《Dawnbreak》


 Prologue

    The light of day rose above the Galloway dukedom, which made up the larger west of the Malarian Kingdom.


    It washome to a multitude of different cultures unlike the rest of the Kingdom, acting as a melting pot between Malarian, Celdonian, Sylvan cultures and non human races.


    It''s geography wasequally varied, with plenty of fertile soil while the Grey Wardens, a mountain range, separated it from the neighbouring Kingdoms, an abundant land yet filled with as many dangers, dungeons and forests, monsters are found inrarely frequented areas willing to attack easily when their territory is being encroached upon.


    Even then itwasthemost prosperous area within the Kingdom, being known for its wealth and military force.


    Far west on the sea, on the outskirts of the Gray Wardens, laid it''s capital Ka''en, a city bustling with hundreds of thousands of citizens, even more so for the last few weeks however.


    The streets weredecorated with cloth and crystals, magic wasdisplayed at every corner and the city seemed to spark in anticipation and exhilaration.


    The Duchess Vesela Galloway was expecting her first child and preparations had been made to fit the occasion.


    Stepping into the room is a middle aged man, his hair deep brown with a strand of iron grey on his left and his similarly brown eyes carried a sharp glint, thepants appaearedslightly dirty and he didn''t manage to keep a little exhaustion from creeping up on him.


    He looked down towards a bed and fell on his knees right besides it, lifted his hand and placed it on a slender arm resting on top of the mattress.


    Both the exhaustion and the sharpness in his eyes seemed to vanish momentarily, replaced by something more tender and warm he whispered.


    "Dear, I told you I''d always be with you didn''t I? I made it after all."


    The warmth of his eyes spread to his mouth, lifting it up slightly.


    In front of the bed was his, Albert Galloway''s, wife Vesela, with slender neck, white skin, rosy lips and jet black hair she was a rare beauty, one that others might praise as blessedby the gods.


    Yet it wasn''t what had made the duke take a lowborn as his wife, weathering his advisors'' requests and criticism from the outside.


    "Remember, once our dear William is born, we can finally fight again."


    The sleeping beauty seemed to react slightly as her eyelids fluttered a little.


    Looking down Albert caressed her arm when suddenly he felt like he had been dropped into an ice cold bath.


    "Grand words for someone who just barely came back for his sons birth wouldn''t you say? You should first learn how to swing a sword properly before you talk about fightingme, even less to speak of your magic."


    Smiling wryly he looked up into Vesela''s face, attempting to respond but before he could...


    "Yeah of course I know you have been improving and so on and forth, I have seen your improvement, your skills are horrid as always."


    Grimacing the duke stood up.


    "I still love you."


    She said suddenly, with a tone of voice to melt the heart, and a smile from ear to ear, rather than a noble woman she seemed much more like a young girl in love.


    The duke''s face softened, looking directly at her he sighed and embraced her lightly.


    "I love you as well, more than the gods or heavens."If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    "I can''t even tease you in return now, what a shame."


    She responded while being drawn into the embrace and kissing him.


    Hours seemed to pass between the two of them until he let her go and turned.


    "I will ready myself, I cannot look like this on such a day can I? Excuse me dear, I have to hurry up, I won''t miss anything now that I barely made it back in time, you did have a point about one thing at least."


    A crystal clear laugh escaped her mouth at his attempt to get back at her, she waved childishly and giggled before turning around to rest.


    Meanwhile Albert had left and servants were rushing to bring a new white uniform, fine embroidering could be seen along the sleeves and buttons.


    "Milord," a particularly old servant started, "Duke Burrowsworth has asked for you to visit soon, for friendship of the dukedoms and economic ties."


    "Hmmm yes, you can notify him I received the request and will think of it, let him know my son is to be born however, and that I shall not engage in too much politics for a short period of time, if it is urgent he should send message to Minister Gottlieb to take up negotiations prematurely."


    "Yes, Milord, Dame Lithe has requested your visit as well."


    The duke paused for a second while being dressed.


    "No."


    "Yes, Milord."


    Leaving the room quickly after the servants had exited the duke entered the city, trying to ascertain that everything was done inorder for the upcoming festivities.


    The day passed quickly until a procession moved towards the bedchamber of her duchess, who had entered labour. Albert stopped in front of the door, waiting for the birth to finish.


