"Everybody tied up their loose ends?" It was the crack of dawn at the side entrance to the Mercenary's Guild, where a group of people in grey cloaks stood in a light morning mist. A line of packhorses were standing in the road, already laden with supplies, but it seemed the rest of the group would be on foot. One figure, larger than the rest, had a mailed hand outstretched, barking orders.
"Get the water tankards secured properly, they're the most important thing we have. And get those clothes packed in." He turned to the smaller figure standing next to him, clad in heavy woolen robes. "Are you ready for this, Ira?"
The girl nodded and gave the man a bright smile. "Of course, Lord Siegfried. Thank you again for allowing me with you."
"I'm no lord, girl, just an old soldier." Siegfried looked up. "About time those two got here."
Two more robed figures appeared in the mist and approached. The first was striding confidently, with a small shoulderpack, load bearing belt, and a long rapier sheathed against her leg. The other was trodding relatively slowly with a gigantic pack on his back. Siegfried nodded. "Tyris, Alistair. You have everything you need?"
The ranger nodded. "Everything I need that I won't be able to salvage. Alistair on the other hand decided to bring his entire lab bench."
"Is that any way to be speaking to the guy who will be mixing your potions and salves?" Alistair shifted his pack. "I have no idea what grows out there or if certain supplies are available, so I had to take enough supply to keep this entire expedition going."
Siegfried nodded. "Get your gear onto that last packhorse, he's yours and mine. The other three are all for the surveyor team, who I need to introduce you to." The warrior began pointing at the men in the front.
"Jans is the Imperial Navigator, team leader, has a commission from the Emperor himself. Armin next to him is the cartographer. Eldin, Wex, and Marko are pioneers and hunters." He shifted his gaze to the smaller figure tidying up the second packhorse. "Runa is our healer and physician. Our contract is to protect those six as they do their job, follow their orders, and bring them back to the Empire alive. In addition to that," he gestured to Ira, "we make sure this girl gets back to the church at all costs." Siegfried lowered his voice. "The church and guild have both made it clear that this is our highest priority, and if things go south to get her back home, even at the expense of everyone else, us included."
Kyris looked shocked. "Breaking a guild contract? Are you joking, Siegfried?"
The warrior held a grim expression. "Last night a pact was signed and sealed in secret regarding this girl, with the imperial magistrate and the bishop participating. She gets back alive at all costs. This is the utmost priority." He blinked. "After we get back in a couple of months we're going to the Imperial Capital anyway, and we drop her off at the Grantower Cathedral. No muss and no fuss if we do our jobs properly."
Alistair frowned. "I didn't agree to this part of the contract, so I'll ask the mercenary's question. What's in it for me?"
"Ten thousand gold split between the three of us." Siegfried tapped his chest. "Technically awarded to the guild itself, but the pact says I may distribute it as I see fit, so it'll be split evenly."
Kyris nodded and said nothing as she moved towards the packhorses. Alistair seemed lost in thought. "Who and what is she, anyway?"
"Nobody knows. Not even her." siegfried shook his head. "Get your stuff on the packhorse and lets move out. We have two day's travel to get to the foot of the Silverhorn." He led the girl to the back of the line. Alistair moved to the front, where the surveyor team was tying down the last of their implements.
"Ah, you must be the wizard!" A tall man thrust a hand at Alistair. "Jans Horwind, at your service, Navigator First Class."
Alistair took the hand. "Alistair of the Waynwood. It's nice to meet you."
The man laughed. "Pleasure's all mine, I can assure you. Never thought I'd be out on an adventure with a real adventuring team. Fighter, ranger, wizard, cleric, it's just like the old fables." Alistair wondered who the cleric was.
The woman on the other side of the horse stepped around. "Best hope it's not like those fables, Jans. The adventurers get fame and fortune, and we get eaten by dragons or somesuch. My name is Runa." She cocked her head at Alistair. "Do you mind telling your leader that we're ready to go? The sooner we leave the better, I can't stand being in Ruonde."
Alistair nodded. "We'll be moving shortly."
"Good, good." Jans gave a toothy smile. "And tell him to lighten up a bit, would you? The old man looks constipated."