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Baster couldn’t begin to fathom why someone would leave his legacy in such a way that could be so easily taken by his enemies. But then, civilization had many a good thing, but to her sensibilities, it was a weird place. At home, people didn’t need many rules or laws, just don’t be an asshole to your neighbors, and things worked out just fine most of the time. Better than they did before the forest elves slaughtered the lord and his family, the elders use to say.

The woman with something strange about her asked about payment. Baster nodded her head. There were many things she needed to know, but that was the fundamental one. The red haired woman asked about the nature of those enemies. The dwarf dismissed her question, but Baster thought it reasonable, if maybe too early. Perhaps it was related to whatever happened upstairs.

Before the daughter could answer, she rose one of her own doubts.

I don’t think we look like burglars, she said, looking around. So I daresay what you need isn’t a clean operation, the get in, take it, get out unnoticed kind of job I mean. You need your enemies dealt with.

- I'm guessing you know who these enemies actually are. Otherwise we might be wasting our time here. - 

The youngest brother step up for this one. Leaning forward and crossing his fingers, elbows stuck on the wooden planks of the oak dinning table, his eyes tinkle with anger and anticipation.

- Why, yes we do M'lady - he says warmly, charmingly, like he was almost flirting with Ilesys. Becoming serious, he goes on. - These enemies are out family's sworn adversaries, the other ruling houses in Cawic. The Deepwaters, the Tomlinsons, the Cliffs... you name it. - he pauses for a second. - You see, the political struggles in our beloved city are an ancient game of power that has develop in a constant vendetta for the wealth, influence and possessions of each other. -

He leans back to his chair bringing his hands together to the back of his neck while winks towards Ilesys again.

- The conflict is so intricate an complex, there is really no one trustworthy inside this walls. There is why you all come in fitting perfectly... -

- What my dear brother wants to mean, - interrupts Hamond, the mid brother - apparently haven forgotten that our dear father has just perish due to all this nonsense that reigns in this wicked town, - his voice sound grieving - is that we can trust you, because we are going to pay you generously for your services -

He talks looking all the time to his youngest brother, like reprimanding him for his bold attitude

- So...if we were to help you get back these scriptures of yours...what would we get in return?- I say, addressing the four of them- I mean...we didn't know your father. We don't owe him anything. 

- Exactly -

Answers the oldest brother, nodding at Hamonds words reinforcing their meaning as the answer to Ilesys question.

He then look at all of you.

- We can pay... generously for your services. See, when we recover the will and the scriptures, we will be legally taking possession of all the Greenmeadow's wealth and holdings. We will be able to pay you in exchange accordingly. -

Raising an eyebrow he asks tauntingly

- We can give you everything you want that is our hands, money, lands, wealth, jobs, women, men... the family holdings are very... extensive and variate but, what do you want? - 

Like father like son, you all think after last question.

- Excuse me lady, are those enemies...humans?

While her oldest brother asks the quite-not-so-rhetorical last question, Eril takes the chance to answer Elaria's question leaning slightly towards her.

- Yes they are. At least, the leaders of our rival families are humans. There are no non human dignitaries in Cawic - she says with a little resentment in her tone

- But - she raises one finger - that does not mean they do have other species on their payrolls. -

I don’t think we look like burglars, she said, looking around. So I daresay what you need isn’t a clean operation, the get in, take it, get out unnoticed kind of job I mean. You need your enemies dealt with.

While still thinking in your answer to his question, Erard addresses Baster's point, showing presently a wide smile on his face.

- Well my lady, I won't lie there, we will be very pleased if that is the case. If by any chance, our enemies suffer deeply for their poisonous deeds while we conduct this... operation, yes, I will be happy... very happy. -

The Dwarf had nothing to say, just a bunch of words trying to humiliate me publicly or something like it. If I would have been somewhere else, in some other situation, I would have reacted differently. But that time, at that place, I just ignored him not even looking at him while he spoke to me, paying attention to the words of the daughter of the murdered one.

- I see... - that was the only thing I said before I turned to sit close to the bard and the child, not missing anyway any word about the job.

- So - I said when I considered they had explained everything, not seeing anyone trying to talk at that point - You want to contract all of us to do this job. But we are many - and we don't fucking now each other - so it may be wise if we discuss what can we exactly do to help you. - at that point I turned to the rest of "group". - If the enemies are so many maybe it should be a good idea to split in groups and, with the family, decided what do we exactly need to do and where to go. Does that sound like an idea?

The tall woman frowned. She needed a job, and that one surely had the aroma of money about it, but it was like cologne on a rotten corpse. It wasn´t nearly enough to hide the powerful stench.

Before deciding, or splitting or whatever, we ought to know more, Baster agreed. Where are those scriptures? Who has them and how did they got them? It seems like you want to pit us against every rich fucker in the city. And I find it hard to believe that you are just innocent victims, and all those Cawic, Cliffs and those others are not doing to yo what you'd do to them if you had the chance.