    At the start of evening, his heart finally eased up as the door opened and amage led him into the room, pointing at a small bundle in Vesela''s arms.


    Seeing this his face lit up with a smile that none of the servants, including the mage, had seen on him in their time of service.


    He turned to them.


    "Even if it might be unbecoming of me, thank you. As much as it is selfish, would it be possible for you to leave? Let the city know, start the festivities on my behalf."


    The mage nodded, she was more than a bit perplexed by how timid the duke seemed at the time, nontheless she did a small salute, as was practise for the servants in the Galloway household, and replied,


    "Yes, Milord."


    beforeleaving, Duke Albert in the meantime had already turned all his attention towards his wife and son and would not even have noticed if the mage had stayed.


    "Look at him. He definitely takes after you, he definitely does, what a blessing."


    "Well it''s better for him if he does, otherwise he might end up like you in terms of martial ability"


    His wife teased, then added,


    "I disagree though, the more he has from you the better, if so he cannot be an ordinary man in this life."


    "Ahahahahahahahaha."


    Albert burst into laughter.


    "I meant to say the same thing, isn''t it ironic how we would disagree then? I will do what I have to for him to be happy, I will let him have hope to do as he wishes in life as much as I can. Although maybe you should be the one to train him with weapons."


    "Dear, that wasn''t up for debate. But I wonder if he has any magic talent? What school should we send him to? I hope he makes a lot of friends and can carry on our name proudly."


    Albert looked at her and whispered,


    "I dearly believe he will not only carry our name, I believe he will be the one to make our house even greater. Fathers always think big, so let us dream a bit about what he will reach. And how we will be able to walk along with him on his path."


    Vesela smiled warmly at both William and Albert deciding tolet him hold his child until darkness enveloped the city.

 Mercenary Life 1

    ''Alright, just need to finish up and we''re done.''


    A small brawny man stood on the battlefield, the blood of another still on his blade he looked forward but appeared lost in thought for the moment.


    "Oi, Rag, keep killing not thinking, that''s what you''re better at anyway. Weren''t you dwarves supposed to be good at fighting? How come you aren''t dead yet if you stand around like a retarded goblin, and you know what they say about goblins right? Right? Yeah you don''t even have a proper beard like one of those screeching pests, maybe you..."


    The dwarf''s stubbly mouth froze up in annoyance, throwing a glance at the elementalist behind him, if not for the man''s prowess there would be little good to say about him.


    His face looked crunched up with sinister small eyes of slightly different sizes looking towards the dwarf, who let out grunt, nodded, then continued stabbing his spear while thundering back;


    "In the names of all hells will you shut up Fer, if you have that much breath keep singing and doing your fancy hand gestures like a good boy, stop distracting the front line, if I die you''d be just as fucked.


    I don''t doubt you have experience with that but you can trust me it''s not the kind you''d have fun with."


    The dwarf laughed loudly, aimed at a man who just dropped his shield as it suddenly heated up and with a soft sound the spear plunged into his throat, tearing through to the other side while the man fell onto his knees, a look of realisation and regret was stuck on his face ever since he had lost his protection.


    "Good boy."


    The dwarfs trumpeted towards the elementalist in a mocking manner, then continued moving onwards.


    Meanwhile Fer stoped moving for a second, looked grimly, then snarled.


    Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap.


    "Really, I am sorry."


    A surprisingly sincere voice escaped the grinning elementalist.


    "I did not take you seriously enough, you have more skills than battling and standing around, you can curse just as well.


    I''ll be damned I didn''t expect it, but I take back what I said before, you definitely are a full-fledged goblin.


    My deepest apologies, now excuse me, I would just be a hindrance in your fight of course, so I shall return to camp while the grand goblin warrior can instill fear into this mighty army of shattered and fleeing bandits.."


    The dwarf seemed to have tired of the lengthy exchange and chose to conserve his breath, moving away from Fer.


    ''Bah, how annoying. Let him wave his little toy of a spear then, I''ve done my job.''


    At the same time in another part of the battle the fight was still fierce, it was, however, a ferocity and power born from knowing they would die otherwise.


    The enemy camp had been hidden on a hillside and tried to extort protection fees from the local villages and caravans for around a year, recently it had grown in manpower and audacity to an extend that forced the closest city into taking action, resulting in the current scene.


    A large amount of mercenaries had surrounded the bulk of the bandit forces within the encampment, not yet pressuring forward while skirmishes seemed to be as far as the fight had escalated.


