Squad Games — A Mercenary Company Turn-Based/Tactical LitRPG

Finances

Income

Mission #7

4s

Loans

£1

Expenses

Wages

2s 4p

Purchase of and repairs to The Rose

£3

Loss

£1 18s 4p

Total

17s 3p

Loans outstanding

£1

Money had got tight again. But Lothar now had a business capable of bringing in a steady income, and he was optimistic things would turn around eventually.

With The Rose refurbished, he threw an opening night celebration, invite only. His mercs were there. Mila had taken to waitressing, and in need of staff, Lothar had given her a job at The Rose. Mags and Murder were his bouncers. Neither of them were really cut out for the role. But they looked intimidating. And if they encountered any trouble, there were plenty of people inside who could lend a hand.

The Baron had reserved a table for himself and his guests. None of them were prepared to reveal their identities when Lothar came over for a chat. One of the women wore a mask all night. But they ordered his best wine, and Lothar wasn’t going to complain about that.

His allies, Rosalind and Boris, popped in for a few drinks and to talk business. Even his very first clients, Marek and Julia Bartol, made an appearance. He made sure Mila looked after them, and they promised they would spread the word about the establishment amongst their friends.

The next day, Wade came to see Lothar at The Rose.

‘It was a good atmosphere last nicht. Really felt like we’re building a family here.’

‘Aye, it was.’ Lothar had noticed a few changes in Wade recently, especially since he had put the man in charge of his city missions. Now, he looked agitated, as if there was something he needed to say. ‘Out with it, Wade.’

‘Well, I was wondering. Now you have the rooms done up here. I was wondering if there might be space for me.’

‘You want a room here?’

‘Aye. It’s not so much for me, you ken. As for my son.’

‘You have a son?’ Lothar was astounded.

Wade put two fingers in his mouth and whistled. A skinny, dark haired boy appeared. He was perhaps about eight, though Lothar wasn’t an expert on such things, and may have been several years out.

‘Eden, he’s named.’

‘Hello, Eden.’

‘Hello, sir.’

‘Alright. You can feck off again now.’

The boy left them to it.

‘You’ve been keeping that a secret,’ Lothar said.

‘He’s the reason I came to Gal’azu. Wanted to give him a better life. Except we’ve been living in a bit of a dive, and I’ve been looking for a better place. Only, last night, it crossed my mind that this would be a good place for him. He wouldn’t get in the way. He’s a useful lad; lots of jobs he could do. And I would pay you the rent, of course.’

Lothar didn’t see many negatives. A room taken by someone he more or less trusted. Wade could help him steer the place in the right direction. No doubt young Eden could learn some chores. And while he hadn’t bought The Rose to be a literal family home, why not? He could appreciate the peace of mind it would give Wade to have him here.

Lothar offered the thief his hand. ‘Very well. Let’s try it.’

When Wilson and Jaelin returned from their mission, Lothar knew it was time to make a decision on his next mission. He had been mulling over the options ever since they had located the warg den:

SELECT MISSION

KILL REDBLADE

DESTROY WARG DEN, £2

EXPLORE BARROW

Lothar no longer received updates on criminal missions—these went straight to Wade. It helped him focus on the big picture.

The KILL REDBLADE mission had no reward attached. It looked very much like an end of section mission. In his younger days, Lothar would have rushed headlong into it. These days, he was more circumspect. It might be better to strengthen his squad first.

The location of the warg den had made two new missions available. The farmers out west were offering £2 for the destruction of the warg den. He could do with that kind of money. But apart from the cash, it probably offered little else.

Then there was EXPLORE BARROW. No one was paying them to do it. Indeed, from what Jaelin and Wilson had told him, no one else knew of its existence. It could be dangerous. Their talk of a magic barrier worried him, especially since they had no wizards in their crew. As far as he knew, no magic users had made the journey to Gal’azu. But still. The potential rewards might be worth the risk. Treasure, and perhaps more.

Lothar gathered his crew in the lounge of the inn. There was one addition to the squad who had worked together in Eisenberg. Lothar had decided a thief might be useful, and had recruited The Baron for this one. Manslayer had doubled his wages, from one to two shillings. It was an eye watering increase. But Lothar could hardly argue—he still represented great value.

‘Well, look who it is,’ Ashlyn said, when she caught sight of Jaelin and Wilson. ‘The Explorer…and Twerk.’

‘Are those to be their nicknames?’ Christoph asked her.

‘I think so.’

‘Twerk?’ Wilson repeated, his face going red. ‘That will not be my nickname.’

‘That’s not how it works,’ Ashlyn said. ‘You don’t get to choose your own nickname. It’s whatever everyone else decides to call you.’

Wilson’s hands went to his twin axes. ‘Anyone decides to call me that, won’t live to regret it.’

‘Steady,’ Ashlyn said. A mischievous grin came to her face. ‘Twerk.’

Axes were drawn, then swords.

Lothar bellowed at them. ‘Enough! There’ll be no violence in my establishment. I’m glad you’ve all got surplus energy, because it’s time to send you out on your next mission.’

‘I hope it's to deal with Redblade and his brigands,’ Jaelin said. ‘The people of Eisenberg need our help.’

Lothar was getting more than a little annoyed. ‘Funny. There was me thinking this is my Order, and I’m the one who makes the decisions.’ He eyeballed Jaelin, then stared at each of them in turn, daring any of them to answer back. No one said a word. Just as well. For them.

‘Now listen. Wilson and Jaelin happened upon a barrow on their mission. I want it fully explored. As well as paying you two days wages, I will give you each a fair cut of any treasure found. We need this to go well, to strengthen ourselves before we take on Redblade. But be careful. There may be some sort of ancient spell on the place. If it looks like there’s more than you can handle, get out of there.’