The Free Company- Book V: Bloody Retribution

[redwolf]

June 1st, Afternoon, outskirts of Ancona

For a week, The Ming had traveled to Ancona. Throughout the journey, speaking in their lousy italian, they had asked people they met along the way about the various warrior groups in the city.

"What do you think, Chen?" Lim Hui asked.
"Well, seems to me most of these people agree that this particular warrior group is the best of the lot. We will start with them."
"Alright, So what is this warrior group name?"
'I don't know if I got the pronunciation right. These barbarous languages are so hard to learn. I believe they are called the Flee Company or something. From what I know, they are doing in their recruiting in a tavern called the Wan Tum. Ask the rest to set up camp here. Only I, you, Zhang Xiang n Huang Hui will go to the Wan Tum."
"No problem. Er....Chen, Do you want to go down wearing these rubbish that the Italians call uniforms or should we change into our Imperial Guards armour."
"Hmm.... good question. Much as I love to don Imperial uniform again, I don't think it's a good idea since we have no idea how the civilians and soldiers of Ancona will react to seeing 4 soldiers of the Ming Imperial Guard walking down the streets in full battle array, especially in these nervous times. No, we must blend in with the local populace and that means local uniforms."
Lim Hui groans in dismay." I was afraid you would see it that way."



June 1, Evening, outside "Wan Tum"

"Well, I guess this is the place." Zhang Xiang commented. Chen Hui stares intently at the signboard, than turns to face Zhang Xiang. " Are you sure? I can't read this script. Damm it! Why can't these people just learn to write and speak a civilized language."
At this moment, two men stepped out of the tavern, dragging a dead man out with them. The Ming looked at each other, "I think we have our answer. Taverns are the same everywhere I guess, even in the Far West." Said Huang Wei. The Ming dismounted from their horses, passes the horses to one of the tavern workers, and walked in.

As they walked in, glancing around the place, Chen Hui smiled," Yap, just like home." Looking at the various different type of clothing that the people are wearing, Chen Hui guessed there must be at least 6 to 10 different nationalities of people in the tavern. Alright, lets get to business, Chen Hui thought. "Lim, ask the people if this is where the warrior group is located." "Yes, Chen."

Taking a deep breath, Lim took a step forward and said in a loud voice," DA JIA HAO. (Greetings everybody.)" The tavern people ignored him and carried on their business. Chen Hui grabbed Lim Hui's shoulder," In Italian idiot! If I wanted to speak in chinese, I would have done it myself." "Oh." Feeling slightly abashed, Lim Hui tried again, in broken Italian this time. " Greetings to everybody. Is here where I can find the people of the Flee Company?"
The Tavern suddenly turned deathly quiet as everyone turned to look at the Ming, many of them looking none too happy. Chen Hui looked around as he whispered into Lim's ears," Did you say something wrong?" No. I said exactly what you told me to. I did nothing wrong." That's what you said the last time you offered pork to those muslims." Zhang Xiang, one hand on the hilt of his zhanmadao, asked," Now what?" Chen Hui, also one hand on the hilt of his zhanmadao, replied," We need this job, don't do anything foolish people. We wait and see what these people will do....."


[OOC] The zhanmadao or horse chopping sword is a 2 handed sword of length 1.4 meters used mainly by Ming soldiers guarding the northern borders of China to deal with the mongol cavalry. One key characteristic and tactic was to select the strongest and most courageous infantry soldiers to form into a special vanguard unit. When they confronted an enemy cavalry charge, they were trained to bend low and use the zhanmadao to strike/chop at the legs of those horses of the enemy. First invented by General Yue Fei during the time of the Song Dynasty, this tactic was used to devastating effect first against the cavalry of the Jin Dynasty, then against the mongols. The weapon was long, and also stout and massive to defeat heavy armour. It has an equally devastating effect on enemy infantry.

 

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June 1st - One Thumb's - Evening

"Greetings to everybody. Is here where I can find the people of the Flee Company?"

The Tavern suddenly turned deathly quiet as everyone turned to look at the Ming, many of them looking none too happy. The Chinamen conversed a moment. O'Floinn looked up from the small crossbow Robert was pointing things out on. The Irishman stood up and considered the strange Oriental men. They carried odd swords. He ventured an answer

"I take it ye mean the Free Company?"

