Jenny was sitting with the rest of her team. Next to her was Tin, tricked out in full chainmail armour. Around his neck was a thick gold chain, hanging from which was a big shiny key. Subtle.
Jennys outfit was leather but with chainmail inserts covering vital organs. The two of them almost looked colour coordinated. Were they a couple now? It wouldnt surprise . Alpha males tend to attract pretty girls. The natural order of things.
The whole party was seriously tanked up, armour-wise. Straps and belts and shiny bits of tal everywhere. It wasnt like the stuff wed seen in Mada Robidoos Emporium, this was all high end, top of the line gear. I hate to admit it, but they looked pretty cool.
I casually checked them out for a couple of minutes before realising they were all staring back at . Awkward!
I have a habit of not saying anything when I run into people I know because of so uncomfortable experiences in my past. There have been a number of tis when Ive been out shopping and bumped into soone I went to school with. Five years of my life in the sa classroom, maybe even sitting in adjacent desks, and when I say hello to them nothing. They have no idea who I am.
Big deal, right? I didnt make a big impression on them, its not the end of the world. But its still embarrassing, so I tend to keep my mouth shut and let them speak first, if they want. They usually dont.
Why is there a price on your head? asked Jenny.
The guards shuffled out of the way so I wasnt hidden behind them. They seed surprised a good-looking girl had spoken to and I think they wanted to see if it was a fluke or if it would happen again.
Its a misunderstanding. Thats why Im here, to clear things up with the King.
And the others? Are they okay? She gave a very serious look, like was expecting to say Id got them all killed.
Theyre fine. Still alive with limbs attached and everything. Hard to believe, I know. Theyre probably enjoying a nice lunch about now. Bastards. I dont suppose theres any food around here?
Dag laughed. He was the big, black dude with the muscles. He had even more muscles now than the last ti Id seen him. His armour had no sleeves to make sure everyone could see how ripped he was. I cant believe you dorks are still going. He guffawed so more.
Were not the ones who called ourselves The Avengers, I said. Pretty sure that makes you the dorks.
Fuck you, said Dag, suddenly turning off the smile. We dont care what you think, we just like the na.
Yep, I said. Thats exactly what a dork would say.
Dag stood up, hand on the hilt of what Id say was the biggest sword Id ever seen. It was normal length, but at least three tis as wide.
The soldiers all around imdiately closed ranks and drew their weapons, which gave Dag pause for thought. He sat back down. It was great having bodyguards.
If youve done nothing wrong, said Tin, whats with the ard guards, Colin?
He rembered my na, which was surprising. I probably shouldnt have felt so pleased about it. After all, he was still a massive douche.
Oh, Im not a prisoner. I nudged the short soldier who had been trying to use as a human shield on the way over. Tell him.
The soldier had a who ? look on his face, but he did as I asked. Were his security detail. Make sure nobody sses with him.
See? They just want to make sure no one tries to claim the ten grand before the King can withdraw the bounty. Its a lot of money.
Dag sucked his teeth. Ten grand? Thats chump change, bruv.
Had they really made more than that? Killing beasts couldnt have netted them that kind of profit, could it?
A long silence followed. I should have just left it there, but I guess I felt cocky because I had a wall of soldiers between and them.
I hope this isnt going to take all day. How long have you guys been here?
You dont just see the King imdiately, said Tin dismissively. Weve been here all morning and we have this. He held up the key hanging around his neck. Its a Key to the City. It allows you an audience with the King, and the chance to ask him for a favour.
If smug had a face, it wouldnt be much different to Tins right then.
Very nice, I said. Ive got one just like it.
He scoffed. Sure you do.
What favour are you going to ask him? I didnt really care, but they clearly had sothing big in mind and I cant deny I was curious.
Thats none of your beeswax, said Dag.
No, its fine, said Tin. No harm in telling him how the other half live. Were going to ask him for so land. Weve got enough money to build ourselves a nice little castle. Youll have to co visit. Bring the rest of the losers with you.
They must have made a huge amount of money if they were going to build a castle. If this was a ga, Id be convinced theyd found a hack. Still, it was hard not to be impressed by their ambition. Your own castle is pretty good going after only a few weeks.
Whereabouts do you think youll build it? I was genuinely interested. How do you even go about building a castle. Did architects even exist here?
Theres only one really big area still unclaid, said Tin. The marshlands up north. Its more or less deserted, only a few froggies. Well clear them all out in a couple of days.
Should I have cared? The frogn didnt an anything to . They lived and died the sa as everything else in this world. The strong defeat the weakthe natural order at work again. So why did a chill run down my spine as Tin told his plans? Why did I suddenly want to take out my sword and stab the fucker in his stupid smug face?
Whats that look supposed to be? said Tin.
Oh ho, hes jealous said Dag. Dont worry, bruv, youll get your own place too, one day. Maybe a nice shed, eh? He roared with laughter.
Was I jealous? No. I was fucking livid. And I had no idea why. It had nothing to do with . Not my problem. If this lot didnt kill the frogn, so other group would. Of course, they probably wouldnt systematically slaughter them until not one was left alive. I looked at Jenny, wanting to know if she was part of this quest for mass extermination. She turned her head and refused to look in the eye.
I looked at the other three in the group. A shifty guy whose na I couldnt rember, an attractive girl with amazing breasts (not being sexist, just observant), and a girl who would have been the pretty one if she wasnt in a group with the other two. They didnt look like bloodthirsty killers, but they did look the type who would do what they were told to stay in the group.
You should sit down, mate, said Dag. They probably wont get round to seeing you till the end of the week. He laughed again, turning his smile up to full wattage.
The door opened and Laffi returned. The King will see you now, he said to .
Their faces fell with surprise, but I wasnt in the mood to enjoy it. I could have left them with so witty putdown, a sharp dig about how the King considered more important than them, but I was too pissed off. At them for being such a bunch of evil dicks, and at myself for not being able to ignore the thought in my head. The thought telling I had to do sothing.
I followed Laffi through the doors.
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