>>5952010After exchanging words with the newly dubbed ‘Blackwing Trio’, you move on to the even more unusual trio of Clay, Scratch and Kayla. The three of them had taken to sticking together tonight. Clay was in the middle of telling some sort of outrageous story from his past, and you could quickly tell that the other two were doing their best to feign interest. Only when you arrive to offer a lifeline does the entire debacle come to an end.
“Of course, I tried to warn my lord that this ‘celebration’ we were heading to was a trap.” Clay recalls. “A ploy concocted by his rival to steal his woman and set our forces ablaze. Unfortunately, he did not heed my words, and when we arrived-“
“O-oh, Blair!” Kayla calls out desperately. “Come sit with us! Let’s chat!”
>“How are the three of you enjoying yourselves?” You ask, taking a seat with them and interrupting Clay mid-story. “Be sure to let loose tonight. You’ve all more than earned the right.”“Heh, let loose? It sure as hell ain’t like you to say something like that.” Scratch remarks, taking a large gulp from her drink. “Guess the rumors about you breaking up the company are true after all.”
“Honestly, it’s great.” Clay says positively. “Take it from me, most mercenary companies don’t choose to disband of their own volition. More often than not, they’re either wiped out to a man, or left in a crippling enough state that they’re unable to continue the profession. To be able to choose the day of your own retirement is a dream most sellswords can only imagine. This certainly is a night worth celebrating.”
“Speak for yourself.” Scratch sighs into her beverage. “I’m depressed.”
“You’re going to miss everyone, aren’t you?” Kayla asks the bandit.
“Huh? No. I’m depressed because Blair made me give back that fancy shield I was using back at Zanado. The uhh…Ayy-gis Shield, was it? I found the damn thing. Why’d I have to let it go?”
“You did not ‘find’ it, I gave it to you.” Clay scolds her. “And that was a priceless Heroes Relic, centuries old. The way you were using it to bludgeon Demonic Beasts to death was…well…”
“Whatever works.” Scratch shrugs her shoulders and returns to her drink.
>“Where do the three of you intend to go from here?”“Sreng.” The three reply back in unison.
“Clay was generous enough to offer to escort me and my healers back north.” Kayla says happily. “It’s about time we return home. I’m sure Prince Leif is worried sick about me! And with these two guarding me, I’m sure I’ll return completely unmolested.”
You note the briefest tinge of disappointment in her voice.
“Blondie here came clean about having a Crest.” Scratch points towards Clay. “He’s offered to help teach me how to fully utilize my own. So, I’ll be tagging along with him for the time being while I figure out how this thing works.”