The Aisans looked at him. They were warriors, that much was clear.

"If that is how it is said"

"yer in the right place then, the officers are in here most o' the time, and the rest o' the time the soldiers are."

He stepped forward, extending his hand.

"Daniel O'Floinn, cavalryman o' the Free Company."

The Imperial Guards were unsure what to make of him. They stared at his hand a moment. It slowly dawned on O'Floinn that they didn't shake hands, he put it down and smiled slightly. Not quite understanding him, but knowing he was friendly, Lim decided to introduce them.

"I am Lim Hui, and these are Chen Hui, Huang Wei, and Zhang Xiang, we are not from around here, forgive my language, it is not perfect"

O'Floinn gestured back to his table. The Chinamen looked at each other, seemed to agree on it, and sat down. O'Floinn asked if they wanted drinks, then went to get them.

"So what brings you to Italy?"

 

[Craig Ashley]

June 1, Milan

Visconti took another bite, swallowed, and laid his spoon down. "Now, then, does His Holiness have anything else to say?"

Sir Francis du Pont rose with all of the authority and presence of a true Hospitaller. “Do not mock me, Visconti. I am no mere mercenary, concerned only with gold and personal glory.” Sir Francis' eyes flicked over to Sforza for a moment before returning to the pudgy noble. “I serve a higher cause.

You claim he is a traitor and his wife a harlot, very well. Confront them as the Holy Word instructs, offer them a chance to cleanse their souls and punish them according to God's law. Do not play your twisted little games and crackle with glee at their suffering. Decadence and evil's reward shall be to face the wrath of vengeful God.

You forget, I am not only here to aid you in your struggle with Venice, but I act as the eyes and ears of the Holy Father himself. I seriously doubt you would enjoy a full papal investigation into your personal habits. Tread carefully, Duke Visconti. One day we all will stand and be judged. Perhaps here on earth, but certainly before the great throne.”

Francis looked around. No one else seemed to the least bit upset. Did such actions pass for normal here? Madness. Francis returned his heavy gaze to the still seated duke. “If you have no further acts of insanity for the night, then I will take my leave.”

 

[redwolf]

June 1, Evening, One Thumb

O'Floinn looked up from the small crossbow Robert was pointing things out on. The Irishman stood up and considered the strange Oriental men. They carried odd swords. He ventured an answer

"I take it ye mean the Free Company?"

The Aisans looked at him. They were warriors, that much was clear.

"If that is how it is said"

"yer in the right place then, the officers are in here most o' the time, and the rest o' the time the soldiers are."

He stepped forward, extending his hand.

"Daniel O'Floinn, cavalryman o' the Free Company."

Chen Hui looked at O'Floinn and than at the hand he had extended. Typical looking barbarian, Damm i wish i knew what's he thinking. What the hell does this hand mean? a challenge to a duel? Before he can draw his sword, Lim decided to introduce them.

"I am Lim Hui, and these are Chen Hui, Huang Wei, and Zhang Xiang, we are not from around here, forgive my language, it is not perfect"

Chen Hui glared at Lim Hui but Lim stared back at Chen with a slight shake of his head. Giving a slight nod in response, he let go of his sword and settled down on the table O' Floinn had indicated.

O'Floinn asked if they wanted drinks, then went to get them.

"So what brings you to Italy?"

Lim looked at Chen Hui, who nodded his head. Lim started on his story. " We are.." pauses for a second, "were the Imperial Guards of Great Ming. During our last campaign against the Chagatai, our charge, Prince Yongjin died in the field of battle. We fought to defend his body and in the end, we even managed to defeat the mongols when our reinforcements arrived. Now for failure to defend the Royal family, we should have been put to death, but for bravery shown in the field of battle, we had our punishment reduced to banishment from Great Ming. A few days later, we chanced across a Venice merchant who told us stories of Venice and of Europe. We decided come see this Europe for ourselves and so we, 62 men strong signed on as his bodyguards and traveled to Italy. After arriving in Italy, we went our separate ways but with our finaces running low, we needed a source of income, so here we are, the 4 of us and another 46 waiting at the outskirts of the city."

