Chapter One
Dark Age Year 871
Fifth day of the Eighth month
Sitting across the table from Tharos now was Jabari Garzar, a travelling merchant from the city of Naver in the land of Thalassa who had sought him out. He wished to hire him for a job, which made Tharos feel a small sense of pride, even though he didn’t think he had done much to attract this kind of attention in this short amount of time. It seems like I have been building up a bit of a reputation. I don’t know why I haven’t really done much in the short time I have been a sword for hire. Maybe it was that whole business at Aurelia Silva that started this, he thought to himself as he poured himself and Jabari some red wine of a local vintage into polished silver goblets, along with a spread of local food. It was nothing special, just some fresh olives and grapes, along with a serving of an Invicti dish, one of which was quickly becoming his favourite food to enjoy in this new era. It was a dish known as pizza, which Tharos himself quite enjoyed eating, and one day hoped to make his own version of it. As he served up food, he noticed that to his side tied to the red sash around his black robes Jabari carried a short sword of unknown make, and Tharos could see that he even had a dagger or two hidden within his sleeves. Even though it was hard to see, he could also see that Jabari had a chain vest hidden under his vestments.
At least this employer is serious enough to show up armed, Tharos thought to himself as he remembered several other employers he had in recent months. Most of them were either not armed or didn’t bring any bodyguards with them. This became a significant issue when some of them would try to threaten him to get out of the contracts. These contracts, mind you, were written up by themselves, and they often sought him out for employment, not the other way around. The ego and even the arrogance of these people almost bordered on parody sometimes. Although he was hoping that Jabari was like the rare few employers he had who treated him honestly, to the point where he would be happy to work for them again. He was hoping that was the case, if it wasn’t. Well, he knew how to deal with such people.
Tharos had heard and read some scant things about the Navertins, there wasn’t much he knew about them, aside from the fact that they exist and are from a continent that people call Thalassa. From what he had heard, Thalassa was a borderline continent-sized, scorching hot jungle filled with wild beasts, deadly plants, and tribes of cannibals. To Tharos, it sounded like a more lively and hostile version of the Deadlands of Aria. If he was being honest with himself, he was thankful he didn’t have to trek through that, for he didn’t even want to imagine what horrors would await him there.
The only signs of Civilization to be found in Thalassa were the many settlements on the coast or arid plains, which served as a borderland between civilisation and barbarism. The city of Naver was the most famous and prosperous, ruled by an ever-rotating council made up of various dynasties from different families. It was considered equal, if not superior, to Aria’s own city of Ammos, which Tharos had been told was also ruled by an oligarchy.
Ammos was one of the only cities in the frontier regions of Aria, a coastal and cosmopolitan city with ports rich in cargo, hosting people of all races and creeds. It was one of the few sources for foreign mercenaries in Aria, as Ammos was one of the few places that would allow them free passage. Most other coastal settlements in Aria were not happy with armed men of foreign blood running around their hamlets or shires. The various warlords, petty kingdoms, and city-states who were engaged in the most timely of human enterprises for the last two hundred years were already wary of these soldiers of fortune whose loyalties and allegiances couldn’t be counted on. They were as fickle as whimsical fairies and would often change sides as quickly as the winds changed currents, as they had no ties to the land or people of Aria besides those who had the coin to pay them.
While some of these bands were formed by disenfranchised soldiers hoping to start a new life for themselves and their families through the only means they knew, others were thrill-seeking adventurers seeking adventure and coin. However, most of these mercenary bands were comprised of individuals with dubious backgrounds and questionable reputations: former criminals, outcasts, and other such rogues who filled these mercenary bands like fish caught in a net. They had decided, for one reason or another, to take a chance and try their luck in Aria as their native lands would no longer accept them. Partaking and drinking deeply in the most raw of human passions of war, which was a ravaging and all-consuming passion that turned civil men into hungry and mad beasts, that would rape and pillage the countrysides, leaving all desolate and barren in their wake amidst the blazing fires of war.
Tharos himself had been accused this by many of his employers in recent months. They often mistook him for a foreign rogue involved in the conflict, which, if he was being honest, he wasn’t really helping with the current situation of Aria. The true irony of that statement was that Tharos was actually native to Aria, albeit a version of Aria that no longer existed. This raised the question to him of what defines a native person. For instance, while the wilders were considered native to Aria, they originally migrated from a landmass at the top of the world at least several centuries ago. Before his people, the Zarbarians, built and settled in the city of Zarbar, their true origins were shrouded in myth and legend. This led to the question of whether one is considered native to a land based on the longevity of their roots or through the assertion of dominance and protection of the territory. Tharos pondered whether true ownership of land was established through force or property rights in a civilised society.
Outside of that, he didn’t know much about the Navertin people, their city, or the land they came from. In fact, in his day, Thalassa didn’t exist. It wasn’t like the continent was named something different in his time. It was more that it wasn’t there in the first place. Although his memory was still fuzzy, Thalassa was not this massive continent; it was at most a few scattered islands, maybe an archipelago or two. In fact, the last time he checked, he even remembered there was a small elven city on one of these islands. Since Aria had changed so much while he was trapped in Zarbar for the untold years, it was possible that Aria wasn’t the only thing to change.
