Fallout:Blood and the Bull

Any opinion and comments are welcome

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With a considerable sum of gold secured, we finally left behind the conflict-ridden region that had served as our base of operations for months. We departed with nearly four times as many men as I had originally brought, but I was far poorer than one might expect, considering all the gold that had passed through my hands. The cost of transforming my forces into a disciplined, well-equipped, and lethal war machine had devoured most of my profits. Yet, every coin spent was worth the result.

My men were no longer a mismatched rabble of veterans and untested slaves. They had become a force that commanded both respect and fear. Tarn's armor—a blend of mail and scaled plating—had ceased to be an oddity and was gradually becoming common across the ranks. While not all were fully equipped yet, at least three cohorts now marched as proper legionaries: mail armor, reinforced helmets, solid shields, and finely forged weapons. This not only enhanced their combat effectiveness but also boosted their morale. They knew their commander invested in them—not just in strategy, but in their protection and performance on the battlefield.

At the same time, I had dispatched more frumentarii southward, fully aware that I wouldn't hear back from them immediately. The south was vast, and it would take time for my spy network to bear fruit. What I did know, as my father often said, was that the south was a land where treachery and internal wars were as commonplace as bread.

The south was an organized chaos, a boiling cauldron of endless conflicts:

Free Cities warring over trade routes, resources, and age-old grudges.Nobles clashing with Free Cities to reclaim territories they once controlled.Nobles fighting each other over territorial ambitions or matters of honor.Succession wars, where the most powerful families bled themselves dry to determine who would sit on a throne or control a key inheritance.Disputes within the church, as factions vied over interpretations of sacred texts, dividing believers and resources alike.Struggles between the emperor and the Free Cities, many of which refused to pay taxes or acknowledge his authority.

The abundance of conflict was overwhelming, but it was also full of promise. Opportunities were as vast as the lands themselves: populous cities brimming with resources, fields teeming with peasants and slaves, and ill-trained armies waiting to be crushed by a truly disciplined force.

As I gazed toward the southern horizon, a sense of anticipation swelled within me. I knew we were heading into a land where alliances were as fragile as promises and every coin of gold had the power to decide the course of a war. This wasn't just a change of scenery—it was a test to see if my strength and leadership could thrive in a realm where betrayal and ambition were the norm.

After carefully analyzing the region's opportunities, one stood out: a very recent succession war. The conflict was fresh, with lines still blurred and ripe for exploitation by those with the skill to seize them.

Reports spoke of an extremely wealthy count, famed for his sprawling vineyards worked by slaves, who had died suddenly. The succession should have been straightforward: a sole legitimate son would inherit uncontested, backed by law and local tradition. But, as was often the case, things were far from simple.

Surprise, surprise. A bastard daughter of the count had emerged, staking her claim to the title and lands. The intriguing part wasn't just her claim—it was who she was. Rumor had it she was a skilled mage, trained at the prestigious Imperial Academy, and she wasn't alone. She had garnered the support of numerous minor nobles and ambitious merchants, drawn to her promises of autonomy and privileges under a new regime.

The legitimate son, theoretically the undisputed heir, found himself almost entirely alone. Though the law was on his side, he lacked popular and military support to enforce his claim. What he did have, however, was a mountain of gold left by his father—a fortune that kept him a serious contender in the dispute, as it allowed him to buy allies and soldiers.

This conflict was tailor-made for us. On one side, I had a disciplined, well-equipped force that could tip the scales for either faction. On the other, the division of support among nobles and merchants ensured this wouldn't be a short-lived skirmish. The bastard daughter had talent and resources, but the legitimate son had gold—and gold could always buy talent.

For me, the decision was clear. The legitimate heir was the better choice. He had gold, the law on his side, and, most importantly, a desperate need for military support—something I could provide in abundance. I had no interest in promises of autonomy or alliances with lesser nobles; my interest lay where gold flowed and where stability was guaranteed in the long run.

The legitimate heir was fighting to hold onto what remained of his inheritance. His vast fortune, amassed over generations thanks to the expansive vineyards worked by slaves, was the sole reason his position was still viable. Yet his situation was dire: much of his land was under dispute, several minor cities under his domain had defected, and the more remote plantations were under the bastard daughter's control.

Worse still, his army was fractured. Many of his officers and soldiers had abandoned him to join his sister, lured by her promises of autonomy and reform. The mountain of gold he inherited was his only real weapon, and now he was desperately seeking those who could restore his position and reclaim what was his.

This was the kind of game I excelled at—one where strength, strategy, and ambition could shape the tides of history. And I was ready to play.

When I finally stood before him, I made no speeches or hollow promises. Instead, I placed the four contracts I had brought with me on the table in front of him. The seals and signatures spoke for themselves, and his face hardened as he examined them.

"Four Free Cities paid for my neutrality," I said, my tone deliberately measured. "Not because they didn't want my support, but because they understood what it would mean to face me. They paid to ensure I wouldn't attack them, knowing it was better to have me as a passive observer than as an active enemy."