For a moment, the Ming were silent as they thought of old memories. O'Floinn was about to say something when suddenly Huang Wei's face turned deathly white as his hand went to his sword.

Chen Hui saw his friend's face stare intently at the door, and he turned around and a second later, his hand went for his sword as well. A group of mongols had just walked in.

The four Ming rose to their feet, swords in hand, as Chen Hui sai to the Mongols in a cold, deadly voice," Meng gu gou, ni men de shi qi dao le!!( mongols dogs, ur day of death has arrived!!)

[OOC] Lim Hui told his story in very broken italian so i guess O'Floinn probably now has a headache just trying to make sense of what Lim is saying.

 

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The four Ming rose to their feet, swords in hand, as Chen Hui sai to the Mongols in a cold, deadly voice," Meng gu gou, ni men de shi qi dao le!!

O'Floinn was really lost with that one. Following the story had been hard, what with the Imperial Guard's inexperience with Latin, but now with the Chinese... it was just over his head. Considering action, O'Floinn decided not to get in between the Chinese blades and their apparent targets. It was another one of those situations. O'Floinn put his hand on the hilt of his sword and relaxed as much as the current scenario allowed, which was actually a fair amount considering the amount of alcohol running through O'Floinn's blood.

 

[Craig Ashley]

The four Ming rose to their feet, swords in hand, as Chen Hui sai to the Mongols in a cold, deadly voice," Meng gu gou, ni men de shi qi dao le!!( Mongols dogs, your day of death has arrived!!)

Shur'tu eyed the Chinese warriors before him, a slight smirk on his face. A low chuckle escaped his lips. He flicked his eye towards O'Floinn. Choosing German, figuring the foriegners would not know that language, Shur'tu spoke. “Stand down. Go find Captain and bring him here. He'll either have some new recruits or some bodies to dispose of..”

Without waiting for a response, Shur'tu turned his cold gaze back to the Chinese before him. “What do we have here?” He switched over to their native tongue. “Failed Imperial guards? Or has the emperor fallen on hard times and now hires out his personal guard dogs to the highest bidder?” The Mongols behind Shur'tu had a good laugh at that.

“Tell me, how many of your brethern have fallen to the blade of Huran Al'tur? My brother was never known for his merciful ways.” There was a visible reaction when Shur'tu revealed his link to Al'tur. “If you wish to cross swords with another member of the Huran clan, then you are either very brave or very stupid. Considering your Chinese, I would have to guess stupidity.

Though, do remember, friends, you are a long way from home, a stranger in strange land. I doubt you will find many friends if you kill a Free Company officer. No matter, come and face Huran Shur'tu and learn what awaits you in the hereafter.”

Shur'tu did not draw his blade, though his hand was resting on the hilt. Another was only inches away from a hidden dagger. His target already selected if it came to that.

 

[The_Hawk]

"If you have no further acts of insanity for the night, then I will take my leave."

"Very well, go." Visconti waited until the knight had half-turned before he continued. "But do not forget this -- the Visconti have been 'investigated' by the Papacy before. Yet we remain. Given that fact, the Pope is fortunate to have Milan as an ally... for now."

Visconti finished the last bite of his dessert and placed his spoon to one side. "As for you, sir, your style may have served against the heathen in the Holy Land, but this is Italy."

"I have served many of the Italian princes."

"And so you think yourself wise enough to become one? No. Mark me well, Sir Francis -- Italy is nothing but a nest of vipers." He held up his cleaned dessert plate; it bore the serpent crest of the Visconti. "At times, one must act the viper to survive."

He returned the plate to the table and waved for his page. "Now then, we will meet again tomorrow, and have a look at your company, yes? Good day, Sir Francis."

The Duke waited until the knight was out of earshot to shoot Francesco a sly look. "Arrogant prick," he muttered.

Sforza snorted a laugh, and attacked his own dessert with gusto.

 

[Craig Ashley]

June 1, Milan

The Hospitaller stormed directly to his chambers. Quickly securing a quill and paper, the former knight began to write in precise, neat letters.

