Walking into the Inn, Dieudonnae was unable to conceal her disdain for its occupants. For seated at the tables were rogues, thieves, drunkards, and even shadier folk. She took one of the hard, wooden chairs, and sat in a corner near enough to the fireplace. She knit her brows and frowned, obviously expecting somebody and disturbed for their nonattendance.
As she waited, she wore a dark and solemn expression. She began to focus on the bard, staged and singing of the "heroism" of some former mayor. Suddenly, a man sat in the chair across from her, a smile on his face. Startled, Dieudonnae pulled her furs and shawls closer about her.
"Bucta! What brings you to the Prancing Pony this eve?", she asked upon recognizing the former sellsword, scowling at his sudden materialization. "Ah, I came for the usual drink till I fight, M'lady.", he replied. "Yet I must ask the same of you. What business does someone like you have in a tavern?" Her lips pursed slightly at his inquiry. "I am to meet with one of my men. You do not know him. He is called "Hector", and Gamlan said that he had information that might interest me."
Curiousity enter into Bucta's eyes. "What sort of information, do you think?" She answered him, "I believe that it might be of a bandit I sent him after not long ago. "Ackthorn" is his name. I have decided that he must be dealt with, and before I mislead you with but dark hints, know that he is to be my forty-second order of execution."
He nodded slowly at this. "Cleaning away the scum of Bree-Town's streets...that is a far more admirable task than mine.", he said, prompting her to ask what his own objective was. "I was hired to put a brigand ringleader to rest near his camp in the Chetwoods. I was given good coin for it, too!", He replied, drinking of his ale. Dieudonnae assured him that his task was just as worthy as hers, even if it was outside of Bree's walls, rather than within. Then she offered to purchase him another drink, after he had finished the one he already had.
Returning from the bar with two tankards (one for herself, despite her usual disliking of the stronger drinks), they gave a toast to the Sellsword's victory against the brigand ringleader. They spoke for some time, yet soon her thoughts turned back to Hector's failure to make an appearance. Bucta noticed this, and asked her why she was so concerned for the man. "I fear that if he does not return this night, he is likely dead...", she answered. He attempted to reassure her of the Mercenary's likely well-being, but it was in vain. At last, she bid him goodnight, and he kissed her signet ring in the manner of a gentleman, before she made for her home.
When she awoke that morning, it was to the sound of her servant Gamlan's voice. Though the wooden door muffled him somewhat, she heard him state that Hector had returned and sought an audience with her. When she was decent, she made her way to him, an angry look in her eyes.
The Mercenary was indeed returned, but he was beaten and bloodied, which shocked her for his large size and great strength. The anger in her eyes faded, replaced by concern. Yet, attempting to conceal such feelings from him, she simply asked, "Is Ackthorn taken care of?". "Oh, Aye!", he answered. "That he is. Dead as a door nail, that lad. I tracked him all the way to his house. But he had guests, and they were not so soft as he, oh no! Got the drop on me, beat me to a bloody pulp, yeah. Killed them, too. Then I slept in the gutters, too tired to even move, much less make it all the way back here."
'Shades!', thought Dieudonnae. However, despite this troubling news, she continued to act as if she were indifferent to it. "Could you identify them, his 'guests'?", she inquired. "No, but they weren't simple rogues, ain't no way in the realm of Hades!" "Well, that is a pity...I shall consult the Captain. He may know of these "guests". I shall also ask him whether or not I should pull you and your men back from the streets, as it may be too dangerous for you to roam about them.", she said.
Turning to walk away, she abruptly stopped. "Welcome back, Hector.", she said. He merely grunted, reluctantly allowing Gamlan close enough to tend to his wounds...
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