“Caoindelbhan the Defiler of Nations,” The Historian said sitting up, announcing and greeting them at the same time, “Fergashidm the Bridge Builder,”
Gangui stood up as well and nodded his greeting. He was equal in stature to them, though much less formidable and terrifying in appearance.
A rough, deep voice uttered behind broken yellow teeth, “We’ve been gone a long time,” the chinking metal of Caoindelbhan approached the corner where they all sat, “Who are these new people,”
“Gangui the Etzori Patriot,” Domeniko introduced them, “Zippomaria the Purveyor of Justice,”
The guttural and chevalier guffaws that the two giant men annoyed Gangui to the core. Who were they to laugh at him?
Domeniko seemed as ease even among the deadly warriors, “Defiler, what news do you bring to the books?”
Caoindelbhan beady black eyes looked at Zipper with a grin, “Not any news that the Purveyor of Justice would want to hear,”
Fergashidm stepped up as well, now two men towering over the women four times smaller than them, “We would have to take up grievance with her position?”
Gangui stepped in the middle of them with a raised gauntlet, “I am in signed contract with her,”
The two men took a step back and looked at each other, dropping their verbal assault on Zipper. They had accepted the fact they’d have to use their intimidation on Gangui himself and not on his client directly. Such was the etiquette of politics at the Inverted Noose. Gangui would take the brunt of the words.
Domeniko spoke, trying to dissolve the situation slightly, “Men, it is the Purveyor’s first day, let her learn first before any proffered pronouncements are made,”
The Bridge Builder rumbled at Zipper, but through Gangui as contract dictated. He spoke as if talking to a little girl, gesturing condescendingly, “You two are the good team and we are the bad. There I explained it. Can we continue our parley?” He looked at the other warrior, then the historian who couldn’t say anything, “Caoindelbhan, tell Zippomaria what we did,”
The Defiler of Nations stared Gangui in the eyes, the warrior steeled his nerves and stood his ground, but couldn’t help feel the sinking despair of dread enveloping his body. He blinked several times before allowing the man to bare down his presence on him, “We rounded up the hill people…. We sacked Darrington... and split the loot with Rhakros...”
