of the ten people I think are most likely candidates to have business in the badlands. None have been hit yet, but all are known associates of the prince. Someone on this list is our guy, I’m sure of it.”
…
The first three names on this were dead-ends. Two didn’t have any trade goods leaving for months, and the third had canceled his shipment. “I’m not going to end up like the others,” said the merchant. Bazur couldn’t fault the man for holding off.
The fourth merchant, Mauri Planche, was a different story.
“I’m sure the prince means well, sending… you two. However, I have things well taken care of, and do not need assistance. I’m going through the badlands the day after tomorrow. I have business in the Oclesh city of Brauni,” said Mauri in a cocky and nasal tone when questioned about his business trips. “I’ve hired a dozen mercs to accompany me, so you needn’t worry yourselves. With my planning and the swords of a dozen mercenaries, I see little you could do to assist.”
Bazur wasn’t so sure. The attackers had been willing to take on a large number of royal guards and had come back with a large number of men even after Bazur had helped foil one attack. If Mauri was the next target, the hired mercs might not be enough to save him. “What route are you traveling?”
Mauri Planche pulled out a canvas map. “We’ll go through Pera and then north to the Westmere watering hole. From there we’ll head north to the Vara river and into Oclesh territory. Nobody but my scouts and now you know this. As you can see, we’ve thought this through thoroughly. I’m sure the trip won’t encounter any problems.” Mauri smirked. “You’d be best served talking to some of Prince Valentine’s less creative associates. The ones who actually need your assistance.”
Bazur nodded. The route was a logical one. The trip into Pera would be expected but going to Westmere was more off the beaten path. Mauri seemed confident in his plan, too confident in Bazur’s opinion. “Good luck and safe travels to Brauni.”
Mauri shook his head. “Luck has nothing to do with it. Proper planning being smarter than the enemy is what is going to get me to Brauni.”
When Bazur and Kyra left Mauri, Kyra turned to Bazur. “That pompous ass is going to get himself killed. He thinks he’s smarter than everyone. I almost want to let him go.”
Bazur agreed with Kyra’s assessment of Mauri. The man was pompous and nowhere near as smart as he thought he was. “You are right. The bandits will have no difficulty tracking Mauri and his mercs across the badlands no matter what route he takes. Setting up an ambush on any trail will take them little time. However, if we want to get paid we do need to stop the attack, or at least capture one of the bandits so we can get information.”
“Fine, but when we are done, I’m robbing him. The way that man looked at me was not pleasant.”
Bazur knew exactly what Kyra meant. From the moment they’d introduced themselves as investigators for Prince Valentine, Mauri had been compliant, answering all their questions, but it was obvious he felt they were beneath him, and the only reason he was speaking to them was because he didn’t want to risk angering the prince. If anything, the arrogant merchant had been happy to gloat about his superiority, a sure recipe for disaster. “We have a day before they leave. We’ll canvas the remaining names on your list and see if anyone else is crossing the badlands soon. Perhaps there is still a more obvious candidate to attack.”
Kyra turned and tilted her head, raising her eyebrow until it furrowed into her forehead.
Bazur shrugged his shoulders and lifted his arms in a sign of defeat. “I know, but we still talk to the list, just in case.
…
As Kyra had predicted, the rest of the list produced no other immediate candidates for attack. Those who might’ve normally had trade caravans were too frightened to move their goods.
…
The first three names on this were dead-ends. Two didn’t have any trade goods leaving for months, and the third had canceled his shipment. “I’m not going to end up like the others,” said the merchant. Bazur couldn’t fault the man for holding off.
The fourth merchant, Mauri Planche, was a different story.
“I’m sure the prince means well, sending… you two. However, I have things well taken care of, and do not need assistance. I’m going through the badlands the day after tomorrow. I have business in the Oclesh city of Brauni,” said Mauri in a cocky and nasal tone when questioned about his business trips. “I’ve hired a dozen mercs to accompany me, so you needn’t worry yourselves. With my planning and the swords of a dozen mercenaries, I see little you could do to assist.”
Bazur wasn’t so sure. The attackers had been willing to take on a large number of royal guards and had come back with a large number of men even after Bazur had helped foil one attack. If Mauri was the next target, the hired mercs might not be enough to save him. “What route are you traveling?”
Mauri Planche pulled out a canvas map. “We’ll go through Pera and then north to the Westmere watering hole. From there we’ll head north to the Vara river and into Oclesh territory. Nobody but my scouts and now you know this. As you can see, we’ve thought this through thoroughly. I’m sure the trip won’t encounter any problems.” Mauri smirked. “You’d be best served talking to some of Prince Valentine’s less creative associates. The ones who actually need your assistance.”
Bazur nodded. The route was a logical one. The trip into Pera would be expected but going to Westmere was more off the beaten path. Mauri seemed confident in his plan, too confident in Bazur’s opinion. “Good luck and safe travels to Brauni.”
Mauri shook his head. “Luck has nothing to do with it. Proper planning being smarter than the enemy is what is going to get me to Brauni.”
When Bazur and Kyra left Mauri, Kyra turned to Bazur. “That pompous ass is going to get himself killed. He thinks he’s smarter than everyone. I almost want to let him go.”
Bazur agreed with Kyra’s assessment of Mauri. The man was pompous and nowhere near as smart as he thought he was. “You are right. The bandits will have no difficulty tracking Mauri and his mercs across the badlands no matter what route he takes. Setting up an ambush on any trail will take them little time. However, if we want to get paid we do need to stop the attack, or at least capture one of the bandits so we can get information.”
“Fine, but when we are done, I’m robbing him. The way that man looked at me was not pleasant.”
Bazur knew exactly what Kyra meant. From the moment they’d introduced themselves as investigators for Prince Valentine, Mauri had been compliant, answering all their questions, but it was obvious he felt they were beneath him, and the only reason he was speaking to them was because he didn’t want to risk angering the prince. If anything, the arrogant merchant had been happy to gloat about his superiority, a sure recipe for disaster. “We have a day before they leave. We’ll canvas the remaining names on your list and see if anyone else is crossing the badlands soon. Perhaps there is still a more obvious candidate to attack.”
Kyra turned and tilted her head, raising her eyebrow until it furrowed into her forehead.
Bazur shrugged his shoulders and lifted his arms in a sign of defeat. “I know, but we still talk to the list, just in case.
…
As Kyra had predicted, the rest of the list produced no other immediate candidates for attack. Those who might’ve normally had trade caravans were too frightened to move their goods.
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