    "Hoooooh. Who is your leader?"


    A voice tore out of the middle of the encirclement, stemming from a muscular, handsome man.


    He had a square jawline and inquiring eyes with a resolved look in them.


    Stepping forward he dropped his longsword from both hands and turned his palms outside pointing upwards.


    From the mercenary''s side a man, around 35, of average height, appeared, while the mercenaries collectively made way, drawing open like a curtain.


    The man seemed unremarkable at first, holding a bloodied axe and a scar running across his cheek he leisurely moved forward.


    '' '' ''The captain'' '' ''


    Multiple sellswords stocked at sight of the seemingly unremarkable man and stared into his eyes which, contrary to expectation, were much more memorable and of silver colour, creating a stark contrast to his brown hair.


    ''So that is him. Their leader, if not for those eyes he wouldn''t seem so special but...''


    The bandit leader hesitated a second, a slight frown forming on his face while thinking.


    ''I really don''t have a good impression on Lady Luck today, doI? No chance. Not with something like that on their side.''


    "I will surrender. Would you let my men go? They aren''t cutthroats like the average bandit but good soldiers."


    Everyone''s eyes flickered with slight shock, then some with pity, some others with respect.


    The mercenary leader had stopped a distance away from the bandit leader while looking at him for 5 minutes, until he started writhing a little and stepping from one food onto another, quickly stopping again however.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    "Verethor, adopted son of Arranel, brother of the Sylvan Duke Varangil."


    The bandit leader lifted his eyebrow.


    "You even know about being adopted? That is one incredibly witty mercenary here, ho''?"


    The mercenary stepped forward.


    "Your last wish has been heard. I will give you the chance to duel me in respect of your choice. I promise the safety of your men and depending on the outcome of this duel you will be able to keep living. My name is Hall, take up your sword."


    Verethor picked up the sword while his opponent dropped the spear and similarly drew a longsword.


    Meanwhile 6 people had moved forward and formed a half circle behind Hall.


    ''A gargantuan woman, a completely covered person of small stature, a goblin with crossbow, a dark skinned... elf? They have a dark elf? I''m done with.. ah never mind, an elderly desert dwellerand a dwarf. This couldn''t turn out any weirder could it?''


    The 6 didn''t attempt to take action and simply stood there, the dwarf smiling sardonically.


    ''What an idiot that Fer is, now he''ll miss the captain taking action''


    Verethor in the meantime assumed a stance, pointing his sword towards the ground in a 45¡ã angle, waiting for the mercenary to finish his preparations.


    After a short while had passed he felt a weird sensation, a shiver running down his spine and and some sweat forming on his neck.


    He quickly suppressed the feeling and before anything else happened decided on moving forward while his hands had moved next to his head, pointing the sword towards his opponents throat and delivering a thrust at the still calmly standing sellsword.


    Contrary to expectation the thrust seemed to bend the air in front of the enemy, slowed down significantly after moving a small distance, and before stopping was quickly pulled back by Verethor.


    Staring back and forth between his sword and the opponent who still hadn''t retaliated, he startled a second when he realised how those silver eyes were mustering him, piercing him,then he was plunged into darkness.


    The 6 mercenaries who had moved closer stared blankly.


    A moment later every one of them started struggling and moving around, darkness creeping across their vision.


    Each of them barely managed to resist an onset of nausea and unconsciousness, steadying themselves they looked towards their captain with strange expressions.


    ''Fuck what was that, never mind being lucky to see him take action, what a damned bastard dodging this one, I''ll pay him back twice.''


    Rag cursed in his head while the dark elf had something akin to veneration in her eyes, biting her lips nervously and starring towards Hall with lowered eyes.


    ''That, that is what I search. That is what I need. Need. neeed. neeeeeed. NEED.''


    Her her eyes turned imperceptibly while she froze up.


    When she regained control she saw Hall standing in front of the unconscious bandit leader.


    Impressively he had not fallen down and his sword was firmly gripped in hand, his eyes closed as if sleeping.


    Her captain had shouldered his sword and seemed to be inspecting the bandit.


    ''I guess he means to... I wonder why he would though? The Captain has incredible magic so it could work. It''d be more than lucky for that one if it did.''


    The covered person suddenly let out a monotonous voice, neither male nor female.


