Border Battle

[Vincent]

It has been a week since Vincent began to apprentice to Near and the two were almost out of Lycia and into Bern. Vincent never thought he'd be relieved about it but things change. At the gate of the town the guard stood shakily and shouted for the two men to halt. His left arm was limp and bandaged. Red could be seen seeping through. It was fresh.

"Halt! State your business or be on your way! I'll have no more trouble from you people, you hear me!" The mans voice cracked as he spoke. He flinched and kept blinking furiously, what happened to him?

"My friend and I are merely passing through to Bern. We mean no harm." Vincent raised a hand as if in innocence. "May I ask, what happened here? The gates are in ill repair and your arm is wounded."

The guard was still tense and twitchy but he began to ease off on the two a moment. "The bandits are rallying as of late. They say Hargus is back. We've kept them at bay but..." He shook his head fiercely. "I can't keep doing it! They just keep coming night after night! I can't keep DOING IT!!!" His scream was shrill and harsh. It made Vincent leap in surprise. His mind must be breaking.

Vincent stepped into action. "Sir! Calm down." He held one hand up in an attempt to draw his attention.

"No! No! No more! The people don't get it! They haven't seen them yet. They come and break us then leave. They could overrun us if they so desired but they don't. Why don't they!?"

[Ryuzaki]

"..."

Even before they had approached the man, Ryu could practically taste the fear rolling off of him. He was wounded, he was jittery, his eyes flickered like one condemned… What had he done? What had been done to him? Either way…Well, this was quite the interesting scenario. A town that looked like an absolute invitation for any roving hordes of ne'er-do-wells and opportunists. A free lunch indeed. It would be a good place to demonstrate to Vincent the way of the assassin and the thief – take and leave, before anyone asks why.

”Why don’t they overrun you? That is a simple question, and I have a simple answer.

Dead men earn no money. They grow no crops, tend no livestock, and craft no goods. If the bandits you speak of were smart, they would do exactly what they’re doing. They would milk you of everything you could create, all you could give, then suck the marrow from your bones and leave you laying, living but dead, a husk, a shell, a wrapper. Nothing but skin and bleached bone.

That is why they keep you alive. That is why they keep returning to torture you. That is why you have a wound, bleeding so nicely and aromatically. Because they don’t want to be kind, good sir Guard. They don’t love you, except your wives and daughters. They just want to get ahead. Who doesn’t?”

Ryu chuckled, his voice silky smooth and reassuring in tone, but terrifying in word. Turning to his companion, the assassin nodded and motioned to move into the town.

”We will stay the afternoon and relax, Vincent. Perhaps the night as well. I feel… lucky. Perhaps some good fortune will land itself in our laps. You can engage in your heroics… And I…”

Ryu lowered his voice so only his protégé could hear.

”I will line my pockets. What an augury this is. I am overjoyed. We will have coin to last three journeys at this rate.”

[Vincent]

Ryu was a cold and harsh man, his words calculated and effective. He drove the point of the bandits' tactics home, though from the sound of it they had never actually raided in proper but rather opted to attack them psychologically. Though Vincent had his own doubts that Near could comprehend such a tactic. He was rather unfeeling and did not seem like the sort to be affected by such tactics.

The town guard looked terrified and pale in light of Near's 'revelation.' He knew well that he would be left for dead in time but he could not stand it. His twitching behavior saw him drop his lance, letting it rattle and clank to the ground as the two men passed.

Vincent tried to play his role as Near's assistant but his better nature betrayed him as it always had. Not even five paces beyond the man he stopped walking. "Near... we should help these people." As he uttered those words he knew Near would be against it naturally. He quickly tried to cover his claims and justify a reasoning. "I just mean, if we were to help them then we could use it as a good chance to practice and..." What would Near be interested in? Ah, he knew. "There could very well be a reward involved. Even if not, a bandit treasury will usually amass something of interest." He knew that very well. That was how he found Phoenix Heart.

