Mercenaries

Malik sat with the others to determine a plan. After a few hours of debating, arguing, and silence they all came to one conclusion. 

“So, we have nothing?” Khris said, standing up to stretch. 

Malik was at a loss of something that would get them into the city. Thousands of others were already pressing through with the title of mercenary tattooed on their resume. They would need something different. They would need something special to see them through the gates. So far, they had nothing that made them stand out. They were just more faces in a sea of people. People would stop them at the edge of the masses and if they tried to bypass others would kill them for cutting in line. 

“Maybe we just keep going like we had planned. We tried to think of a way, but there is nothing to it.” Khris ran his hands through his hair. 

“I told you all, you can go any time you like,” Malik spat back. 

Malik grew tired of hearing Khris say this same statement every fifteen minutes. 

“We are not going anywhere until we have exhausted every idea,” Mollie said. 

Malik was glad she still had his back on this; even if they had nothing to go on. Khris may have even been right. What were they going to do? Every minute sitting on this patch of land meant they were open and exposed. If a single party tripped over them, then they would be hog-tied and taken straight to the city gates and handed over to the Tempre Warriors. Malik paused. 

“I know what to do.”

Everyone stopped what they were doing and focused their full attention on him. Malik felt the uncertainty creep into his idea. Maybe he was wrong, and this was just another way to get them killed. Was Abrie more important than Mollie or Embre? Did he have the right to ask them to sacrifice their lives for his request? Malik swallowed, trying to wash away the dryness of his throat. They knew the risks involved. Malik had told them several times they could continue their own path. He did not force them to stay. He just needed to remind himself of that. Everyone had the ability to make their own choice and live with the consequences of those choices. 

“Well, what is it you thought of?” Khris asked, growing impatient. 

Malik stopped battling his own thoughts and spoke, “three of us in this party are wanted criminals of the Tempre, correct?” 

Mollie nodded and Khris said, “how exactly is that going to help us?”

Malik ignored Khris’ sarcastic undertone. 

“If we are caught by anyone, especially a mercenary, wouldn’t the Tempre want to see us? Sweet Tongue would have told the others of who we are and for whatever reason, he seems extremely interested in finding us.” 

“Again, how does getting caught help us? Doesn’t that just make us all prisoners?” Khris said.

“If you would shut up, then I will get to that,” Malik said. 

Khris almost spoke and then bit his tongue. 

“Like I was saying, we would be taken straight to the city gates. However, as genius Khris pointed out, we do not want to get caught. That will not help us.”

Mollie interjected. “So, what is the plan to make sure we can help?” 

Malik let a smile creep onto his face. “That is the easy part.” He lifted his hand and pointed toward Embre. “She captures us and brings us into the city.” 

Embre’s face dropped into pure and unfiltered panic. “What do you mean I capture you and take you into the city?” 

Malik held back his excitement. His idea would work, it had to work. “You tie us up loosely, of course. Then you march us right through the growing mercenaries and you take us into the gates. Once there, you will let us free and we can explore the city.” 

Embre shook her head. “I can’t do that.” 

“Yes, you can,” Malik said.. “It will be simple.” 

“Yeah simple.” Khris did not look pleased with the plan. “Simple all the way up to the point where the mercenaries just kill Embre and take credit for finding us.” 

Malik’s smile dropped off his face. He hated Khris. There was not one redeemable quality he could find he enjoyed. Why did Khris even still travel with them? Malik should have insisted that he stayed in the first village they had passed. He was sure Mollie would not have gone for it though. 

Yet another plan defeated. Was there no way of getting into the city streets?

“The entire plan is not bad,” Mollie said. 

Everyone looked to her. Khris let the smug look drop off his face.

“What do you mean?” Malik asked, trying to mask the hope building in his chest. 

“I still think Embre can capture us.” Mollie looked to Embre, “I believe you can be that brave.” 

Embre did not respond, but she did give a nod. 

“Khris brings up a good point though,” Mollie continued. 

