Chapter 67: The Brotherhood of Mercenaries

How a lot? Vir requested, eyeing a rudimentary map of town inked on parchment. He was again on the similar paunchy service provider whom hed bought his daggers to, however this time, he seemed to purchase.

For you? I’ll promote it low cost. 5 silvers.

You need 5 silvers for this low cost factor? Vir couldnt probably afford that. Possibly if he bought Minas elaborate outfit, but when that basically was a household heirloom, he doubted hed promote it off simply, not less than right here in Daha. Commoners promoting off royal garb raised questions and a spotlight.

The gown was fairly ineffective. Neither might he promote it, nor might he put on it.

Pal, maps are a uncommon luxurious. I’ll don’t have any points promoting this for six. Imagine me, I’m doing you a favor.

Uh, huh. Effectively, thanks anyway, Vir mentioned, not bothering to barter with the person. Any cash spent on a map was a waste, since he might simply style one himself free of charge. And by making his personal map, hed study the geography of town way more intimately than by simply shopping for one.

Vir had risen early the morning after his encounter with the princess, wanting to signal on with the Mercenaries Brotherhood; the pawn store was simply an afterthought.

Hed felt unhealthy about waking Neel at such an early hour, so the bandy slept fortunately on the inn.

Exiting the shop, he discovered a market sq. that was a far cry from the earlier night. Vestiges of yesterdays procession remainedflowers of all colours lay on the highway, trampled and shreddedbut the sq. was almost empty.

The Mercenaries Brotherhood constructing stood out from all of the others. Whereas about the identical top at 4 tales tall, its all-stone structure differed from the arch-and-dome theme of the remainder of town, with an engraved image that dominated its entrance face. A triangular metallic plaque adorned with a black ghost.

Its huge wood double doorways soared to virtually two tales in top, thick and rugged like the remainder of the construction. If Daha ever got here underneath siege, Vir would need to search refuge on this constructing. Carvings adorned its stoneportraits and sculptures of warriors of all types, all holding completely different weapons. And in contrast to the opposite buildings that each one butted up towards one another, the Brotherhood stood aside, extending deep into the gap.

Vir entered anticipating to discover a huge open area crammed to the brim with mercenaries ogling a contract board. In any case, how might this probably be a correct guild with no job board, some adventurers, and a few tussles over rambunctious upstarts?

As a substitute, he discovered a dim empty corridor. Extensive and tall, to make sure, however darkish, and almost devoid of life. Reasonably than a enterprise institution, he felt like hed walked right into a temple whose congregation had way back finishedthe employees having already tidied up.

Sure? mentioned an ominous voice close by. Vir startled and seemed round with Prana Imaginative and prescient. The flexibility was at all times on these daysa ordinary intuition somewhat than one thing that wanted to be activated. It confirmed a robust twin affinity prana signature only a handful of paces away. Seated behind a black veil, solely their legs and black polished loafers have been seen.

I need to register as a brand new mercenary, Vir mentioned, frowning on the man behind the veil.

Its like a cult, he thought, recalling the Youngsters of Ash.

Comply with me, the person mentioned, and when he lastly stepped from behind his sales space, Vir was as soon as extra thrown for a loop.

Not solely had the person been seated behind a veil, he wore one on his face!

Positively like a cult. Vir was beginning to rethink this determination.

He adopted the receptionist by means of the darkish corridor and into a big courtyard, sometimes passing different mercenaries, whose footsteps echoed within the silence.

A leafless petrified tree occupied the middle of the area, surrounded by sand. Continuing down one other corridor, they lastly got here to a tall stone room containing a number of wood cubicles all arrayed facet by facet.

Wait right here in your flip, the receptionist mentioned earlier than departing, leaving Vir alone, going through the doorways of the cubicles that had names painted upon them. Sonam, Alt Ashani, Daha, Avi, Raaka, Kartara, and Balindam.

Vir acknowledged twoDaha and Balindam. The capitals of Hiranya and the Pagan Order, respectively. Which meant the opposite cubicles have been named after the capitals of nations as nicely.

He didnt wait lengthy. Balindam. Enter, a female voice mentioned.

