The Path One Follows

A Quiet Drink

The main room of the tavern was filled with raucous laughter and men gambling. There weren't any fights, but that was due to the thugs by the door that were hired to keep the peace. They had an air around them that kept people at a distance. They were seemingly good at their job.

Tad was sitting in a corner, sipping on a whiskey. The Hunters would be there in a matter of hours. There had to be a plan in place for any eventuality. A meeting was set with the man that ran the town, but it would be another two hours. He'd meet wtth everyone before then and try to discuss what terms would have to me met to have the protection of the Fort Oswald. It would be a hard sale. The fort was always neutral. It dealt with all sides. It was the one thing everyone agreed on.

After about twenty minutes nursing the same glass, a couple of the patrons seemed to take more of an interest in Tad. Two of them approached and day down with him.

"You, sir, look like the opposite of a man who drinks to forget. Why even enter the tavern at all if you're gonna hide in the corner?"

"Look, fellas, I have no idea what you're looking to get into, but I'm definitely not the person you wanna dance with tonight. "

"Easy there pilgrim. Wasn't lookin for any trouble. My friend and I are seeking work opportunities. We are but humble mercenaries, run out of our homeland. I don't suppose I can blame them. There were a few of our jobs that were of a colorful nature and not beneficial to the community at all. "

"Do you have anything resembling ac point? I'm very busy tonight and can't afford to get caught up in some hair-brained scam. "

"Now that hurts my feelings sir. We are legit about our work. Don't be put off by my unique nature. People don't think to fear the fool until it's too late. "

The man smiled at Tad. He had no idea if that was a threat or a job history.

"Burn my soul, would you lay off the fool speak and and talk to me like you've got some goddamned sense? I'm really very busy. "

"Alright. We can skip the usual rigmarole. We truly are mercenaries. Name's Nafke. My quiet friend here is called Fevor. Our third companion has evidently wandered off, which can only mean we are about to get kicked out of this fort. He's either robbing a business or a farmer's daughter of her virtue. We call him Doc. Not even sure he has a real name. We are looking for a caravan to join. We only have loyalty to our next contract. If you want to his us, we'd gladly join you on your journey. "

"See? That's the thing. You boys are loyal to the contract. That tells me that when our business is completed, you guys might just get hired to hunt us down. I can't risk that with the people I'm escorting or the place I'm escorting them to."

"Wait a minute! You're one of those caravan leaders. You really need a better name than that. Don't you spirit people away to a hidden city where they can live life without the current monarchy interfering? "

"If you could keep it down, I'm not ready to advertise who I am just yet. "

Tad was frazzled by this loud fool. He looked around to see if any of the other patrons had noticed. If they had, they'd hidden it well. Nafke continued on a whisper.

"Sorry bout that. I get excited and lose my volume control. Fevor and myself have been looking to join this kind of expedition. Being mercs is great and all, but I'd love to settle down eventually. Fevor here is looking for a safe place for his siblings. Plague took his dad and his mom doesn't want to leave the family home. I reckon we could give a different kind of loyalties in a situation such as this. "

"Any other time I'd gladly have this conversation, but you don't know the situation you'd get mixed up in. We are currently trying to evade a group of Hunters. The must have a hell of a tenacious leader. They've been up my ass for days. I'm already trying to figure out how we can rest AND get away. If they stop tonight, they'll be here at first light. I'm meeting with the guy in charge around here to figure a way out. There's nothing but risk involved in our current expedition. "

Nafke looked at Fevor. The big man sort of grunted in response. They seemed to have a discussion about something.

"You're not gonna get much help from the man in charge. The man is named Jackal. He used to be a Hunter. A few days ago a rumor hit that a Hunter party was missing. They were presumed deceased. A larger group was brought in to investigate. There's only one man that could be in your heels. That would be the ironically named Head Hunter if their little club. He's called Flint."

"Did you say Flint?!?!"

Tad was ready for a lot of different scenarios, but this wasn't one of them.

"Indeed. Flint and his men are known all over. He's been wtth the Hunters a long time. They say he was the first of them. Rumors though. "

"Flint is supposed to be dead. I was there the day he'd been shot. My friend shot him after he killed his family. He's a f*****g monster. I think you're right. I need a new plan and fast."

"In that case, this could be your lucky day. It just so happens that Fevor has an escape route. He was gonna use it for his family. If you're willing to let us join you, we'd be willing to share. I assure you that none know of its existence and none will be able to keep up."

"You're a hard man to say no to, Nafke. I reckon we have a deal. How will I move the wagons and horses?

"The horses aren't a problem, but the wagons you might wanna leave. We will head out tonight. "

"I'm waiting on a few friends that haven't arrived yet. I can't leave without them if it can be helped. Do what you need to do and if you don't mind, meet me near the stables at dusk. The rest of my caravan should be gathered then. "

"Alright , sir. We have a bargain. You heard him, Fevor. Go get your brother and sister and let's get ready to implement our greatest escape! We'll see you there, Mister.....oh, we never asked your name "

"It's Tad fellas. Pleasure to meet you."

Fevor grunted again and they departed. Tad thought to himself that he'd been right all along. A stiff drink truly had been the solution.