Contract

"When did you start accepting jobs on my behalf?" Gary asks as soon as Ragna closes the kitchen door.

"I have done that before, plenty of times." She crosses her arms over her chest.

"It's different this time."

"Why is it different? You couldn't wait to get away from the capital when we last spoke."

"Not to Blue-" Gary's words die in his throat when Ragna raises her brows in warning. They both look at Erico who is busy making a shepherd pie.

"Well, who else is better to take our client than someone who has been there before?"

"Ragna, sometimes I question your sanity." Gary runs a hand through his hair in frustration. "You were there too, would you want to go back there?"

"I would, if I could convince Erico to come with me."

"What?" Gary raises his voice in disbelief, then whispers. "Are you crazy?"

"I am not, I think he is having such a hard time because he did not get to face them." Ragna leans on the counter behind her.

"Face who?"

"The people who did that to him, I think it would help him."

"No, it wouldn't. He is in this state because of what those people did to him. He should stay as far away from them as he can." He turns to leave the kitchen. "And so should you, Ragna."

"Well, your friend Siv believed you would help the girl." Gary halts. "Otherwise she wouldn't have sent her looking for you."

"She said that if I don't help her, she will find someone else to do it." He tells her without turning back.

"If you are alright with that, then go ahead and tell her to look for someone else." Gary knows full well that Ragna is trying to manipulate him. Being friends with the woman for so many years has revealed every aspect of her character to him. But he still feels that pushing Siv's friend on another person is wrong.

He walks out of the kitchen and sees the young woman still sitting at the corner table where he left her. She seems lost in her thoughts as she fidgets with her fingers nervously. Even if he does not want to admit it, Ragna has a point.

'If Siv really sent this woman, her friend, then she probably thought I would help her.'

Gary pinches the bridge of his nose.

'And to rescue her friend? This is just like when Ragna came to find me all those years ago. We have lost way too many men that time, and almost all of us got badly injured. I had seen things during that trip that I don't want to ever see again. I swore to never set foot in that bloody land or sail through the Dead Sea, for that matter. I know this is not a coincidence but help me Goddess, if I can avoid that place, please help me.'

He sighs before walking back to the table, determined to change Gene's mind. But as soon as he meets the woman's hopeful eyes, all logic is gone.

"We leave in two days." He hears himself say.

'Damn it, that's not what I meant to say.'

"Really?" The woman yelps with sparkling eyes.

"I'll have to warn you though, it will not be an easy journey. We have to travel to Bodo by land then by ship from there." Siv nods at him excitedly. "It will be extremely dangerous, and that is just the travels there." He sighs when he notices that she is not affected by any of his warnings. "Miss Gene."

"Yes."

"Do you know what Bluevale is?"

"Yes, a place where sorcerers live, probably learn how to use magic also." Gary narrows his eyes at her.

Nobody really knows about Bluevale. Only the royal family and the handful of escapees who made it to safety and spend their lives in hiding.

'How does she know? Does Siv know? Did she tell her?'

"Do you know how powerful these people are?"

"Yes, I do." He eyes her for a moment as she holds his gaze. There is something odd about her, but he can't put his finger on it.

"Then, shall we discuss the contract?" Gary gives up, he can see that this woman will never change her mind.

"Of course."

"I require seventy percent of the payment upfront."

"And how much would that be?"

"Well, for transportation only, that would be six thousand topaz."

"What are the additional expenses?"

"The extraction of Lady Siv's friend."

"I see, how much is that going to cost me?"

"Twenty thousands." Siv's eyes widen. She has no idea how much money she has, but that is a big number. Gary grins at her reaction.

"Isn't that a bit too much?"

"As I keep telling you, Miss Gene, It is very dangerous. I need to hire more men, and strong men who are willing to go to Bluevale are quite expensive." A small part of Gary hopes that the amount would scare her off, maybe make her go back to Siv and tell her that her plan is too dangerous and crazy.

"Fine."

"Fine?"

"Yes, your explanation makes sense."

'Nothing in this whole conversation makes sense.'

"Lady Siv provided me with enough funds to see this through."

"Ah, I see."

'That makes sense, I guess.'

"In that case, let us meet tomorrow. I will bring a written contract that we can sign, and you can bring the money."

"That sounds like a good plan. Shall we meet here?"

"I think that would be best."

"Great." Siv stands and extends a hand to him. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mister Gary." Gary pushes to his feet and shakes her hand.

"The pleasure is mine, Miss Gene." She smiles at him before walking out of the tavern.

Gary sighs before crashing down back on his chair.

"I just hope we make it back alive." He closes his eyes and leans back.

'Damn it, I forgot to ask her who Siv's friend is.'