The road to the port city was long and arduous. Winter was waning off and a hot summer was brewing in the background, but for the time being, the weather was lovely.
"Perfect weather to start the journey" reflected Nile, as they crossed a small bridge. He patted his horse dearly on its mane, the horse neighed.
" In the loosest sense of the word, Yes" replies Zolf. "we are a group of individuals who find it easier, from a logistical point of view, to work together".
"That's a group" said Nile, impassively.
"I suppose you're right" replied Zolf, with a smile.
Zolf was riding on his trusted old horse, Nigel. He was leading them to the Rendez-Vous point, at the portal city of Santa Laura. The gates of the city were within eyeshot.
Santa Laura was the main port of the island and the major outlet to the main continent. Illegal outlets existed, mainly due to the heavy taxation imposed by the Dragao officials, but bounty hunters got special fares as they were known as transcontinental professionals. That being said, they still had to pay a fare.
"Tell me more about the rest of the group", asked Nile
"You'll get to know them soon enough", replied Zolf "no need for haste"
Santa Laura was a fortified port city. Its rectangular walls surrounding it like an eggshell, with one gate to the city and watchtowers dispersed in a symmetrical manner and guards present in excess. It was clearly a valuable city for the king.
As they passed the gate, Nile looked around and didn’t fail to notice the stark difference on the other side of the wall. Dragao was a bustling city full of life, in complete contrast to the miles of rural lands surrounding it. It was usual, even normal and logical, yet still fascinating to him, how a simple wall had such an impact. In essence, he thought, the wall is containing the life within the city, like a lid to a jar, preventing it from spilling outwards.
"We are all one" He said, with a smidge of disgust. Zolf looked at him and smiled faintly.
They approached the local office of the hunters guild at St. Laura. It was a small office where registered bounty hunters announced their presence to be considered for local jobs. It was also where earned bounties were collected. They put down their names and contacts. Local offices also disposed of lodging capabilities. The duo rented 2 beds for the night.
They went out to eat afterwards. They found a small spot at the city center as the sun was setting. Nile marvelled at the beauty of the square at sunset and Zolf observed his enthusiasm and appreciated it. The positivitiy would prove to be capricious however, and would dissipate with the last rays of sunlight. After dinner, Nile was back to a more scornful attitude.
"You won't tell me more about the team" said Nile "yet you ask me to join, I am confused"
"I can indulge you if you'd like, but I prefer to keep my influence to myself" replied Zolf "You see, my associates are a bit peculiar"
"How about you start with the facts" said Nile, with a smidge of irritation. Zolf smiled.
"So far I have 2 associates, one is called Cesar and the other goes by Manong, but I don't know his given name". Zolf went on "Cesar is an apex with a couple of firey spirits, and Manong is a mystic".
" A mystic?" Nile asked with visible amusement. "I thought you were all in the bounty hunting business"
"We are, we have different goals" replied Zolf "Bounty hunting is only a career choice, it doesn’t define a person"
"I've never thought of myself as anything more that"
"You'll get there soon enough"
"So you're three?"
"Enough questions" said Zolf as he started wiping his mouth " I need you to focus on something else"
Nile looked at him but said nothing. Zolf resumed "In a short while, Cross will be coming in through the main gate. No bounty was declared on his head on Dragao and I doubt anyone here would be willing to take him on anyway"
Nile interrupted "That's not possible, I decapitated the bastard and put his head on a bag"
"Yet he's here!" said Zolf with a smidge of whimsy that was perhaps misplaced.
"How do you know about that?"
"That's a story that I'll be willing to tell you afterwards" replied Zolf "After you take him out" He picked up Silva from the ground next to Nile and handed it to him. "Put it to good use" he said, with a surprisingly genuine smile.
Nile looked unconvinced by that answer but he did not mind indulging the old man. He was not used to easy answers anyway. He did not yet figure him out but he was enjoying his eccentricities nonetheless.
A commotion started stirring from the direction of the gate. It was loud but slow and seemingly contained, which somehow made it more ominous.
"shit, and here I was hoping for a calm evening" said Nile as he picked Silva up. "When I'm done with this, you'll have some explaining to do, old man". They both stood up.
"I gotta go now" said Zolf "I trust you'll take care of this, good luck". He moved away briskly.
The sound of commotion drew nearer until it reached near the square. Nile watched as Cross came walking down the square. The fresh memory of their last encounter put a discreet smile on his face. He remembered his swift movements and Cross's ripe neck and his blood started boiling. His smile grew broader and his confidence rocketed. "I'll pluck your neck again, this time with your own Scythe" he thought as he tightened his grip on silva.
Then a second Cross walked into the square.
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