He went back and helped the soldier pick up his weapon. He kept his mouth shut about any offers but looked to Near to decide. He ignored Near's declaration about bleeding the people dry for now in hopes that his new proposition would see it never need to be revisited.

[Ryuzaki]

"…?"

As Vincent began speaking, Ryu slowly swiveled, fixing the younger swordsman with a gaze that contained neither malice nor anger, but instead curiosity and bemusement, like a child watching a snake undulate through the grass.

"But why on earth would we help them?"

Then Vincent began to give his reasons. Practicing? It was a fair point, but one that was not… Necessary, per se. One could always find a way to practice. Rewards? Mmm. That was indeed a good point. But the only problem was the fact that they were going out of their way to help these people. And there was no assurance that they would appreciate or even care about any sacrifices Ryu and his assistant would make for their sake.

"I will not argue. We shall aid these people. However, be aware - when I fight, I do so to kill and to defeat. I will not show mercy, and I will not hesitate to ensure my safety above all else. Your safety shall be second, and then the others... They are no concern to me."

Ryu smiled, drawing his blade Gemini and swinging it in a sparkling arc down to rest under the lance-tip. Flicking his wrist, Ryu sent the lance bouncing up, where he caught it and handed it to the guard, grinning with a vile humor in his eyes.

"Buck up, pal! I'm here to help you guard your town! My rate's pretty cheap, as long as I can loot the corpses! You don't need to worry about a thing... Except your family. They need you alive, right? So don't get careless!"

The assassin laughed wickedly.

"Right, then, Vincent... Let's do this! Practice it is."

[Vincent]

Vincent had hardly had the time to bend over before Near had tossed the grounded spear into the air and quickly into the shaky hands of the guard. Maybe this was a start? But if Near was to ever change his ways and not become an enemy to Vincent in the future it would be a very long road. For now the two were in a… mostly mutually beneficial relationship. In truth Vincent was merely relieved that Near’s original nature was so easily subverted… this time.
The way the spear was handed over it was as though Near may as well have been planting a mine on him at the same time. Vincent managed a relieved smile as Near seemed ready to go and give this a shot. It’s been a while since Vincent had fought bandits, a long while actually. Near laid bare everything he thought and intended, to some that is quite the characteristic flaw, but for Vincent it was a saving grace with this man.
“I don’t want you to look after me and keep me safe; you aren’t my caretaker.” A mixture of childish annoyance and pride as mercenary building his own name was behind his words. He knew Near only meant it as well as Near could have though. “If we take out the bandits systematically and efficiently than worrying about taking care of others won’t be a priority.” Although, how many there were, or how they would approach meeting them would be key, but if Vincent was to ever learn the assassins’ ways he would rather them go to the bandits’ hideout and strike preemptively. He expressed this idea to Near in a more private manner, away from the ears of the guard adding, “In their territory we can lay all their treasures bare.”
A sickening thought was on his mind however; if they do this Near may likely expect Vincent to KILL his fair share. Up till now he had only killed twice: once to save a young healer and the other… he stopped dwelling on the past. If this was necessary he would do it… maybe… possibly… only if capture was not an option anymore. Yes, try to capture first. He was skilled enough with disarming and maiming techniques to do it. In time these skills would earn him the name Heelcutter amongst the Sacaeans. Such worthy feats had yet to be recognized however.

[Ryuzaki]

"That is right. I am not your caretaker. But you are my investment... If you endanger the return on said investment, I will step in to save your life. Not because I care about you or the good you will undoubtedly do in your rash and 'moral' ways - that simply makes my job more difficult. No, Vincent. You are worth your weight in gold to me if I can teach you to see the corruption I see in the world. And so I will preserve what I have staked in you - a better tomorrow."

The assassin turned away abruptly.

This was difficult. He needed Vincent to understand and to realize what was necessary for his success. He needed Vincent to see that which would bring Vincent and Ryuzaki to the pinnacle of a new, grand world.

"Let's find this bandit hideout. Gather those who will accompany us, Vincent. I will find out their location. Then we will lock on, move in, and decimate them."

The assassin smiled.