Khris nodded his head in agreement, thinking Mollie came back around to seeing things his way. 

“I just think we are forgetting something we have with us that can be a resource.” she looked down into her arms.  Egg was curled up on her lap, still sleeping. 

“What can he do to help us?” Malik asked. 

Malik lost hope Mollie would come up with a plan to help them. 

“It is simple. Once we are tied up, Embre needs a reason to be let through. If she is alone, the mercenaries may well kill her and take the credit. If Egg is by her side, most of the men will believe her story.” 

Malik scrunched his face in confusion, “I am not sure what story we agreed to tell?” 

“We give Embre a simple note. A note that says Embre is to move to the front of the gates with her captives and that Sweet Tongue has given her a prize to show her worth. We use the mercenaries’ fear of the Tempre and their desire to be a part of them to help our cause. They will be too scared to touch a girl Sweet Tongue himself has deemed worthy of a gift such as Egg. With no one knowing what Egg is, and those who do think him a man-eater, then it will prove Embre is special.” The entire time Mollie stroked the top of Egg’s head, and it purred just like a house kitten. 

Malik rolled the idea around in his head. It was not much different from the plan he had come up with. He tried to see the holes in it. He could see many. Maybe the mercenaries would still not care, and they would flay Embre alive, Egg or no Egg. However, maybe their fear and pride would hold them in check. 

“I think it is worth a shot,” Malik said. “It has its own set of risks, but I am willing to try it.”

Mollie and Malik looked to Embre. She was the most important part of the plan. Sweet Tongue knew about Malik and Mollie, and somehow, he knew about Khris, but he had not yet found out about Embre and Egg. Embre was not quick to react to their request. Malik could not blame her. He would not be keen to run this if Abrie were not at stake. 

Embre finally nodded. “I will do my best.” 

Khris’ shoulders visibly sank, and he turned to stare over the mass of mercenaries. Malik could almost sympathize with him. He could almost understand the resistance Khris put up, but something in Malik just could not like Khris. 

Mollie stood and walked over to Khris. She placed her hand on his shoulder for comfort. 

“It will hopefully only take us a few hours, at the most. We can get into the city, find out if Abrie is even there, and then move on. If he is not here, then we continue toward the relic. If he is here, then we try our best to save him without getting ourselves killed.”

“I will go with you guys,” Khris said, but his voice did not sound convinced. 

The plan had not fully convinced Malik either, but he was sure he still had to try it. 

“Let’s tie up the mules and get this show on the road,” Malik said, standing to his feet. 

It only took a few minutes to gather the supplies from the packs on the mules. The old man had given them almost everything a traveler could ever be in want of. Malik and Mollie ran through the plan again with everyone. Khris, Mollie, and Malik would be tied together in a line. The rope would be loose just in case they needed to fight their way out of a situation. Embre would hold the line in one hand and walk Egg with the other. On her back, Mollie’s sword would rest in easy reach for Mollie. Strung across her shoulder would be Malik’s bow, just in case they needed some shooting to get out of a sticky situation. Malik was not confident he could shoot the bow, but at least it was there. 

“So again,” Embre said. “Just to be completely clear, we are just going to walk right into the city?” 

Malik figured that was the simplified version of it. He tried to find a few reassuring words, but his throat was dry from the fear. 

“This is the only time I will ever hope that this creature eats someone,” Malik said. 

He looked down to Egg and found the only encouraging words he had were, “Eat the biggest ones first.” 

Egg blinked a few times and turned to Mollie. Mollie bent to talk to Egg as if he were a human. 

“I want you to follow Embre’s commands. There is no reason to balk at a request from her. You pretend that she is me and then you follow what she says. We are depending on you to help us through this situation, okay Egg?” Mollie concentrated on Egg’s face as if he gave her an answer. Egg purred and Mollie nodded, pleased with his reaction. “He will follow you. Just keep things simple with him.” 

“I will do my best.” Embre turned to Malik to see if she was the only one feeling crazy. Malik gave her a shrug to let her know she was not alone. 

