Chapter 85: A New Job

The large bowl of stew left Raymond's stomach pleasantly warm. Anna thoughtfully brought him clean water and a fresh towel so he could wipe his face.

Henk and Mara were still hungry. Raymond asked Anna to bring them another serving each, then went over to the bar alone.

Sophie had already noticed his arrival. As he approached, she teased him. “Ray, you just left two horses here and walked off without a word. Weren't you worried I'd lose all your things?”

“Not at all.” Raymond smiled. “I was in a hurry to see Sheriff Marcus, so I thought I'd leave everything here first.”

“Well, don't worry. Both horses are in the stable, and I've moved everything they were carrying into your room. You'll see it when you go up.” Sophie rolled her eyes at him, then asked with concern, “You were gone so long this time. Do you know how worried we were? Nothing happened on the road, did it?”

“We did run into some trouble, but we made it back safely.” Raymond took out two silver coins, set them on the bar, and pushed them toward her. “Keep whatever's left over to pay for our meals and rooms later. We'll need three single rooms, and could you get some hot water ready for us too?”

Sophie took the coins. “All right. Will you want supper tonight?”

“We'll see, but I don't think so. It's been so long since I last slept in a bed. I really need a good rest.”

Leaving Henk and Mara to enjoy their food, Raymond went upstairs to his room alone.

Ever since he could afford a room of his own, he had stayed in this one nearly every time. Unless the inn was particularly busy, Sophie seemed to keep it available for him.

With trade in Blackstone being what it was, however, the inn was rarely that busy. Most mercenaries had homes of their own. Raymond and Henk, who lived at the inn all the time, were the exceptions.

Raymond had considered renting a place. But he was often away for long stretches, so there was little point. He kept his valuables with him anyway. Besides, Sophie was here at the Blackstone Inn. Staying here meant fewer worries over food and lodging than renting a house.

He meant to lie down for a short rest, take a hot bath, and then go to sleep. But as soon as he lay on the soft, comfortable bed, his eyes drifted shut. Before long, he was fast asleep.

He was groggy, somewhere between sleep and waking, when urgent knocking at the door startled him awake. He sat up sharply, paused for a moment, then hurried out of bed and opened the door.

Anna stood outside, looking apologetic. “Sorry to disturb you, Raymond.”

“It's all right, Anna. What is it?”

She pointed downstairs. “Someone from the town guard is here to see you. I think it's Deputy Sheriff Dario.”

*Deputy Sheriff Dario?*

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Raymond nodded and followed her downstairs.

In the common room, Dario and several soldiers of the town guard stood beside Henk, talking to him. Mara was still watching them warily. Seeing Raymond, Dario immediately came over.

“Raymond! It's been a while. You were away a long time!”

“Good to see you again, Sheriff Dario.” Raymond smiled and went to meet him.

“Deputy Sheriff,” Dario corrected him. “I'd rather you didn't get that wrong.”

“Right, right.” Raymond smiled. “What brings you here?”

At the question, Dario's smile faded. He looked around, his gaze passing over every mercenary present before settling briefly on Mara, who was still watching them. Then he drew Raymond aside.

“Let's talk over there.”

Raymond followed him to an empty table with no one nearby. The soldiers stood guard to one side. The precautions puzzled him. What could this be about?

“You already know the situation, so I'll get straight to it,” Dario said. “Sheriff Marcus wants to station mercenaries in the villages near the Blackstone Mountains. He also wants mercenaries to guard the mountain pass and keep a close watch on the gnolls. It'll be a very difficult job, and I'd like you to take it on. It's important, too, so it pays quite a bit more than an ordinary job. I trust you and your companions, Raymond. I don't think many others could handle it.”

Raymond rubbed his chin. He did not know why Marcus had suddenly issued these orders. Was he interested in the Ebony in the Blackstone Mountains? Or was he taking precautions against future trouble? Either way, if he was willing to hire mercenaries to protect the nearby villagers and watch the gnolls, he was at least putting Blackstone's safety first. Raymond approved of that.

But approval did not mean he had to take the job. For one thing, he had been away far too long and had no intention of starting another assignment so soon. For another, these gnolls were much more dangerous than the goblins they had faced before. He did not want to take such a large risk for a little pay.

After giving it considerable thought, he answered. “I'm honored you came to me, Deputy Sheriff Dario. But I've been away a long time, and I'm not planning to take another job just yet. Besides, I can't decide this on my own. I need to talk it over with the others.”

Dario did not seem surprised. He stood up. “It's your choice, hero of Blackstone. None of us can force you. If you change your mind, come and see me any time.”

Raymond rose and shook his hand. “Understood, Deputy Sheriff. I'll remember that.”

Dario said no more. He simply left the inn with his soldiers. Once they were gone, Raymond returned to the table and sat with Henk and Mara.

They had finished their food, leaving only empty plates, but their mugs were still half full. He had no idea how many rounds they had drunk by now. Stretching, he asked, “Why haven't you gone to get some rest?”

“It's still early, human.” Mara glanced at him. “I don't sleep in the afternoon.”

“Fair enough.” Raymond shrugged, unbothered.

“What did he want?” Henk asked.

Raymond briefly explained what Dario had told him. Unlike Raymond, both half-orcs were clearly interested, their eyes lighting up as they listened.

“Did you ask how much it pays?” Mara asked as soon as he finished.

“Well...” Raymond scratched his head. “I didn't ask. But apparently the pay is quite good.”

“Not as good as Brightwater, though,” Henk put in.

“No, not as good as Brightwater.” Raymond sighed. “But we can't go back there. Not yet. We need to wait a while longer. Maybe the message Margaret passed on for us will have done some good by then.”

Henk stared into his ale without speaking. Unlike Raymond, he had to return to Brightwater. He badly wanted to know whether the money he had sent had reached home. If possible, he also wanted to find out more about the situation in the north. If the Orc Scourge was truly that serious, perhaps he would need to return home sooner.

“I think it's worth doing if the pay's good enough,” Mara said.

“Why?” Raymond asked, puzzled.

She shrugged. “We're only going to be stationed there. There might not be any danger at all. And if there is, can't we just run?”

“Run? That's out of the question.” Raymond's tone turned stern at once. “If we take a job, we're responsible for seeing it through. I won't agree to running away the moment there's danger.”

Seeing how serious he was, Mara said no more beyond a grumble. “All right, all right. You're the boss, aren't you?”