Chapter 58.

Walking around the bustling streets, the trio followed the Laeli guard to a large and high tower at the edge of the city, near the defensive stone wall. Its shape was perfectly round, with a thick base and thinning height of maybe thirty meters. Its roof was made of red clay tiles, contrasting with the rest and making it easy to see, as if its size was not enough. There was also a sign at eye height featuring a drawing of two crossed spears behind a round shield. The large wooden door was wide open, and some voices could be heard from inside. Someone was seemingly screaming in anger :

- Why should I care about your stupid excuses ?! It's the third time that you sleep on the job, and I don't have time to waste on that kind of bullshit ! Just leave your equipment here and fuck off ! I don't need trash like you among my people !

After a few seconds, a human hurriedly got out of the place, looking extremely angry, casting lightning with his eyes. Figuratively speaking, of course. He even shoved Simmis to the side on his way. She watched him go on his pissed off way with a frown, smiled to the three companions and gestured to follow her inside.

The place was quite bare, without anything on the naked stones if not for some candle holders at regular distances. The first floor was divided in two by a wall to the left of the entrance in which a two meters wide door was opened. To the right, the room appeared as a half circle, with a staircase running along the curve, leading to the upper floors. This ground-level entrance only featured a few rough couches and chairs and some racks with basic weaponry.

The four people entered the left door. An office appeared, richly decorated this time : a large dark wooden desk covered in papers and writing tools, some cupboards, a safe in a corner, a thick carpet under the desk and some paintings on the walls. Cozy.

- What is it ?, yelled a voice from behind the desk.

- I brought the new Otherworlders Captain., Simmis said with a firm voice.

What the trio saw standing in this room was a very tall human, at least two meters, with a muscular build and white skin. His head was hairless if not for a thick moustache. He was red from anger, with his fists on his waist and a deep frown. That rugged and wrinkled face made him look even angrier than he was. Or was he really that enraged ?

- Otherworlders ? What the fuck do you want me to do with those ?, he asked without pausing.

- They just arrived and could be useful., she said before taking a respectful step back and preparing to leave.

With a quick nod, the Captain dismissed his subordinate, beginning to check the newcomers from head to toe with this striking stare of his. He did not look less angry than before.

- You people are new ?, he said on a lower tone.

- Yes., began Enora. We finished the Trial less than two days ago. One of your guards said that he was welcoming us …

- What's this guy's name ?, the man interrupted, taking a wooden pencil and some ink, ready to write.

- … Cusmo, I think ?

- Okay, I'll talk to him later., he said pensively. As for you, I don't know what I could use you for. You ladies may be pretty, but the militia ain't a brothel. As for the guy, he's too scrawny. Get out now, I've got work to do.

Taken aback, Nick, Rose and Enora did not even realise how insulted they had just been : with only one look the Captain had judged them unfit for anything the militia was tasked to do.

- We know magic though !, said Rose in an outraged tone.

- 'Oh ! then that changes everything !' is what you expected me to say ? Do you know the number of people that can use magic ? You're just Otherworlders ! Meaning you know even less than me, and I'm not a mage. That's still not considering the fact that you have no training whatsoever. I don't have the time or resources to waste on training you three, so bugger off.

Just before leaving, dejected, Nick turned around and asked :

- Do you know at least where people like us could find work ?

- 'People like you' ?, the Captain said mockingly.

- People who just spent the last months killing monsters in a Trial and got out alive., the skinny man specified.

Scratching his chin while breathing out loudly, he pensively answered :

- Well, I guess you could do what none of my guys wants, some tunnel cleanup.

- What's that ?, asked Enora in a bad mood.

- Easy : you go in the Desert Road, check the side tunnels and make sure there are no Aaterpas, Batereli or Catergas. You're paid for each of those little shits that you kill.

- What are these words ?

- Don't bother remembering the words, they're just mage jargon to talk about the three main monsters you find underground : the little grey ones, the big wild ones and the very tall scary ones.

- Oh ! We call them …, began Rose.

- Don't care., he interrupted. So for each little one you kill and get proof of, you're paid like five copper.

Hearing the reward, Enora got upset.

- That's all ?

- What ? Wanna be paid in gems ? You get what you deserve. Those pesky shits are weak, even in large numbers.

- What about the other ones ?, curiously asked Nick. We've killed a few.

- You've killed Catergas ? No way, those are too much for rookies.

- Well, we only took care of one … and almost did not make it., mumbled the mage. Still, we can do the middle ones so, how much ?

- … it's one silver for the Batereli and one gold for a Catergas., the Captain finally said. Don't go and get yourselves killed for so little though.

This last sentence was the first through which he expressed something other than mockery or anger towards them. It was a barely veiled insult doubting their abilities, but still, it proved something about him : he was not willing to send people to a meaningless death. At last something positive !

(Enora) I know we just got out of the tunnels and all, but come on : let's go kill some monsters !

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Chapter's Glossary

Aaterpa(s) : magical vernacular for the Grey Devils.

Baterel(i) : magical vernacular for the Ash Trolls.

Caterga(s) : magical vernacular for the Giants.

Desert Road : path linking Sephayis to the surface world.