Sword for Hire [Sten/Others by Permission]

[Sten]

Sten led himself and Astra towards the countryside when a large rock can be seen protruding up towards the sky. Not quite tall enough to be considered a mountain, but from what one can tell given the distance between them and the formation, it was definitely impressive. A five or ten minute hike should be all that's left before they were to reach the foot of the a jagged cliff side - hopefully five or ten more of silence to give Sten some time to think this through... but Astra took the opportunity to ask him a question about the plan he's trying to formulate. He was, of course, just thinking of ahead. He doubted he was going to take immediate action; he played it smart, like a true archer. Hide in the trees and strike at the opportunity when its most ideal. Or so he liked to think.

"Eh?" Sten muttered as he looked behind him to see curious Astra. "The plan? Hopefully, there won't be a plan. You stay outside while I go in so I can talk to them. When I come out, I'll fill you in and we'll figure out where to go from there."

There obviously wasn't much he had to say concerning the situation, and he wasn't too keen on hinting any form of acquaintanceship with the bandits, so he revealed as little as possible. It would certainly be curious though, if anyone were to think about it too deeply. Walking straight into a coven of cutthroats to talk, huh? Either he's the most charming man alive or he's hiding something. But Sten pushed those thoughts away and ignored it.

"If it sounds like there's trouble, I probably shot someone and you should come running in immediately with that little sword of yours."

[Astra]

"My sword isn't that little..." she retorted, making a face and grabbing the hilt of her sword in hopes that he would see that it was, in fact, a fairly normal-sized blade. But that wasn't really the important part here; his plan was... Something else. Didn't exactly sound like he needed her, if he was confident enough in his diplomacy skills to just waltz on in and talk to them, either. Astra looked down at her feet again, suddenly starting to regret even coming. There was still the chance for a little bit of risk, a little bit of danger, and a little bit of fun to be had, but it kind of sounded like a gamble with a low chance of winning. Sure, fighting was never really a big "winning" situation, but a fight could mean paying off what little debt the redhead had incurred with the archer (or at least the one he had told her didn't really exist).

They walked for another minute in almost complete silence before the swordswoman cleared her throat in an admittedly stupid attempt to get the archer's attention again. "Don't take this the wrong way, but... That kind of sounds like a really dumb not-plan. What if they just kill you when you set foot in their little hideout, or you fire your shot and you get killed before I can head in to help out?"

[Sten]

Oi, maybe one of the rules he should have set was to not question all of his decisions. Sten sighed. Well she was thinking at least, there was some brain in there after all. He wasn't really eager to indulge her in all the details just yet, if at all. He had to think this through with her - kids weren't completely stupid, sometimes they can smell bullshit. But he also couldn't leave her standing here demoralized - demoralized teammates were a bad thing, if gangs taught him anything.

"Thanks for the concern sweetheart; but we both know I'm a pretty charming guy, right?" Sten said to her with his best wink. "I'll be fine. And besides--" Sten coughed, "--I'm a pretty crack shot."

Sten took a couple steps forward and planted his foot on a stone sticking out from the ground. "I'm ready to get this over with as soon as you are. Just remember to stay out of sight, okay?"

[Astra]

Astra remained silent until Sten put his foot on the stone before speaking her mind. "If we're relying on your charm and ability to fire an arrow while you're drunk, I think we'll both die." She folded her arms in front of her, glaring at the archer, and then shrugged. "But... If you think you can do it, then... Good luck." The swordswoman turned around, looking for a nice seat; a larger rock, with a single flat side, was the best choice, and didn't seem to be particularly visible. She turned toward it, and her back to Sten.

"Yeah yeah, out of sight, out of mind, right?" the redhead applied her butt to the rock, shuddering from the sudden cold of the stone, even through her pants. "Look, just don't hesitate to call my name if you need me... You know, archers tend to stay behind the frontline-fighters." She stuck her hand on the hilt of her blade, unsheathing just enough of the metal to let it glint a little in the light of the slowly setting sun, just enough to hopefully get her point across. "So have fun with that... And I'll see you soon."

[Sten]

"Yeah, yeah, see you soon." Replied Sten with a wave of his hand. He parted with her walking up a dirtied and flattened pathway that appeared to go up a ridge. With the amount of protrusions around this area, it was only a matter of time until he lost sight of Astra. Good. He didn't need the guys asking any questions about what he's doing with a young redhead like her. It wouldn't help his case, especially if she tried to threaten them. Though he knew most of the burdens he chose to put on himself alone was a bad idea, this one couldn't be helped. He kept that in mind as he made his way along the familiar pathways, before the maw of the mountain presented itself before him. Nostalgia knew how to bite a man in the ass, and this one especially sunk its teeth in.

He remembered Gaius, how he would speak to the group - always with such charisma and boldness, he put himself out there. He was softer than Sten and the other two guys though, lacked the kind of assertiveness to maintain respect during trying times. The gang fell into disrepair - some guys left, others got lazy. They eventually spent their days relaxing and drinking, doing nothing with their lives beyond just that. Which led him to wondering what could have possibly led them to go so far - so far beyond what their original goals were. There was no wealth or life living in body mutilation, that was going a complete step further than they needed to. The idiots either gave it too little or too much.

