The Bounty Hunter

Chapter 9: The Direct Request

June 19th, 2088

Back in the other world, I am currently standing in front of an imposing looking gothic manor.  Like all noble abodes in Obsidia, it is constructed of imposing ebony wood and black mortar.  In my opinion, there should be vampires living in such a place but I shouldnt criticize my clients home.  Getting direct requests from clients was rare for bounty hunter groups, after all it was simpler and more effective to just post the bounty publicly and let multiple people hunt for them.  

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But if the request needed to be kept quiet, then a private bounty would be issued directly to a bounty hunter group.  I myself have received a number of direct requests, and I have also rejected most of them.  Bounties that need to be quiet are often ethically questionable or borderline illegal.  I am not a hero, but I try not to be a villain either so I usually avoid these requests.  But the client this time is the Prime Minister himself, so I am in the awkward position of being unable to decline without a suitable excuse. 

Thus, I am currently walking towards his office while looking around.  My paranoia seems to be in overdrive due to the ambience so I have been making preparations in case I need to make a quick escape.  My experiences have shown that it is always important to prepare and put as many cards in play as possible so you can deal yourself the best hand you can regardless of the situation. 

For example, if someone was observing me closely they would notice some faint shimmering golden particles falling from my sleeves and dispersing into the air as I walked.  This was my own invention which I call faerie dust, a consumable magic artifact that creates a blinding flash of light and subsequently creates illusions upon activation.  So even after someone regains their sight, they would still be misled by the dust without them even noticing.  If things get dicey during the meeting, Ill activate the dust and escape.  If nothing happens, Ill simply collect it on my way out. 

Prime Minister Fell is inside, please enter.  One of the platoon of guards escorting me opened the imposing double set door and I entered a well-furnished office.  There was an ornate desk sitting on a slightly raised platform and behind there was an attractive androgynous man who looked to be in his mid-twenties.  He had pale violet hair that reached his shoulders and violet eyes with tan skin.  His long pointed ears moved slightly as he heard me entering. 

He looked up and spoke Several days ago, a traitor absconded with a valuable heirloom.  Fortunately, this heirloom had a tracking charm applied to it by our household wizard.  Based on the information before the charm faded the thief has gone to ground in Malkith, I want his head and my heirloom back.  He thrust out a sheet with details about the bounty.  That is all you may leave. And he promptly ignored me. 

I was unperturbed by his horrid behavior, since this was the standard way for nobles to treat the common populace.  Before I could leave however, the doors burst open and a dark elven women stormed in.  She had long white hair, burnt orange eyes and would definitely be called beautiful.  Would be, if it werent for the expression of outrage she was currently wearing.  One could mistake her for a banshee with that look.  Icarus! Why are you bringing in street scum like this to find Alfenox?! Veronica is already on-site!  Shes more than adequate to bring back a rogue manservant!! she shouted at the Prime Minister. 

And then she turned her attention to me. You must be the so called Peerless, what a stupid name.  Upstart gutter trash like yourself should just go die, thanks to you trekking your filthy self here Ill have to get the slaves to scour the whole manor clean.  Her diatribe continued against me for a solid 5 minutes and her forceful demeanor made it impossible for Icarus to interrupt.  I remained silent throughout and I picked through the details of her rant to get an interesting conclusion:  its not that she is opposed to me going, she doesnt want anyone going. 

Finally, she ran out of breath and I took the opportunity to calmly ask So Prime Minister Fell, is the bounty canceled or not?  The Prime Minister pondered for a moment then replied Arinera, my beloved wife, I value your counsel but the heirloom stolen by Alfenox is far too valuable to risk losing.  There should be no harm in sending additional people who have as reliable a reputation as him. Terra, you will proceed with the hunt.  I immediately left the manor before Arinera could berate me further.  Thankfully I had been to Malkith before so I could teleport there at my leisure.  So I had a free day before I was expected to arrive at the city, which I decided to spend back at home.  Seated at my desk I read the details listed on the bounty.  I dont like it. I muttered to myself. 

This entire scenario was too suspicious.  How could a servant like this Alfenox steal such a valuable heirloom?  The heirloom was an ancient magic sword left behind by the founder of the Fell household.  Something like that would definitely be placed under heavy guard if it wasnt being wielded by someone.  Alfenox wouldnt be able to steal it without any help.  The Fell house trying to keep the theft quiet was explainable at least. It would be a major loss of face if word got out and third parties trying to take the sword would definitely appear.  But why would Arinera be so opposed to anyone other than this Veronica going after the sword? 

Even if they were suspicious of additional infiltrators in the household, they should still have some people they trust who could also be discreet.  But it seems that Arinera convinced Icarus not to risk it, which ended up with him hiring me instead.  Yet Arinera was opposed to this as well.  Its like shes trying to sabotage the retrieval of the artifact.  But shes the mistress of the Fell household, so it wouldnt make sense to weaken her own house.  Or does she simply trust this Veronica absolutely?  AHHH! Whatever, as long as this scheme doesnt involve me and I get paid I dont care! I yelled out as the effort of trying to figure out the intrigue of those damn nobles made my head hurt.  Ill find out tomorrow what the scheme is whether I like it or not.