Scourge Nine - Tournament

Scourge Nine - Tournament

Scourge Nine - Tournament

Morning happens as it usually does, with fights over who gets to use the bathroom first, and Felix urging everyone to move faster so that she can get to breakfast a couple of minutes sooner. Bianca, whose whole ice-princess attitude doesnt hold up quite as well at this hour, watches us all with detached curiosity, as if were a bunch of animals that have snuck into her living room and are making a mess of things.

So! I say as I toss on my cloak. It wouldnt do to be seen as some sort of monster. Make sure youre not leaving anything behind, because were heading out today.

We dont even know if the citys still standing, Esme says.

Were in the city, Felix says.

Esme rolls her eyes. You know what I meant. We spent the evening hidden in here, we dont know how bad the city got hit. Its entirely possible that there wont be any caravans heading out at all.

If thats the case, then we can head out on foot, I say. This mission doesnt exactly have a strict timeline tied to it.

Your part might not, but mine does, Esme says.

Bianca coughs lightly to clear her throat. Forgive me for asking, but I dont think I was entirely informed about Lady Esmes mission.

Im not a lady, Esme says. And I was sent here to discover who broke into one of Sempers vaults.

This is something that the Dark Goddess wants to know about? Bianca asks. I have the impression that shes stepping very carefully, as if she might ask something thatll offend us, or more likely Mom.

Nah, Esme wants to be an archivist, you know, those people that work with Semper, I say.

I was given the mission by Semper herself, I cant mess it up, Esme says. Her absolute determination is somewhat undermined by the huge yawn she lets out a moment after speaking.

Eventually none of us need the washroom anymore, and as a group we grab our things and head downstairs. The innkeeper, an older gentlemen, greets us with apologies. Im sorry, Lady Malicieau, but my chef hasnt appeared this morning, and neither has half of my staff. I dont have anything fresh to serve you, which I know is a terrible sin, but please accept my sincere apologies.

Bianca glances at us, then back to the innkeeper. Its fine. Could you perhaps provide us with non-perishables for the road then? We will be cutting our stay off early, and we might need some supplies for the road.

The innkeeper agrees and runs off to the kitchens. We dont have to wait long before he returns with a bunch of things. Bread wrapped up in cloth, some jars of preserves, and a few precious sausage links. Thats a big concession with how much of a luxury good meat is.

Bianca thanks him, and we take a moment to spread the food out between us and our packs, just so that we all have a more or less even amount of weight between us.

The caravan place will probably be busy, I say as we start heading out.

Thats likely, Bianca says. Different cities have different responses to disasters like this. I dont know what Vizeda has planned, but I imagine that they have something in place to take care of things now, and the south gate is a wide open space with easy access to the rest of the city. Its likely a rallying point.

Oh, great, Felix says. So were heading right into the trouble ourselves then.

I take the bag and weigh it. Thats not great, I say. Having the money back is nice, but were all packed up and ready to go.

Well, maybe we can join them? Felix says. Shes pointing back towards all the mercenaries and adventurers.

One is standing on a box, arms raised as he calls out for peoples attention. Come! The Swinging Sabers are looking for brave warriors to clear the roads from here to the capital! Good pay, a good reputation, and more glory than you can imagine!

Theyre heading to the capital, Felix says.

Thats a mercenary band, they might be willing to escort us for pay, Bianca says.

Or we could join them temporarily and get paid to travel, I say as I start walking over. There are a few takers who seem interested in joining, mostly locals, I guess, from the way theyre dressed, but there are at least half a dozen in the group who have armour and weapons already.

I nudge my way into the group, then to the front with a few sorries and a couple of strategically placed elbows.

Hey, what do you need to do to join? I ask.

The man pauses mid-speech and looks down at me. He smiles. Im sorry, child, are you asking for your father?

What? No, I mean me and my friends. I gesture back to where my friends are gathered. Felix waves.

We dont accept girls, he says. Only strong and capable fighters can become Swinging Sabers.

I shrug. A glance at the men behind him reveals that none of them have more than two classes. Theyre probably not allowed to, not being nobles and all. What if were stronger than your men? I ask.

He laughs, and so do a few of the others.

I... dont get it. Just because Im a girl? Moms the scariest person on the planet, and shes a girl. Heck, half the pantheon are girls. Well, come on, at least let me prove that I can take on any of you, I say.

I probably cant. The stronger members are likely too strong. But the majority of them? I like my odds, especially if its a mostly fair fight.

Girl, go back to your friends, youre embarrassing yourself, someone says.

Whats embarrassing is this guy being too afraid to see his Swinging Swords or whatever get beaten by a girl.

The man on the box twitches. Very well then! Lets see if these girls are worth their salt! Come one, come all, and see the might of the Swinging Sabers!

I nod to myself. A trip to the capital with an escort, and well get paid for it? All for the cost of beating up a few nobodies? Easy!

***