Holy Father Eugene, Servant of God,

I have arrived in Milan as you ordered and met with Duke Visconti. I must say I am greatly concerned by what I have seen in my short stay so far. Visconti's decadence rivals that of the infamous cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. I am not certain it is wise to keep his friendship. He even goes so far as to suggest you, the Holy Pope and rock of the church, are fortunate to have his friendship . . . for now. Those are his own words.

Just as the Lord used pagan peoples to punish His wayward children, could it be He has the same use for the wicked city of Venice? Our Lord did say, “If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish than for your whole body to be cast into hell.”

I will, of course, abide by your decision, but I thought it wise to point out the carnal nature of Visconti and his court - including his mercenary, Francesco Sforza. I feel adrift in a sea of sin. Only the words of our Redeemer comfort me, “Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.”

May God guide and protect us always.

Your Servant,

Sir Francis du Pont

The crusading knight signed the letter with his customary flourish. Quickly he sealed the letter and went out, searching for James.

It did not take long for Francis to find his aid de camp. He thrust the letter into his hands and whispered in a harsh tone. “Give this to John, he is our fastest and most reliable messenger. Tell him to travel with all possible haste to Rome and deliver this to the Pope himself and no other. John will have to ride under my banner to gain a private audience with the Holy Father, but he must not be stopped, particularly in Milan or the surrounding area.”

James took the letter, nodded, and went off to carry out his commander's wishes.

 

[redwolf]

June 1, Evening, One Thumb

Shur'tu eyed the Chinese warriors before him, a slight smirk on his face. A low chuckle escaped his lips. He flicked his eye towards O'Floinn and said something in a language that the Ming did not understand.

Without waiting for a response, Shur'tu turned his cold gaze back to the Chinese before him. “What do we have here?” He switched over to their native tongue. “Failed Imperial guards? Or has the emperor fallen on hard times and now hires out his personal guard dogs to the highest bidder?” The Mongols behind Shur'tu had a good laugh at that.
At that point, it took all the famed discipline that the Imperial Guards were known for to keep from attacking the mongols at the insult.

Shur'tu carried on.“Tell me, how many of your brethern have fallen to the blade of Huran Al'tur? My brother was never known for his merciful ways.”

Chen Hui looked at the mongols. Brother to one of the great Chagatai nobles . If he could bring his head back to the Ming Court, perhaps they can redeem themselves and be reinstated as Imperial Guards. But reality struck him as he realise that he will never redeem himself, not as long as the current Emperor is on the throne.

Shu' tu continued to speak “If you wish to cross swords with another member of the Huran clan, then you are either very brave or very stupid. Considering your Chinese, I would have to guess stupidity. Though do remember, friends, you are a long way from home, a stranger in strange land. I doubt you find many friends if you kill a Free Company officer. No matter, come and face Huran Shur'tu and learn what awaits you in the hereafter.”

The mongol was right. Much as he hates to admit it, China will no longer be his homeland and if he wish to make a living in this strange land, he will have to learn to adapt, starting with his hatred of the Chagatai Mongols.

Before he could say a word, Zhang Xiang spoke up. " Ah yes, the brave Noble Huran Al'tur. I had campaigned for my Emperor in the Chagatai lands for 3 years and not once did i encounter the Al'tur forces as we swept westwards, including the lands of the Al'tur. Perhaps he saw the way we destroyed the blue wolf and red fox tribes and he decided he had pressing matters somewhere else, like on the other end of the Chagatai Lands perhaps, rather than dying under the blades of the Imperial Guards. Since i did not have the satisfaction of killing a Al'tur then, i guess i will have to settle for you now. Taste steel Mongol!" With that, he prepared to deliver a overhead strike on the mongol.

"STOP!!" Bellowed Chen Hui. " But..." "I said stop soldier, or do you not know how to understand commands. Take one more step forward and I will chop off your head myself. Look around you, fool, it's obvious that the people in this tavern are friendly to the mongols. You will be dead before you even get near him."

Zhang Xiang glanced around and for the first time notices the number of people around with weapons drawn and a number of arrows pointed at his chest. Reluctantly, he stepped back.