An echo resonated through the air as he took a step through the cave's mouth, peering in where there seemed to be a faint glow of a torch illuminating the inside. So they're still here it seems. He walked inside, hardly taking notice to how loud he may be stepping in - he heard a few alarmed grunts from the inside, and a silence following it. They were probably counting everyone that was there to see if they were missing anybody. Sten finally took step in the main chamber. It was a large group, and all of them looked surprised to see him; most of them were familiar faces whose eyes widened upon seeing them. The others he hadn't met before jumped to their feet in suspicion.

"Who's that idiot that's comin' in here?" One said, his voice laced with venom.

"You darn fool, watch yer manners! It's Sten! Sten's back!" Another barked.

Slowly the room came alive, mostly with those that knew him at some point or heard of him; just a few mumblings of "who the heck is Sten" could barely be heard amongst the chaos, and the ex-bandit had received a life time of back and shoulder pats from a handful of his former associates - the others were just making noise. When it died down, someone in the back could be heard yelling out to Sten, is a manner that would mostly be considered as an instigation.

"So where the hell you been, huh?"

Sten didn't say anything, simply turning his head to face the accuser's direction.

"So, what, you hear we're back and you want part of the action again, eh? What are ya, a free loader?"

Sten sighed as his associates who were welcoming him backed off steadily. "Who're you again? Wait, wait, don't tell me. Thomas, right?"

"What's it to you?" Thomas sneered.

Sten could hardly keep himself from laughing at the short and stout big man on the other side of the fire. "Oh, I remember you. You nearly got yourself killed by that noble's dog, huh? That axe too heavy for ya?"

Thomas fell silent at the mentioned of what was likely his most embarrassing experience in his career, but the reddening of his face and his tightening grip on his weapon was a sure sign of his anger, and it spoke a thousand words. Sten's face fell serious once more, his voice adopting a darker undertone. "I don't have time for you, new blood. I came to figure out what's going on here; is Gaius still in charge? Where is he?"

The chattering room fell silent.

"Guys, I ain't in the mood for--"

"Games!" Cheered a heavy voice from the dark end of the corridor. A large man draped in pelts stepped into the light, his large square jaw adorned with a thick black beard. He was armed with an axe on his left hip, and a long thin blade on his right hip. Seeing this, he immedietly assumed the man was left handed. The axe and sword combo, the hook and pull and stab technique, was rather popular, though somewhat difficult to execute. Sten hasn't seen this man before, and the nerve of that guy thinking he could interrupt him.

"Me and Gaius were playing a few games, see if he had what it takes."

"And who are you?" Sten retorted, crossing his arms.

The man laughed. "The boys call me Bear, now." He said, before his face becoming serious again. "I'm the one in charge. No spineless Gaius now."

Sten was caught by surprise upon hearing this news. A singe of worry tightened his chest and he couldn't help but look at this man with disdain; a full blown scowl when he would realize then that this man was behind the mutilations. Something was off about this man, something strange. He seemed almost animalistic in nature. His eyes pierced the men with a thirsty stare, and his devilish smile showed yellowed teeth, two sets of pointed teeth. The man practically looked like a predator, stalking through tall grass. "And where is Gaius?" Sten said firmly.

Bear yawned. "Crow? 'ol Crow and I had a bit of a falling out. I wasn't kidding when I said 'spineless Gaius.'" He stepped clear of the dimly lit hallway and leaned against the wall, revealing a shape in the darkness. Sten took a step closer to peer in, before the shape of Gaius' crumpled body finally made itself visible, via one of his associates behind him holding up a torch. Sten took a stepped back, horrified. The man that was once his friend was now lifelessly cuffed to the wall, his body limply laying down in a most macabre manner... coupled with the fact that a dark, bloody spine was mounted on the wall above him. It was still dripping. He faced Bear appalled, who shrugged

"Damn fool couldn't get a thing done; so I did something about it. Unlike you, Eagle, who so ungraciously left as soon as things started looking down. I turned this gang right side up and we already made headlines!"

Sten's scowl only grew coarser. "This is a gang; a bandit gang if you want to be crass about it. Our first and only goal was to live our life doing what we wished and getting payed out of it! This--" Sten pointed his window out the cave, "--and that--", he pointed towards Gaius' body, "-- is not how you f*cking do it! That isn't living your life, that's behaving like a pack of animals!"

"Oh?" Bear inquired patronizingly. "But I'm just living my life, right? And who says animals can't do what they want?"

Sten growled at him. "It's not too hard a concept to grasp: instilling fear is one thing - ripping apart bodies is another. Or has all your humanity too far gone to persuade you of your savagery?"

The man could hardly keep himself from laughing, it seemed. This of course only angered Sten more, as well as leaving him just a little confused. "What?" He demanded. Bear opened his slanted eyes to look down at Sten, his smile confidentially surmounted his face. "You're cute, little man. I ain't no human."