    "Slaughter."


    Some bandits seemed to back up slightly on hearing the word but relaxed when they saw nothing happened.


    The mercenary leader similarly did not make a move or react, so everything calmed down, until he finally sighed, moved his sword up and swung it at the neck of their leader.


    Right before hitting he stopped, looking straight at Verethor again as if he had seen something.


    A split second laterVerethor''s sword pierced forward, tearing through the barrier, the mercenary seemed a little surprised at the sudden attack, lifted his eyebrow and stepped aside, avoiding the blow.


    A pommel smashed their leader in the face who dropped unconscious again, then they saw themselves faced with the mercenary leader who had turned towards them.


    "You guys carry him, we are done with the contract so you should at least do some of the work.


    I hope you don''t mind a mercenary''s life rather than a bandit''s, though there''s not much difference to the peasants when its comes to that anyway. Get going. Don''t worry he won''t die, yet anyway."


    The bandits were stunned but quickly made work to not disagree with their new captain, may that be of gratitude or fear, carrying their old captain towards the direction they were pointed.


    While they were scurrying out of sight with Verethor in tow, Hall looked towards his 6 subordinates while slumping to the ground and sitting down.


    "Phewwwwwww, that was dangerous, didn''t I look cool? I swear I was scared when he actually managed to get through all of a sudden.


    I should deeeeefinitely pay more attention that woulda just sucked completely if I got myself stabbed a little there wouldn''t ya all agree? That would be more than just a... mood kill."


    He looked exceptionally proud of his joke, seemingly fighting with himself to not burst into laughter while grinning at his subordinates who had different reactions.


    The dark elf turned her head over to the dwarf next to him, staring blankly.


    "Did he.. He didn''t did he? No he wouldn''t, but. It sounded as if... but there''s no way, no I definitely must be growing old yes that is it, someone on the level of a warlord is a dignified person, I must have had a very impolite hallucination..."


    She kept muttering to herself while the dwarf had turned to meet her gaze, thinking for a second about her reaction when it dawned on him and a wry smile spread across his face.


    ''I betcha I wasn''t any better when I first joined in here. I betcha...''


    While the giant woman shook her head, sighed, turned around and started fleeing the scene.


    "Ahhhhhhh come on you guys, you never laugh, you should be a bit more jovial all o'' ya. I mean look I just almost died didn''t I, that would just be irony at its finest you gotta appreciate that, someone with my skill just dying cause he didn''t pay attention to someone he chose not to kill.


    Come on, you gotta at least get a giggle from that. It''s so obvious, I swear I need more men with good humour, why do those people seem so rare? Wait, where are you all going, weren''t we going to have a victory celebration and enjoy chatting? Hey? Heyyyy?!"


    The group of mercenaries quickly started dispersing, the 6 being the quickest to get away, with Hall at the center, who stared a little shocked after them while he was the only one left in sight.


    "Tch, I swear it was at least a little funny."

 Mercenary Life 2

    An elderly man stood in front of the mercenaries, silken cloth draped over his shoulders laden with different colours, making him seem closer to a peacock than a human.


    "The scouts reported the encampment to have been left deserted with signs of battle, no raids since a week either. Mercenary Leader Hall, the gratitude of myself and every citizen within Blue''s Meet, also per contract a thousand gold crowns, shall be yours. It is a pleasure to have done business with you."


    Hall stood, facing the merchant, then nodded with an iron gaze and held out his hand.


    "I thank City Lord Mortimer for his time, me and my men shall take our leave."


    The old man''s face flickered for a second before he responded to the handshake, then issuing a servant to show them their way out.


    ''Pleasure as if, pleasure bleeding me dry maybe, you pay one to kill the other.''


    The group of sellswords, in the meantime, had already left the estate and split up, some heading back to the camp with the money, including Hall, the majority made for the City of Blue''s Meet however, trying to squeeze the most out of their current break.


    Most noticeable on the way were 4 figures, a dwarf with short beard, a giant woman towering at least 3 meters, a hobgoblin with human like, almost handsome features and an old black man without hair.


    "Bah, in the names of all hells, why do these pigs have to be stuck up ones? Its like they wanna show just how deep they can shove a stick into their arse. Worst off all, they''re only fat because of their money, if it was a real pig, sticking them up and grilling would be a great idea though. Fuck, I''m a genius. Maybe we can try doing that with them anyway and see how well they keep it up."