“Well, if we plan to do this, then let us get it done and over with,” Khris said, cinching some rope around his wrist. Mollie stepped into the middle and tied her rope. Malik took the front of the line and gently tied off his own cuffs. Embre took up the leash and started down the path. 

“What if I mess up? Or if I stumble over my words? What if I forget something?” Embre asked Malik. 

Malik just smiled at her. “You will do great. Now put on a serious face. You cannot show any fear. That is our job. We the ones taken into captivity. You have caught us, and you have a monster. Plus, you have a written decree by Sweet Tongue. Everyone will be in envy of you, just pretend you are a particularly important person coming for a casual appointment.” 

Malik could see Embre sweating from panic and fear. He could not blame her. His own insides roiled and a few times he hoped to not lose control over his bowels. Although, that may not be so detrimental to their hopes; if the mercenaries thought him truly afraid, then they would believe Embre’s story even more. 

Embre took a deep breath and then tightened her grip on the rope. She stood taller, puffing out her chest, and put a scowl on her lips. Malik held back a laugh; he had to get into character too. It would be pointless if he gave up the gig with an inopportune chuckle. 

Embre walked them past the back lines of the mercenary camp. This far out no one was paid too much attention to their surroundings. Malik wondered if these souls had given up hope of ever getting into the city. 

Embre waltzed right through them. She made it about midway into the settlement before the first person even spoke to her. 

“Where are you going with those three?” a woman asked. 

Embre twirled her head but did not stop. She looked the woman up and down and then continued. 

“Did you not hear me, girl?” 

Embre stopped this time; her hand went back to the sword and grasped the hilt. Malik knew Embre could not use a sword. The mercenaries were not privy to the information, however. The approaching woman paused, afraid to find out just how much the girl could do with the sword. Malik tensed, ready for a fight. The woman laughed. 

“You’re right, it is none of my business,” she said, backing away without another word. Malik wanted to give encouragement to Embre. She had done great with the woman, but he had to keep his words of praise to himself. They would only undermine her here. Maybe later, if they survived this, then he would tell her how brave she had been. 

For now, Malik allowed Embre to prod him forward with a stiff elbow to the upper back. Malik thought Embre was really getting into her character. For his body’s sake, he hoped she did not start to believe their made-up story. 

Away from the outer skirts of the mercenary camp, the tents spread further apart. Not far enough Malik envied their space, but far enough a man could stretch out long ways before running into his neighbor. Only a few bothered to take advantage of the space. Some posted up flags from their countries, lords, or their mercenary company. Others had built small cook fires. Some had even gone as far as making washing lines right outside their tent flaps. Malik wondered how many of them had seen a bath in the last few months. From the smell, he guessed it had been an exceedingly long time for many of them. The smell coupled with the latrines built throughout the camp. Malik would be glad to get away from it. 

Embre danced them around to a beaten path. There had been no road here before, but thousands of boots had beaten away the grass, weeds, and top layer of earth. Now it was nothing more than a beaten dirt path. Hundreds of eyes watched them as they passed. No one ventured forward from their tasks. Most of these people would not have been to the villages or cities to see the wanted posters. Maybe Malik and the others had feared more than they needed to. 

Maybe they could have waltzed right up to the gates without this show. Malik must have stood too tall in that moment because a voice halted them. 

“Stop where you are,” the gruff voice said. 

Embre hesitated and almost stumbled over. Malik willed her to stay on her feet and luckily, she regained her balance. 

“I hear you have just moseyed right into our little home away from home.” 

Malik did not turn. He did not want the man to think Embre lost control of the situation. Embre had not turned either. Her face was blank, but her hands shook slightly. Malik wanted to reach out and calm her, but he may as well kill her himself if he did. 

“I reckon you aren’t mute. My lady friend says you are quick to the sword.”

 Embre turned now. 

