The Mercenary

Igneeria. A world filled with prejudice. Once plagued with open bigotry, it has since become a place of hidden persecution.

Within this world is the continent Issham, the Land of Rulers. Here, humans are the dominant species. Races from across the world gather here for a richer life, promised glory within the walls of Vermillion City.

On the southern side of the continent lies Fuscus, the only officialised port town of Issham. Trade routes from other continents converge here, making it the most diverse area in the country. Dwarves and Goblins live on the western side of town near the Ferrarious Tunnel, while Elves and Humans who work in the town live on the eastern side. Mixed races who work by the port and mercenaries who travel regularly call the southern side home. On the northern side lives the Count of Fuscus and government buildings, making them the closest to Vermillion City.

Buildings and houses are painted in differing shades of brown, from auburn to bronze to beige. The roads are paved with umber stones and lined by oak wood trees.

Wondering through the portside market is a black-cloaked figure wrapped tightly with long pants, short boots, belts, and gloves, showing no skin at all - save for the top half of their face and their deep, black eyes. Their tall, slender figure moves inconspicuously as they throw quick glances at the latest products, stopping only briefly to inspect the items on sale. Long, black hair can be seen poking out of their hood as they lean over the stalls, being tucked back when necessary.

"Esmond, sir, it's always so lovely to see you!" says the market stall owner. She recognises the hooded figure from the last time they were here.

"A dozen apples, please," Esmond says.

"Ooh, of course. Let me bundle them up for you right quick."

Esmond's attention turns to the port. Dozens of boats fill the coastline, each carrying their own type of cargo. He hopes to board a certain captain's ship. "There's a lot more ships here than there were last year," they glean.

"Ooh yes," the market stall owner chimes. "Ever since more of those scary Dens were discovered, more and more people quit their jobs to become Raiders. Suicide for profit is what I call it." She finishes bundling the apples in a netted bag. "That'll be twenty-four copper. Is that all dear?"

Esmond smirks at the lady's remark and flicks her a gold coin. They take the bag while she turns to her register. "Keep it," they say in their low, smug voice. "I don't want to hold smaller change." They wander into the crowd before the lady can cause a fuss.

Approaching the port, Esmond spots the vessel they're looking for. The Black Diamond. A magnificent galleon made of mahogany, cedar, and high-quality woollen sailcloth. It has three sails and two floors underneath the deck. Stationed around the rails of the ship are gargoyles, fixtured to detect and ward off sea creatures. The figurehead on the bow of the ship is a depiction of a bullywug, an anthropomorphic frog race.

"Glad to see that beautiful mug," Esmond says. They slip through a crowd of people who are admiring the ship.

"Helloooooo," a deep, musical voice resounds. A stout bullywug in a fetching, dark green pea coat saunters down the ship's ramp as his light brown cape blows in the wind. His tall, bulging yellow eyes blink independently. He wears pure white pants and pointed, black shoes. He twirls what looks like a moustache but is actually a whisker-like appendage. He has one on either side of his face below his nostrils. The large coin pouch tied to his belt jingles loudly as he stops halfway down the ramp. "Esmond, my boy, I could spot you in a colony of black bats. Are you here to travel with me once more?"

Esmond scoffs and breaks from the crowd. They meet the amphibian halfway up the ramp and offers him a handshake. "Your perception has always astounded me, Theodore. I'm glad you have a use for those oversized eyes."

Theodore accepts the handshake. "Be most careful, Esmond," he says as he tightens his grip, "not unlike your presence, your pettiness is easy to detect."

Esmond tightens their grip harder. "And not unlike your face, you have a pretty big mouth for a small man." They make a point by lifting their head to look down at the short man.

The two glare at each other for a moment before they pull each other in for a headbutt, followed by a tight hug.

"Oh how I missed you, you dark brooding brooder," Theodore exclaims.

"Oh how I missed you too, you randomly-toed freak," Esmond retorts as they separate.

"Honestly, what is it with you and my toes?"

"I've never seen them, and therefore I cannot say how many toes you have." Esmond's eyes narrow. "You've never shown me your feet before."

Theodore turns and gestures Esmond to follow him onto the ship. "Just because you have never witnessed something, it does not make it a secret you have to uncover."

"That's what someone with a secret would say," Esmond says. The two of them rotate the cranks on opposite sides of the ramp, wheeling it under the deck.

Theodore pulls the railing closed. "Of all things, Esmond, why would that be my secret?"

"I don't know, why don't you show me your feet?"

"Because you make it WEIRD."

Esmond shrugs but throws him a look. Suspicious, they think.

"If you wish to travel with me, it is merely a four-day trip to Green Port, Nero," Theodore explains. "Head into the stern, there awaits a spare room. The other three are already occupied. I would only ask for four silver."

Esmond flicks him a full gold coin, "Keep the change."

Theodore laughs uproariously. "You are always a welcome sight, my boy." He pockets the full amount. "We leave in five minutes!"

The captain heads to his room under the stern. Esmond looks around the ship, noticing the large amount of cargo above deck. He has so much cargo, he can't fit it all below deck, they think. I'm glad he's doing well.

Running around the ship is a small blonde elf girl wearing a blue tunic, black pants, and brown boots. She seems to be hastily counting the inventory.

At the prow of the ship stand two young women. One has long, blue hair that reaches down to her waist. She wears a white spellcaster's robe with green seam lines. A green crest detailing a four-sided star is stitched into the chest of the outfit. The woman's hood is down as she basks in the sunlight, holding onto the handrail with her white gloves.

