Setting Out

"Marcus, you're early." Commander Yuri said as Marcus walked up to the front gates.

It was the day that Sylvia Bishore was scheduled to leave on her trip to RoseValley. Marcus didn't want to risk being even a minute late, so he made sure to arrive before the sun even broke over the horizon. There were two extra large carriages, being pulled by large horses. The horses still had feed bags on their faces, and were almost ready to go. About fifteen guards were also going over their equipment and checking the carriages.

"I didn't want to be late." Marcus said, shrugging his shoulders.

Commander Yuri just nodded, he had a checklist in his hands. He was busy making sure that absolutely nothing was looked over. Lord Bishore wanted to make sure everything went smoothly, and if it didn't Commander Yuri would take the blame.

"You can put your pack in the second carriage, that one is for luggage." Commander Yuri pointed to a large carriage. It wasn't as decorative as the first, but was still very high end. Marcus gave him a nod, slung the pack off his back and stowed it in the carriage. He found a good spot against the wall and waited for everyone to arrive. After a few minutes, Commander Yuri walked over to where Marcus was leaning.

"So where is… What was your companion's name again?"

"It's Sif."

"Right, where is Sif? I was under the impression that it would be traveling along with you." Commander Yuri asked, looking at his checklist.

"She'll be along shortly. She just learned to fly, so she likes to stretch her wings this early in the morning."

As if on cue, the horses started to become agitated, striking the ground with their hooves. A gust of wind blew by Marcus and Commander Yuri, cleaning the dust off their clothes. They both looked up to see Sif slowly descend next to Marcus. The guards that were near grasped their weapons, they had never seen Sif before so they didn't know if it was a random beast or not.

"Stand down men! Go calm down the horses!" Commander Yuri commanded.

Marcus walked over and patted Sif's large head. Over the past week since the ball, she had started to grow like a weed. She was currently fifteen feet long with a wingspan now over twelve feet. Her scales were the same color, but had become much harder. When struck, it sounded just like striking steel plates. Her head was now as big around as a beach ball, with horns growing about six inches out of the top.

Marcus attributed her sudden growth to her going into the woods everyday and hunting. She's been able to eat as much as she wanted, sometimes bringing home some very exotic meats. Once she brought home some griffon, it wasn't the whole griffon, just the hind legs. Marcus had no idea how to cook it, but it was still very delicious.

Sif rubbed her head against Marcus, nearly pushing him over. She then tried to climb him, Marcus had to push her off while laughing. This caused her to pout, she still didn't realize how big she was. There was no way she'd be able to fit on Marcus anymore.

Suddenly, a squealing sound came from the front gates. A well dressed young lady came rushing over, then stopped right in front of Sif. Marcus recognized Sylvia immediately, he prepared himself for what was to follow.

"My goodness! You've gotten so big! I'm sooo excited for you to come along Sif! Will you ride in the carriage with me?!" Sylvia basically shouted.

Despite her size, Sif still managed to hide her body behind Marcus. Sylvia was a very outgoing person, and was difficult to handle in large doses. Sif still didn't like very many people, except for Marcus and Clair, so she didn't know how to handle someone like Sylvia.

"Sylvie, dear, manners." Lord Bishore said from the gate.

His words brought Sylvia out of her excited state, at least on the surface, and she quickly bowed in apology.

"Sorry about that. I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to visit during our trip." She said, before returning to her father.

"I'll miss you, please be careful and listen to your escorts. Also, don't go running off without Mister Marcus, he's assigned to protect you, so if you need anything just ask him."

"I will papa, don't worry."

"Maria and Kelly will travel along with you, they'll be your maids." Lord Bishore said as two maids gave Sylvia a bow from behind him.

"Thank you papa. I love you!" Sylvia said as she stood on her tiptoes and kissed her father's cheek.

Lord Bishore smiled warmly, he didn't smile often, but when he did it was always around his beloved daughter. He gave her a warm hug and watched as she boarded the carriage along with the two maids. He then turned and walked towards Marcus who was still standing by the wall.

"I'm entrusting my daughter to you, do not fail me." He said with a threatening tone.

Marcus didn't mind his tone, he completely understood why he was worried. It was a dangerous world and his only daughter was going out into it. He would do his best to make sure that she was safe and nothing happened to her.

"Of course, I won't let you down." Marcus said, giving Lord Bishore a respectful bow.

Lord Bishore nodded and turned around to walk back into the estate. Commander Yuri came up to him next.

"There are fifteen guards from my command accompanying you. They all have horses, do you require one as well?"

"No thanks, with my armor and everything I'd probably kill the horse if I tried to get atop it." Marcus said, rubbing the back of his head.