    The dwarf raved on but quickly calmed down to his usual self.


    "If you continue this you might end up like the captain, you''re right they really are obnoxious in how they feel better than others though."


    The old man spoke calmly, tapping his hooked nose and smiling.


    "Then again, it''s how they always acted, so no use going off on it."


    Rag grunted, turned and trotted forward.


    "Sat, you gonna come over for a pint, or two, or three? That''d help right now and we at least made some money of the pig, even if we couldn''t grill it."


    The large woman nodded and the group fell into silence.


    "Say, I am curious. I have been wondering about it ever since actually.


    But the captain, why did he play with that guy?"


    Sat started slowly with a deep and melodious voice.


    "He could have just killed them off easily and collected the reward with less waiting."


    "I''ve been with him for longest but Hall''s just weird sometimes. Don''t really know, he''s a good fellow but definitely got his crazy moments, maybe it''s just one of his antics?"


    Rag shrugged, continuing.


    "He''s definitely got something he''s going for, or maybe not, I really don''t know ''bout that, I met him a couple years back while I was on the search for work, and he was recruiting already. That''s all I know about him personally, but then again it doesn''t matter once you are in our line of work, everyone here got enough to hide anyway and he''s not been a bad captain."


    The old man nodded, then inclined his head.


    "What you said is definitely true, it feels as if the captain can jump to being serious in front of others without even thinking, I''d say his usual manner is, as disturbing as it might be, his real character though. Its what he does when he feels comfortable maybe? I can''t say for certain, but even if I could I doubt I''d completely understand his thoughts, he just randomly picked me from the desert when I was in an... awkward situation let''s say. Can''t say I''ve yet understood why he did or how he figured at the time, but I guess that''s how it is."


    "Aye. A pint on that, I''d invite you too Aqil, but you''re that typa guy who doesn''t like drinking, I still don''t get how you can be a sellsword with such an attitude. A man needs to calm down every now n''then"


    Without waiting Rag lifted his hand for a moment then moved away with Sat, they pinpointed a bar that seemed big enough for her and had already vanished out of sight.


    Aqil turned towards the goblin.


    "Hmmm, you don''t want to join them? I heard goblins have problems with liquor in a story once, can''t remember when exactly it was though. I wouldn''t have thought it was true."


    "Don''t mind it, I know what you are here for and I have my own plans for the visit as well.


    I''d prefer doing something useful, there''s better ways to enjoy myself too. As for alcohol... Let''s just say it''s not really to my taste, I prefer something fresher."


    The goblin looked on with a half grin and licked his lips lightly and started to turn.


    "Mind you, I am a hobgoblin."


    He snarled and made off with a sinister chuckle.


    ''Well, there he goes off, let''s hope nobody dies. As for me, let''s see.''This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    Aquil quickly took off from his spot, moving skillfully through different alleyways until he turned a corner and vanished into a door.


    Minutes later he reappeared dressed in a black suit, moving towards a faraway park, when coming closer one could see the park''s entrance was being guarded while well dressed men and women were entering as well as leaving.


    The guardhouse even had a refined look while a fence taller than 4 meters reached around the entire expanse.


    "The Bloodline Park, I haven''t had to go here for a while, a place for all those nobles to get together and act as if they knew about culture."


    He moved off to the side, concentrating and moving his hand a little.


    Suddenly a blinding light appeared in the vicinity, causing everyone to cover their eyes.


    Aquil used the moment to propel himself across the fence and landed safely on the other side.


    ''Now the long winded part.''


    He moved forwards with steady steps, avoiding the eyes of any noble he came across and searching for servants that were currently free.


    Whenever he found one he would talk to them.


    The situation for nobility was quite complicated, originally Blue''s Meet had been called Warenhof and used to be part of a smaller Kingdom called Alten, in which feudal rules were predominant.


    The city was a bustling center of trade in the region and originally a lot of it''s wealth was funneled through into the capital of Alten, the trader''s of the city however smelt profit and more, they would be able to escape the feudal administration that limited their rights and power.


    Two decades ago the city had prepared enough, they declared independency and joined the trade league of Evergreen or Garh arahn as it is called in old Sylvan.


    Supported by their monetary strength and alliances the King of Alten could not pursue the issue even if he wanted.


    Not all nobles died or left the sovereign city state however, choosing to live off their wealth and business instead.