This allowed Malik to turn toward the man, too. He saw the tight leather of a soldier, but it was old and worn. If this man had been a soldier in Luberg, then he was a poor solider. On his back, he carried a short sword that looked dull, but would probably still easily kill a man. His hair was greasy, his beard unkempt, and his eyes beady. Most of all, Malik noticed his missing teeth. The smile made him look in his early sixties, but Malik guessed by the man’s body that he was closer to forty. 

Embre said nothing. She let her eyes look up and down the man. Then her lips curled into a sneer. She quickly gained back some of her confidence. 

“Do you fancy yourself a fighter?” the man asked. 

Embre still did not answer. Malik wondered what game she played with this man. 

“Aren’t we all friends here? Can’t you just tell us what it is you are doing with these three? They are quite famous, you know?” 

Embre gave a side glance toward her captives. She let the rope dangle down by her hip. She showed the captives were well in her control. Egg crawled over her shoulder and perched on her thigh. 

The man did not look as brave as he once had. He turned, looking behind him at someone. Malik instantly noticed her as the woman from earlier. She had run and gathered what friends she had. Malik expected trouble, but they still had a wild card in Egg and a long shot with the letter from Sweet Tongue. 

“What is that?” The man pointed with his chin. 

Embre did not look down. Malik could tell she had been uncomfortable to have Egg crawling all over her, but her mask was on and she tried not to let it slip. 

“I am getting real tired of your ego.” The man stepped forward. 

Malik figured he had gotten over the fear of Egg rather quickly. Malik looked around, wondering how many of the gathering mercenaries would jump in to help. He at least knew the woman would be with him. 

Embre used just her index finger to point Egg to the ground. Egg slipped down her arm and landed on his feet. His arms hung down, dragging his large claws in the dirt. Malik had once thought him funny looking, but with his fangs bared and the prospect of those claws, he no longer felt egg was a comical creature. 

The man must have felt the same because he backed two steps away. 

“I just want to know what business you have here.” 

The plan worked. Egg did his part, and Embre did play writers justice. Malik almost believed that they may get through this. 

“It is just a little thing,” the woman said, stepping forward. 

The woman’s long brown hair matted to her forehead and was stiff behind her ears. Brown streaks of mud covered her face. If she had been a soldier prior to this, then she had lost her leathers somewhere else. Now all she wore was a brown shirt and pants. Malik thought she looked more like a rotten sack of potatoes than a person. 

“You’re right,” the man said, trying to sound brave. 

None of the other mercenaries were talked or moved toward Embre and Egg. Malik wondered how many of them were just there for the show. 

“Well, attack them then. We know what those prisoners will do for us,” she said. 

The man drew up his shoulders. “Yeah, you’re right.” He stepped forward again. 

The plan was right back into question. Egg jumped up off his feet, Malik felt the rope tighten around his arms as Mollie twisted. Egg landed on the man’s chest; teeth bared. The man screamed like a small child and reached up to throw Egg from his body. Egg latched on and dug his claws into the man’s shoulders. The man screamed out louder this time. Egg used his head to ram into the man’s chin. The man stumbled back into the woman’s arms. She stumbled from his weight and Egg head butted the man a second time. This time the man lost his balance. The woman was not strong enough to hold him up without warning. Both mercenaries fell, and Egg jumped off, his claws now covered in skin and blood. The man rolled on the ground in fear, panic, and pain. The woman scooted to her bottom but could not take her eyes from Egg. 

Embre extended her hand and snapped her fingers. Egg ran back and climbed back to her hip. Embre looked out at the rest of the mercenaries gathered around her, but she did not find anyone else jumping in to attack her. Embre turned and tugged the rope, leading the three of them away from the scene of the chaos. 

Malik felt Embre loosen after about fifty steps. He heard her take a deep breath and slowly let it out. No one else stepped in front of them, but it would only be a matter of time before someone else confronted them. Would she be able to pull that off twice?

The camp spread out near the middle even more. Now there were large tents that were not for sleeping. Hundreds of men and women sold goods. Malik saw weapons, armor, boots, gloves, chain mail, food, and even ale. There would be no camp without drink. 

