smugglers or whomever landed on my domain.” The speaker nodded and turned to give the order. “Oh and make sure to ‘confiscate’ any goods found, stolen or otherwise.” Duke Enroth having discreetly worked with his city’s underground to drop crime rates had made deals with their leaders promising to hand over any ‘confiscated’ goods. Unfortunately this lead to the guard confiscating the people’s wares under false charges.

As the court proceedings came to a close and nobles bustled out of the court to return to their estates. Duke Enroth brushed his black locks out of his eyes, he paced through the halls of his castle. A crest of arms hung upon the stone walls. It was a taken from Beastkin nobility in the most recent campaign against the Beastkin fourteen years prior. Reminiscing the battle’s plans that he crated and executed with exceptional fervour. As a reward the king allowed him to rule over the prosperous port city of Bazinet.

Enroth didn’t miss the gruelling campaigns and high stake battles. The Duke enjoyed the quiet life he lived. He walked into his study looking over to the empty armchair placed in front of the hearth, The Duke sighed, His beloved wife died three years ago in an epidemic. What troubled the lonely Enroth even more was that his wife left no children, the halls were quiet and empty, a contrast to the bustling crowded streets. With no heir to his Dukedom and no interest in finding a new wife Enroth’s future seemed grim. The relatively young Duke felt as if he wasn’t old enough to be living out the rest of his days here, he longed for one last great campaign or anything of significance really. He stood on his porch watching the sea glimmering like gold in the morning sunshine and wondered if his wish would ever come true.

“Milord” the speaker broke him out of his daze

“What is it?” Enroth replied

“There is someone poking around the underground network, I don’t know much but they are keeping their mouths shut on your orders.” He looked anxious and struggled to get the words out. “Should we investigate milord?”

“What are they asking about?”

“Something about a place out of reach of kingdom law. Most likely some desperate outlaw.”

Duke Enroth nodded, dismissing the speaker with orders to ignore the outlaw. Continuing his brooding he watched the speaker scurry off.

~~

Cynric was bored, it had been two weeks since he came to Bazinet. Looking out toward the sea in awe as it glimmered in the morning sunshine could only occupy him for so long. Cynric looked down at the cobbled street below. There was a large variety of people passing by, spotting furry ears, horns and other features of Beastkin, adventures of all kind walking in groups with their odd assortment of weapons and armour, some accompanied by an Elf mage. Sailors of every race and description staggering from bar to bar before heading back out to sea, locals going about their day, homeless down every alley and many more begging on the side of the road, the city was not destitute but very overpopulated. The merchant district could be heard from afar, buskers unceremoniously played tunes only to have their music drowned by the hum of the crowds and the yells from bartering merchants.

Cynric had nothing to do until dusk, for he had gotten a job as a bouncer for a brothel in the red light district. he walked out onto the busy street, ignoring the beggars and the constant stench of refuse he began his exploration of the city. For two weeks the outlaw had been making contacts with the underground trying to get in on their information network, looking for a place he wasn’t wanted dead. His efforts fruitless, took up so much time that he has yet to explore the city’s districts. Only knowing the red light district and the merchant district the mercenary went to go sight-see.

Before Cynric lay winding streets and almost identical wooden buildings lined next to each reaching two to three stories high, the streets felt claustrophobic. Each building as If seeking individuality, had intriguing carvings on the doors and pillars. The roofs were shingled with a dark wood and brick and mortar chimneys thrust out of the rooftops some billowing smoke and soot others not. Cobbled streets devoid of plant life gave the city a gloomy personality but at the same time it felt peaceful. Cynric trudged down the quiet street. He nodded solemnly acknowledging how alien cities were to himself who lived constantly on the run. he  had reached the centre of the city and a cathedral of marbled stone stood before him. Stunned by its grandeur the mercenary studied its elegant parapets and mosaics of amazing quality. Its stained glass windows glimmered in light, each one an artwork representing the many gods which watched over the mortal races. Priests and priestesses shuffled around the garden of the cathedral tending to the plants and preaching to passer-by’s

Filling the remaining hours of the day by wandering around the labyrinth like streets had led Cynric back to the red light district. The sun dipped into the sea casting an orange glow over Bazinet. Navigating through the afternoon crowds that mustered to the red light district at this time of day. Walking past working girls looking for clients Cynric ignoring their cries for attention and their flirtatious offers. Spotting the sign of his workplace he pushed past groups of sailors and adventurers. Stepping into the alley he saw his employer standing at the door, his arms crossed the short and stocky man tapped his foot impatiently, staring at Cynric on the verge of an outburst. “You’re late!” He snapped, “Where the hell have you been, we have been open for fifteen minutes! What if some shady guy had come in and done something to the girls, huh.” The brothel owner and Cynric’s boss, his hair unnaturally greasy shone in the lantern light, his bushy moustache twitched relentlessly. shaking his head he moved to his post next to the main door.

“Sorry boss, there was crowd in the way.”

“You should’ve known about the crowds, large trade ships stop here routinely today.” The disgruntled owner spat at a rat racing past, “look just do you job and watch for any rough types.” He pointed at a little bell above the door “Come running if you hear that ring.”

“Got it.” As night dragged on and Cynric checking the occasional customer for weapons. A young adventurer donning simple armour and a sword, approached the brothel. Behind him a very agitated looking woman followed, she too had the armour of an adventurer however she was unarmed. Cynric noticing her pointy ears, assumed she was some sort of mage, he watched the pair walk up the alleyway.