His gaze shifted from the contracts to me, weighing every word.

"And what guarantees that you'll do for me what you didn't do for them?" he finally asked, his tone more probing than distrustful.

"They wanted to avoid me. You need to use me," I replied calmly. "If you were looking to pay for my neutrality, this would be a very different conversation. But what you need is an army that will not only reclaim what you've lost but send a clear message: that legitimate power in these lands cannot be challenged. And that is exactly what I can offer."

The room fell into a heavy silence as he considered my words. I gestured toward the contracts on the table. "They paid for nothing. You can pay for everything."

The noble remained thoughtful, his fingers drumming on the table as he stared at the contracts. Finally, his eyes met mine, and he asked the question I had been waiting for. "What do you want in return for your services?"

I didn't hesitate. "Forty thousand gold coins as an initial payment," I began, my voice calm, letting the weight of the figure settle in the air. "Additionally, three gold coins per soldier under my command, paid monthly for the duration of the conflict. I also want the rights to loot any settlements or forces under your sister's control. And lastly, when all of this is over, I want a number of plantations from your lands as further compensation."

The noble frowned, processing my demands. The upfront payment was significant, but the monthly fees and claims on his land added substantial weight to the deal. Finally, he spoke, his tone firm but devoid of arrogance.

"The initial payment of forty thousand gold coins is acceptable," he said with a slight nod. "Three coins per man can also be arranged, but I will need a clear record of how many soldiers you command."

I gave a brief gesture to indicate I could provide such a record. My troop count was one of my strongest assets, and any doubts about my capabilities would vanish the moment he saw the discipline and preparation of my men.

"As for the looting," he continued, "I accept your terms with one condition: my lands, my vassals, and any settlement that has declared loyalty to me are off-limits. You may take only what falls under...my...sister's control or that of her allies.

It was a reasonable limitation, one I had already anticipated. I nodded slightly. "I accept those conditions. My interest is not in weakening what will eventually be your domain but in strengthening it."

His gaze hardened as he addressed the final point. "As for the plantations…" He paused, choosing his words carefully. "When this is over, you will be allowed to claim a number of them as compensation. I won't specify which ones now, but we will agree upon this at the end of the campaign, depending on what remains secured in my territory and what you help reclaim."

Internally, I smiled. I had managed to keep the options open, with no immediate restrictions on which lands I could claim later. "That is a fair agreement," I said finally, my tone exuding confidence. "But I want everything in writing—a clear contract, signed and sealed, to ensure both sides honor the terms."

The noble nodded, and within minutes, one of his scribes began drafting the document. As I waited, I knew I had just secured not only a lucrative contract but also a strategic foothold in a war that promised even greater rewards. With this agreement, I would not only fill my coffers but also lay the groundwork for a tangible base in this southern region.

When the contract was ready and sealed, I extended my hand to the noble. He took it after a brief hesitation, gripping it firmly. "We will honor this agreement, and together we will crush any opposition," I said, my tone resolute. "Your sister will learn that ambition comes at a price—and we will be the ones to collect it."

"So I hope, mercenary…" His voice dripped with disdain and determination as he leaned forward slightly, his gaze as hard as steel. "If you happen to encounter that lowborn bitch…" He paused, letting the venom in his words sink in. "I will pay her weight in gold if you bring her to me alive."

I didn't react immediately, allowing the weight of his statement to linger. Finally, I inclined my head slightly, offering a gesture of acknowledgment without committing too much.

"As you wish," I replied, my tone as calculated as it was neutral. "If the opportunity arises, I will consider it." It wasn't a yes, nor a no, but it was enough to leave him satisfied with the idea that I might accomplish his request.

"Good. For now, you may set up camp and wait," said Count Lucien D'Avranches, his tone dripping with superiority as he rose from the table. "I have meetings with five other mercenary captains. If all goes according to plan, we could be on the move next week. Speak to my seneschal for any matters requiring attention."

I fixed him with a steady gaze, letting my tone cut through the air like a finely honed blade. "We move now, Count. I will begin eliminating your enemies immediately. The sooner we act, the better it will be for both of us." I paused, ensuring he understood I had no intention of wasting time on pointless meetings. "If you require my presence, your seneschal knows where to find me."

For a moment, his expression flickered between anger and surprise. He was not used to having his authority even indirectly challenged. But the determination in my tone left no room for doubt. Finally, he gave a curt nod, though his jaw remained tense.

"As you wish, mercenary," he muttered, slowly sinking back into his seat. "But remember—your actions reflect your contract with me. I expect no mistakes and no moves that weaken what remains of my holdings."

"Errors are not something you need to concern yourself with, Count," I replied calmly before turning on my heel and leaving the tent.

My men were already prepared. Orders had begun circulating the moment I signed the contract. I knew that striking now, while Lucien's enemies still felt secure, was the best course of action. Surprise would be our greatest ally, and every second wasted was an opportunity lost.

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Any opinion and comments are welcome