Two Worlds

The mercenary arrived at Jarrad's house...

"I guess I won't be able to fight my way past you..." Jarrad said. "Why would you..." the mercenary said. "I just have to ask... how'd you find me?" "Commander Valarin... He..." "Bastard. I knew he was dirty but..." "Relax. Valarin just asked me to make sure you hadn't gotten yourself killed," the mercenary said. "ME KILLED? Me? Well, you can tell him I'm finished. That bastard has me asking questions to guys with more patches than eyes. Tell him, he can start kicking down doors if he wants to take down Mirage." "Mirage?" "Gods, he had to send a tourist. Mirage is the leader of one of Hatmandor's criminal underground. We... they have their hands in everything," Jarrad said. "Meaning?" "Meaning the only way I'll get myself killed is if someone finds me talking with some crazy-looking bastard like you. Gods, you even smell like a guard..." "Sounds like the words of a coward to me," the mercenary said. "Look. I may not look like the ideal citizen, but I didn't sign up for this because of my sense of adventure." "Why then? Money?" "My mother... she's sick. The Imperials run a mine not too far from here. Verita Crystals. The longer you're explosed to them... it's deadly. The only way to treat it is with the crystals themselves. I don't understand how it works but the Imperials control it," Jarrad said. "And Mirage controls the black market." "Which is why most people either look the other way, or ask for a favor." "Valarin's helping me. Until then, I'm helping you. If I wanted to get the medicine, without asking Mirage?" the mercenary said. "There's an Imperial warehouse on the west side of Cheznaddar. They use it to treat the guards supervising the mines..." "You'll get the medicine." "There's an entrance on the ground floor, but it's heavily guarded. There's another entrance, though... a trap door on the second floor. I don't think even the guards know about it. I don't know what Valarin's dangling above your head, but... best of luck," Jarrad said. "The disease your mother has, does it have a name?" "The Red death. Maybe not, but it usually kills miners, not poets. It starts with a cough. Then there's blood. It gets worse from there..." "Your mother worked the mines?" the mercenary said. "Everyone does. You don't own a business, know a trade... or lose a husband... I hear others aren't given much of a choice." "How do you get this medicine?" "You don't. Not unless you become a guard or work for Mirage. Verita has become the most valuable mineral in Antaloor... and it's all Imperial property," Jarrad said. "Anything else I should know about the storehouse?" "I'd recommend going after dusk. Less witnesses. And remember, if you get caught? We never met." "Of course. I've heard there are people working against the Emperor in Hatmandor. You seem pretty well connected..." the mercenary said. "And you seem to think you can just walk up to anyone on the street and ask things like that without getting killed. That said, I wouldn't mention it to Valarin, he's been looking for the Captain for months." "The Captain?" "That's what they call him, the leader of the resistance. People say he's camped out somewhere in the mountains... and not alone. If you're that determined, talk to Basel. He runs a place called 'Under the Influence' in Hatmandor," Jarrad said. "Do you think he'd help me?" "Maybe, if you can get him to stop scaring the tourists long ennough with his damn stories. Even loyalty has a price in Hatmandor... you'll learn that soon enough." "I'm sure I will. We'll talk soon," the mercenary said. "Good luck."

"Welcome to the fruits of our labor, my friend!" Abbas said. "Off to a good start?" the mercenary said. "Even better than I expected. Here, something to show my gratitude. A return on your investment, and a piece of armour, made by our craftsmen!" "How were you able to get things moving so quickly?" "I was able to reacquire several of my clients. So many, in fact, that we do not have the capital to order the supplies," Abbas said. "What about the auras you gave me?" "A sign of good faith. Business is going well, but we are still just a fraction of what we were before." "How much would you need to meet the orders we have?" the mercenary said. "Based on estimates from our blacksmith, 5000 auras should give us some room to breathe." "Here's 5000. Make it stretch." "I didn't get things moving so quickly by making bad decisions. Well, except for my partner. Check back in a few days and I should have some results," Abbas said.

