>>5801839>“What have you been doing during the war?”“We’ve mostly been fighting for the Empire.” Rocks says cheerfully. A part of you is shocked he’d admit something like that in the heart of Seiros territory. “General Bergliez would have us lead the vanguard. We’d crash through the enemy ranks, leaving them softened up for him and his men to finish off. The last battle we fought in was over at the Great Bridge of Myrddin. We were ordered to break through the ranks of the Knights of Seiros, and we did just that!” He laughs heartily. Due to his loud, boisterous voice, those in the tavern have no problem hearing him, and many scornful looks are thrown his way upon the admission that he fought the Knights of Seiros.
>“You fought at Myrddin?” You ask puzzled. “But the Empire lost Myrddin. The bridge lies in the hands of the Knights of Seiros.”“Yeah…” Rocks suddenly looks embarrassed, rubbing his neck. “We broke through the defensive formation of the Knights. It was really exciting! I uhh…guess it was so exciting that we sort of forgot to turn around. Just kept on charging straight through until we reached Leicester, if you can believe that! By the time we turned around, the Empire had lost, and we were stuck on the wrong side of the bridge.” He laughs as if recalling an embarrassing moment from childhood and not a fatal military blunder.
>“I…see. Well, it’s impressive enough that you managed to survive.” In more ways than one, you thought. Maybe with a little bit of direction you could harness that type of stupidity for good. “And you have no problem turning against your former employer?”“Of course not! They didn’t even try to come get us!” Rocks says indignantly.
>“Well, alright then. If you could just…have a seat while I speak with my associate, we promise to get back to you soon.”Rocks cheerfully leaves to take a seat outside, humming a tune and ignoring all the dirty looks that are being thrown his way. As he exits the room, a smaller man enters in his wake. He is clad in dark black armor and a long red cape, wearing a helmet that obscures his face. He sits down in the interview chair before you and Corrine but does not say a single word. The three of you stare at each other for several moments in silence, before you finally break the ice.
>“And you are?”“Balbatos.” The man says in a cold, dreary voice. “Captain of the Order of the Blood Knights.”
>“Right. Could you tell me about you and your company?”“We go where there is blood to be had. The trampling of our hooves signifies the end for all our enemies who hear them. We are mercenaries, selling our swords to the highest bidder. We are paladins, trained in the art of mounted warfare. And we are merchants, and the good that we peddle is death.”
“Oh geeze…” You hear Corrine groan with exasperation next to you.
