Summoned so the Soviet Conquers! (GATE Fanfics)

Chapter IV - Idk what to name

Ianthe woke groggily with a screaming headache in the middle of the street curled up next to Maximus. The first thing she was aware of, was the pain in her head. The second was that she was incredibly thirsty and the third was that she stunk.

Rising wearily, the blue light of early morning guiding her way the mercenary went to a watering trough meant for horses and proceeded about the process of bathing, stripping away the heavy armor that she had been wearing for some reason. The last couple of days were just a drunken blur and she didn't remember much. It was about this time that Ianthe noticed the large patches of bloody dirt in front of the tavern.

"Ah shit, I'll have to pay for it if they lost any livestock," said Ianthe to herself. Checking her coin purse, her spirits immediately fell. "Ha. Out of money. Guess it's cut and run then. The gods must hate me. I knew I should have left a better offering before leaving Messalon. Not that I can fucking go back there," grumbled Ianthe. She finished bathing and grabbed a fresh set of clothes from her saddle bags. A new under suit for her armor, black form fitting fabric with a woolen vest over top to prevent chafing and drake skin pants.

"Excuse me, Captain Ianthe?"

"Yes?" answered Ianthe turning, hand on the hilt of her sword. She was startled to find an elf dressed in mottled colored clothing and two men dressed the same holding strange staves of wood and metal. The blood drained from Ianthe's face as she recognized the dress. These were the same soldiers who had slaughtered an entire army at Mt. Rubicon.

"Lieutenant Volkin is wishing to inquire about your services."

"M-my services?" asked Ianthe, merely giving herself time to think. These people already knew who she was and if their staves were anything like the ones that the metal behemoths had possessed they could kill her without any effort at all.

"Yes. He wishes to know how much it would cost to hire you and have you act as a scout for us. We don't have any food for your mount, but we would be willing to pay quite well for your services."

"How much is quite well?" asked Ianthe. She watched the blonde wood elf talk to the young man at her side for a moment in a strange language before answering her.

"He wishes to know how much you would want."

"Sixty silver pieces up front. If my services go beyond two months then it's extra. Plus all of my food, lodging and expenses to be taken care of besides. Also fair shares of battle spoils and promise of two hundred silvers in case of severe injury like loss of a limb or an eye" said Ianthe settling into negotiations. It was an outrageously high price to pay for a single mercenary, even a draconian cavalry mercenary. Most peasant families could get by on two to three silvers a month, especially when a mug of ale cost only five coppers. One silver if they had a small family and grew their own food. What she had asked for would have bought them at least two or three dragon mercenaries, more if they agreed to the battle spoils and severance pay. Then again, a dragon itself was worth a great deal of money.

"Lieutenant Volkin finds your offer agreeable. However he wishes to give you a gold coin to keep your services until they are no longer required," said the elf. Ianthe's mouth opened in shock.

"W...what?"

"The Lieutenant wishes for you to be ready to move in twenty minutes," said Luella handing Ianthe a gold coin. Ianthe took it numbly, mouth still half agape. A gold coin was worth a hundred silvers. She could buy a small hut, stable, and the plot of land if it was in a village like this with it. Not that she would ever settle in a dung heap like Blenheim.

"Yes. Yes, I will be ready to move. Tell the young lord that I will serve him faithfully and my sword is his to command while I am under his employ," said Ianthe.