Gemini? Check.
Sickles? Check.
Knives? Check.
Iron Gauntlet? Check.
Wine? Check.

Purpose?

Check.

Even though the assassin could not completely understand the rash and fiery emotions and actions of his young pupil, Ryu relished the thought of a battle. He yearned to feel the bite of his blade into flesh, to smell the scorching scent of blood as it spilled from open wounds. The assassin wanted to destroy that which he had been assigned to destroy. For while it was no noble, it was destroying something rotten in the world.

"My new world... It will come.

Eventually."

[Vincent]

Vincent was given a response from Near that had rather quite surprised him. To say he was Near’s investment and his hope for the future. It was so idealistic and so hopeful. He merely wants him to see the corruption in the world and aid as a crusader to crush it. As he set about his part of the job he kept thinking about his words. Was this perhaps the same way the White Feathers saw themselves? Their leader did himself say that he was only killing the corrupt. But, who gets to decide this? Who decides on who is right and wrong? As a mercenary he should have no moral obligations or let himself get caught up on this. The coin decides for the average of his kin, but he was different. But… so many people wanted him to carry their torch. Neil wanted him to find the answers he could not and now Near wanted him to be the divine instrument even after he was gone or their ways parted.
His mind was swimming but his heart was calmed. He had his own gut and judgments. If he let himself get hung up too much he would only find himself making mistakes that lead to his forehead scar. For now he need not dwell on heavy matters. He had a job to do and by golly he would do it! Even in his own head did he really think golly? He shook his head visibly and went into the tavern.
Finding willing blades and bloodthirsty treasure seekers was simple enough. He soon had three men at his back that would work on the promise of a share of the hoard. With them along he headed back to the outpost that would serve as his and Near’s meeting place.
“As soon as Near arrives we will be heading out. His instruction on approaching this is the primary method we will use, but if things go sour focus on keeping yourself and each other alive. I want all of us to be able to come back whether we are successful or not.”

[Ryuzaki]

The assassin hunched over maps of the region. The bandit hideout was clearly discernible - a fort, which had been used in the past, and that now stood empty... Save the bandits, of course.

"So if I..."

The assassin's slender fingers traced a route, which lead straight to the fort.

"More maps. Of this fort. Now," Ryuzaki snapped, standing impatiently until the clerk of the town hall brought the maps out.

Looking the plans over, the assassin saw a few weaknesses in the fort's defense. There was the main gate, the rear gate, and a tunnel marked on the map. The tunnel was originally intended for use as a 'shipping/receiving' entrance, but a hand had roughly scrawled 'blocked' over the opening to the surface.

These three avenues of access would be more than enough; hopefully Vincent would be able to procure some other fighters to assist them in their battle. Now, if they got inside… There were two main paths. One went around the outside of the interior of the fort, and one snaked through the interior, leading to some rooms for garrisoned soldiers and a large mess hall.

"Thank you. That is all I need."

Ryu quickly left and strolled to the meeting place, his eyes sparkling with the thought of conflict. It would be such fun!

"Vincent! Good to see you. Here is what I found:

We will march to the 'abandoned' fort about two kilometers from here. There are three entrances. The main and rear entrances are likely to be guarded; we will have to make an informed decision based on the number of guards when we arrive to determine whether or not to storm them. The third is a tunnel used for the transmit of goods that is supposedly blocked. However, I doubt that theory... So I will explore the tunnel."

[Vincent]

The four men all stood around in a semi-circle, each tending to their wares and preparing. For Vincent this meant cleaning under his fingernails. He knew he looked like any other crude ruffian but eh, it needed to be done. One of the more impatient men began to tap his foot and soon after brought this Near into question. “Who is this Near anyway? He get lost or something?”

Vincent raised a brow before speaking defensively. “You can’t gleam all knowledge in a day. You joined knowing we’ve only JUST learned of the bandits. So quit your griping and be thankful for any insight he can bring us.” And boy, were they rewarded for their patience. A full map of the ruined fort was far more than any could hope for. “Likewise, master.” He responded to Near, a man sneered at him for it.

