"The first one is always the hardest, Jald..."
"What are you blathering on about now?" It was the fifth day since Jald had been 'gifted' with the company of the stoat killer Davrag and already he was hoping for an opportunity for his sword to 'accidentally' pierce the ebon furred beast's heart. Davrag's conversation pieces bordered on irritating or depressing-women taken as 'spoils,' kills gained, fights won, enemies tortured...and Davrag never seemed to run out of stories....a little testament to the skill-and depravity- of Geras's pet killer.
"Everybeast remembers their first, Jald...I always do...don't you?"
Jald's emerald eyes rolled to the sky, seeking patience. Finding no assistance from the clouds, he turned back to the ebon stoat, "Fine, my first was in an inn when I was sixteen-"
"Do not mock me, Nightson..." Davrag's voice reverted to the cold sneer, pressing a paw to one handle of one curved sword; the blade Davrag affectionately named 'Splitter,' and perfect twin to its sister blade 'Cutter.'
"My first kill, you mean?" Jald waited to gauge Davrag's nod. The ferret shrugged slightly, reclining back on the grass, resting a paw on his broadsword in case Davrag's temper or sanity snapped...and Jald prayed it wouldn't come to that. Davrag was good...one of the best. To add to that, his amazing speed and skill were easily comparable to Eroket Nightblade...possibly the young ermine's father, the late Aleran Nightblade: Jald's greatest rival...and dearest friend.
And Jald served his friend's killer now! Jald had not been present at the death of Aleran, the one reason Geras still breathed...but he worked for Geras now. The paradoxical nature of the mercenary world never ceased to amaze Jald. Today's enemy would be tomorrow's ally, a beast would place a dagger in a beast's spine for a meal or a gold coin...it was the world they had chosen. A trap that lured in its victims with the sweet scent of fame and wealth and held them fast, never to leave...most of those that tried died.
It was a full two days from their encounter with Boneflower and they had retreated to the countryside, neither wanting to be apprehended for the murder of the two rats. Davrag never missed a chance to irritate Jald either...always questioning him and presenting a story of the stoat's exploits, either group-wise or solo. Jald had resigned himself to the mission. Davrag was sent to help him, not do the work for him, at any rate, and Geras would most certainly not be amused if Davrag died on the trip...least his companion wasn't the one-track minded Hallic...Jald had long since grown tired of hearing the weasel's boasts of how he would messily dismember his opponent.
"My first kill was when I was eighteen...bandit of no importance." The words conjured too many memories...memories of the city Meridan...the city of his birth. Jald was not of noble blood, he had been an only child and an unwanted bastard at that.
Jald had grown up on the streets of Meridan. The son of one of the city's guard and a barmaid, Jald had never even heard his father's name mentioned. Instead of consigning himself to the life of a beggar or a waif, Jald had signed himself up for training when he had turned twelve. It seemed a place of benefits: a warm bed, regular meals and the chance to learn to defend oneself.
He had been good, showing natural affinity with a sword. He had been the best; apart from Aleran Nightblade...the two had been friends despite their different backgrounds and philosophies...Aleran and Jald's one great frustration was they believed the other better then themselves.
Like a hot knife from butter, Davrag's voice sliced into the memories. "My first kill was when I was fourteen...living on the streets. My family had been foolish enough to anger a crime lord of Calishan and he dispatched some killers to deal with us...my family died but I killed them with just two rocks and a sharpened stick...the boss was impressed with me...took me in."
A pity, Jald's mind seemed to say...he was continuously reminded how much he despised Davrag...he supposed he had to thank the stoat for keeping his hatred intact.
This was turning into the longest job of Jald Nightson's life...
***
Davrag would not have been so complacent if he knew the ermine he desired to battle was lounging comfortably in an inn in the city of Targas, less then a day's journey away.
Eroket Nightblade had found nothing regarding Vandashira thus far, but was far from being disheartened. Jobs, especially difficult jobs, often took time to complete. One such as this, with such a low profile target was certainly gonna be one of those jobs.
The ermine was sipping from a glass of Roz's personal blackberry wine, mind mulling over possibilities. He has seen no sign of competition on this job thus far, but was certainly not going to surmise he was the only hunter on such a job...it was even probable his employer paid off any informants in Calishan just to test Eroket's resolve in dealing with difficulty on a job.
