144 Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Four – The Mercs (1/2)

The chatter didn't stop as I walked in, as the ones here were too busy proving their manhood to one another, and didn't notice me, at least at first. Then I walked up on the stage, and that got attention. The conversations started to drop off, heads to turn, and hard, assessing eyes looked me over.

Barely five-foot-tall, blond hair worn too long and bright, Tat Mask, no figure to really speak of other then a ripple of really good muscle tone.

And then I looked back at them, white eyes on black, and conversation stopped like a knife. The smart ones even swallowed.

”Generally speaking, I don't want you here,” I opened up, voice carrying very clearly to every ear. ”I'm aware of what you are, who you are, and what you do. You are slaves to coin, and you've been bandits, raiders, marauders, pillagers, and looters, in addition to paid soldiers,” I stated flatly. ”A good number of you have innocent blood on your hands, and there's some dark places waiting for you when you die. The rest of you are pragmatic and ruthless, getting to where you are because someone else died for you to get here.”

A number of them shuffled uneasily. This definitely wasn't going as they hoped for.

”I am aware that some of you are agents of Huul, Imprus, Angar, Hurn, Shoul, and a dozen mortal powers who think they are relevant to what is going on. In truth, I don't care, nor do the gods of the Warp. They'll butcher you all just the same, no favorites among them.”

More uneasy shuffling. One bright boy started to speak up, ”Now, see here, girl–”

There was a flash of light, and he pitched off his seat as a Banestar smashed into his head, hitting the ground cold and silent.

I went on as Tremble clicked back home. ”Be that as it may, you being butchered saves some of my people from being killed. The Warp certainly has enough loot to go around, and enough things to kill, that feeding you to the crows isn't going to cost the rest of us anything.”

They had ugly expressions on. I was indeed talking to them like their lives didn't matter, and they really didn't. These were men who didn't give a shit about others, so naturally I didn't give a shit about them.

”You've probably heard of the awesomeness of getting Marked and Opened by now.” I measured the instant eagerness in their eyes. ”It should come as no surprise to you that neither you nor those you command will be getting much of that.” Protests started to rise to lips, and my hand shifted ever so slightly towards Tremble. Nobody missed it, and everyone shut up.

”I have no obligations to you whatsoever. You are not my people. I did not ask for you to come, you came seeking gold. You are perfectly welcome to turn around and go right back to where you came from. Indeed, I wouldn't be too surprised if you go running off to the Warp and try to offer your services, sell off your souls, and I get to butcher you on the battlefield.”

Clearly, I didn't have a high opinion of them. Their mood darkened further.

”So, I am not here to discuss recruiting you, because I'm not. I have no desire whatsoever to have people like you Marked, nor am I going to waste the time to Open you. You all have your methods, they brought you this far, I'm sure you'll make do.” I waved my hand in dismissal. ”I had you all brought here to discuss what I will give you.”

They rustled uncomfortably, having a clear indication that things were not going as they hoped.

”If you want to fight, you go and fight. I'm not giving you support troops, I'm not giving you supplies. If you want them, you buy them. To buy them, you're going to need plunder.

”I will give you a base of operations, insofar as it is going to keep moving. If you are in that base, you'll be able to get some free healing every day in the form of a Healing Trap, so all of you can get fixed up fairly quick. If you've got the gold, I'll even sell you one, no skin off my nose.

”The warbands of the Warp have a significant amount of loot on them in the form of skins, blood, bones, and organs of magical creatures, ivory, gems, gold ornamentation and jewelry, and some magical armor, weapons, and knickknacks, probably more than most things you've ever fought. As the Warped have no homes of their own, they carry all their valuables on them.”

Their heads were nodding, grim smiles rising. This was good news!...

”Fully a third of what they have is Cursed or Possessed.” Faces fell instantly. ”That doesn't mean its not valuable, it just means that you best be damn careful when looting, and if you're greedy enough to keep something for yourself, you're going to end up a Warp slave in no time at all, and it will be my pleasure to gut you like a fish and feed you to the Land.”

They hid their sneers, but it didn't disguise the fear in their eyes. Possessed loot was no joke, nor were Curses.

”We'll have exchanges where you can burn loot down to raw form, remove impurities and foul magic, and revert them to mana crystals, which you can use to upgrade your own Gear directly, or pay to have someone do it for you. If you've never done Mana Infusion or Investment, we'll show you how. You pay the fee to use a Pattern or you buy one for yourself, and you use your own eight hours a day max to do it, instead of someone else's. But it's a skill, and if you don't know much spellcraft, you're only going to be able to do the most basic upgrades.

”That said, I am not lying when I say that if you focus on getting your men stronger, you'll very rapidly be able to provide all of them with magical armor and weapons... if they don't die. And though I can see the greed shining in your eyes, the best way to win is to make all your people stronger, not just you... not that you care.”

Faces twisted again, as I voiced what was in their hearts.

”You will have the opportunity to employ some of the Marked as guides.” That startled them. ”I don't think I should need to tell you the benefits, but I will, anyways.

”First, you'll have access to The Map. That means you'll have a superb guide who can get you where you want to go without fail. You won't be running into competitors... because we all know you aren't allies.” That actually got some grim laughs from them. ”Furthermore, you'll be able to pick out and call dibs on warbands we've information on... and we'll actually and very happily let you run out there and let yourselves get killed fighting them. Force breakdowns, numbers, position, advised combat points... yes, we'll give that to you without a problem.

”It also means we don't have to worry about you ambushing some of our forces out there for some spur of the moment funsies, and then having to slaughter you all in return.