Standing to, a slightly scruffy, attention opposite their potential new Captain, Henshaw, Barbella and Doberman consider his pitch. As usual, it’s the shrewd-headed Henshaw who acts as their joint representative.
“So your offer is; abandon the adventurers, transfer our allegiance from Briafadel to Urdurel and reenlist in his army, but this time in a position of greater authority?”
Captain DeLeón shrugs.
“You must refer to him as ‘Lord Urdurel’, but overall; yes.”
Barbella sidles forward to stand beside his friend and teammate.
“With complete pardons for ALL our past crimes and we get to keep ALL our stuff?”
Captain DeLeón grinds his perfect teeth. He’s dealt with men like this all his life. Self serving men. Men who put their needs way above the needs of others. Men who simply lust for violence. Looking at Barbella, he can’t help but to add a barb to his offer.
“Unlike you, I’m not a thief. Your recent acquisitions and possessions are yours to keep, but I expect you to restrain yourself from pilfering from your new brothers-in-arms.”
Ignoring the insightful insult to his friend, Henshaw speaks again.
“What kind of ‘position of authority’ are you suggesting?”
Summing up, Captain DeLeón, is as concise as he can be.
“Well, you and Barbella will be immediately promoted to sergeant with a substantial increase in pay from what you were getting before.”
Narrowing his eyes, Henshaw indicates his boulder-shaped colleague.
“How substantial? We woz on a half share of loot with the adventurers and, before that, on 5sp per day under Briefadel.”
The handsome Captain brushes a hand through his thick but silvering hair.
“I can’t match an adventurer’s irregular ‘salary’ but the life of a soldier is, ironically, still a lot safer than adventuring and men of your… ability deserve a lot more than what Briefafel was paying you. How does 8sp a day sound? Plus three square meals on top.”
Henshaw nods in satisfaction at the notion of full board and meals, plus 24 gold a month, before adding.
“And Doberman?”
Captain DeLeón visibly winces.
“Ah… Would you accept a Corporal’s salary of 6sp a day for him, as long as he serves directly under one of you?”
Henshaw and Barbella look at each-other wide-eyed and laugh simultaneously…
“Bagsy not it!”
oooh I just gotta whole load of dislike for this pompous Capt.
ReplyDeletealso he owes us for our investment in the 3 henchies. they were given shares of loot, weapons and armour and consumables (potions) and finally were paid their regular wage from O'Malleys stash. They would have been allowed to leave but not with all the goodies - he deserves a return visit.......
ReplyDeleteBefore, I was worried ‘whose side are the Henchies actually on’? Now I’m worried about Fortu!!! 😂
DeleteHe is not wrong here though. Arowe might have had something to say about this. And Banaal feels that the Captain has cheated him out of O'Malley's cash share at the very least. Banaal needs some money from somewhere, staying at these inns is expensive!
ReplyDeleteFood, drink and board are all being paid for by Ringo on Lord Urdurel’s instruction. 👍
DeleteAlso, if anyone has cheated you out of 120gp, it’d be the Henchies, not Captain DeLeón. 🤷🏻♂️
ReplyDeleteSide quest. Find them, kill them, take all their stuff
ReplyDelete😂
DeleteAh, just let them go.
ReplyDeleteWe'd only have sold their stuff and there's never any good magic shops to spend the loot in anyway 🤣