Eroket was still thinking when Boneflower rushed in.
The ermine didn't pay a mind to the door opening at his back. It was evening, after all, and beasts tended to wander into such an inn for bedding or drinks.
Eroket heard Rhaya's voice, falsely sweetened, announce greetings, hardly listening...until he heard the other voice, a crimson paw slapped into his forehead as his mouth formed the single denying word: 'No....'
The ermine ducked low, trying to make himself seem inconspicuous to the eyes of the erminemaid he knew was searching the bar, snapping quickly to Rhaya, "I'm lookin' fer an ermine. Name o' Eroket, but he answers t'Erry! Y'know where 'e is?"
Gee, thanks, making me sound like some lost pet, Boney...Eroket practically snapped, catching his loose vocal cords just before he uttered a syllable. Hoping Boney wouldn't notice him and would just exit...despite his friendship with the erminemaid, Boneflower often tested his patience severely.
"Erry!!!" Boney's voice cried suddenly. Eroket swore under his breath...trying to elude that blasted female was like trying to survive an attack from a tribe of cannibalistic badgers without even a sword for lack of a better allegory.
Eroket debating slashing his wrists before Boney got to him, but decided to not ruin Roz's floor...he sorely regretted the decision when Boney's arms enveloped him in a choking embrace, the erminemaid sobbing out her story desperately.
At length, Ero grabbed Boeny and held her at arm's length. "Ok! Tell me slowly, Boneflower...and hello to you too..."
Boney giggled slightly at the sight of Eroket. "Erry!!! I 'eard 'bout the Calpaths! I thought you mighta been...I ran inta Talrid a bit ago and he set me straight! Great work 'ere in Targas, Erry!"
Talrid was alive? Well, this was unexpected and pleasant news indeed. "Ok...you mentioned some black stoat?" The ermine didn't bother to ask about Talrid's whereabouts...he doubted Boney would have any idea.
Boney nodded, her eyes showing an emotion that disturbed Eroket...an emotion that shouldn't have any place in Boeny's sapphire eyes: fear. "'is name was Davrag, Jald called 'im..."
"Jald?!" Eroket snapped suddenly, eyes widening widely. "Ok...why were this Davrag and Jald threatening you?"
Boney explained the entire conversation...mulling over more details- such as every little perfect feature on Davrag's face-then Ero would have liked.
"Hunting rival..." The ermine mused. "So...Jald's on the hunt too...at least my employer as taste."
"'Unt? What 'unt, Erry?"
Ero cursed himself slightly, seeing no alternative but the truth...he liked Boney too much to lie to her on a subject like this. "I'm going after Vandashira...so is Jald, it seems..."
"Vanda?! She's that cult 'eadcase, right, Erry? Wow, you must be reeeeal brave! Who's 'iring, whats the reward, Erry?"
Ero sighed, used to her multiple questioning and answered accordingly, "Same Vanda, dunno who's hiring and the reward is..." He swallowed, "Two hundred thousand."
As predicted, Boney exploded, bringing winces from most beasts, including Roz, who was opening the door to her meeting room, nodding to an exiting mouse, having successfully closed her business deal for the day.
"TWO 'UNDRED THOUSAND?!?!!? Erry, you GOTTA let me come along! I'll be a big help, I'll even split th' reward with ye!"
For a moment Ero wasn't sure if he heard correctly...same old Boney it seemed. Eroket opened his mouth to give her a firm 'no' when Roz's face split into a wide grin.
"Wow, Ero! A partner? And she's a real looker to boot!"
Boney adopted a smugly pleased expression as Ero smiled fondly at the elder weasel, "She's got nothing on you, Roz..."
Boney shot an irritated glare at Ero as Roz laughed, "Oh, Ero...flattery'll just get you a good dinner afore you set out...I take it your partner will like some too?"
"Roz, she's not my-"
"I'd love te!" Boney chirped happily, flinging an arm around Ero's shoulders. "Whaddya say, partner?"
Ero looked helplessly from the inn patrons' smirks to Roz and Boney. "But...but..."
"No buts! I'll buy the dinner and dun you try to tell me otherwise! And I'll be expecting te see you later...tonight." Boney added with a small wink.
No stopping her it seemed...Eroket let out a small groan as he accepted the bleak reality of his situation and new partner...this was going to be the longest job of Eroket Nightblade's life...
