The Mercenary and the Card( HaloHeroWolf118 & Lagertha )

[HaloHeroWolf118]

Edric watched the clouds as they sailed through the blue sky the day was so peaceful that one could almost forget the demons that stalked the world. The wheels of the wagon squeaked which was the only sound that broke the silence since the driver was unhappy with having a Mercenary in the back of his wagon but had not been able to refuse Edric's kind request after saving him from said demons. His sword laid next to him as he laid on the hay that the man was transporting to a farmer near a villager for his cattle. Edric's dark grey eyes were unfocused as he cast his mind into the past he was handsome man with long black hair his muscles were hidden by his armor. Much had changed he remembered when there were no demons and the only times a mercenary was needed was to fight in some war started by kings to increase the size of their domain. He was there in many of those wars that altered the maps throughout history. He remembered the day he had been cursed to walk the earth for eternity because he had fallen in love. In love with a beautiful woman who he had believed loved him in turn but had been forced to break his heart that he could survive but knowing he would never see her again had for a long time broken him. He remembered the palace throne room lit with torches and lanterns as he was knelt before the throne bound in chains bruised and bleeding from hours of torture and beatings. He growled angrily remembering that day as he pushed the memory down burying it as a cloud passed between sun and earth casting a dark shadow upon what lay below. He sat up examining his armor which had clearly seen better days, his right arms was wrapped in white bandages to his hand which left only his fingers visible if he took off his open fingered glove. His left armored which he ran through his wild mane of black hair.

The wagon slowed to a stop and he looked around spotting the dirt road that turned off the main road. “This is where our paths separate Mercenary.” The driver said while Edric climbed out of the wagon sword in hand the farmer didn’t even wait for a thank you before turning down the new road. Edric watched as the farmer and his wagon vanished into the distance before he began to a walk the rest of the way toward the village as he could just see smoke rising in the distance. Walking was a good thing it kept him from thinking because when he thought he remembered that time long ago. His sword was slung over his right shoulder as he strolled toward the village which had been having some trouble with Demons so he figured he’d do something about it. He walked at an even pace his road worn boots kicked up little clouds of dust as he made finished his travel on foot it was slightly annoying how the common folk treated Mercenaries but if they had any competence in protecting themselves he might agree with them. He had heard it all how terrible Mercenaries were how they were monsters same as the demons it was all words spewed by weak spineless humans who were incapable of defending themselves and when demons did attack begged to be saved by the same Mercenaries they had just called monsters. So as he arrived in the village the open glares did not faze him he ignored them like always glares weren’t anything new he had received worse welcomes before he did spot children playing who quickly got out of his way.

The roofs were all thatched save for the Tavern which doubles as the Inn as it seemed have been able to afford a slate roof he walked in and once again ignored the glares from the local patrons as he sat down. He leaned his sword against the table and waited for one of the tavern wenches to ask him what he wanted for a drink. Several of the patrons continued to glare at him while the others had chosen to ignore him the same as he was them. Even the bar maids avoided him so he sat there waiting for them to either realize he wasn’t leaving or acknowledge him.

 

[Lagertha]

Lithibith was always a busy girl. She spent most of her days cleaning out the tavern, cleaning out their house above the tavern and doing all the dishes for the place. Often, she was the only one serving the booze to the tables after her father had prepared the drinks. Her younger brother stayed upstairs playing in her room with her toys. Lithibith was a stubborn hard working girl and she was not afraid of much. The stories, the sights of demons coming to a town and devouring humans turning humans against one another until they ripped each other to pieces. Lithibith had seen it all and none of it really phased her anymore.

When a new person came into the tavern, she never bothered to look at them only where they sat. More and more mercenaries seemed to be showing up in the small village over the last couple of days, maybe for a stopping point more or less. Though demons seemed to be popping up closer and closer to the village than Lithibith was comfortable with. Still, she kept an eye on the strangers in the tavern making sure they did not make any sort of fuse or fight one another. After all they were all here to be hired to kill demons for a living, it was only natural for them to want to kill one another off for better money.

Whispers picked up in the tavern when the strangest of mercenaries entered, someone that had never been seen before. Lithibith payed little to no attention to the man as she grabbed a tray full of drinks and brought it to the table next to him. She set down the tray, handing out the beers to the men before turning to look at the strange man sitting by himself. Lithibith approached him, holding the try up in the air with one hand as she looked down at him. "What do you want? Beer?" She asked roughly. She wasn't about wasting time and the faster she could get his order the faster she could get rid of another mercenary.

"Hey miss!" Lithibith turned raising a brow at a man that addressed her, a drunk one to boot by the looks of it. "How many demons were spotted nearby? I heard the Duke of Wales was killed last night from a demon invasion. Ordered all his men to murder little children in their sleep from madness." The man banged his beer on the table laughing, others joining him lightly. Lithibith grunted stomping over to him and taking the beer from him hand. "You've had too much. I'm cutting you off." The man growled getting to his feet and looking down at the small 5'2 girl. Lithibith glared up at him. "I'll tell you when I'm done drinking!" She pushed her hand forward into his chest, the man wobbled before falling on the chair behind him and breaking it as he landed on the ground. "You can't even stand up. Moron." Lithibith scolded as she walked away going back to the bar.

 

[HaloHeroWolf118]

"Wine if you have any, a hot meal and bath." he said placing a heavy pouch on the table a thick gold coin fell out and rattled on the table the face printed on it was not that of the current king and the date was from over a thousand years ago but it mattered little gold was gold. He watched as a drunk patron asked about a Duke of Wales and laughed about the slaughter of children it was a sick thing to laugh about but it was none of his concern. The girl was a pretty thing he had to admit and brave with how she handled the drunk man pushing him back into his seat and Edric laughed a little as his chair broke and he ended up on the floor. The man growled as he regained his feet and drew a long dagger from his belt with a murderous intent as he approached the girl Edric moved between them as the man raised his weapon. Edric gripped the mans wrist of the hand that held the weapon and the drunk glared at him and when every he breathed out Edric could smell the foul breath he had from all the beer he had drunk. "Out of my way you Mercenary...Argh!" the man cried out as bones began to break in his wrist as Edric squeezed then with his free hand to the dagger from the drunk man. "That's a nice dagger mind if I keep it?" he asked as he released the man and took the sheath off him as well. The drunk man gripped his ruined wrist whimpering like a whipped dog as Edric examined his new weapon and returned to his seat. "Fucking Mercenary my brother will have your head." the drunk man spat as he was led out by a couple of his friends. The dagger was King Steel and curved with a wolfs head pommel the sapphires that made up the wolfs eyes were a nice touch as Edric sheathed the weapon and laid it on the table.

He was unconcerned by the threat he did smile however as it was a funny thought if taking his head would end his life he'd welcome the blade that could do it. "Wine, food and a bath girl." he repeated in case she had forgotten his order as he placed a stack of the gold coins from his pouch on the table to pay for it all. The girl might have been able to handle the unarmed drunks but he was no mood to wait longer than wanted to for his drink and food. He was not much concerned with the girl she was pretty yes but he treated her no differently than the rest of the patrons. So he waited for her to bring him what he had ordered he wasn't looking for a fight or to get involved here but things rarely went off without some fool starting things. The patrons that had turned to watch the girl and the drunk face off had returned to their drinks or meals most looked like travelers or nearby farmers the few woodsmen that call the town home had finished with constructing the town wall a job no doubt commissioned by the town leader to protect them from the demons what little good it would do. He waited for his food and drink watching the other patrons.