Just another interlude to keep everyone interested. Arthur Delapore you are my new best friend. Anyway...
Disclaimer: Technically Robert E. Howard's work is public domain, so I don't have to say a disclaimer about him, but out of respect I must. So Robert Jordan, that makes me a better person than you, you may be a better writer but I am a better person. Oh and Nintendo, Fire Emblem belongs to them.
A little more than a month had passed since the fall of Lundgren. At this time Erk, Serra, Matthew and Solomon Kane were on their way to Ostia together. Serra was clearly getting bored and tired walking the roads to the city-state. "I say we stop at that inn over there" voiced Serra "But we have at least four hours of daylight left, and Ostia's only---" "We stop here! My feet are tired and my shoes aren't meant for long traveling" Whined Serra, Erk made a return statement "Fine, we stop here for the night, and for the record you've complained about your shoes since you hired me." Matthew spoke to Kane during this conversation "Imagine working with her everyday, I pity him. Once the contract ends she's in my hands." "Each have their own evils to face" Kane said half-jokingly. Matthew smiled then spoke again "Some more than others."
The Inn proved rather accommodating to the four, each getting their own rooms for little cost. Serra however did put up a bit of a fuss over the quality of her bed, leading to her trading rooms with Erk, Solomon said nothing about his room, four walls and a bed, which was much more than he needed. An hour later Matthew knocked on Kane's door, saying that the three of them were going to the tavern and he was invited. Kane weighed his options eventually deciding to go with them.
"So you don't drink?" Serra asked, after offering Kane a tankard of wine. "No, I am a puritan, I do not indulge in such pleasures." "More for me then" "And the rest of us" Matthew added. That moment the innkeeper announced that the band would begin playing soon, and that there would be a dance contest when they began. Serra smiled a shark's smile and sent a glance to Erk. "You are not paying me to dance" he said preemptively. "I do not dance either, another--""Don't flatter yourself Kane" Serra said interrupting him. "We've worked together, you know about Leila" "I also know what she's told me about how good a dancer you are, come on it'll be fun." Serra grabbed Matthew's hand as he opened his mouth to protest, but it was too late. She got him into the entrant's square and he knew there was no use fighting it now.
The band began setting up for their performance, while Kane and Erk talked. "That woman is a serpent" Kane said "That fits her perfectly I think." Erk said "I shall return to my room now, music is another indulgence my religion is against." "See you tomorrow then" Erk said.
Matthew and Serra won the contest. Everyone at the Inn heard this as she shouted out this fact in every hallway, after she calmed down everyone had a restful night of sleep. That morning they reached Ostia and met with the Marquees. "Matthew! Serra! What have you to report?" Matthew spoke first "The tyrant of Caelin has been dealt with" "Good, and that gentleman over there must have been Serra's mage escort, you will be paid handsomely I assure you. But who is this tall gentleman in black with you?" Matthew continued his report "His name is Solomon Kane, his support was integral to the fall of Lundgren, he helped us in exchange for information regarding the Black Fang. Which I know Leila knows about" Then a lithe red haired woman spoke up "Was my name mentioned?" she appeared from the shadows revealing that she was in the room the entire time. "Leila!" Matthew all but leaped into an embrace with her "It is good to see you again Matthew" she said after he let go. "Yes I do have information about the Black Fang, I've been a double agent for several months now, what do you wish to know?" "I seek a man named Nergal, I want to kill him."
Leila explained that the Black Fang used to be a noble organization dedicated to policing those above the law, but Nergal has taken command behind the scenes for some time now. She said he operated from Dread Isle, she warned Solomon that few who go there return, so it might be hard to buy passage, but the puritan would have none of it. He left almost instantly after he was told the island was to the west. He purchased a few supplies at a shop, and then made his way, slowly disappearing into the horizon.