"What are you blathering on about now?" It was the fifth day since Jald had been 'gifted' with the company of the stoat killer Davrag and already he was hoping for an opportunity for his sword to 'accidentally' pierce the ebon furred beast's heart. Davrag's conversation pieces bordered on irritating or depressing-women taken as 'spoils,' kills gained, fights won, enemies tortured...and Davrag never seemed to run out of stories....a little testament to the skill-and depravity- of Geras's pet killer.
"Everybeast remembers their first, Jald...I always do...don't you?"
Jald's emerald eyes rolled to the sky, seeking patience. Finding no assistance from the clouds, he turned back to the ebon stoat, "Fine, my first was in an inn when I was sixteen-"
"Do not mock me, Nightson..." Davrag's voice reverted to the cold sneer, pressing a paw to one handle of one curved sword; the blade Davrag affectionately named 'Splitter,' and perfect twin to its sister blade 'Cutter.'
"My first kill, you mean?" Jald waited to gauge Davrag's nod. The ferret shrugged slightly, reclining back on the grass, resting a paw on his broadsword in case Davrag's temper or sanity snapped...and Jald prayed it wouldn't come to that. Davrag was good...one of the best. To add to that, his amazing speed and skill were easily comparable to Eroket Nightblade...possibly the young ermine's father, the late Aleran Nightblade: Jald's greatest rival...and dearest friend.
And Jald served his friend's killer now! Jald had not been present at the death of Aleran, the one reason Geras still breathed...but he worked for Geras now. The paradoxical nature of the mercenary world never ceased to amaze Jald. Today's enemy would be tomorrow's ally, a beast would place a dagger in a beast's spine for a meal or a gold coin...it was the world they had chosen. A trap that lured in its victims with the sweet scent of fame and wealth and held them fast, never to leave...most of those that tried died.
It was a full two days from their encounter with Boneflower and they had retreated to the countryside, neither wanting to be apprehended for the murder of the two rats. Davrag never missed a chance to irritate Jald either...always questioning him and presenting a story of the stoat's exploits, either group-wise or solo. Jald had resigned himself to the mission. Davrag was sent to help him, not do the work for him, at any rate, and Geras would most certainly not be amused if Davrag died on the trip...least his companion wasn't the one-track minded Hallic...Jald had long since grown tired of hearing the weasel's boasts of how he would messily dismember his opponent.
"My first kill was when I was eighteen...bandit of no importance." The words conjured too many memories...memories of the city Meridan...the city of his birth. Jald was not of noble blood, he had been an only child and an unwanted bastard at that.
Jald had grown up on the streets of Meridan. The son of one of the city's guard and a barmaid, Jald had never even heard his father's name mentioned. Instead of consigning himself to the life of a beggar or a waif, Jald had signed himself up for training when he had turned twelve. It seemed a place of benefits: a warm bed, regular meals and the chance to learn to defend oneself.
He had been good, showing natural affinity with a sword. He had been the best; apart from Aleran Nightblade...the two had been friends despite their different backgrounds and philosophies...Aleran and Jald's one great frustration was they believed the other better then themselves.
Like a hot knife from butter, Davrag's voice sliced into the memories. "My first kill was when I was fourteen...living on the streets. My family had been foolish enough to anger a crime lord of Calishan and he dispatched some killers to deal with us...my family died but I killed them with just two rocks and a sharpened stick...the boss was impressed with me...took me in."
A pity, Jald's mind seemed to say...he was continuously reminded how much he despised Davrag...he supposed he had to thank the stoat for keeping his hatred intact.
This was turning into the longest job of Jald Nightson's life...
***
Davrag would not have been so complacent if he knew the ermine he desired to battle was lounging comfortably in an inn in the city of Targas, less then a day's journey away.
Eroket Nightblade had found nothing regarding Vandashira thus far, but was far from being disheartened. Jobs, especially difficult jobs, often took time to complete. One such as this, with such a low profile target was certainly gonna be one of those jobs.
The ermine was sipping from a glass of Roz's personal blackberry wine, mind mulling over possibilities. He has seen no sign of competition on this job thus far, but was certainly not going to surmise he was the only hunter on such a job...it was even probable his employer paid off any informants in Calishan just to test Eroket's resolve in dealing with difficulty on a job.