Not that she gave a fuck about who was right or wrong. Baster just didn't want to be used as a tool, nor find herself in the middle or a war she didn't care about.

I smile warmly to the youngest son in response to his flirting behaviour. Maybe I could use that in my favour when the time comes. According to what the rest of the heirs are saying, the Greenmeadows was indeed a very wealthy family. The problem is that there seem to be too many ruling houses in Cawic. How are we supossed to know which ones to deal with first. 

I don´t need to hear what the oldest sons say about the reward since I'm sure one way or another I'll end up having part of the money in that will. Therefore I wait untill some of the other people there have stated their doubts to talk again. 

- I agree with the young lady here- I say, making a hand gesture towards Elaria- that we need to split up in groups. But if we are going to do so...your answer is far too ambiguous. What you're making us believe is that every damned filthy family in Cawic is your enemy. As she said- this time I point to Baster- we're not gonna go out there and risk our lifes by fighting them all. Surely we can reduce our target group. I bet you've had conflicts and mayor issues with some specific families. Which ones would that be?- If they answer that question that would probably also answer what Elaria had asked about where to go. There were a lot of questions that needed answer but knowing who they were going against was the very basis. 

- Oh!- I exclaimed, as if I had been missing and essential point this whole time.- Just one more thing. What do these scriptures look like? Any distinctive feature to help us tell them apart from other pieces of writing?

- I think -the voice of the old mand sounded hoarse and heavy when he decided to speak- we are loosing perspective. First of all, i really apologize your lost. In my country, really far away, I am considered an experienced physician, but unfortunately i couldn't do anything for your father, the wounds were too deep. Your father died with tremendous serenity, and the last thoughts were for you.

- Second, we are not a group of adventurers, I didn't know anybody before tonight, not all of us have the same concerns. I will help you even if there was no reward, I promised it to your father and I'll keep my word. 

- Elarya's question is not trivial, few minutes ago two creatures threatened us on the second floor, really strange creatures, I have not heard anything about those... things, in my life. I'm sure they are involved in the murder.

Baster's head abruptly turned to regard Dalfgan's aging features. Her eyes were very open, and she leaned her armored torso on the table to close some of thedistance thatseparated her from the old man.

Strange creatures? she asked, and then, what kind of strange creatures?

- Elarya saw them better than me, but... they looked like big big rats, with long claws on hands and feet. They were dressed with a mask, a light armor, and a cloak, all black; and a sword in its right hand. When I called for reinforcements, one of them said us "idiots" and  "this no ends here", pronounced with long esses; and then they jumped across the window.

Grimmel was fascinated by the deep plot that seemed to come from nowhere. Last wills, treason, enemy families... all this deserved to be put in paper. Damn! it deserved to be carved in stone!

—My name is Grimmel, known for many things and not all of them noble... but there are two things that I am not.

With a bow he greeted the family of the dead man.

—I am not a mercenary. But I am not the kind of man that turns his back to those in need, either.

Looked at Sionnain and whispered —ready for an adventure?— although obviously what the child should be ready for was going to bed.

Where are those scriptures? Who has them and how did they got them? It seems like you want to pit us against every rich fucker in the city.

we're not gonna go out there and risk our lifes by fighting them all. Surely we can reduce our target group. I bet you've had conflicts and mayor issues with some specific families. Which ones would that be?

- Don't take me wrong - answers the oldest brother - although we would appreciate you causing as much damage as you could to our enemies, that is not the reason why we are requesting your assistance and contracting your services. We just want the scriptures retrieved, that's all. - he pauses for a second

- Which is what answers the question by itself: the scriptures are in one of our own holdings. One of the Greenmeadow's mansions. The Palace of the White Jade. Our father always kept them there, in its vault on the lower levels. - he stops again, and negates in grief and anger with his head. - But the palace was overrun by forces of unknown allegiance five days ago and so far we have not being able to retake it. We cannot take it back by force, beginning a direct, open action against them, as it would go against the law to carry on open war among the Great Families and the Council could intervene by forming an alliance of all the families against us. But if the scriptures remain in whoever hands are now, soon our family will lost everything as they could fake them to fit their purposes. -

What do these scriptures look like? Any distinctive feature to help us tell them apart from other pieces of writing?

- They are paper scrolls rolled on white jade scaffolds enclosed in white jade cases. - he shrugs adding - They glow slightly blue. Probably my father protected them in case something like that happened, which explains why whoever assaulted the mansion hasn't revealed him or herself as the new holder of the scriptures and the Greenmeadow's heritage yet -

I will help you even if there was no reward, I promised it to your father and I'll keep my word. 

I am not a mercenary. But I am not the kind of man that turns his back to those in need, either.

After the honorable offering and condolence words, Hamond stands up and bows solemnly with his head.