Chen Hui now looked at Shur'tu and said," It is true that my people and yours are enemies and have been for over 2 centuries. But i also recall a time before the mongol invasion of China, during the reign of the Great Genghis Khan himself, a time where Chinese and Mongol soldiers stood side by side as allies as we fought the armies of the Jin Dynasty. Today in this tavern, The mongols and Ming are far from home. Let us forget the hatred and killings that has plauged our people and start afresh again!"

Turning back to his fellow comrades, he said," And if any Ming attempt to kill any Mongol, I will personally execute the soldier. Is that understood?!" The other 3 Guards did not look very happy but seeing the look on Chen's face, they nodded their assent.

Looking back to Shur'tu, he put his right fist over his left breast, the mongol gesture of peace, and said," Peace mongol?"

 

[Craig Ashley]

June 1, Evening, One Thumb's

Looking back to Shur'tu, he put his right fist over his left breast, the Mongol gesture of peace, and said," Peace Mongol?"

A low, rough chuckled escaped the Mongol commander's lips again. “A wise choice.” Shur'tu extended his hand forward. Chen Hui stared blankly at the hand. “A western custom, one of friendship.” Shur'tu explained.

Slowly the former imperial guard reached out and met the steppelander's outstretched hand. Shur'tu instantly tightened his grip and pulled Hui forward. The steppelander's breathe scorched the other man's ear. In a hoarse whisper, Shur'tu growled, “You may say peace, but I know your kind. So know this. I will be watching you. My men will not start any confrontation with you or your men, but they will finish one.” Shur'tu loosened his grip and Chen Hui pulled away.

The steppelander then addressed the zealous soldier who cried for his blood. ”Oh, and if you had insisted on fighting, my dagger would have been buried in your throat before you could even think about taking a second step.”

Shur'tu flashed his teeth in a slightly taunting smile. He then returned the gesture of peace and barked at his own men to move along and find a table.

 

[redwolf]

June 1, Evening, One Thumb

Shur'tu returned the gesture of peace and barked at his own men to move along and find a table. As the mongols settled down, Chen Hui's eyes continued to follow their movement. Likewise, mongol, he thought, any trickery from you and i will personally kill you.

Zhang Xiang now approached Chen Hui. " Chen, are you just going stand here and do nothing? That mongol has just humiliated us in front of the whole tavern. We have lost our honour and if we don't do something about it, how can we call ourselves Imperial Guards?"

Chen Hui now turned and faced Zhang Xiang, the anger very evident on his face. For a long minute, he just stared at Zhang Hui. Finally replying in a cold voice," First of all, Zhang we are now exiles, so stop thinking of yourself as an Imperial Guard nor of your honour. We lost our honour when we allowed Prince Yongjin to be killed. As for the humiliation, I don't see any humiliation. All i saw was your foolish pride nearly getting us all killed." Is Chen losing his courage" Sneered Zhang. Now Chen grabed Zhang by the front of his uniform, " Question my courage again and i will cut you down where you stand. I do not fear death but neither do i embrace death." Looking around him, Chen noticed that the people in the tavern are all looking at them. Glancing at the mongols, he could see the bemused expressions on their faces.

Slowly letting go of Zhang's uniform, Chen said," Listen. We are in a strange land. You people are my only family now and I will do whatever it takes to keep you people alive. Right now I see joining the ranks of this Fl, Free Company as our only way of survival in this strange land and if that means fighting alongside the mongols, I will!! Do you understand?" Zhang stared at Chen for a long time, then finally nodded his head. " Good lad. Now go back to the camp and inform the rest there are mongols in this city and that there is to be no hostilities between us and the mongols should we encounter them. Get it? Good, now get going."

Chen Hui looked back at the other 2 Ming," I think sending him back is best for him. God knows what other trouble he is likely to get himself into here." The other 2 soldiers nodded. Huang Wei pointed back to their table," I don't know about you guys but since our brown haired friend O'Floinn had bought drinks for us, I say it would be impolite for us to not finish them, would you say?"

Chen Hui and Lim Hui both grinned and settled back into their table and continued on with their drink. After the drink, Chen Hui thought, it's time to look for the leader of this Free Company.


[OOC] Just a friendly reminder that all this conversations is in chinese so i guess most of you are not supposed to understand.

