5 RuneTown

"So, Mr Mercenary Captain, what are we going to do first?" Gan Ning asked as he placed his arm around Mark's neck.

Mark didn't know if he was happy or not, he knew this man could one day become an intelligent general, however right now, he was a mischievous pirate.

Gan Ning pointed into the distance, clenching his fist, whilst his over arm rested on Mark's shoulder.

"I only see conquests, glory and gold!" Gan Ning added.

"Firstly, welcome aboard....I think." Mark replied, "Secondly I need to learn more about this area, gather more men, and set us up a base of operations."

Gan Ning looked to be deep in thought, before a mischievous smile appeared upon his face. Mark panicked, why was it everyone had that smile when they looked at him.

"We could steal one of old Columbus's ships?" Gan Ning added, "His men are weak and it's easy enough to scare then into submission! Just ask Little Tai, he's always extorting gold from them!"

He then pointed at Little Tai who was still sat on his table, with the others, drink-less and depressed.

"Leave Little Tai alone," Alicia added. Mark noticing she had just returned to behind the bar.

Gan Ning laughed. "Miss Anderson, I would never be so mean to my Little Tai!" he exclaimed innocently.

Mark felt a headache coming along. He had one recruit, out of know where, and he knew it was going to be the end of him.

"I'm not really a fan of sailing." Mark added quickly.

"And so you shouldn't be!" Alicia replied, "'Old' Columbus isn't that weak, and he won't just allow anyone to take his ship! You've been here one day and you are already causing trouble!"

"I haven't said anything!" Mark exclaimed, clearly the innocent party in this situation.

Gan Ning laughed. "Mr Mark, let's go for a walk around town and see if we can get some more members? Also before we go, what's the pay?"

Mark realised something, he needed knowledge and he needed it fast. He had no idea of the value of currency, no idea who the big players are and no idea of the local area.

"We will discuss gold when I see how much you are worth." Mark challenged.

"Oh I am going to be very rich then!" Gan Ning smirked. "Little Tai! Come with us!" He shouted.

Little Tai looked across, frustration on his face. This was a man that could one day be a superior warrior, capable of fighting armies alone. Yet now, he followed a mischievous pirate.

Little Tai stood, towering above those around him, he reached under the table to grab a large satchel, which he placed upon his shoulder, before striding towards Mark and Gan Ning.

His Satchel was huge, and with his Sabre at his side, he was an imposing site.

"What's in the bag?" Asked Mark to Gan Ning.

"Everything." He replied, "He has his sandals, so that he can run across beaches after marauders, with his Sabre raised high.

He has his small pick axe, that he uses to climb mountains, to track down any one who has fled from town and hasn't paid him his protection fees. He will then strike them down with his Sabre.

He has his Hammock, so that he can sleep after a long day of extortion on the pier, threatening people with his imposing figure and Sabre. He would carry the trees to tie it too if he could fit them in.

His Whetstones to sharpen his blade, he very much loves his blade. He sleeps with it, in his Hammock. It is once said that when most children are given a cuddly toy to snuggle with at night, or a blanket for warmth. Little Tai was given that Sabre.

His gold and everything he holds dear, so he can protect them, with his Sabre." Gan Ning added.

Mark was shocked, but also impressed by this man's stature, his belief in his weapon would make him a fine warrior, maybe he should recruit him soon as number 2?

"Actually, his Mother kicked him out and he carries it all because he has no where to leave it." Alicia added honestly.

Mark face palmed, what was his luck! He looked to Gan Ning, who was belting out laughter at Mark's gullibleness.

"Man, you are clumsy, loud and stupid! This will be fun!" Gan Ning exclaimed, before pulling Mark's arm and heading to the door. Leaving the Inn.

"See you later Alicia! I'll bring him back safely!" He shouted back to her.

"Don't forget to meet Edward Teach later! He should be at his ship, The Pheasants Death." She shouted back.

Mark left the Inn and was suddenly on a busy bustling street. Stalls were set up all along a singular street that passed through the town.

The stalls and stores sold all sorts of wares, from armour and weapons, to silk clothes and jewellery. Some stalls sold food whilst others sold medical and herbal concoctions that Mark had no interest in trying.

One end of the street led out of town, into a forest that was at the foot of a huge mountain. The other side led towards the Pier, that was attached to a small dock which had around 10 ships currently berthed.

There was also some large warehouses and a side street that led to some housing. Mark looked around at the state of the town, and felt the workmanship was something from the early middle ages. He felt like he had been brought into a medieval video game, surrounded by NPC's of the old world.

"That mountain up there is Mount Tai, or 'Big Tai', it's the biggest thing around here, after Little Tai." Gan Ning mentioned, before Little Tai emerged from the Rupert's Rage.

Mark looked back at Rupert's Rage, he noticed that the Inn had a western feel to it, which stood out in this medieval town. There was a sign hanging from above the door, with what looked like an angry Bear, drinking a beer.

"That's good old Rupert" added Gan Ning. "He came from the dark woods one day, killed a farmer, drank his Ale and passed out. A group of townsfolk gathered to kill him, however when they noticed his unnatural obsession with Ale, he became a town mascot, until he died if alcohol poisoning. It was a sad day for the whole town they say! You may also notice a similarity with Little Tai. The Bear is his Dad!"

Gan Ning laughed. Mark shook his head, could he believe anything this pirate said. Little Tai soon joined them and looked at Mark deeply.

"You pay good gold?" Little Tai asked?

"For you, yes." replied Mark seriously, he needed some balance in his life he felt. The chatty Gan Ning and the silent Zhou Tai.

"Good, I will join you also then. Xingba needs someone to protect him." Little Tai replied.

Gan Ning jumped in excitement, before placing his arms around both Mark and Little Tai.

"Soon we will be three brothers, against the world!" he exclaimed.

System Notification:

Congratulations on your second recruit

2/5 mercenaries

0/1 base of operations

*Hint, wow you are ahead of schedule! Keep it up!*

"So Gan Ning, where to next?" Mark asked, happy with his second recruit.

"You want more men? then the Slave Markets it is then! Before we meet Mr Teach later." He replied happily.

The Slave Markets, Mark thought. This can't go well...