Sten's eyes widened. So he really was taguel.

"Odd, innit?" He continued. "No obviously features, no ears, no tail. Just the strength of a bear, and the eyes and teeth of a coyote. I'm also a pretty hairy man, you see..."

Sten ceased his glaring at him and glanced towards the rest of the gang before finally turning around and beginning to walk. As soon as he took a step, Bear intervened. "You know, if you don't return in two days time, I'm gonna have to hunt you down." He smiled. "Don't think I can't." Sten simply ignored him, and pressed forward towards the edge of the cave. Before he finally left, he heard a deep sniff coming from the main chamber followed by Bear's call. "Hey, nice lady friend!"

Sten sighed and took his step out the cave and returned down the hill.

The whole excursion probably took fifteen to twenty minutes from Astra's perspective, who would just begin to see Sten coming down the hell. His face was a little flustered mixed with anger - probably one of the first serious faces she may had seen from him since packing up in the tavern. His walk looked weary and he trained his eyes on the distant outline of the village. Something about that man wasn't normal, taguel or not. He was savage, mad, rabid, bloodthirsty. Like a disease had taken control of his mind. Trivial matters such as his real name had no meaning to Sten, only that he be killed before he caused anymore mayhem... the bad kind of mayhem, of course. The stuff that makes you think black magic is at work and that demons are crawling from the ground. Sten's kind of mayhem was good - alcohol, bar fights, one night stands. His raids even better - they were raids, not massacres. He stopped by the rock Astra was sitting on for a moment, seemingly unable to speak. He had to think this one through. He had to do something he knew he wouldn't like - but as far as he could tell, it was the only way. He finally looked down at Astra.

"Get ready," he said, "we're attacking at dawn."

[Astra]

The redhead watched Sten's back until the archer was out of view, and then turned to staring at her feet. Once she felt he was out of earshot as well, she stood up, faced the rock she had just been sitting on, and drew her sword. Astra stared at the blade for a good minute before laying it down, quite carefully, on the rock. She debated cleaning it, but it was still quite clean from the last time she had done something of the sort; no point in doing that. So she simply picked it back up again, swung it slowly through the air a few times, and then sheathed it once more.

Over the course of the next twenty or so minutes, the merc had paced the entire clear area around the rock, stood up on the rock, attempted to climb a tree, and tried, once again, to do a handstand (but ultimately failing); patience had never exactly been her strongest suit. Definitely not her weakest, but it had to be close. It was after the fifth attempt at a handstand that Astra decided her butt and back hurt from falling over one too many times and had thus returned to the rock; not a minute later, Sten was back in view. Lucky break there, she supposed, that he hadn't seen her fooling around.

He seemed... Off. Different even from the look of determination he had back in the tavern when he found out about the bandits, but still somehow similar. Oh well, best not to worry about it. This face did mean potentially interesting news, as the swordswoman soon found out: a plan. A battle plan, or at least the start of one.

"Get ready; we're attacking at dawn."

Astra stood up again, wincing slightly from a bit of pain in the middle of her back, but it soon faded. "Alright. So, is it just going to be you and me, or should we try to rally up some sort of, you know, backup? Or do you have a plan that just involves you and me?" She grinned, trying to lighten his mood a bit. "Oh, and where are we sleeping? Forest floor, or back in the tavern...? Because I don't actually have money for a room or anything, so that's a problem."

[Sten]

That was a good question... about whether or not they needed back up. One of the problems was that there wasn't much backup to get around here. While they might be able to rally up a stray guard or two, he doubted it was likely. Here he was talking about raiding a cave of bandits - hell, bandits ruled by a savage. He doubted the men around here had that kind of courage, let alone the strategic aspect of it. If they die in the attack, the small farming village will be left unprotected for the most part. He also couldn't risk a guard finding out about his involvement with the gang. In this case, it was best to simply catch them off guard.

Sten shook his head. "No, it would be best that we handled this matter ourselves. I have a couple of ideas leftover from my..." He thought about his sentence carefully. " ...mercenary days that can give us an edge. I also took a look around and saw where they stashed their alcohol."

So that last part was a lie. So what? All that mattered was that he knew where the popular spot of stashing the drinks was by heart - behind the wall but somewhat near the seats around the fire pit. A spot where he could easily take a shot at from outside the cave, and the fire from inside should illuminate the bowels enough so he can spot it. Sleep was a tricky question - he couldn't have Astra dragging him down with sleepy eyes, but they couldn't waste time. Resting as soon as possible for no more than an hour, perhaps. Sten should be handle it though - this wasn't the first time he staged a raid.

"As for sleep, nothing more than cat naps. We're gonna have to prepare for this, and screwing up will mean the end of you."

Well gee, no pressure right? Of course, he meant that Sten could personally run away and disappear into the woods if things went horribly wrong. But he had to take out Bear tonight, that was for certain. His old associates? Well... they've been good folk. Casualties and all that pish-posh.