At this point, Tharos wouldn’t have been surprised if the entire planet and its geography had changed. The land masses he once knew were either sunk into the sea or broken away to form new land masses. Although he couldn’t confirm this hunch as he found no world maps. Most maps were regional maps at best, and many of them were not as accurate as he would have hoped. This was part of the reason they were still in the frontier regions of Aria and not making a direct beeline to the city of Sanctus. Most of the maps they had or found were outdated or just wrong, but he found himself distracted by the local cuisine or mercenary jobs. It wasn’t like he was in a rush; he could afford to take his time and enjoy this new era for what it is. Turning his full attention to Jabari, who was now sitting across from him with Rayner and Cenric sitting beside him, Tharos spoke first.
“I don’t know the customs of your people, so I hope this will suffice,” he said, gesturing to the goblets of wine and the platters of food.
“No, this will be fine. I thank you for your politeness and hospitality. Most wouldn’t even make the attempt.”
“So, Cenric tells me you’re here to offer me a job?” Tharos said as he took a sip of wine.
“Yes, I need to transport some cargo to the city of Ammos. As you may know, the roads to Ammos are laden with danger, and I require the skills of people such as yourself to ensure a safe delivery,” Jabari stated as he picked up a slice of pizza and took a small bite. Tharos was considering the proposition when his train of thought was interrupted by Rayner, who spoke up.
“Oh, Ammos, that takes me back,” Rayner interjected with hearty laughter.
“Do you have something you wish to add?” Tharos said as he turned his head and shot Rayner a quick glare.
“Nothing much, unless you want to hear the tale of how I partook in the siege of Ammos a few years back. It was a good time for me at least. I killed over twenty men in that siege and ended up with a wagon full of loot by the end,” he said with a wide and wolfish grin.
“Oh, you’re as charming a storyteller as ever, Rayner,” Tharos said to him in a sarcastic tone, to which Rayner shot him a glare in response. Tharos paused and redirected his gaze towards Jabari again, ignoring Rayner’s glare. “I think we can handle this job. However, before I agree to anything, how much is the payment, and what are we delivering?” This wasn’t the first time Tharos had done a job like this. However, the other times he had done it, the jobs involved transporting regular goods, and on occasion, slaves, which bothered Cenric to no end. While he didn’t like the fact that the practice of slavery had once again entered the world, he couldn’t do much about it. Regardless of what Cenric wanted and no matter how much he complained or gave him the pouty face, Tharos wasn’t going to go on some foolish crusade to end the oppression of the downtrodden, as he had more pressing things to attend to.
“I am willing to give you five hundred gold talents for accepting the job, and then another five hundred gold talents on a successful delivery. As for what we are delivering, as your friend pointed out, Ammos has been in rather dire straits in recent years. What we are delivering is medicine and other supplies, as there is a plague that has broken out, and I was hired to help deliver these vital supplies.” Upon hearing that, Tharos felt relieved, and he didn’t really have any reason to say no to what sounded like such an easy job. He even sensed no lies from Jabari, and one thousand gold talents is a lot of money, even if Aria’s economy was in shambles at the moment. It almost sounded too good to be true, however, this might be one of those rare times when it wasn’t the case. Tharos knew not to take things at face value, and this was something he had forgotten when it came to that job in Aurelia Silva and Nico.
Even if he’s not lying, I would rather not have another Nico situation, where I get caught up with his lies or lies by omission. Let’s test this merchant, he thought to himself as he made his next move.
“So, why out of all the hired swords you could have hired with that kind of money, did you seek me out specifically? Assuming your offer and intentions are genuine, what is your guarantee that I won’t kill you and make off with your gold and cargo?” Tharos asked,
Jabari raised an eyebrow and took a massive sip from his goblet of wine before speaking in a calm and measured voice. “First, when it comes to hired help, I prefer quality over quantity, and you have quite the reputation of being a skilled warrior. Secondly…” reaching into his robes, Jabari pulled out a small metal sphere-like object with a red top. Tharos could sense faint traces of magical energy emanating from it.
That better not be what i think it is. He thought to himself as Jabari continued speaking. “Well, I was hoping that your conduct and professionalism, which are so famed and praised for, is true. Thirdly,” Jabari voice rose just a tad, emphasising this point, “You don’t make it as a Navertin Merchant for as long as i have. if you are unwilling or unable to protect yourself when words fail you, either by your sword arm or by cunning tricks.” As he said that, Tharos saw him about to press the red top of the sphere. Before he did so, Tharos stopped him “You’ve made your point. There’s no need to use that thing. I was only joking.” Jabari gave him a measured smile. “So, do you know what this is? I am surprised most people I encounter don’t know what this does.”
“I have a few ideas, and if it’s what I think it is, I know you’re not going to use it. Not at least at this range.” He saw Jabari give a quick nod as he tucked the metal sphere away into his robes.
“You are as astute as I have heard. You’re right, I wasn’t planning on using it, aside from using it as a prop to emphasise my point. So, would you like to take the job or not?”
This merchant seems to be quite clever. He didn’t lose his cool and even has backup plans in case things go awry for him. I am quite impressed.
Turning towards his two companions, “What do you two think?” Rayner spoke first, “It sounds like a lot of fun and easy gold.” Cenric added, “Same here. Think of all the people we could help and save.”
Tharos then turned to Jabari. “I will take the job. So when do we leave?” Jabari scratched his chin. “We will be leaving here first thing in the morning tomorrow. You will also receive the first half of your payment once we leave Arcus. Will that suffice for you?”
“That will be fine,” Tharos replied. Jabari then handed Tharos a contract to sign. After reading though it, and signing the contract, Jabari left the room, and the three of them started making preparations for this new job. However, little did they know, this new job wasn’t going to be as simple or easy as they first thought. This is a fact and lesson that all three of them should know by now, but like all important lessons, sometimes it takes a while for the lesson to be truly learned.