"It's a long trip. Will you be alright walking?" Commander Yuri asked, a little concerned.

"You'd be useless if you wore yourself out."

"Don't worry, I'll be fine. By the way, didn't Lord Bishore hire more than just me? I don't see any other Mercenaries." Marcus asked.

"He has, they are both well known rangers. They went ahead yesterday afternoon to scout the road ahead. You should meet up with them along the road."

"What're their names, so I know who I'm looking for."

"I believe Nick and Dave, they're brothers."

"Really? It's a small world, I've completed a mission with them before." Marcus was happy to hear that there were some people he knew along with him.

"Good, at least I know you'll get along. Now, as far as the other guards are concerned, you are to work in tandem with them. Since you'll be her personal guard, you are to never leave her side. Not even if another guard requests you to do something, under no circumstances are you to leave her. Understand?"

"I understand, not a problem." Marcus replied.

"Good, now it looks like everyone is all set. Sylvia knows the manor that you will be heading to, so just follow her direction once you reach Rosevalley."

Marcus nodded and walked over to Sylvia's carriage. He knocked on the door and waited for her to answer. She poked her head out of the door with a questioning look.

"I just wanted to let you know that I have been assigned as your personal guard. I just hope for your cooperation."

"Yup, pap told me all about it. Don't worry, I won't run off or anything." She said with a giggle, then popped her head back into the carriage and closed the door.

"Haa, this should be a fun trip." Marcus said sarcastically, it was basically a four month baby sitting mission, at least it pays very well.

"C'mon Sif. Let's go."

Sif nodded her head, then took off into the air. She would most likely spend all the time that they traveled flying in the air. She would be on lookout, Marcus had already told her what to do. Although Nick and Dave would be scouting ahead, Marcus had no doubt that Sif could spot things much better than they could. With Sif flying above the city, the carriages started to move with Marcus walking besides one of them.

...................

"You thought you could get away, with money you stole from me? How long have you worked for me? Ten? Fifteen years? Then you betray me!?" Sir Allister questioned Ackley.

Ackley was strapped to a chair with a gag in his mouth, so the only reply that Sir Allister got were muffled cries. Ackley had a swollen right eye and a broken nose, blood was still running out of it. He was still struggling to get out of his bindings, but nothing he did would loosen them.

"Fifty gold coins is not even that much wealth, but you still thought it was enough to betray my trust. Well, I do not take kindly to traitors or thieves!"

When Sir Allister finished his sentence, he plunged a dagger into Ackley's thigh. Blood spurted out of the wound as the knife lodged itself into his bone. He started screaming, the gag stifling his cries of pain. Sweat was dripping off his face as he almost passed out. Sir Allister left the dagger in his thigh as he continued to berate him.

"It cost me one-hundred coins to track you down and bring you to me, and it was worth every copper. If I don't make an example of you how many more will think they can steal from me and get away with it? To top it all off, you didn't even take care of what you were supposed to! Now I have to do it myself. Do you even realize how bothersome that is?"

Sir Allister slapped the side of Ackley's face, leaving a handprint. His screams had turned into sobs, he was crying pitiful tears. Sir Allister sneered at the display, he always knew Ackley as a capable man, now he was just a sobbing mess, it disgusted him. Sir Allister wiped his hand on the butcher's apron he was wearing, he'd gotten a little bloody.

"I'm growing tired of this. I hope it was worth it to you, to trade your life for a few coins. Really, I'm more disappointed than angry. Just take solace that I will take good care of your family." Sir Allister said with an evil grin on his face.

Ackley opened his eyes wide when he heard Sir Allister's statement. All he had left were his elderly parents. His wife had died in childbirth twelve years ago and he never remarried. Why would Sir Allister want to harm them? He never got his answer, Sir Allister pulled the dagger out of his leg and stabbed him in the chest, puncturing his lung. His lungs quickly filled with blood, and he started to drown in his own fluids. He tried gasping for air, but only spit up blood with each breath. Soon, after an eternity for Ackley, he died with blood dripping from his mouth.

Sir Allister took off his apron and tossed it over Ackleys face, his eyes still opened wide. He exited the small room they were in and called over a guard.

"Get rid of the body, and clean up the mess."

The guard gave a curt nod and started to do as he was told. He didn't get paid to ask questions or to worry about what happened behind closed doors. Also, if he betrayed Sir Allister, he most likely would end up like Ackley. Sir Allister made his way back to his office and sat down at his desk. He poured himself a glass of brandy, then called in his new assistant.

"I need a job done. Find me someone….. discreet."