“Listen Declan, I don’t want you going into that kind of place.” The female Elf nagged, long golden hair flowed behind her. “It’s nasty.”

“Relax Triss, I’ve been around the block, I know what I’m doing.” Declan replied in a laid back tone, he was grinning wildly.

Triss sighed “That’s not what I meant idiot, look just come back to the others. You don’t have to go through with this dare.”

Cynric watched in amusement as the two argued back and forth. “How may I help the lovely couple?” he teased, interrupting their bickering. The adventurers looked at him in shock and horror, their faces beet red. “I’m sorry to interrupt your lovely banter, but are you going to head in or not?” Triss turned on her heel and grabbed Declan by his ear.

“We were just leaving.” She declared, ignoring Declan’s protests, she stormed out of the alley and back onto the street. Cynric’s bellowing laughs echoed of the alley’s walls.

Once again bored of listening to the sounds of the brothels, Cynric kicked at the ground trying to plan his next move. Worried that all his poking around in the criminal underground would raise suspicion or that bounty hunters would sniff him out again he wanted to move on, but to where. As he stood by the door his arms crossed and his brows furrowed in concentration, a big man hidden by a cloak walked right past him and into the brothel. A loud ringing finally broke Cynric’s train of thought. It was the little bell above the door. surprised by the new development and excited to do something,he rushed inside.

He saw his boss yelling at the big man in a cloak. “We don’t serve your kind, I want you out of my establishment this instant!” Cynric reached out grabbing the man’s shoulder.

“Excuse me sir” Keeping his tone calm he continued. “If the boss doesn’t want you here I’m going to have to ask you to leave.” Pulling back the hood of the cloak revealed fur, and dog like ears.

The Beastkin turned to face Cynric, his face was like a humans, but he bared white fangs. His eyes were yellow. The Beastkin was of the wolf clan, muscles bulged through his tunic. In a growl like tone the Beastkin said “Do you have a problem with me too.”

Keeping his cool, and his signature smirk, Cynric stared the Beastkin dead in the eye, “Not at all friend, but I’ve got to do my job, so if you would be so kind.” The Beastkin spat at the feet of the owner, and walked out the door. Cynric followed him, when they stepped outside Cynric stopped the Beastkin. “Listen friend I apologize for my boss, not all humans take so kindly to your ilk.” The Beastkin nodded muttering something unintelligible, he donned his hood marched off into the night, the flash of steel at his hip.

Cynric knew what he had to do. It had taken him another hour of weighing options. He would flee the kingdom and go to Beastkin territory, he silently thanked the Beastkin for the idea. He would be safe from bounty hunters there as many humans feared the Beastkin. Congratulating himself on his new plan stood at his post watching the bustling street ahead. As the night continued on Cynric heard yells and screams from the street. Confusing them for the usual red light district activity the mercenary noticed the sudden illumination of everything around him. Magic?, Looking over at the street revealed people looking to the heavens. Cynric followed suit and he saw the sky as bright as day, he gasped in realization.

~~

Duke Enroth was tired. So many little things had required his attention. Owning such a large piece of land, and such an expensive city was exhausting. He reclined in his favourite armchair watching the movement in the city below the castle. The cathedral of the gods stood grandly above the wood structures of Bazinet. Hearing movement behind the door to his chambers the Duke stood. Already knowing the reason the Duke went to go answer the call to court, again. The courtroom was bustling with energy something big was happening. The Duke stepped in, all fell silent as he walked, and trying to display as much authority as possible he held his thin shoulders high, taking his place at head of the court. The tired Duke watched the nobles murmur to each other. A member of the guard walked nervously to the podium in the middle of the court room. “Proud member of the Duke Enroth’s guard hold your head high and speak!” the court speaker urged the guardsmen.

The guardsman was panicked his face stricken with fear, “I… urgent message me lord! The group that landed on the southern shore earlier today is marching on the city!”

Before the speaker could say anything the Duke responded fervently. “Whom may I ask, is marching on my city?”

“Beastkin me lord, they number in the thousands.”

A noble of insignificant value to the Duke interjected “Hah, let them come, those disorganized savages won’t make it over the wall.”

“They are disorganised and unruly” agreed another unnamed nobleman, he turned to face Duke, “My lord I believe a simple raid is above your strategic expertise.”

“Wait! Me lords, there is more.” The guardsmen drawing all attention immediately cowered under all the dagger like glares. “There is more than one tribe fighting in unison, some of the guys reckon that members of every tribe of Beastkin has gathered in an effort to ignite a war.”

“I see,” the Duke’s face contorted into a sly grin, “Send word to the capital at once.” The guardsmen nodded and scurried out of the room. A silence fell over the room, calm before the storm the Duke thought to himself, as the courtroom erupted into a roar of bickering between nobles.

“Shall we warn the townsfolk, my lord?” the speaker expectantly looked at the Duke.

”Sound the alarm, open all the gates for civilians to evacuate. Knowing the Beastkin they have already infiltrated the city.” Hesitating the Duke looked down on the man. “We don’t require adventurer’s assistance this is something the guard will handle.”

“Very well my lord.” As the speaker gave orders, the Duke stood and went over to a window to stare out at the city. A bright light filled the sky and the Duke watched in horror as the heavens came crashing down.

Flames licked the sky, a storm of fire fell upon the city of Bazinet. Beastkin hidden throughout the city began to slaughter the people. The fall of Bazinet had begun.

“Magic is something for the Elves and Beastkin shamans, don’t go waving it around in my establishment!” – A tavern owner complaining to a half elf mage