#Lore24 – Entry #247 – Fantasy Month III #4 – Cults and Captors

As Told by Siduri Tamboura, Warrior for Hire

“About damned time!  What in the hell is taking so long?  You want the facts or what? 

Don’t know about that inn, don’t care about that inn.  I was looking for work in Caerlon and happened to be in that district when it all started up.  I’d heard about that dark elf escape artist stirring up the town, yeah, was a little curious, but I was looking to hire myself out. In case this body didn’t clue you in, I’m a sword for hire, idiot.  What I do in my free time is my business, so you can just wipe that look of your smug little face before I wipe it off for you.

I wasn’t there when the place lit up.  I had seen some shady sorts moving around the streets, though.  Thought there might’ve been some kind of cult or something going to a meeting, but then I saw that they were dark elves, and that just wasn’t normal in this area.  Then I saw the other mercs moving in on the place and those two mazoku sorcerers leading them.  Don’t think they had a clue about the other group, though.  I hung back, decided to see what was going on, figured I might make some coin that night.  Sometimes you can find the best opportunities in the middle of the night.

Somehow these two groups slipped in without the other noticing, don’t know how they managed that, but they did.  Wasn’t long before all hell broke loose and the smoke started rolling.  Lots of screaming, lots of people running for their lives.  Hell, probably the most excitement Caerlon had seen in ages; glad I got to get in on it, really.  So, I saw a couple break out of the inn and make a run for it, some of each of the two groups hot on their sweet asses, so I figured now was that opportunity I’d been waiting for.  I chased after, made myself known, and got the better offer from Eri and Hatae, so I threw in with them and laid out the trash.  They still owe me, by the way, and until our contract’s done, I’m not going against it.  They’re not bad ladies, mind you, just need a good, strong hand to keep’em in line is all, cause they can have trouble raining down around you in no time at all if you let’em off their leashes. 

Once we had some time to breathe, I learned more about what was going on.  Somehow, each one of them had parties interested in hauling them in for whatever reason.  Eri seemed clueless as to why she was getting chased by the mercs, Hatae had some suspicions about the dark elves after her, but didn’t give me the details; I figure she stepped out of line back home and now had some noble house chasing her.  Didn’t matter to me; their downpayment for my help was good, so I’m in it till I get the rest of my money. 

Anyway, we hooked up with that screeching bard the next day and came up with a brilliant plan to get out of Caerlon.  I enjoyed that one personally.  Really enjoyed it.  Went off real smooth, too.  Anyone who had seen me with them the night before was laying dead in the streets, so any none of the shady types we saw knew me from any other merc on the streets.  You want the details?  Start coughing up some grub, then.  Or ask Eri or Hatae.  I’m done talking for now.  Any more’s going to cost you something in return.”