“Two kilometers? That’s it? That is so close. Who in the right mind would set up there? If the town had a proper cavalry they’d have been overrun in a night.” His own questioning was in itself an answer. In the end the town had a weak guard and in turn the bandits were quite safe from that short distance away. In fact being so close must a boon. They could raid every night and never worry about the distance treasures had to travel. It was only a matter of time before they decided to take or raze the village.

Vincent looked over the map more and traced the corridors and paths that should be there. The rear entrance would be a more direct route to the ‘inner sanctum’ but the main entrance would take them through a number of corridors that could be deadly. Deciding where to enter was a tough call. Perhaps they could go up instead? Yes, that’s it. The goal is a surgical strike after all and here he had three men at his back and a true assassin acting of his own accord.

Vincent nodded at Near in approval. “In that case I will need two of you to go to each entrance to gain the attention of the bandits. When they give chase you will head north. The cliffs in that direction will offer protection if you learn the terrain. So, be sure to study the area before we leave. The last of you will help me climb the southern wall. From the sky I can move far more freely. The paths won’t be an obstacle. If all goes accordingly, the two of you will draw away a large enough force and their leader will head, here.” He pointed to what should be the most secure locale. “But from above it is only a matter of little effort for myself or Near to deal with him.”

“That’s all well and good but they’re still bandits. They don’t give a rat’s about their leader, another will simply take over.” One of the mercenaries raised his doubts.
“That is why we don’t kill their leader. Cripple him yes, but as long as he lives he is a bargaining power. The odds of inner dissent are raised between those that would remain loyal and those that would rather him die. Infighting will be the key to their own self destruction.” He looked to Near to give his approval and or critiques on his plan. He knew there were holes in it.

[Ryuzaki]

"...That is exactly why they have set up so close. Because there is no cavalry to speak of. Because they are bandits, and they seek the least work for the most gain.

Clearly, you have little experience with such matters. I would recommend you head home, do the laundry, cook dinner, and send the real man of the house to fight with us. I won't slow down for weaklings, and anyone who doubts my skill or authority may step forward and challenge me now. I'll cut you into ribbons... And that's a promise."

The assassin glared at the men, his gaze roving over them like twin spikes of ice. There was no emotion in his glance, except disinterested, generic contempt for the men who stood around.

Then he began to speak again.

"With a location so close to the town, the group need not be equipped with horses or many supplies - they can get what they need from their 'pantry' a short walk away. Likewise, given the despicable condition of the guard in this town, we need not worry about overwhelming numbers. We simply must maim or kill all of them, or make a strong enough statement to deter any attempts at reorganizing.

That is where I come in.

I am not kind. Nor am I gentle. By the time I'm done with their leader, he'll be fit only for use in beef jerky or as fertilizer.

Vincent's plan is good - but don't just run them around. Strike at them. Hurt them. Make them bleed and feel pain. Kill them. Let them feel the cold hand of Death."

Ryuzaki smiled menacingly.

"Unless there are any questions... Let's move."

[Vincent]

The other men all shifted uncomfortably under the weight of Near’s gaze. They failed to make eye contact and just sort of stood there in, was it fear? Near was a man with presence and a lack of care that spilled over in killing intent but it still seemed shameful to Vincent. He caught himself in his own thoughts and shook them off. He could not think poorly of the men for it. The first time he saw Near he gave chase sure, but then he stood crippled by fear, at the mercy of his blades.
Then there was that Near logic and thought process, terrifying and cold as ever. Vincent frowned about it. Turn him into jerky huh? Yeesh. Vincent conceded control of the mission to the more experienced Ryu but he could not let the men go recklessly either. “I can’t ask much from any of you, but I can ask only, that we all come back, ALIVE. If you feel you would be overwhelmed then do not fight. There is no shame in running.” Even Ryu would have to admit to this as he is an assassin, one that has undoubtedly failed and fled in the past.
All final words spent the group began to travel to the base. “Reckon we’ll be famous for this?” One man asked.
“It’s possible. They have been terrorizing the village.”
Vincent listened to the banter for a moment as it made him think of his time with Neil. The two were so green and idiotic. It was fun while it lasted. A darker thought crept in and he quickened his pace to stand beside Near who was in the lead.
“I fear I may have recruited a bunch of severely green mercenaries.” He knew Ryu would see them as fodder but Vincent needed to stress this was not to be so. “I won’t tell you what to do but if need be I will abandon the mission to save them.” The boy really was not cut out to be a mercenary. He valued lives over the job or gold.