 

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1 June, Evening - One Thumb's

Before they finished their drinks, One Thumb brought the Chinese another round of drinks. The foreigners whispered among themselves in their own tongue. "Did we order more drinks?"

"Of this swill? Why would we?"

"Especially with our funds running low."

"Huang, you should stop gestering so much with your hands. He probably thought you were buying more drinks when you were describing how you decapitated that Mongol." Chen addressed One Thumb in his broken Italian. "Pardon me. We did not ask for this horse trough water."

One Thumb grimaced slightly, but after living with the Free Company around him for months, he had learned to suffer people's poor language skills. "Those drinks are the complements of that gentlemen." And he nodded to a small table against the opposite side of the tavern.

The Chinese followed his gaze and found another foreigner (or, rather, another European, which all look foreign to them) dressed slightly differently than the Italians. He raised his glass in salute. We outsiders have to stick together, hmmm? Master William may not keep the Irish, Scots, Welsh, or French in high regard, but maybe he won't mind fraternizing with these chaps. Doesn't hurt to have friends. Cyril lowered his drink and took a sip.

 

[redwolf]

June 1, Evening, One Thumb

"... plunge my sword into his chest. You should heard heard the sound he made as i twisted my sword further." Huang Wei was saying, gesturing wildly with his hands.

At that point, One Thumb brought another round of drinks for the Ming. Chen Hui looked in surprise at his fellow Guards. "Did we order more drinks?"

"Of this swill? Why would we?"

"Especially with our funds running low."

"Huang, you should stop gestering so much with your hands. He probably thought you were buying more drinks when you were describing how you decapitated that Mongul." Chen addressed One Thumb in his broken Italian. "Pardon me. We did not ask for this horse trough water."

One Thumb replied," "Those drinks are the complements of that gentlemen." And he nodded to a small table against the opposite side of the tavern.

Chen Hui glanced at the table and saw a babarian at that table having a drink as well. Babarian or not, he was nice enough to buy us a round, thought Chen Hui as he raised his glass in salute.

"Come brothers, gan bei (cheers)." and they all drank. Lim Hui commented," You know, i think i can grow to like this Free Company. We've been here for a short time and we already have 2 rounds free. You think we will have more free rounds?" Huang Wei laughed," I don't know but perhaps we can drink a bit more slowly and see if anyone will buy more for us. Not that i like this swill but if it's free, i will take it." This got a laugh from both Chen Hui and Lim Hui. Lim Hui said," You are hopeless Huang. But since we are going take our time here, would you be interested in a game of Chai Quan? (finger guessing game)" You are on old friend. i will start first. Ready, here goes...WU, ER SHI!! Guess you lose this round, drink up. Right, your turn this time......"

 

[Valdemar]

June 1, road outside Florence

The small part continued out the city and down the road to the coast at a leisurely speed. Maria was riding up front conversing with Cosimo, followed a few paces behind by Sean and Frederik.

The two men didn’t talk much in the beginning, Frederik seemingly lost in thought, but as they cleared the last houses and dwellings under the city wall, Frederik casually allowed a wider gap to be created between the two pairs.

Sean lifted a quizzical eyebrow, but followed suit, as the gap grew wider Frederik nudged his horse closer to Sean’ and started speaking, just high enough for Sean to catch it, but without even turning his head.

“I have given your offer a lot of thought lately.”

“Lately, I didn’t offer until yesterday.”

“Well no, but its not like the idea is new to me, I still don’t know if the political part tempts me, but a citizenship in Florence, that could prove interesting.”

“And profitable.”

“Indeed, but what would Cosimo think?”

“Think? Why should he care?”

“Well, I’m uncertain of the extend of his knowledge about me, but in his present mood, do you think he would appreciate another like Guillaume and Syban in his city?”

“That depends, you’re not going after his mother are you?”

“No, that I’m not, but as far as I know, he sees me as another Company man, and that in it self could be if not damning, then at least a hindrance. I don’t think he knows the extend of my connections with Guillaume, I never presented my self as anything other than an Free Company contact, for all he knows I could be a regular agent. Which in a sense I was, until Guillaume got himself killed and I ended up in Italy.”

