Warhamer40k & MonsterGirlQuest: A Double Traitor

POV Alexandra

Alexandra comfortably settled into the wide oak chair.

"Wine," she tossed out to the host who had come out to greet the expensive and extraordinarily extravagant guest. Alexandra had visited his establishment for six days in a row.

Each time, she drank herself into oblivion, consuming only the finest wines in such quantities that even Satyros might have envied her. She generously paid without counting the money. The girl sat alone until evening.

Then, swaying and hiccupping, she would toss the host her purse and leave into the night. The next day, the mercenary returned, as if nothing had happened, sat in the same corner, and everything repeated itself.

"I'm coming, my lady!" The innkeeper rushed toward the cellar, eager to personally choose the best (and most expensive!) drink.

Alexandra adjusted the scabbard that pressed against the floor and swung the bundle, strapped to her back, closer to her shoulder. While waiting for her order, she tilted her head back so forcefully that her long hair, tied into a ponytail, hung down to the floor. The mercenary stared blankly at the ceiling.

Today, she had arrived earlier than usual, and the hall was empty. However, Howard's place never hosted noisy and drunken crowds – his establishment was far too expensive. Pirates and shopkeepers usually avoided it, but the few who did visit would bring in more gold in one night than some would in a week.

After a minute, a pitcher of wine and a glass made of rare green glass appeared on the table. The girl popped the cork with a snap and lovingly wiped the pitcher, brushing off small drops.

The mercenary poured herself a glass and drank it in one gulp. The fizzy drink hit her nostrils. Alexandra wiped her nose with her sleeve. The wine was superb – strong and aged, just how she liked it.

"Today, I'll get drunk," she promised seriously, anticipating the pleasure.

Alexandra never spoke idly. The first glass was followed by the second, then the third. A pleasant warmth spread through her muscles, and her mouth and throat were no longer gripped by an unexplained thirst that neither water nor food could quench. The girl filled her glass again. But instead of drinking, she brought it close to her face, studying her reflection.

As much as she might have wished, Alexandra couldn't be called attractive, not counting her large, clear blue eyes.

From the green edge of the glass, a sharply cheekboned face stared back at her. Adding to this were thin lips, a broken, improperly healed nose, and a disfigured left cheek. Alexandra turned her head slightly and touched her face. She ran her fingers along the ugly scars.

"They will never heal," she confided to the glass. "But who cares! One more!"

Alexandra poured the wine down her throat with a sharp movement, not bothering to savor it. She grimaced, slammed the glass back onto the table, and grabbed the pitcher by its handle again.

As she filled the vessel with golden liquid, the mercenary didn't notice how a tall warrior confidently entered the inn. He spoke softly with the innkeeper, who nodded cautiously in her direction. Fragments of their conversation reached Alexandra.

"Monster-slayer..."

"Alek... professional..."

"...not like..."

"Supreme... she..."

The warrior took a silver coin and handed it to the innkeeper before heading toward the girl, engrossed in her shameful occupation.

"Is this seat taken?" a deep voice asked. Alexandra lifted her gaze from the pitcher and locked eyes with the stranger's chest. The simple design of his clothes didn't match the rare and expensive material.

Her gaze traveled higher to his face, forcing her to tilt her head. A man around thirty-five with the sharp features of a strong-willed face and a heavy, penetrating gaze looked down at her.

From his demeanor and the long two-handed sword on his belt, Alexandra immediately understood that the man before her was an experienced warrior whose appearance could be summed up in just two words – confidence and strength.

The girl uneasily shifted the bundle from her shoulder behind her back and coldly said,

"There's space there. And there. And there. Everywhere is free, but this seat is taken."

"Thanks," the warrior responded without blinking and, without waiting for an invitation, sat down across from her. "Sorry for not introducing myself. My name is Amon. I came to offer you a job."

His audacity irritated Alexandra. This stranger was going to ruin her evening!

"I don't need a job. Go where you came from, Amon, or whatever your name is!" the mercenary loudly declared. She lied. In truth, taking on a job wouldn't have hurt – she had spent most of her money from the previous one already. But today, Alexandra just wanted to drink. As usual, in solitude.

The girl tipped her glass back and reached for the wine, but the warrior calmly pushed the pitcher aside and shook his head reproachfully.

"Business should be discussed with a clear head."

This the mercenary couldn't stand.

"What are you doing?!" Alexandra exclaimed indignantly, almost grabbing her weapon. "Don't go looking for trouble, warrior!"

