The Conqueror's Leader

Chapter 4 :THE VILLAGE

They set off at dawn, Kain leading the way, keeping a careful eye on the tree-line. The Basic Stealth skill hummed at his veins, making all the sounds sharper, all the shadows more detailed. He could hear a bird taking off fifty paces away.

Linden limped along behind him, leaning on a large branch. Following close behind was Joren, the torn bandages of his leg wrapped in strips torn from the shirt of a dead man. They didn't speak. There was nothing left to say.

It took them two days, and they ate the last of their dried meat, and drank from the stream and slept in the ditches. Kain saved his gold well, hiding the pouch deep inside of his tunic. Every time his tired eyes closed he saw Veyr's face, saw him turn his horse and ride away.

On the evening of the second day they came to the village of Dunhollow,

which was smaller than Kain remembered. Dozens of wooden houses had been squeezed together around a muddy square, with the odd watchtower at the center boasting a red banner with a black wolf's head.

Kain's stomach twisted. Veyr's banner.

"His men are here," muttered Linden."We should go back."

"We can't. We need supplies. Medicine for your leg. We won't last another week."Kain replied."And if they recognize us?"

"They won't. We're not wearing any colors. Besides, we look like refugees."Kain shrugged the cloak that he wore tighter around his shoulders."I'll go in alone. Stay here until nightfall."

Joren grabbed his arm. "Please captain, don't leave us." "I will be back before it gets dark." he replied, gently prying off Joren's hand. "You can trust me."

He walked in to the village, low in the eyes, his face dirtied to disguise the insignia on his tunic. He could see the odd villager wander between the houses, all avoiding his gaze. Two soldiers stood outside the only tavern, talking and laughing; all in colors Kain knew too well. And as he walked along the edge of houses looking the buildings over for something to use as a store Kain found what he was looking for. Pushing open the door he wandered inside, taking in the sight of the worn and dusty shop that stretched out before him. A small, old man stood behind the counter when Kain's eyes had adjusted to the gloom.

"I need some food," Kain said, laying two pieces of gold on the counter. "Some dried meat. Some bread. Any bandages. And something for the infection."

The old man's eyes flickered over the gold coins before resting on Kain and his blood ran cold.

"I was expecting you Wolf Company," the old man whispered. His voice trembled as his gaze travelled over Kain's face. "I know that uniform, behind the grim, I see your eyes. You're one of the ones he left behind."

Kain tensed. He kept his eyes on the old man but his hand slowly moved to his belt where his weapon should have hung.

"I'm not going to hurt you," he said quietly. "I just need some supplies."

The old man's gaze flickered sideways before he moved to lean over the counter. "Commander Veyr has accused the Wolf Company of treason. All the survivors are to be captured and executed. A bounty has been placed over the heads of all known members..."

Kain's heart thundered. "And how much is that?"

"Fifty gold for a Captain."

Fifty gold coins. The System had deemed the same amount the last time he had died, save for that one moment where he had died a second time because of a system update and his annoyance. But even at the thought of the mocking coin in his hands now his hands remained steady. "And why are you telling me this?"

The old man's ears flushed red. "Because I had a son in the Wolf Company. He died three months ago. Veyr did not send either a letter, or a body. He only sent us the bill for what he stole from his soldiers. I hope you kill him."

He turned away to bundle more supplies in rough sacks and toss them over the counter to Kain. "Take it, and get out. Take it and walk out the back so nobody sees you."

Kain gathered the sacks as he turned to leave. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me, just survive."

He crept out the back of the building, his heart hammering. He moved quickly but carefully, Basic Stealth helping to hide his sounds and presence. He was almost at the edge of the village when he became aware of another presence. Stiffening he rounded the corner just in time see who stood before him.

"You there. Stop."

Kain turned slowly to face the young soldier who stood ten paces away. He had a patchy beard and nervous, watery eyes, yet behind him stood the two Veyr had assigned to watch over the village. One of them had already moved to draw his sword.

"What do you want?" The young man asked. "Where is your family?"

"I'm here to pass through," Kain replied, keeping his head down.

"Pass through?" The young man's eyes narrowed. He was probably twenty, with greasy, matted hair, and a nose that was too long.

"That's right." His eyes flicked up and down Kain's face, his grip tightening around the hilt of his sword. "Let me see your face."

"There is no need for this." Kain's gaze dropped to meet the young man's eyes

and

a blue prompt fell before his eyes.

[NEW QUEST: Survive this encounter without revealing your identity.][REWARD: Skill Unlock -- Basic Persuasion.]

You don't want to do this

you thought, standing your ground as your fingers twitched towards your belt. There wasn't anything the young man could really do, but it was a desperate trick and Kain was growing tired of desperation.

With a slow, steady breath Kain lifted his head to meet the man's gaze. "Your commander abandoned our unit. Left us to die while he ran. Tell me, how many of your friends has the bastard sacrificed?"

The soldier's grip slackened on his sword. "That's not true."

"It is. Ask him. Ask any villager where the Wolf Company has gone. Ask them what your commander left us to face alone." Kain took another step forward. "You're not fighting for a commander, you're fighting for a coward."

The two soldiers behind the young man exchanged a nervous glance. Tavish' grip on his sword loosened and he blinked a few times.

"Let him go, Tavish," one of the other two muttered. "This isn't our fight."

Tavish stared hard at Kain for long moment before lowering his weapon. "Get out of here," he said. "Now."

Kain didn't wait. He turned and made for the forest.

He found Linden and Joren waiting where he had left them, and passed out the last few supplies he had been able to buy with the few coins he possessed. His hands still shook as he settled against the tree.

[QUEST COMPLETE: Survive this encounter without revealing your identity.] [REWARD: Skill Unlock -- Basic Persuasion.]

Heat spread out from his chest at the feel of the new skill settling in his bones, words forming in his mind, shaping, molding his tongue until he could speak in such patterns. But the moment Kain took a breath to truly feel the taste of the new skill something changed. Where the prompt for his skill had been there now stood a new warning.

[WARNING: BOUNTY ACTIVE. COMMANDER VEYR HAS DOUBLED THE REWARD FOR YOUR CAPTURE.] [NEW QUEST: Build your first warband. Reward: Unknown.]

Kain stared. A Warband. He had two ragged soldiers, and a few bags of gold. He also stood at the mercy of the local army and a commander that sought his death above all things. He turned to look at Linden and Joren again as they sat cross legged on the forest floor, eating the meager rations that were all Kain had managed to find. He had nothing to offer but the promise of coin and enemies to be beaten... But the System was demanding he build something new, something bigger. And then it happened, the soft hush of a voice against the night.

"I know who you are."

Kain frowned and turned sharply, searching the darkness for the source of the voice. Out of the shadows came a figure: a woman, tall and sharp with a bow and quiver strapped across her back, and a long gash down one side of her face, her tattered uniform not bearing Veyr's colors but rather...

"Wolf Company?" Kain asked. "What is it that you want?"

"I believe it would be more fitting if I introduced myself," the warrior said, crossing her arms over her chest. "My name is Seraphine Grey. I'm honored to finally meet another surviving captain of the Wolf Company."