“You’ve got weird ideas of your own worth lad, I knew the moment I saw you, that you had ambitions, and as for Guillaume, I might be the guilty party there, I didn’t consider it a secret that Guillaume had a man in the Company camp.”

“So what do you think? Would I fit in with all those pompous peacocks? I think I would miss the suspense of doing a good deal, or swindling a swindler, I’ll get bored with all that power?” Frederik grinned to show he wasn’t serious and yet was looking for a serious answer.

 

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Sean looked at him oddly once again,

"Do ye thin' when I came back to Florence I stopped leavin' the city? I hear ye say that to Maria. True, I retired from bein' a merc. But I've bin to Ireland twice, France a couple times, all o'er Italy...both officially and unofficially. I'm no spymaster like Guillaume or Syban in their chapel of secrets. Sure, most o' my work is done from the estate. But I donna stay there."

"Sure, but I know I'd miss the life."

"Really? Wo' ye. Seems to me ye have eno' here...and eno' in wha' I'm offerin ye, to keep ye busy. You can still go about work fro' time to time. Ye'd just have a home to come back to.

As for what Cosimo would think. Donna worry abo' 'im. Maria already is promised a nice fief. Gettin' ye to have yer citizenship alon' wi' tha' is easy enough. Like I said, take yer time. I have na gottin where I am in life by bein' in a hurry."

"Thanks Sean. I'll consider it some more." Frederik replied.

 

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June 1st - Evening - One Thumb's

O'Floinn sat back as the Chinamen and Mongols bitterly walked away from eachother. He turned to look at Robert.

"The Imperial Guards 're amusin', though the Bloodriders o' Marmion would 'ave been done with them before their first stroke fell"

Robert suddenly perked up. He looked at O'Floinn in surprise a moment.

"But...you couldn't have been a Bloodrider...how do you know about it?"

"My father"

Robert stared at him another moment, unsure of what to say. Finally he began talking again.

 

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Robert took a drink from the beer. Then decided to probe a little.

"Your father was one of the bloodriders?"

"Indeed, he swore 'imself to yer father af'er wha' happened to yer...well his first wife and son."

"I've heard some of the stories of the bloodriders. But what did he say?"

"Well, you know the story. They swore to avenge Marmion on the Duke, all his kin, and all who came to aid 'im. Be they Norman, Irish, or devils of Hell."

"So I've heard."

"My father was amon' those who rescued yer father followin' the betrayal. And they did exactly wha' they swore. They hunted down the Duke, an' 'is successor. Then he was wi' those who went to York to complete the revenge," O' Floinn recounted the events matter-of-factly.

"Yes, but what was it like?"

"Bloody. They were angry men, bent on vengeance. An' they'd let nothin' stan' in their way. Me father wouldna talk abou' it sober. An' neither did any o' the o'er riders I knew. An' e'en when they were drunk an' spoke o' it. It was in a hush, as if they were walkin' through a barrows in their soul. The bards o' course, made it all into songs of glory, honor, and victory fer the Irish o'er the Norman oppressors. But the High King specifically tol' Sean he wanted nothin' to do wi' it. An' the stories donna tell o' how the riders left Norman holdfasts burned to the groun', sacked and pillaged. 'Twas bloody business. No doubt."

"What could drive men to do that?" Robert asked.

"Have ye bin to Eire, O' Glaigh?"

"Once. Not for long."

"If ye'd bin there longer, ye'd know why. Why do ye thin' so many o' us leave and become mercenaries? It's the one way ou'. Sean O' Glaigh gave 'em a chance to figh', a brief moment o' hope when they hav' so li'l o' it. Wha's really surprisin' is tha' when he left Eire, the slaughter ended."

"Why did it?"

"That's the part no one cin explain." O' Floinn said candidly, "Maybe ye sho' ask yer father tha' part. Mine simply shrugged. I certainly donna know."

 

[unmerged(6528)]

June 1st - Evening - One Thumb's

The tavern had returned to its normal racous entertainments and heavy drinking, for the moment anyway.

Robert O'Glaigh and Daniel O'Floinn sat near the bar, talking animatedly, their gestures punctuating what looked to be an interesting conversation.