[Ryuzaki]

"Well, that's one point I'll have to concede. It is always better to live to continue the fight another day. Revenge is a dish best served like cucumber soup - chilled with Fimbulvetr. Haha!"

The assassin snickered, and the group set out on the short trek to the ruin of a fort. It was pleasant walking, and Ryu felt the familiar rush that came with being out in the field again. The pre-battle rush. Mmm. It was a wonderful feeling.

As Vincent began to talk, Ryu turned his head, cocking it slightly and raising an eyebrow as a small smirk spread over his face.

"I fear I may have recruited a bunch of severely green mercenaries."

"Vincent, my boy, you couldn't have gotten them any greener unless you pulled them out of the grass itself. There's probably not a single man in that group that has seen a friend bleed and die in front of them... It's terrible, actually, the first time. Have you ever seen a friend die, Vincent? Have you ever watched someone you love slowly fade from life, while you could do nothing but watch and scream?"

Ryu shook his head angrily, his eyes a strange mix of rage and deep sorrow. It was an unusual display of emotion for the usually distant and icy assassin, and he waited for Vincent to respond, if he would, before the assassin continued.

"I understand. You have your goals, and I mine. My job is to teach you how to fight, not how to live... So if you need to do what you feel is necessary to keep them alive, you may. But I swear, if you hurt yourself doing it, I won't forgive you..."

Ryu gave a small, strange smile to the mercenary.

"Look... There it comes now. You'd best get the boys in line and ready to fight... When you're ready, I'll move in, and you can spring your trap."

[Vincent]

It would seem Vincent had not pegged the man Near was quite as accurately as he had believed. In a way he was relieved by this and in another it made him even more dangerous. Then, a final thought, maybe it was a good thing he did not understand him.

Near surprised Vincent with light banter about how green they were, but even more so, how he spoke of others dying before his eyes. Had he experienced the same tragedy? He would not prod him for answers, Near seemed the type to speak if he desired it and remain stubborn if not. But he asked Vincent if he’d experienced it.
“I know that all too well. It is why I have taken to traveling alone. He was consumed by the nether and nearly became a monster,” an arum to be exact, but he did not know the name yet. “He died in my arms, his body slowly consumed in a magic flame while he sputtered between mouthfuls of blood to take his money and his tome.” He shook his head. ”I did as he asked but… why was that all he could say in his parting? I can’t even read. His death had no meaning and that is why I must destroy the Feathers.”

A surge of anger and killing intent swelled inside of Vincent. He caught himself and forced it to subside. If he were to let it out he feared for the man he released it on and for what he would become. ‘Teach you how to fight, not how to live’ odd… Vincent had some notion Near wished him to carry his torch. He felt almost guilty for such assumptions. “Thank you, again for that.”

The two soon split ways as they headed into their positions. Two men stood at opposite ends of the fortress and he was atop the rear wall. Where did Near go? Did he do that disappearing trick again? He searched until he found him and gave the signal.

The two men rushed the wall gathering the attention of as many people as they could before rushing to the cliffs. So far so good. Vincent crept along the decaying walls as quickly as he could looking below for the leader. He had to be careful of angles lest someone notice him.

[Ryuzaki]

"It's possible that there are notes, messages, things that he wanted you to know... Or maybe he just wanted to live on in your heart. Hah."

As Vincent shared his goal of revenge, Ryu thought back to the message and the new vigor that Vivian's grandfather had instilled in him. He would have to share with Vincent his ideas... But now was not the time. Now was the time to calculate and act. Precision. Machinelike precision.