The other woman has fiery pink hair tied into a ponytail. She's wearing a yellow tunic with brown, leather breastplate armour, dark blue pants and brown traveller boots. She has an obsidian black blade attached to her belt. Her right-hand rests on the hilt while the other holds onto the handrail. The two women sound friendly as they chat away.

Scattered throughout the ship is a mix of people from various lands working to maintain the ship. The workers are mainly half-breeds of different shapes and sizes.

Theodore has probably given them the comfortable berth downstairs, Esmond thinks. Lucky bastards. After confirming the amount of people on the ship, they turn their attention to the horizon. It's been a while since I've been back to Nero. They pull out an opened envelope from their cloak, their dark eyes falling on the wax seal. The seal has an emblem of a great sword imprinted into it. And it's been even longer since I've seen you, sir.

Esmond pockets the envelope and turns their gaze Southwest, the direction of Nero. They breathe in the salty air and try to exhale their worries, so they focus on the smell of the salt. The setting sun winces their right eye. They pull their hood further over their face. It's too bright, they think. They turn their attention to the sound of the crashing waves. They feel nauseous. "God, I hate the ocean," they mutter. As a last resort, they concentrate on the gorgeous sight of the horizon as it darkens.

Coming into view from behind another ship is the tip of a spear, seemingly floating in the air. Hanging onto it with one arm is a large, blue-skinned man. Hanging onto the man's waist is another man, evidently giving the bigger man instructions. The second man shines bright, as if reflecting what little light the day has left.

"What the fuck am I looking at," Esmond says. The two disappear from view as they float towards the side of The Black Diamond. Esmond peers over the edge of the ship and witnesses the two crawling into one of the portholes. "You've got to be kidding me," they lament.

Esmond whispers in the infernal language. [Weuvyr tdupk.] Spider walk. They step onto the railing and walk vertically down the side of the ship, as if gravity were turned sideways. They peer their head into the porthole and see the two trespassers in the darkness, thanks to their Dark Vision.

"Who are you two?" Esmond asks. The sudden question frightens Jasper.

"Jeramiel almighty!" Jasper exclaims. He turns to see the hooded Esmond peering into the porthole from above. "Are you hanging upside down?"

"Your name is Jeramiel almighty?" Esmond asks as they crawl into the porthole. They stand on the ceiling.

"No, it's Jasper," he clarifies. "And this is Glint. Who are you?

"Esmond, mercenary for hire. What exactly are you two doing?"

"We're leaving this continent," Glint says as he polishes his spear.

"Are you a gravity user?" Jasper asks.

"No? I'm just using Spider Climb," Esmond scoffs. "Gravity magic is a myth."

"Oh, it is?" Jasper avoids eye contact.

Esmond stares at him. He's hiding something. They jump off the ceiling and stand upright. "If you want to leave Issham, why are you sneaking onto the ship? No money?"

Jasper raises an eyebrow and looks at Glint for clarification. "Money?"

Glint shrugs.

Esmond sighs. "Do you have any silver? Or gold?" The two shake their heads. "Not even electrum?"

"What's electrum?" Glint asks.

"I don't have any of those materials," Jasper says as he rummages through his bag, "but I do have some mithril." He pulls out a silver-coloured raw material with a blue sheen.

Esmond's breathing stops. They stare at a mythical material that has been used to forge some of the strongest weapons in history. Their Arcane Sense tells them that what Jasper has said is true; there is potent magic within. An incredible weapon could be forged with this material. But most of all, Esmond smells money. They compose themself.

"Don't worry about the payment to travel on this ship," Esmond says. "I'll take care of it."

"Whoa, really?" Jasper puts away the mithril. "That's so kind of you!"

Esmond hits their chest proudly. "Leave it to me."

Above deck, the anchor has been drawn in and the boat is pulling away from port. Esmond is explaining the situation to the captain. Jasper and Glint stand nearby.

"You are aware that I am turning my vessel into a cargo-only ship, correct?" Theodore says. "I only have the three rooms under the bridge for passengers, and they are already filled. The fourth is my own cabin."

Esmond does not want to share a room with who they believe to be 'dumb and dumber'; but, thinking about the 'bright guy with the mithril' steels their resolve. "Fine, but include their fee with the gold I paid you earlier."

"Oh, my boy," Theodore leans in, "One gold only covers ten silver. The price is four silver a person, or did you forget?" He smirks. Esmond pulls out exactly two silver. "Thank you ever so much, Esmond," he says as he pockets the change. "And helloooooo to you two. My name is Captain Theodore Croaker. Welcome aboard my beautiful vessel, The Black Diamond." Theodore takes off his hat and bows graciously.

Jasper bows back. "Thank you for allowing us on board your vessel," he says.

Glint mimics him. "Thank you."

Theodore straightens and affixes his hat properly. "Well, I have a ship to run. Prithee, Jasper and Glint, enjoy your stay," he says. He climbs the stairs to the helm.

In Esmond's room, Jasper and Glint drop their bags. There are only two single beds and a circular window.

"It's not comfortable, but I'll sleep on the floor tonight," Esmond says with dismay. "I've been awake all day and I'm tired." They lie against a wall in the back corner of the room and close their eyes. "Goodnight." They are almost immediately asleep.

Jasper and Glint look at each other and shrug. Jasper is used to sleeping on the floor in his tribe, and Glint is used to sleeping on the cold ground outside. Neither have used a bed before, so they do not understand the implication behind Esmond's sentiment. They both use their bags like pillows and lie down in different corners of the room. A peaceful night falls over the three people sharing this room.