    Thanks to that it was more difficult to gain information on the noble houses and intrigue in the surrounding countries, but easier to hear news relating to business and raiders, a line that was no doubt just as profitable.


    ''I think that should be enough, there doesn''t seem to be any other news I would want.''


    Waving politely he excused himself from a group of maids and turned around, starting to walk along the road to exit the park through one of the four gatehouses, since an inspection would only happen on entry.


    Arriving at the entrance he saw a small man in weirdly colourful suit pushing a maid towards one of the thickets off in the distance, one could only imagine what his plan was from the pale expression on the girls face and the way his hands moved down her body.


    Aqil stood by for a while, pondering, he then turned and made off towards the gate, not throwing a glance back.


    Shortly before moving into the gatehouse he heard a muffled scream and wet sounds from behind the bushes.


    He thought another second, then turned and spoke.


    "Deva fui ara Deva''mal''fra, don Deva''mal''fra Shura''mal''fra''coet, goot erest er eta Baif ara Deva''mal, mer don Unsh me bal."


    He smiled looking towards the bushes, turned and left.


    ''I wonder if that grandpa finished what he was up to, just thinking of it makes me feel cold, I never knew humans could be that scary. Well, at least I''m sure he''s a human, compared to the captain, but that old guy is supposedly a strong magic user, a Lawbringer at that.''


    The hobgoblin sat up thinking, eventually discarding his thoughts and looking down on a woman who was currently sucking his dick.


    He held down her head and teased her in the meantime.


    ''If the dwarf got one thing right, venting really is a good thing when your jobs killing, instincts suck don''t they? But at least I managed to not rape that one back on the battlefield, I really need to keep it in check until a town whenever we battle, it''s not the same if you don''t get killing and fucking to go together.''


    At the same time he had started shoving himself into the woman to fully enjoy her.


    ''Nothing like it after a hunt. Mhmmm, she''s surprisingly good.''


    He felt her thighs pressing down on him and whenever he moved she would tighten, his instincts taking over more and more because of it. At some point she grabbed his balls, making him go half insane and lose reasoning, he quickly bowed down to massage her breasts and lick across her neck.


    More and more he wanted to own this girl, he continued enjoying her, teasing her and fucking her, slowly the girl''s moans started dying down and after hours she had passed over into a half unconscious state.


    That''s when he finally left off, exiting the brothel with a satisfied grunt he started moving through the city.


    He came to stop in front of a inconspicuous bar, he looked around and entered silently, moving to a table and sitting down.


    "Two Grey Scales."


    The waiter scrutinised him, then nodded and a while later two drinks had appeared on his table.


    Another man suddenly stood in front of him, looking down.


    "You don''t want that, do ya?"


    "You can have both even, I don''t drink, I still hate this custom of making me waste money I could use on girls."


    The man inclined his head, sat down and started drinking slowly.


    After he had finished one of the beverages halfway he looked up again.


    "Thanks, you came in perfectly after some work, ya know? Anyway, I definitely haven''t seen any of your kind in a while, I doubt you''ve ever been here either."


    "Sharp. I am connected with the Devil''s Flower and know some locations, don''t mind it. Much more importantly, do you have any news or interesting things to do for a large group of heavily armoured men?"


    "The Devils...."


    The man lowered his voice quickly.


    "There''s not that many news to talk about, there were some conflicts between Blue''s Meet and Tjust, another one of the Trade League''s members.


    The Royalty of Alten is still trying to make it difficult for the City State, that''s not new though.


    Thinking of jobs... actually, there is something I almost forgot about.


    Its something no one had much authority to know about, but given your connections, it should be alright.


    An unknown person has started recruiting in secret, smells of trouble like nothing else does, trouble and death.


    It''s not only here, it''s in a lot of cities, even kingdoms around, and it is happening with incredible secrecy for the number of people that must be following on it.


    The reward is too enticing for it not to be the case, like a honey trap.


    You are offered a straight pay per head, and then an extra based on special achievements and how much killing you did."


    The hobgoblin looked thoughtful, choosing his words with surprising care.


    "I... would need to first get information from our camp. It sounds like a deathtrap, I don''t think it''s a smart move to take."


    The hobgoblin stood up.


    "I''ll be gone for now, thank you for the info, if anything happens I will be back."


    The man nodded and watched the hobgoblin leave.