"I'm not looking for trouble. I've got enough of it already, mercenary," Amon calmly replied, "But don't flatter yourself: you're not part of it."

"You're wrong to think that, warrior," the girl spat. "Undervaluing your opponent is foolish."

The man smiled.

"This rule works both ways, girl. However, I suppose I started the conversation wrong. We're not enemies, quite the opposite! I want you to help me with a job, a long one, but very well-paid, and right up your alley – fighting monsters."

Alexandra grabbed the jug by the handle and quickly pulled it toward herself. This time, the warrior didn't interfere. Once the wine was safe, Alexandra's irritation and anger eased a little. But she still wanted to annoy the arrogant man somehow.

"Can't you handle unarmed women?" the girl said bitterly. "Afraid that someone, a big guy like you, might get raped?"

"I am," the warrior replied seriously. "Very afraid."

"Then you're a coward," Alexandra said sharply, and immediately regretted her words.

Amon narrowed his eyes and tensed. His gaze locked onto the girl. Cold shivers ran down Alexandra's spine, and her hands betrayed her, trembling slightly.

The alcohol evaporated from her mind instantly, and the mercenary clearly understood that she'd gone too far in provoking the warrior. She'd been in many scrapes and wasn't used to backing down, but the man literally reeked of death—cruel, painful, and unpleasant death. Alexandra automatically touched the hilt of her sword under the table, preparing for the worst.

But instead of attacking, the man suddenly laughed, exposing his strong, white teeth.

"I like you. You've got character, girl, and sometimes that helps. If your blade is as sharp as your tongue, we'd make a good team."

Alexandra sighed in relief. The fight, the outcome of which was unknown, didn't happen.

"Sorry, you just came at the wrong time," Alexandra said apologetically. "I prefer to drink alone, and here you are. Well, I overreacted, it's no big deal, right?"

"Of course," Amon confirmed. "It's my fault. But let's get back to our conversation."

"Why do you even need a monster-slayer? You already look like an experienced fighter."

Amon paused for a second.

"The thing is, I don't fight monsters," he said after a brief silence. "It's some sort of vow. It creates problems for me in my... travels."

"An unusual vow," Alexandra took a drink. "If I ask why you made it, you won't answer, right?"

"No."

"Yeah," the mercenary said. The warrior had many oddities, which promised unexpected troubles. On the other hand, money would definitely help her.

"For urgency, I charge an extra fee. My services aren't cheap as it is, and for you—sorry, you don't inspire trust—the amount will double. Not sure if that fits your budget?"

"Name your price."

"Depends on what you're after. Just keep in mind, lately, I mainly do escorts, and I only take contracts for the heads of succubi. You know, the winged girls with horns, very lustful," she explained, noticing the confusion on the man's face.

"No, succubi don't interest me," the warrior said. "I need an escort."

"Six gold a day," Alexandra reached for the jug and poured the remaining wine into her glass. "Plus food and lodging if we stay in inns. How long do you want to hire me for?"

"I don't know yet," Amon thought again. "But probably for a long time. Three months, or even all six."

"Wow!" the mercenary exclaimed. "Are you planning to travel around the world? I'm afraid you won't have enough money!"

"So you doubt my financial capabilities?"

"Six months..." Alexandra shook her head skeptically. "I hate to disappoint you, but that's almost two thousand! Pity, but I'll probably decline."

"That's a shame," Amon said with feigned regret, "I wanted to offer you this."

He casually took a heavy pouch from his belt and pulled out a precious stone. A ruby. Amon held it between his fingers and twirled it in front of Alexandra's face.

"But it seems it's not meant to be."

Amon clenched his fingers, and small shards flew in all directions. Alexandra had never seen such strength. Amon crushed the solid stone like glass.

"Are you mad?" the girl thought the warrior had lost his mind.

"This is nothing to me, mercenary."

Amon pulled out another stone and gazed thoughtfully through it at the light. A large emerald sparkled with green facets.

'Masterfully cut, probably worth a fortune,' Alexandra thought.

"This one's decent," Amon commented. "But you're so distrustful. Doubting my resources..."

Unconsciously, Alexandra reached for the emerald. She didn't make it in time. The stone cracked and fell apart. Amon dusted off his hands and reached for the pouch again.

"Stop, enough," Alexandra gave in. "I see, no harpy can peck your money. We'll come to an agreement."

Amon smirked.

"I wasn't doubting it. And now..."

Alexandra and Amon moved on to discuss their further plans, and then shook hands, not knowing where this chance meeting would lead.