With the medical supplies stolen from the Imperial storehouse in hand, the mercenary returned to Jarrad's house...

"It's you. Do you have it?" Jarrad said. "Here it is. Hope it'll last," the mercenary said. "It's more than enough. Olg the Beard was a slave trader, but I know for a fact that he was on our payroll. So were the other victims." "You don't think Mirage is behind it?" "Not a chance. Mirage is cutthroat, but his whole operation is at stake. He's posted muscle all over the city, protecting his most trusted associates. Someone's trying to move in. But the only person I know who's crazy enough to try something like that is, well, you..." Jarrad said. "Thanks... Take care of your mother," the mercenary said. "I will. Oh, and when you see Valarin, tell him I'm through..."

"I've been looking for you..." Bad Yl said. "Excuse me?" the mercenary said. "Well, not you specifically, but someone just like you. Broad shouldered, steel eyed and armed to the teeth. I'm looking for a man willing to get things done, a man without fear! A man, who..." "Get to the point." "Fortune and glory... Plain and simple. Are you the man I'm looking for?" Bad Yl said. "I'm listening..." "Every day I hear people asking perfect strangers to solve the most unthinkable problems. But are they qualified? Almost never. People are tired of dealing with guild politics. And now with the Mages Guild in pieces and the Brotherhood out of action, people are looking for results! I've started a new business. Heroes for Hire!" "Mercenaries aren't exactly a new concept," the mercenary said. "How many mercenaries do you know? How many are still alive? My job is to find them. Men like you! I find the jobs and place them on this board. I do the legwork, you pick the job. When you finish one, you come see me for the reward." "What's in it for you?" "A finder's fee... enough to cover my expenses. The franchise rights alone will make us rich beyond our wildest dreams! This is simply the beginning!" Bad Yl said. "I'll give it a try." "Wonderful. You're free to begin immediately. As my first contractor, my only contractor. You're free to choose any job on the board. Just remember to return to me when you're finished... not the board."

"What've you found?" Valarin said. "Oldg the Beard was a slave trade working for mirage," the mercenary said. "So were the other victims. Unless Mirage is dismantling his own operation..." "Someone else is behind this." "Then I'm back where I started. But I still need your..." Valarin said. "You've got my attention. What do you need?" "Head to Under the Influence in Hatmandor. Talk to the proprietor, Basel. He's not exactly personable, but Mirage's associates spend as much time talking as they do drinking. Do whatever he asks, gain his trust. When you've got something, come and find me. I'll pay you for whatever you find... as long as it's useful." "Who exactly is Mirage?" the mercenary said. "One of the most notorious criminals in Hatmandor. No one's ever seen him, but that dosn't make him any less dangerous." "Any more thoughts on the murders?" "You know as much as I do. But Mirage, killing so many of his own? I'm not sure what to think. Not enough information and even less time to point fingers..." Valarin said. "Tell me more about Basel." "He runs most of the gambling establishments in the city. I'd gather he has his hands in a couple off-the-book operations as well but I've never been able to prove it. He's not stupid, but he's always looking for new blood. For all I know, he could be the next target." "Then I'll get started," the mercenary said. "I'll be at my post. The watchtower in Hatmandor. Come to me with whatever you find."

"Please. The mission," Nortar said. "That's why I am here. The man in the black robe, Derrick, is dead. I haven't found your friends in the camp, but neither did Derrick," the mercenary said. "Hmm... well done. I'm indebted to you for this."

"I just wanted to thank you for the help," Galija said. "I was just passing by," the mercenary said. "Then we were quite fortunate. It's hard to imagine it could have been much worse. Here, take these. Consider it a gift." "What are they?" "My grandparents' wedding rings. They have to be worth something," she said. "Family seems important to you. I can't." "The importance of these rings faded with the people who wore them. Thank you again..."