Eroket was still thinking when Boneflower rushed in.
The ermine didn't pay a mind to the door opening at his back. It was evening, after all, and beasts tended to wander into such an inn for bedding or drinks.
Eroket heard Rhaya's voice, falsely sweetened, announce greetings, hardly listening...until he heard the other voice, a crimson paw slapped into his forehead as his mouth formed the single denying word: 'No....'
The ermine ducked low, trying to make himself seem inconspicuous to the eyes of the erminemaid he knew was searching the bar, snapping quickly to Rhaya, "I'm lookin' fer an ermine. Name o' Eroket, but he answers t'Erry! Y'know where 'e is?"
Gee, thanks, making me sound like some lost pet, Boney...Eroket practically snapped, catching his loose vocal cords just before he uttered a syllable. Hoping Boney wouldn't notice him and would just exit...despite his friendship with the erminemaid, Boneflower often tested his patience severely.
"Erry!!!" Boney's voice cried suddenly. Eroket swore under his breath...trying to elude that blasted female was like trying to survive an attack from a tribe of cannibalistic badgers without even a sword for lack of a better allegory.
Eroket debating slashing his wrists before Boney got to him, but decided to not ruin Roz's floor...he sorely regretted the decision when Boney's arms enveloped him in a choking embrace, the erminemaid sobbing out her story desperately.
At length, Ero grabbed Boeny and held her at arm's length. "Ok! Tell me slowly, Boneflower...and hello to you too..."
Boney giggled slightly at the sight of Eroket. "Erry!!! I 'eard 'bout the Calpaths! I thought you mighta been...I ran inta Talrid a bit ago and he set me straight! Great work 'ere in Targas, Erry!"
Talrid was alive? Well, this was unexpected and pleasant news indeed. "Ok...you mentioned some black stoat?" The ermine didn't bother to ask about Talrid's whereabouts...he doubted Boney would have any idea.
Boney nodded, her eyes showing an emotion that disturbed Eroket...an emotion that shouldn't have any place in Boeny's sapphire eyes: fear. "'is name was Davrag, Jald called 'im..."
"Jald?!" Eroket snapped suddenly, eyes widening widely. "Ok...why were this Davrag and Jald threatening you?"
Boney explained the entire conversation...mulling over more details- such as every little perfect feature on Davrag's face-then Ero would have liked.
"Hunting rival..." The ermine mused. "So...Jald's on the hunt too...at least my employer as taste."
"'Unt? What 'unt, Erry?"
Ero cursed himself slightly, seeing no alternative but the truth...he liked Boney too much to lie to her on a subject like this. "I'm going after Vandashira...so is Jald, it seems..."
"Vanda?! She's that cult 'eadcase, right, Erry? Wow, you must be reeeeal brave! Who's 'iring, whats the reward, Erry?"
Ero sighed, used to her multiple questioning and answered accordingly, "Same Vanda, dunno who's hiring and the reward is..." He swallowed, "Two hundred thousand."
As predicted, Boney exploded, bringing winces from most beasts, including Roz, who was opening the door to her meeting room, nodding to an exiting mouse, having successfully closed her business deal for the day.
"TWO 'UNDRED THOUSAND?!?!!? Erry, you GOTTA let me come along! I'll be a big help, I'll even split th' reward with ye!"
For a moment Ero wasn't sure if he heard correctly...same old Boney it seemed. Eroket opened his mouth to give her a firm 'no' when Roz's face split into a wide grin.
"Wow, Ero! A partner? And she's a real looker to boot!"
Boney adopted a smugly pleased expression as Ero smiled fondly at the elder weasel, "She's got nothing on you, Roz..."
Boney shot an irritated glare at Ero as Roz laughed, "Oh, Ero...flattery'll just get you a good dinner afore you set out...I take it your partner will like some too?"
"Roz, she's not my-"
"I'd love te!" Boney chirped happily, flinging an arm around Ero's shoulders. "Whaddya say, partner?"
Ero looked helplessly from the inn patrons' smirks to Roz and Boney. "But...but..."
"No buts! I'll buy the dinner and dun you try to tell me otherwise! And I'll be expecting te see you later...tonight." Boney added with a small wink.
No stopping her it seemed...Eroket let out a small groan as he accepted the bleak reality of his situation and new partner...this was going to be the longest job of Eroket Nightblade's life...