Off near the stairs that led to the second level sat two tables of Mongols, they were doing some drinking but mostly they were watching the table in the middle of the room.

That table was filled with people that Lochlan couldn't place. They looked somewhat like the Mongols, and somewhat like the rangers old friend Ash from Nippon, but they were different.

No one noticed Lochlan when he entered the tavern except Shur'tu, who locked eyes with the ranger and nodded jerkily toward the men in the center of the room.

It had been less than an hour since Captain and Lochlan had left the tavern to go through the supply list for Florence when a messenger had burst in looking for Captain. Naturally the messenger had been Fritz, the poor bastard was always stuck in the wrong place at the wrong time. Unfortunately for the former swiss pikeman Captain had just left to go see his lady, and the official Free Company member had contemplated with horror the idea of interrupting that for a moment before Lochlan volunteered himself with a sigh.

Pausing only to rouse a squad of a his guards the Free Company Lieutenant had made his way to the tavern.

Several heads turned as he stepped completely through the door, and the tavern went quiet when the squad of guards entered behind him clearly ready for a fight. Why does no one ever send a god damned messenger when the confrontation is over? I get bloody tired of making these dramatic entrances.

"Captain's a bit busy right now." Lochlan said, as the easterners turned to regard him. "Can I help you?"

 

[Valdemar]

June 1, Evening the camp

Johan slowly made his way through the camp, not caring that most of the men first gave him a wide berth and then smirked as he passed by. He met up with Bernhard at the stables and pulled of his tunic by the well, but when he saw his friend he couldn’t help laughing.

“What’s so funny?” Bernhard didn’t sound like he was in the best of moods.

“Look at us, I stink so no one will go near me, and you look all blistery from the sun and the prickly straws, that no one will go near you, we’re a beautiful couple.”

Bernhard harrumphed, but couldn’t help grinning. “Have you heard the rumours of the new recruits?”

“Again? Where from this time?”

“I heard it from some of those light cavalry things, you know they tore right through my dummies, so now I have to go there again tomorrow, and I think they do it on purpose, Europeans and Mongols alike, I think they really enjoy seeing a REAL cavalry man standing there with their dummies...”

“Bernhard, get to the point, the recruits? More men-at-arms?”

“I don’t really know, Chinamen they said, the Mongols seemed to know them or know of them.”

“Chinamen? You got to be kidding, I knew about the Mongols before, they stopped in Hungary or someplace like that, but China, isn’t that just a legend? Next you’ll be saying that they brought dragons or even a Wlak.”

“Well that’s what they said, the Mongols, Captain is the one to hire or fire, so you’ll know soon enough.”

Johan nodded his consent, “I’ve got another rumour for you.”

“Really, something good?”

“One of the officers came by, while I was digging, seems like we are about to get our marching orders.”

“Oh?”

“Florence, seems like this little Italian war is about to burst in to flames.”

“Florence? Sounds good, isn’t that where the Company is headquartered?”

“I think so,” Johan splattered water all over his torso,

“It doesn’t help, my friend you still stink.” Bernhard grinned, but had to stop as Johan tossed a bucket of water over his head,

“And you’re ugly, do think Kent will allow us one evening off to say our goodbyes?”

 

[redwolf]

June 1, Evening, One Thumb

Chen Hui was watching his friends playing a game of chai quan when the tavern suddenly went quiet.

Looking around, he saw a group of armed soldiers entering the tavern. The soldiers all handled their weapons with confidence, Chen noticed. Professionals, he thought.

The leader approached the table, and spoke to them in a language which they did not understand. Chen Hui rose to his feet, staring intently at the stranger. Looking into the stranger's eyes, Chen Hui thought, this man has seen heavy fighting before. And the way the other people in the tavern looked at him, this man must command a lot of respect and authority. A most worthy warrior indeed.

Remembering the western gesture of friendship, he extended his hand, speaking in his very bad italian," I beg your pardon but i do not understand what you said just now. My name is Chen Hui, former member of the Imperial Guards of Great Ming. I lead another 49 former Guards. We have heard stories of the warrior group known as the Free Company and and we are very impressed. So we have travelled here in the hope that we can seek employment within the ranks of the Free Company. Can you help us?"