Private Tales Big and Small

[Cato]

Another day, another contract. The mercenary could only sigh as the sun finally found its peak. Cato had been riding since the early morn and it had put him in a rather foul mood. Well, fouler than usual. Word of the job had only come to him the night before and by that point, he was well into his fourth ale. He figured it better to sleep off the drink instead of falling off his horse and breaking his damned neck. The mercenary had seen it happen before and he'd be arsed if he went out like that. Cato had survived too much shit for that to be his last act in this godforsaken world.

He had passed through the village of Krasfen not long ago. The village was in the north of the Reach, not too far from the Sayve. Word had come down that the inhabitants and travelers both had been attacked by bandits. They had been at it for a spell keeping the killing down to a minimum, until the last week or so. Seems they decided that no one was going to bother them anyways and just said to hell with it. Bandits would get their piece and then move on somewhere else before Alliria made a move. Cato didn't blame them, city-folk didn't often care for people's problems out here.

Blood had been spilled and there were those who wanted to see that favor repaid.

Better for me, he mused.

There was one other who had taken on the contract. Cato was on his way to meet the other sellsword at a local landmark not far from the village. Cato wasn't exactly thrilled to be working with a stranger but begrudgingly admitted that the extra hand was likely needed. It seemed that there was more than a few of these assholes, deserters if he had to guess.

Cato spotted the large oak that represented the meeting place and then what looked like another smaller tree next to it. The mercenary swore to himself as he closed the distanced and realized that the other tree was actually a man, or something akin to one. He now knew why the villagers had been evasive when they mentioned that the other mercenary had already passed through.

"You're a big bastard, aren't you?" the mercenary said in a way of introduction as he dismounted. "Don't suppose you've got a name?"



Rusty

 

[Kaeden Banick]

As Cato approached, Rusty quietly stood still next to the oak tree. His gaze tracked a squirrel foraging for acorns in the shade of the tree. No horse stood nearby – Rusty journeyed by foot.

A few bounty hunters and mercenaries in Alliria knew the giant by Rusty – a name Cato could have easily heard when taking the job or when meeting with villagers along the way. Some might have just called him, “That big rusty fellow…”

When Cato called out to Rusty, he turned his head toward the fellow mercenary. The aged and battered armor he donned spared no glimpse of a man underneath.

Instead of a name, Rusty gave a single wave in greeting to Cato. His movement paused for a moment after, though.

Then, Rusty tapped a heavily corroded piece of his breastplate. A bit of rust flaked off as he did so.

Then another pause.

After that Rusty attempted to give an explanation by covering the area that should have been his mouth and then giving the “Okay” signal with his other hand.

 

[Cato]

Cato remained somewhat nonplussed as the big mercenary signaled back to him. He had seen some strange sights over the years and this could certainly be counted among them. His initial thought was that was a welcome change. Too many sellswords had a habit of running their mouths. The sort of talk that found one in an early grave. Might be nice to have someone who just shut up and handled their business. There was a severe lack of professionalism in his occupation and it was a testament to his patience that he had yet to go on a bloody rampage.

"Name's Cato, though I don't know much good that'll do you," the mercenary added with a shrug.

He looked around, taking a moment to survey their current surroundings before letting out a sigh.

"'Suppose we better get to it then." The mercenary left his mount tied to the oak as it was likely to give away their approach. He wasn't overly worried about it getting stolen. The villagers had a clear idea as to his temperament and what the consequences would be. "Word is that they got a camp not too far from here. I reckon they're barely trying to hide with how bold they've been. Shouldn't be too hard to track em down."

The mercenary began to make his way eastward.

"Don't suppose you've learned anything about our future acquaintances?"

 

[Kaeden Banick]

Once Cato gave his name, Rusty clasped his hands together in silent response. He nodded in affirmation with Cato’s assumption that the bandits would be easy to find.

When Cato began to move, Rusty followed with thudding footsteps and clanging armor. Rusty kept his face toward Cato.

Rusty took a few moments before giving something as an answer to Cato.

First in mid stride, Rusty help up seven fingers, for seven bandits. Rusty would nod in affirmation if Cato guessed his meaning.

Then, Rusty lifted up one finger, then followed with curling the fingers in both his hands like claws.