Clash of Pikes

Chapter 9

The march back to Brice was surprisingly without trouble, only a few times did a wagon break down or some sort of fight broke out. It was because of this they made it to the Dunasian Capital rather quickly.

Captain Rienzo went to negotiate their payment bringing along Jaquet as a translator, the paymaster as always and Mateo. In all honestly Mateo had no real clue as to why he was being taken when the other lieutenants weren't. The prideful part of him wanted to believe it was because he was being groomed for leadership. The cynic in him argued that it was because he spoke Dunasian fairly well and the captain didn't fully trust Jaquet.

Approaching the inner castle's gate, they were fully welcomed into the walls and guided by a guard towards a room. It was a simple room, a table with three chairs on either side. Rienzo, Jaquet, and the paymaster sat, Mateo elected to stand.

Soon, the lord they were to be discussing with showed himself, flanked by several household knights. The knights positioned themselves at the entrances of the doors and stood at attention while the noble sat himself down. There was a brief staring contest between the mercenaries and the lord in front of them. What? Does he want us to kiss his ring and bow ourselves down like some peasants?

Rienzo broke the tension by bringing out the original contract signed by both parties and speaking. "Lord Chiquart, we have completed the requests detailed in this contract and request full payment." Jaquet furiously translated his words into Dunasian.

"Why is Delon abandoned?" Jaquet interpreted the noble's words for them. Mateo bit his bottom lip and looked at his captain. No doubt the nobles had heard rumors of this and weren't happy at the loss of tax money in addition to able bodied workers.

"Whether or not Delon has people in it or not is not of our concern, we were sent to put down a rebellion and we did just that." Rienzo spoke calmly, while Lord Chiquart could only hear what he was saying second hand, how he said it still left a big impression.

"Is it true you have stolen the people of Delon into your own party?" Jaquet spoke without emotion, but it was clear the anger behind Lord Chiquart's words.

"We stole no one, they came on their own free will."

"The peasants of Delon are the property of our kingdom and their lord."

"This isn't relevant, let's get back to the matter at hand."

"You are thieves!" At this point Chiquart had turned bright red in the face. He gathered himself together before speaking again. "I have been a bad host, let us drink wine before further talks begin."

Rienzo slowly nodded in agreement. Servants were brought in carrying platters of cheese and bread while at the same time carrying bottles of wine. It was at this time Mateo felt the need to use the latrines. Of all the times, it's right before they serve food...

He nodded to his captain before making his way out the door, no one stopped him, though as he walked through he swore he could see a knight gesture at his back in the corner of his eye. Mateo brushed it off and continued towards the latrines, or as the fine noblemen called it, the privy. He found it and began to relieve himself.

CRACK

The sound of a firearm discharging rang out through the halls of the castle. Mateo blinked twice before buckling up his breeches and leaning up against the door to the privy. He heard the clinking of armor on the other side. Quickly, Mateo thought through the possibilities, they could either be investigating the gunshot or they were here for him. They weren't moving so Mateo wagered it was the former.

Preparing his next action, Mateo rested his hands on the two pistols at his hips. He didn't want to go out with them fully drawn in the case that they didn't mean him any harm. Opening the door, he walked out slowly.