Embre stopped in front of a small merchant table and fingered a small white necklace. Malik wanted to tell her to keep focused, but he was a captive and that would have overstepped his bounds. 

“Do you fancy that necklace?” the elderly man asked. 

Embre looked up, pulling her hand back to her chest. 

“I can give you a good price on it.” His hand grabbed the strand of beads. 

It dangled long, about three feet of rope. A small silver piece of metal carved to look like an arrow hung at the bottom.

Embre’s eyes fixed onto it. Malik was at a loss why the necklace would have caught her attention. It was not beautiful, it was not shiny, and Malik doubted it would catch a hefty price; although with the way Embre’s eyes ate it up, Malik supposed the old man would try to stretch its worth. 

“Where did you get the necklace?” 

Her voice shook. Malik looked to the old man again. He thought he had hooked a fish by his look. 

“Special prize from a camp we came across some days ago. The whole camp burned to ash, but there were still several nice pieces to be found. This is just one of many of them.”

Embre swallowed, her throat constricting and then extending dramatically. 

“How much?” 

The old man flipped the chain and looked at it. He twirled it, and then held it up in front of his eyes. This was all a show. The man knew what he would ask for the piece far before he asked. 

“I will take no less than five hundred coin.” 

Malik tried not to gasp for Embre. Embre looked down and away. There was no way she had that kind of money. Even with the help of the old man, they did not have that kind of money. Malik wondered at the exuberant request. 

“Surely a woman such as you can come up with this amount for such a rare find?” He eyed Malik and the others now. He had bought the story that Embre was a great bounty hunter. He had bought it so well that he thought he could fleece her for his own riches. 

Embre turned to walk away. Malik could see how hard it was for her. He looked at the necklace again and tried to determine why it was so important to her. 

“Fine, I will do four hundred, just this one time.” 

Embre stopped and weighed the options. She clearly wanted the necklace. 

The elderly man let the smile return, thinking he had redrawn her attention. “Like I said, I found it in a camp that will surly never be making something like this again.” 

Embre’s fists clenched and Malik knew where the necklace had come from. Timbre had been wearing one exactly like it the day he had saved Malik and the others. The other men in his party had the same necklace. Even Zimbre had one dangling from his beefy neck. Malik understood the importance now. 

“You be careful with an item like that,” Embre said. Her voice had hardened to stone. 

The old man looked down at his hand. “Whatever do you mean?” 

Embre reached out and flicked the beads. “If not everyone from that camp is dead, then the warriors will surely be looking for those who raided their camps.” She let the words hang between them for a moment and then put a smirk on her face. 

The old man looked her up and down. Then he looked to her captives. 

“What would you part with for it?” he asked, taking a new approach on the deal. 

“I will give you twenty coin and spare your life,” Embre said. 

The merchant was not pleased, but he could not have thought to have gotten much more out of such a simple necklace. He looked again to Embre and finally let his eyes settle on Egg. His whole attitude plummeted, and he practically threw the chain into Embre’s outstretched palm. Embre used her other hand to throw two ten pieces onto the table. 

“I hope you enjoy your day,” she said as she turned back to the beaten path. 

The old merchant scooped the coins into his pocket, looking displeased, but did not add a further comment.  

Embre wrapped the beads around her neck, letting the white rope fall beneath her shirt. Malik watched for any sign of emotion, but he could not see any. Embre was still in character and whether she grieved on the inside, for all others to see she still took three prisoners to their justice. 

Embre would get them through this. She would lead them to where they needed to go. 

“You have done well, girl,” said a calculating voice. 

Embre turned, ready to deal with another mercenary who had gotten brave, but what she saw was the unmistakable garb of a Tempre Warrior. Embre’s resolve broke and her face shaped into shock. 

“Don’t worry, your death will be much quicker than theirs.” 

Malik knew this time there were no words or actions that would stop the horde from crashing down upon them.