Capital of the North

While Torinheim was the largest city of the north, it was the smallest of the provincial capitals. Their caravan brought textiles, spices, sugars, and other magical preserved food items not available in the north. Heading south they would be carrying lumber, wool, and a variety of ores. I would have about four days to decide if I would be heading back south with them.

Captain Manx offered me better pay to head south with them, even making a comment that a number of deserters had successfully hidden among their caravans over the years. It seemed that the Vice Captain reported on my skills during the bandit attack. The Captain seemed willing to overlook his suspicions for me because of her recommendation. He even gave me an extra bonus to sweeten the deal.

Vesta had disappeared right after we entered the city. I wasn't sure if I wanted to say goodbye or if there was anything for me to say. Without knowing what she thought of me I didn't know what if anything I should try to explain.

My original plan was to enter the local Adventurer's Union. The nobility handled the majority of defense in their towns and cities, while also maintaining safe travel on the major roads. But since they couldn't be everywhere and had to prioritize what to handle, the Adventurer Union often filled in the gaps. They were also a good supplement in times of crises for the Duke's permanent forces.

There were a few notices outside the Union Hall. The most important for me was a sign that said they only accepted new recruits once a month and luckily for me, that was only two days away. I'd have to find a place to stay until then. The cheapest option would be to stay with the guards from the company but I didn't want to give them the wrong impression that I might be staying with the them.

The warning chill in my heart had only increased since I arrived in Torinheim. It seemed that what it was warning me about on the road was the traitors and upcoming ambush. It had lessened since then, which left me to wonder, what in the city could be that dangerous for me?

"Wilmaer our friend. Don't tell me you're going to leave us for the life of a vagrant?" Kloan and a few of the other guards I served with approached me.

"What?" I said.

"These damn adventures never have enough jobs and tend to be poorer than dirt, having to live on the streets when jobs aren't available. Which tends to be the norm with them." He said. A few people entering the guild hall gave him some looks. One with a double headed axe even looked like they were going to confront Kloan until his friend stopped him.

"I hadn't decided if I was joining you guys heading back south." I said.

"What nonsense is that?" He placed his arm around my shoulder and directed me down the street. "Let me tell you all the benefits of working the trade routes. First….."

He continued telling me some good and mostly poor reasons to remain a merchant guard even after we arrived at the bar that they were headed towards, the Jagged Tankard. It was a better place than I expected them to go to. Most of what they offered was mid grade alcohol and a few different meals. They had a good band with a decent singer. With a few rooms upstairs along a balcony overlooking the main room. I thought about renting one since it was close to the guild hall, before I saw they were already being used by a few ladies that would take a different man to them every once and a while.

After we were there for a bit, I felt a warmth on my forehead that wasn't related to my alcohol consumption. I looked around, and for some reason thought I might see Vesta. But I didn't recognize anyone in the main room. My eyes moved upward to the farest door on the balcony. It looked like it was just closing.

"So I heard that you were the one that got Diocles?" One of the others said, pulling my attention back to the table. I was a bit surprised it took someone this long to bring it up. The sun had already set over an hour ago.

I paused for effect. "I did. Though whoever fought him right before had given him a wound that made it easier." I lied to make it more believable.

"Most likely it was Meliton. I heard Diocles got him. Freeze in Hell you bastard." He finished with a rude gesture from his hand.

"The Vice Captain even said you helped wound Wassa. Hope that bitch died from it."

"I just provided a distraction for the Vice Captain to take advantage of." I said.

"Stop being humble. You get better rates if everyone thinks you're the best they can get. I hope you got Vulferam to give you everything he had for saving his ass." Kloan said.

"I'm fine. I don't think I did that much." I said.

"Nonsense and you deserve a reward even if that bastard won't give you one." Kloan said. He waved a waitress over and slipped her two gold coins. "For my friend, when the next ladies room is free."

I nearly spit out my beer when he said that. I had been approached by a few of the female servants that worked for my father, so I wasn't inexperienced in this area. One of my half sisters would say it was because I was too good looking. I learned later on from my father that they thought the child of a duke's bastard would be well taken care of.

It was just surprising that he would spend money on me like that. Kloan didn't seem the generous type. With my recent betrayal, I focused on my heart but there didn't seem to be any change in the warning chill.

"You don't have to do this." I said.

"You're not a virgin or one of those light bearers, are you?" He asked.

"No..." I said.

"Oh, did you want a man? I think they have one here." He said.

"No that's not it. I just… I don't want to feel that I owe you." I said

"Nonsense. This is a reward for killing that son of a bitch." Kloan said.

"For an extra gold I can get you our best room. We had a last minute cancellation." The waitress said.

"I'll see to that." One of the other guards pulled out a gold piece and handed it to her.

"Right this way sir." The waitress grabbed my arm and pulled me upstairs as the others gave me rowdy cheers. We passed a man that looked to be a guard for the stairs, though if I had to bet, I would say the man that looked like he was asleep at the table near the stairs was the actual guard.

At the far end of the balcony, at the door my eyes were drawn to earlier, the waitress gave a patterned knock. An alluring voice called out, "Enter." The door was opened and I felt that warmth on my forehead once again. But the woman inside wasn't Vesta.