Union Factions

After leaving the Flask and Anvil, we headed toward a stable near the city's south gates. Since this wasn't a Union quest Lariss had to rent horses privately. We could have walked but that would have taken a few extra days and it wasn't my money.

After leaving the city I decided to ask a few questions.

"You seem to know Uhtric and Vegaror very well. How did you meet?"

"Their shop used to be on Union premises. I met them after I joined." She said.

"Why'd they leave? Being directly on Union property seems like a great deal with a built in customer base." I said.

"It wasn't their choice. Since you're new you probably aren't aware of the different political factions within the Union. It's not the united organization that some think it is." She said.

"I could tell that the guilds weren't too unified but you're right, I haven't seen any deeper factions yet." I said.

"It mostly takes place behind the scenes and not many adventurers are affected by it. When the previous Union Master retired unexpectedly three years ago everything came to the surface. There wasn't a clear successor so the different factions were vying to get their people in important positions." She said.

"How bad did it get?" I had an entire life within politics and knew things could get dark very fast.

She sighed and was quiet for a moment. "That depends on who you ask. Most people seem to think that there was nothing more than some petty squabbles and backroom deals."

"But it was more than that?"

"Yes. Thankfully those most responsible for the darker deeds didn't end up as Union Master or with much power. Master Alfarund had built a coalition of the weaker factions to undermine the two larger ones that had been playing dirty against each other. In the end he had to fulfil a number of promises once he became Union Master. One of which was giving the Union shop spaces to his allies." She said.

"How are the internal matters of the Union now?" I asked

"Currently they're quiet. Senior representatives Magni and Bodildr led the other two factions and haven't made too big of a fuss. Though they make trouble for Master Alfarund whenever they can."

"What side are you on?"

"I'm not aligned with any of the factions. I have my own goals."

"What about Uhtric and Vegaror are they still involved? Vegaror asked if I was a spy before you showed up."

"They tried to stay out of the politics of the Union, which is probably why it was so easy to remove them from there. They got the contract for the Union premises because they are the best at what they do, unlike the current residence. Him calling you a spy had more to do with the competition among crafters which is a whole different conversation. If you're really interested, it isn't that hard to get Vegaror going on the subject."

"What about the old Union Master? They should have realized what their retirement would mean."

"That's another oddity. Master Ragna is an S ranked adventurer with a decade or two of good health ahead of her. When she announced her retirement from being the Union Master it shocked everyone. I had only been with the Union for a year but I could tell how much she was liked by those around me."

"You don't suppose she was forced out by one of the larger factions?"

"It's possible. It doesn't matter too much now. She lives in the city of Thurdinheim. The only quests she accepts now are from the Duchess. She does take on a few students to train but they're all related to friends of hers."

"How about you? Are you interested in the politics of it all?" Lariss asked after a moment of silence.

My life on Earth had been filled with negotiating with different groups to try to bring about positive change. On that world that was the only way I saw to make a difference. It was different here. There were literal monsters that threatened peoples lives. I don't have to wine and dine donors and lobbyists for their help on even the most insignificant thing. My sword could literally solve problems for me.

"I have no interest in politics. I just want to be able to protect people." I replied.

"Well that's good to know." She said.

"Was politics why you've kept leaving guilds?" I asked.

"I wouldn't say that. They just weren't what I am looking for." She said.

"And what are you looking for?" I asked.

With a big smile she said. "Adventure."

I knew she wasn't telling me the whole truth but it would be pointless to press the question.

"How about you? What are you looking for?" She asked.

"I guess you could say that I'm trying to fulfill my purpose."

"And that is?"

I returned her big smile before saying, "To save the world." Pulling my horse forward, I didn't give her the chance to follow up but a melodic laughter came from behind me.

The first night we were able to stay in an inn. When the innkeeper asked if we were going to share a room, Lariss giggled and bashfully batted her eyes. I rolled mine and asked for two. Part of me was curious if she would have shared a room with me but I was sure it wouldn't have gone the way it had with Floriana. Plus it was never a good idea to get mixed up during a potentially dangerous situation, something I needed to keep in mind the next time I saw the previously mentioned fox woman.

In the afternoon of the third day from Torinheim we came upon a wooded part of the road. My heart began to grow cold as we came around a bend to a fallen tree. It was a very classic bandit set up. Neither of us were surprised when a voice came from behind.

"Why don't the two of you throw us your valuables and get down from your horses?" A man said.

Two people with crossbows came out near the downed tree and a few others surrounded us.

"Are you really sure you want to do this? We are terribly busy and only bad will come from bad." Lariss said to them.

It took them a moment to realize she was serious. Several of them started to laugh.

"Come on now, just do as we say and no one will get hurt." The man said.

Lariss ignored him and said to me, "I'm a little curious about your skills, how about you take care of this for us?" I rolled my eyes in response. It would be more than simple for the two of us to take care of them together. Alone would be a bit of a challenge, do able, but I didn't want to waste my energy just to prove myself to her.

"How about an extra gold piece?" She said.

"How about we just take care of them together and be on our way?" I replied. The bandits started to look to one another trying to figure out what was going on.

"What about a kiss on top of the gold piece?" She said.

"Hey, I'm losing patience here. Drop your stuff and get off your horses." The man said again. Something about him seemed familiar.

"Can't you see we're negotiating here? We'll get to you when we resolve this." Lariss said.

"Why do I feel that the offer is more of the test than the combat?" I said.

"Well, Vegaror did tell me not to trust you." She said.

"Of course he did." I said.

The head bandit pulled out his sword and started towards me. "This isn't a joke. Give us your valuables and get off your horses."

I smacked my forehead. "Ugh, I remember now. Aki. Your name is Aki. You were one of the guards that betrayed Vulferam." He stopped as his face paled a little.

Before he could collect himself, my sword came out of my storage ring and I launched myself off my horse. Unlike merchant or Union horses, these ones weren't trained to keep calm when fighting. With my poor mounted combat skills, there was no way I'd be able to take them on all by myself and I couldn't be sure that Lariss wasn't joking.

The head bandit Aki was able to parry my swing during my controlled fall. And despite what Lariss might say it was controlled. I heard the twang of the crossbows and saw two bolts get near Lariss but a gust of wind sent them just barely off course.

"You're supposed to be my meat shield. Be a little more on guard next time." Lariss said. She didn't make a move to attack but kept her Wind Shield going. It was a spell that was good for keeping ranged projectiles away but limited your own actions.

I ignored her as I used my buckler to deflect a crossbow bolt headed towards me. My auras were already circulating through my body before I jumped, allowing me to react faster then they could attack.

"Shoot for his legs, she wants him alive." Aki called out.

Now that was interesting.