Private Tales Sins of the Son

[Shiv]

"Simply put, my son's a bloody fool. Never had a mind for business, though he could spend coin well enough. Didn't care much what he got up to so long as he kept his head down. Had a couple close calls, sure, but nothing a full purse couldn't remedy. Not this time, he went and properly fucked things up. A greased hand isn't going to cut it this time around. I'd leave him to the wolves but he's still my blood. My wife's family has an estate up near the Sayve. They'll put him on a ship after things calm down. Maybe to Elbion, I don't know or care. Just get him there."
-A rich, vaguely concerned father​

It had been uneventful two days since the small caravan set off from Alliria. Shiv was thankful that nothing had happened but certainly wasn't relaxing just yet. The old man sounded pretty damn worried that blood was on the cards. The mercenary thought they may try something as they were leaving the city but all had been quiet. Shiv inquired why their employer hadn't sent the lad down to Alliria's own port and got told that it was simply not an option. He suspected that their potential enemies had significant influence in that particular district. Many considered the city to be safer but the guards were just men, easy to pay off as anyone.

Well, there was no point thinking too much on an opportunity passed. The mercenary was just glad that his employer hadn't been completely stingy. A majority of the members of the caravan were members of his employer's guard. He could tell that most of them weren't worth their salt; no doubt the dredges of the group. Shit father, a concept with which Shiv was all too familiar. Shiv shrugged, sometimes a show of force was all that was needed to deter an attack.

Fortunately the mercenary wasn't entirely without help. His employer had at least seen fit to pay out for a few extra hands beyond just Shiv. He spotted the other two outsiders riding near the rear of the caravan. The mercenary did one final check of the front before letting himself lag behind to be in step with the others.

"Things are looking alright for now but figuring we best make camp soon," the mercenary explained. "Name's Shiv by the way," he said by way of introduction. "Didn't get a chance to introduce myself earlier. Had my hands full trying to keep this lot from tripping over themselves."

A small grin played on his face before he added, "Don't suppose either of you know this road at all?"


Cutter Wright Colsund

 

[Colsund]

He'd have been disgusted if it wasn't just the way of things. A noble's son, picking an unwinnable battle. A noble's son, killing someone he shouldn't. There was no need to obfuscate; he could, and he'd get away with it. And yet, somehow, they inevitably managed to pick the wrong one.

Why? Well, the answer was as simple as the sky being blue, or water being wet. It was how they were raised. That didn't stop him from taking their coin. As much as they took from those around them, this was a perverse bit of pleasure for the somber-faced youth.

Atop a buckskin horse, he pushed some damp hair from his eyes. Long rides meant sweat. And he'd started sweating hours ago.

They were clearly intending to get away before they got caught. He'd deal with being an accessory later.

The Elf, one of the other mercenaries, fell behind. There was no mistaking his purpose.

One forearm resting on his thigh and the others loose at the reins, his dark eyes appraised the man as he spoke. Their acquaintance would, hopefully, be short. And without bloodshed.

"It seems familiar. I've likely ridden it going the other way at some point." There was something about traveling from a different direction that through his compass for a loop.

"More than one road to the river, though. Could be mistaking it for another one nearby." It was the guard's that concerned him. No discipline. Better gear than training. Recipe for disaster, this. "If we're going to make camp, we should do it soon. Horse's are pretty spent. Another two days hard march to the Sayve."

Shiv

 

[Cutter Wright]

Why was this the one job? Some spoiled rich kid needed an escort and while Cutter was more than happy to oblige, He was biting his nails, the horse he'd been riding on was still giving him a bit of trouble and he was barely keeping it reigned in, luckily he'd been practicing the past few weeks.

Cutter looked over to the boy who oozed wealthy and uncaring, if only they could all go about their lives like that, but in that case, who'd be the ones cleaning up the mess, Cutter certainly didn't trust anyone besides himself to keep his own heart beating. "Cutter, A pleasure, never this road in particular."

'These guards will get you killed, slit their throats and leave them behind'

Rolling his eyes at the voice it was getting more bearable, though he'd preferred if it stopped all together. Talk of making camp passed around, the Raven-haired man couldn't agree more. As the other two, Shiv and Colsund discussed the road Cutter looked around at any protected areas such as rock overhangs or large groupings of trees. one mainly looked pretty suitable for their needs. "Oi, don't mean to interrupt but, that little area looks like a decent place to stop."

It was a small grouping of trees a few hundred feet off the trail, dense to the back it would provide decent quarter cover so they woouldn't have to keep attention to every direction possible.

 

[Shiv]

"Best call it three days then. Not sure these bastards have seen a hard day in their lives."

Shiv let himself relax a little as the other two seemed to agree with his assessment. More importantly, they hadn't given him any grief. Too many in this business had shit for personalities. 'Course that was only natural considering that they often killed people for a living. There's no telling if these two would cut and run if it got bad but the mercenary would take what he could get for the moment. He could worry about getting stabbed in the back after he stretched his legs.

He turned his attention to the area that Cutter had pointed out. It did seem like it would serve as a good place to make camp.

"Work's for me," Shiv said with a shrug, and then urged his mount forward. The half-elf quickly gave out instructions and fortunately wasn't meant with any resistance. No doubt these other fools were happy to get some rest, completely oblivious to the fact that their lives were in danger. Shiv was relieved to know that they could at least setup camp properly. Once preparations were underway, he went to find the other two mercenaries from earlier.

"Thinking it's best we take second watch. Rather not get done in while I'm sleeping," the mercenary explained with a cynical chuckle. It was still relatively early, so the likelihood of an attack was lower. Also those on first watch were likely to still be mostly awake. It was in the deepest part of the night that things could get dangerous. If either of the two didn't agree, he would simply assign one of the guards. No other choice.

The mercenary got himself a quick meal before settling in for some well-needed rest. It was properly dark when Shiv was roused by the previous watch. He shook off the grogginess as best he could.

Near an hour into his watch, a rustle from the treeline caught his attention. Instinct dropped the mercenary to his knees as an arrow whizzed overhead. He looked up to see a pair of figures burst from the brushes, weapons brandished.

Nothing was ever easy.

Colsund Cutter Wright