Vir made his manner into the sales space, which was lit by solely a single Magic Candle, and shut the door behind him. The particular person within the sales space wore an analogous veil, her fingers steepled upon a counter.

He took two steps over to the empty chair and froze.

The lady he was had golden prana flowing by means of her complete physique and almost nothing else. Apex Lightning affinity. Vir was possible coping with a Mejai of Ash or probably even a Mejai of Realms.

Is there an issue? requested the Executor.

Will the Brotherhood hold this info secret if I want them to? Irrespective of their station?

The lady stared at him, and even by means of her veil, he might inform her tone had modified. As I mentioned, secrets and techniques are the lifeblood of the Brotherhood. There isn’t a precedence larger to us than retaining the arrogance of our members. We’ve got fought empires earlier than to guard such secrets and techniques. We are going to accomplish that once more if want be.

It was essentially the most the woman had ever spoken, and Vir was grateful for it. Her phrases undoubtedly made the choice simpler… however there was a greater choice.

Apramor, he wrote. It was a quite common title, however one which Maiya would acknowledge if she got here searching for him. This manner, he stored each his actual title secret and left breadcrumbs for her, too. He simply had to make sure he did not mess up and use the incorrect alias within the incorrect state of affairs. Any extra of those, and he might simply land himself in scorching water.

This seems so as, the Executor mentioned. Now, in your job. Convey me the eyes of that which sees with out eyes.

A riddle? Vir requested, elevating a forehead. Isnt the brotherhood a mercenary group? What want do you’ve of those that can resolve riddles?

Brotherhood mercenaries tackle quite a lot of duties that require each mind, downside fixing potential, crafty, and fight prowess. Every of our Excessive Shadows possesses these abilities in spades.

I see. Theres nobody whos merely robust?

These varieties have a tendency to not stay lengthy on this line of labor, she responded, furling the paper. Now, is there anything?

No, but when I do that, Im in?

That may rely in your efficiency and your potential to pay the charge. Do observe that there’s a time ingredient to this take a look at. It’s best to full your job inside three days. Right here, she mentioned, giving him a rolled piece of paper, take this. It should grant you non permanent admission to and from town of Daha, ought to you have to go away.

Effectively, thanks, Vir mentioned, getting up.

Don’t search outdoors assist. The Brotherhood has eyes in each nook of this metropolis. Must you be caught, you’ll fail, and in case you cheat, the Brotherhood will without end be off limits to you. In all international locations.

Proper. Bought it.

Vir discovered his personal manner out, again to the doorway, the place the receptionist hailed him.

I take all of it went nicely? he mentioned, pointing at Virs writ of entry. In that case, permit me to elucidate some advantages of becoming a member of our group.

Isnt the order a little bit off right here? Vir thought. Normally theyd attempt to offer you causes to affix first, however Vir wished to know what being a part of the Brotherhood obtained him, so he nodded for the receptionist to proceed.

The veiled man launched right into a speech that appeared like hed given it a thousand instances.

Brotherhood Sanctums function not solely as contract issuers, but additionally present armorer and lodging providers to its members. Shadows, Excessive Shadows, and Executors obtain privileges resembling superior lodging, discounted charges, and entry to larger tier armor, weapons, and magic orbs. The Brotherhood gives uncommon and precious gear. Many covet this profit.

If if I wished to arrange a gathering with a Sawai, what rank would I’ve to be for that? Vir requested.

It is dependent upon which of the Sawai aristocracy, and your standing inside our group, however Shadow is the minimal. If you happen to cross your trial, you’ll be a part of as an Provoke. From there, you would need to rise to Acolyte, after which to Shadow.

I see Vir mentioned, dissatisfied. Except he made an unimaginable impression on the Brotherhood, it sounded just like the highway can be longer than hed hoped for.

Even so, this was nonetheless the most effective plan he had. Hed proceed looking for others, however not less than he now had a fallback.

Vir exited the Brotherhood Sanctum to discover a market sq. buzzing with exercise.

With a fast look up on the Vimana that shrouded town in shadows, he pulled out a bit of parchment and charcoal from his bag and left.

Time to chart out this metropolis.