- We appreciate your word, bravery and honor but please, accept our offer. Let us repay you when the job is done, at least with an always open door at Greanmeadow's -

He extends his hands in an open arms gesture of gratitude to you all.

- If you help us, you won't only get paid, you will always be our guests and you will always can count on us as your friends in Cawic -

Elarya saw them better than me, but... they looked like big big rats, with long claws on hands and feet. They were dressed with a mask, a light armor, and a cloak, all black; and a sword in its right hand. When I called for reinforcements, one of them said us "idiots" and  "this no ends here", pronounced with long esses; and then they jumped across the window.

Eril nods silently hearing Dalfgan description. When the old man has finished, she sheds some light into the weird encounter.

- Those rat-men are not new to Cawic. We don't know much about them. But they have been seen before. Always at night, lurking in the shadows. Some say they sell their swords and paws for money as assassins, sneakers or thieves, but none of the rumors have been ever confirmed. It could be, yes, that they are behind our father's death... -

She has to stop talking for a second to dry the tears that star pouring from her eyes at the mention of her father.

- It could, yes. Excuse me. - She stands up and heads out of the inn to hide her grief.

Gery stands up after her sister, but she silently indicates him to stay with her hand while passing by in her way to the door. The youngest brother follows her with his worried eyes. When the door closes, he seats back and looks at you again.

If the enemies are so many maybe it should be a good idea to split in groups and, with the family, decided what do we exactly need to do and where to go. Does that sound like an idea?

- I believe splitting in groups could be a good idea, yes. At least, when we decide to get into the Palace. Thus we would be able to ensure that at least one of the groups makes it to the scriptures. Maybe we could also plan some sort of decoy plan, right? -

He looks at all of you.

Ladies turn. - I though to myself, with a smile hanging on my lips. Apparently we were the ones "hands on" while the rest just decided to be passive listeners.

And the rats. I had an answer. And for what she said I could imagine an scenario: those were the murderer of the old man and they had fleed from the crime to the closest hiding place, our rooms. That would explain why they hadn't taken anything even when being alone in our chambers. 

While my mind pictured the scened, the words of the brother were settling slowly inside of me until the last words of the last speaker.

...at least one of the groups makes it to the scriptures.

Wow. So he was already saying there would be deaths to recover those scriptures. Fuck me. I was a good warrior, I was no coward, but I was neither stupid. If he assumed a group of "mercenaries" would die against whoever was at the castle, it meant we needed much more that a bunch of swords and spears.

But I didn't say it, not yet. First I wanted to listen to be aware of the full picture and the opinions of the rest.

At last, something useful.- I think when I hear the oldest brother talk about the Palace. By his words, I start to picture what he wants us to do: sneak in the Palace and take the scriptures back. However, when he mentions the blue glow of the scriptures, my face goes blank for a while. Magic...Nothing that involves magic can end up well.- I think, and then I realize something else. So that's why they are not worried about hiring mercenaries to get the scriptures back. They know whoever finds them is not gonna be able to open them and take the will for themselves. I had been wondering about that, about how could they be so careless and now I had the reason right in front of me. 

- I see...it wouldn't hurt to touch the cases, would it? I'm guessing it is just a "security" system in case someone tries to open it, am I wrong?- It would be difficult to carry the scriptures back if they were gonna get hurt by the mere act of touching them. 

I raise an eyebrow when one of the young men answers the bard's offer. Is he gonna take back what he said about the payment? I stare at Grimmel, a flick of anger in my eyes. But it quickly goes away as I realize that the man is actually adding something to the package. Befriending a Carwigian (or whatever they are called) wealthy family...Interesting.- Although I cannot see an inmediate benefit on that, I'm sure there are loads. 

What all these people are saying about the rat-men is a bit creepy. Suddenly, I find myself passing my fingers slowly over the blade of one of my swords. As long as it's flesh it can be cut. I glance at the only female heir as she tries to hide her grief, almost compassionate about it, but something the youngest son says switches my attention back to him.

- We?- I don't hide my surprise.- What do you mean "we"? Are you coming with us? I didn't think you would risk your asses on this, having about eight people here apparently willing to do all the dirty job.- I let escape a short laugh. Since when do rich people get involved in this sort of business?

Baster’s mood cooled as soon as she heard about the rat men. She hadn’t seen any of those, but she couldn’t imagine them as anything else than men with a touch of rat, the head, maybe. Nothing worth looking forward to there. Alas, if only they were rat giants, rat trolls, or even rat ogres, instead.

The Greenmeadow daughter and sons kept explaining the situation. It was not, as she had surmised, that the scriptures were on enemy grounds, but that enemies had taken the palace were those scriptures were held.

Which was quite puzzling, to tell the truth.

Didn’t you tell the authorities? She asked. Is that palace in Cawic? She asked then, thinking that answer, if negative, would answer the first one at the same time. And by the way, what do you know about the enemy forces that took it from your hands?