Hard to Be a God Preview
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Oh, c'mon, no way that'd work. (Thanks friend, it seems it's time to move on.)
Oh, come now. Such a simple ruse. I guess they were as thick as they looked. But speaking of thick, I heard the nearby braying of the crested crocodiles that called this swamp home. A fight with those beasts would be the last thing I need, so I quickly said my goodbyes and headed back to tavern.
A plan was forming in my clever skull. If this ruse works on these thickheaded louts, why not on Bald Magoo's men? I knocked the heavyset man on his shoulder.
(What do you want?)
(Hey, isn't it time you guys looked for some other tavern to bother?) Wait, that wasn't even a ruse.
(What? Hey, aren't you the guy we saw with Chuba? Hey, guys, we got one!)
I'd rather not describe the following fight in detail. Needless to say, it involved crying, running away, and a few cheap combat moves I'm still not proud of. But a job's a job is a job done. I headed back to Chuba.
(It's done. Had to kill .m, tho'.)
(So I could hear,) Chuba said, with an annoyingly knowing smile. (Alright, follow me.)
It was quite a ways to walk. Should have taken my horse. Still, maybe not, as Chuba led me straight through the swamp, cutting through the forest to a small encampment in the middle of the woods. Several times I felt we passed the crested crocodiles much too close. Damned be your hide, Chuba.
(Here we are then, novinki.)
(Ok, how many men are there?)
(There are as many as I said, that is three. I suggest you keep up your thief act, they won't like you much otherwise.)
(Ok, Chuba. And remember, next time we meet, I will know better than to let you walk, criminal.)
(Now now, novinki, you may have some use for Red Chuba yet.) He chuckled, walking away.
Adjusting my gear, I strolled casually up the encampment. Perhaps I could take them, if they were only three. Or five. Wait, five? Damned be your hide, Chuba!
The ringleader had already spotted me. (Hey, you Bald Magoo's man?)
What an opportunity.
(Yes I am. He came here to tell you the ground has become too hot under his feet, it is time to move on.)
(Fine with us, just pay us what we're due, take the goods, and we're done.)
(Oh yes. And the dues would be.) I prodded.
(100 silver, of course.)
A bargain to get rid of them! I happily shelled over the 100 silver, and the (goods) he mentioned just happened to be the very necklace I was sent out for. Paying no more mind to me, the ringleader instructed his men to pack up and leave. He turned to me one last time.
(Tell Magoo we're done. This is the last time we're doing any dealings with him. There's just not enough coin in it.)
I nodded and left. Hearing wolves all around me, I decide that this time I would take the long way around, over the mainroad, passing some bandits who gave me friendly nods. I had to circle back to Carthago, but it was a small price to pay to avoid those cursed crocodiles. As I mounted Carthago, I noted he was quite badly hurt and definitely on his last legs.
(Don't worry, old boy, just one more trip.)
I circled back to the fort past the miller, removing my disguise on the way. I informed him that he's safe now. To my surprise, he had a reward of 600 coins for me. A small fortune! I could not refuse. Literally, I could not.
Riding triumphantly back into the fort, I walked up to Don Mayshi. He was more happy to see the necklace than to see me again.
(Does that mean I passed my exam?)
(Your exam? Sure, sure, now talk to Don Prani for your next assignment.)
(See you, councillor.) I nodded, weighted down by the 1000 coin cash reward. Finally, a full fledged soldier. On to do great things!
