The Storm

[Korbel]

- I told this already, I will not argue with you. We can temporarily join forces on our terms, or we can become enemies. Choose now.
- Foth is dangerous enough with his daggers. And he is well armored - adds Maciej.

[Benedict]

• "If that is the case I'd like to make a proposition that will entail profit for all three of you. But first, what is this crime we are talking about? I won't be sheltering a murderer."

[Korbel]

- He has stabbed a merchant in his house during a robbery. Stabbed multiple times. I guess this concludes negotiations, you schwuchtel? - Maciej grins, constantly watching Hans - now that I'm thinking about it, maybe it would be wise to take his daggers, too? Nobody likes to get stabbed. Well, I would gladly cut his arms off, but as we have a lady here... You will not stay unarmed. We will give you my club, for defense.
- You heard him, Hans. Hand me all of your blades, before you hurt somebody. Than we will take care of this mess - promises "Scar Face".
- Yes, please! - interrupts Hilde - please, we must find shelter! Karl, do something, I beg you!

[Benedict]

• "Hush Hilde, we'll take cover soon enough."

Ruthard sheathes his sword.

• "Easy with those insults. I have this family to protect and a murderer to kill. By stabbed, you mean he killed him? If not I'd prefer him with his blades at hand."
  
  "I have a proposition for this matter. I buy off his bounty and you declare him dead to your client. It's a partial lie and will save you the trouble to take him out of this hell hole, then deliver him to your client. If we agree to this I'd like to buy your services. Loan me your swords to take that murderous priest and I'll reward you accordingly."

Turning to Hans.

• "As for you, its rare to encounter a simple carpenter clad in blades and armor, with two hounds hard on his heels. I don't care for your crime, and I need your blade and cunning, if you are who they say you are. Since I'm buying your contract you should consider yourself amply rewarded. But you owe me. Help me with this matter at hand, then you are free to go. But don't try to cross me or hurt anyone. You've seen me fight. You don't want to be on the wrong end of my blade."

Before anyone can reply he adds with a wide grin.

• "Well, gentlemen, do we have a deal?"

[Marras]

Hans keeps his messer in his hand and looks a bit worried about the whole situation. How the hell did he get in this mess in the first place? Hell and damnation! Then he hears Ruthard's proposition and a smile spreads across his face.

"I'm beginning to like you more and more, Ruthard! As a carpenter I took it to myself to learn some self-defense, after all there are all kinds of people in our fair city with calls to duels even in my class. Then I noticed that I liked those dueling classes and invested in armor, too. Whatever they say, I am not here to hurt anyone, just waiting for the weather to improve and you will be free of me.", Hans pauses to give a quick look at Ruthard.

"The deal of your sounds good to me. I keep my gear and I will help you on your quest to the best of my ability. Swear to God!"

[Korbel]

- Did you hear that? They want us to risk our successful careers and reputation... and if that's not enough, we will have to fight for them. Funny, huh?
- Quite funny indeed. I think I would like 10 marks for me and 10 marks for you, that would be fair. And as you don't have this much money, we are not coming close to anything looking like an agreement - Maciej sighs.

[Benedict]

• "Good you agree Hans. I was sure you'd like my proposal."

Then he adds with a sneer.

• "But don't take me for a fool. Cross me and you'll have me and my men to account to. Oh,its fair you should know now. My name is Ruthard Adler, 3rd Captain of the White Company."

Then he gets one mark from his boot and tosses it to Maciej.

• "That's half a year wages and there's more. Do we have a deal?"

OCC: The White Company info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Company

[Marras]

Hans draws blank at the mention of White Company but at the mention of word Captain, he begins to understand what Ruthard is talking about...

"Well, good sir if you treat me fairly as is far better than I have seen in recent times, you can trust me but I wouldn't say the same of those two hounds."

[Korbel]

Maciej picks the coin and weighs it in hand, clearly surprised.
- That's what I'm talking about. Now if you want us to risk our whole lives for you, we need more coins.

[Stempest]

Until now Karl has been watching quietly but intently.

Now, Karl snarls at the men.

"You fools bicker over coins and conditions. Your lives are already at risk. Do you really think you will make it out of this town alive with just the two of you? Surely, you will kill a number of townsfolk before they drag you down with their numbers, but you will still end up corpses. Hans isn't going to disappear. He's even less likely to survive on his own. And he's not going to stab anyone, because the rest of the group will skewer him before he could take another step. Yet you still try to bargain like you are some merchant in the marketplace, all while a woman and sick child sit by, desperate only for safety. Now, listen to me. This is not a marketplace, it is a place of death. If we want to live, all of us are going to cooperate, and the first thing we are going to do is get into that manor."

[Benedict]

Ruthard stares at Karl, then nods in agreement.

• "At last someone speaks like a man."

Turning at the hounds he tosses another mark to twinscars.

• "20 marks for this job is insane and you know it... Consider yourselves paid for the Foth affair. If you're willing to help I'll give a years' wages more, or to put it simply, two marks each. This a non-negotiable one time offer. If you agree help us get the deed done. If not, keep what I already gave you, remove your presence, and good luck evading that mob. Seems you don't understand that you are already risking your lives by being here. Your chances lie with us."

Finally to Hans.

• "If you are the man they say you are it's time to put your skills to our service. Any ideas of getting in the manor unnoticed?"

[Korbel]

- We are being offended, nothing to do here - "Twin Scar" grabs the coin and starts leaving the place slowly, always keeping his eyes on Hans and Ruthard, and heads towards the manor.

Meawhile inside...
Two men guard the doors to the room, where a person in plate armor and a helmet in his hands speaks with the priest.
- We must immediately find and kill this albino, and regain control of the villagers. Where's my captain?

[Marras]

"Our only chance is a surprise and those two will spoil it if they go to the manor. They should be subdued.", Hans says with a lowered voice so Karl and Ruthard can hear.

[Stempest]

Karl swears angrily, causing Hilde to jump slightly, with a shocked look on her face.

"Come on then, we must stop them."

[Marras]

Hans smiles wickedly and nod, messer in hand and ready to go.