"Do not thank me now... Thank me when you understand."

With that, the assassin slipped away, moving until he arrived by the fort. The tall grass hid him as he slithered nearer and nearer, until the old and rusty trapdoor that covered the 'service route' came into view. Catching Vincent's eye, Ryu nodded as the mercenary gave the signal to act. His lockpick wobbled through his fingers, like it was dancing, and soon there was a click from inside the lock as the tumblers slid back. The assassin pulled on the lock, but it stayed firm, rusted in place by years of weather and disuse.

"Damn."

Ryu moved to the hinge side, taking Gemini and delivering two hard strokes to the wood near them. The door cracked, and the assassin ripped it aside before shimmying down the rusted ladder to the ground below.

Padding across the dirt, Gemini drawn, Ryu heard his breath, soft and controlled. He felt his own pulse, slowly beating out a tempo... And then light. Light from the front. It was a trapdoor, and light trickled through the slits of the wood. A similar ladder led up, but the lock was on the outside... How to do this without making a mess?

The assassin moved up the ladder, holding on with one arm and his legs as he sheathed his sword and withdrew a throwing knife. The wood surrounding the hinges was brittle and old, and with some prying, Ryu freed a plank, which he grabbed firmly before jumping off the ladder.

A sharp crack marked the board's demise, and Ryu stayed crouched for a moment. When no footsteps sounded, he repeated the process, and then once more. There was now a sizeable hole, and the assassin slithered through it, emerging inside the fort.

A sudden shadow caused the assassin to swivel to the side and draw his sword - but the shadow was huge, spread over much of the corridor. It was grotesquely out of proportion... And then Ryu sighed, raising his head to glimpse Vincent lurking along the top of one of the walls.

"Psst!"

No luck.

What to do? How to let him know?

Ryu needed something flamboyant. Looking around, his eye fell on a tapestry. Ripping the cloth off of the wall, he swung it, trying to flag down the mercenary. His shadow would give him away.

[Thread Retired until Vincent's Return]

[Vincent]

The old stone walls supported the creeping Vincent begrudgingly. If he was not careful they threatened to crumble beneath him as small chunks of the wall fell away in places Vincent was both nervous and studious. What parts of the wall would crumble and how did it look? How did it feel? Between this and watching his distance from those below he had never considered his shadow. The evening was upon them and it was grown to great lengths.

His back to Near's position, the banner was waved in futile effort. This job was almost too easy, and it would have been if the bandits were as dull as they appeared. True, the bandits played right into Vincent’s plan, that could not be disputed, Vincent’s plan however did not account for the possibility that he had played into theirs as well. There was a subtle shift in the stances of the bandits below, a more deliberate walk, slower, more careful. To Near it was plain to see, to Vincent, he could feel a malevolent change like he was about to be trapped but his eyes told him otherwise.

Continuing along his route he looked for Near only now noticing the banner, what was that for? He must have a message or something… was… wrong. The thought crept in too late. Out of the very room he aimed to reach a heavily muscled hand grasped his ankle and ripped him down from his perch. His body and head slammed against the roofing before being dragged down and slamming against the decrepit tiles floor below.

Instantly Vincent was in a daze, his vision was distorted and he was afforded no time to gain his bearing. “Looky here boss! Got a rat, sneaking about!” The bandit was terrifyingly strong after all and lifted Vincent off the ground so he dangled by one leg. The boy flailed about uselessly. He berated himself for being the one to ruin his own plan but more importantly he was in a bind. His sword was just out of reach and it would not take long for them to see the dagger strapped to his leg.

The boss grinned openly, “Come on out assassins, it is obvious that there are more of ye.” Hefting a large axe onto his shoulder he hummed deeply. “Don’t kill ‘em yet, see if his ‘friends’ come for him.”

Would he? Just in case Vincent had to think quickly as he was dropped to the floor with a head ringing thud. If he came out of this without a concussion it would truly be a miracle. Though he did still have his dagger; sliding his leg in close to conceal it he clutched his knee and played the part of the terrified whelp.