War

“So, for targets… there’s a merchant caravan coming down Fang Pass, but it sounds like it’s going to be pretty light on goods. Just food and stuff like that. There’s a noble coming out of Starpeak on another one of those ill-fated ‘diplomatic missions’ to the Tribes, but sounds like he’s being guarded by Theo, so that’s a non-starter too. Uh… oh, there’s a shipment coming out to the Sullen Trail L-B sec chapter. Probably carrying weapons and outfits. Could probably make mint off that.”

“Hell no.”

“What? Why not?”

“I’m not fucking with them anymore. Not after last time. Chances are we’ll lose a lot more than we’ll get.”

“What-”

“No questions. Who else?”

…

Things had gone… a little poorly, if you’re honest.

It’s a lovely summer night. The warmth of the daylight is starting to burn off in favor of the gentle cold of Her Countenance, and the smell of the forest for all of its thriving is wonderful. It’s hard not to stare up at the sky, glinting effigies catching your attention every so often.

But, you know, it’s hard to enjoy that kind of thing when you’re hiding.

There is a dead Bearer across the tower from you, a perfectly aimed strike to his heart. A gun hangs loose in his fingers. You had no choice.

The little outpost beneath the watchtower is all tied up, your bandits having put in the legwork to capture and restrain the lot of them. A handful of loosely organized barracks surrounding a central building. Normally, it’s not very active, but it’s practically bustling now as your team scurries about from building to building… hunting.

They wanted their loot back. Literal piles of gold, reclaimed by the Bearers while it was in transit and allegedly brought here to await transport. You didn’t think this was a terribly good idea, but you also hadn’t really… come into your role, yet. You couldn’t corral that trademark Goldblight fury.

But you would be vindicated.

You see something, on the ground below. A dark shadow passing between the trees. Just barely a presence.

Before you can even think to respond, you hear a clamor of shouting from the outpost, and lean out to look down. There’s some kind of battle going on, but it’s hard to tell; your bandits scramble out of one of the buildings, shouting and sprinting away at top speed.

Just as a figure emerges from the building behind them, you… feel the watchtower start to shake.

Staggering to your feet, you try to make your way to the ladder, only for the tower to heavily tilt, sending you sliding. Shouting and clawing at the ground, you brace yourself against the wall of the tower… and then that dead Bearer slides as well, slamming into you!

You cough and wheeze, the wind knocked out of you, while you desperately pry this dead stranger off of you. The tower strains, groaning as it starts to heavily dip…

And you hear a ‘THWACK’.

The tower finally comes down, blunted by the trees but crumbling as it goes. You throw your arms up and cover your face, praying to whatever God might willingly accept your blighted soul as it all crashes down on you.

…

The tower shudders and groans as it finishes collapsing, but it has not completely fallen apart. Squeezed in by wooden debris, you start to claw your way out, pulling shattered boards out of your path and squirming your nimble form through a tight gap.

You emerge, finally, in the moonlight, only to look up…

A tall creature stands over you, a heavy Odachi hanging loosely in their hand as they look down at you. They’re dressed in light armor, slim plating over dark robes and a bodysuit… and a menacing mask, with a grinning, fanged mouth much like your own, dark red eyes and tall horns. A red sash hangs around their chest.

A War Bearer.

You start to scramble to your feet, reaching for your rapier, but they slam their foot down on your back, pinning you to the ground and again knocking the breath out of you. You snarl like an animal in a trap, but they tighten their grip on the Odachi, hefting it into both hands.

They keep you there. But they don’t kill you.

Instead, your head pinned to the side, you watch the scene unfold in the outpost. The fighting has died down to only occasional sword clashes, but you can’t see most of it. What you can see are more War Bearers, dragging the bodies of your bandits out of the encampment and piling them up. One of the bandits apparently makes a break for it, sprinting out of the clearing… only to be struck in the back by a force bolt from one of the other Bearers, sending him down. Another follows up, planting their foot onto his back as he tries to crawl away and plunging their nagamaki into him.

Another Bearer, a much shorter one than the creature keeping you pinned, approaches. There is fresh blood still drooling from the blade of his naginata. He looks between the two of you, a quiet laugh emanating from behind his mask. “Good catch. I didn’t think anyone was in that tower.”

“They must have a look out,” replies the other. “I did not expect it to be the Son.”

“Guess he’s getting more involved in the family business… good work, General.” You sneer, glancing towards where the tower once stood… clean slices in each of the supports. The general must have cut the tower down themself.

“Are you going to kill me or what!?” you shout, finally. You push against their foot, but they only clamp down harder.

“Don’t be foolish,” replies the General. “We know your curse, Goldblight. And we know your blessing, too…” Slowly, they lift their foot off of you, but they swing the Odachi in front of your face; a reminder of the position you’re in.

“Let this serve as a warning, Goldblight. Tread carefully. Know your limits.” They turn, starting to walk away as the commotion goes on nearby, bodies still being piled up. “Humility is a virtue.”

You stand, finally, under the watchful eye of the other Bearer. He subtly brandishes his naginata, urging you. “Get out of here. Now.”

Your fist clenches as you swallow the urge to reach for your rapier, starting to hesitantly edge away… though not without looking back at all of the good men you’re leaving behind.