Chapter 1
Mercenary life had brought Roman to this nowhere village in the middle of Nordic territory, unfortunately it didn't look like it was going to take him away from it. He didn't even know its name, hadn't bothered to ask. He'd simply bought some food and waited by the road on the way to town, hoping for another mercenary company needing a hand, or a caravan needing protection that he could sign on to.
Roman's previous company had been hired on by a wealthy merchant looking to travel from Reyvadin in the Kingdom of Vaegirs to Wercheg, deep into the Kingdom of the Nords, despite the fact the two nations were at war. This was an obviously bad plan to Roman and the other lieutenants, but the Captain just saw the size of the commission. Words of warning fell on deaf ears and they were on the road the next day.
Shortly after crossing the border they had their first conflict. A patrol of Nord soldiers didn’t believe they were simply merchants and accused them of being spies or a raiding force. Negotiations were short and ultimately violent. Roman and his comrades were victorious, but suffered heavy casualties. The merchant and the captain foolishly assumed this would be the end of their troubles and decided to press on towards Wercheg. The next fight wouldn't be as lucky.
During the night, camped on the coast, they were struck by Sea Raiders. Roman was awakened by his tent burning and had just enough time to grab his axe before escaping the conflagration. The battle had begun, and despite his unit being better equipped and outnumbering the attackers, they were suffering their unpreparedness and previous wounds. It was a quick and bloody fight, but Roman stood living at the end. Only he stood living.
Roman gathered what he could carry, his combat gear, a few loaves of bread, and more than his share of silver from the merchant's coffers, then followed the coast hoping to find civilization.
So here he sits. Waiting for some opportunity to get him somewhere, anywhere, else.
“Do you stand in defense of Ruvar?”
“Eh?” The voice pulled Roman from his remembrance. “Ruvar?”
“The village behind you. We plan to pillage it. Are you protecting it?” The man seemed confused that he was unaware of the town's name, the woman behind him just seemed amused. Standing right in front of him were two soldiers. The first was a young man with leathery brown skin and a black braid to the middle of his back. At first glance he appeared to be wrapped in thick robes, but on closer inspection chainmail could be seen under his cuffs.
The woman behind him was dressed like a soldier, which was rare enough in Calradia, but also surprising was her age. Her short cut brown hair did nothing to hide the age lines on her face. Her light leather armor clung to a form that didn’t match the 40-something years of her face. She was broad shouldered with a flat stomach and thicker in the arms and legs than most women. She was definitely built like someone used to a physical life.
Roman stood and chomped the last bite of dried meat he was working on. “Have at it. You guys Vaegir?”
“Ha, not exactly.” The woman smirked.
“I just assumed since you’re attacking… You know what, don’t care. Hey, I never thought of myself as a marauder, but are you all hiring?”
“We’ll have to take you back and run you by the boss, but I don’t see why not.” The woman smiled at him.
“Deal. I’m Roman.” He extended his hand to shake, but the man just looked at it.
“Baheshtur.” He grumbled before turning to walk the way he came.
“I’m Katrin.” The woman said as she firmly grabbed his wrist. “He’s not all bad once you get to know him.”
