A Plan

Open the door, you lousy scammer!

Open the damn door!

I know you're there! Open this blasted door already!

Good morning, Mr. Haller. You shouldn't be so loud; it'll disturb the others, you know.

(Grabs Totter by the collar)

Do you take me for a fool, you son of a bitch?!

You said you'd have it done by Friday! It's Friday, and all you've done is pack up and get ready to leave!

Patience, my friend. I'll explain afterwards.

(Pulls away Haller's hand)

Explain? I don't need a goddamn explanation. I need results, you understand? I need the heads of those bastards on a platter, now.

(Glances at watch) Just give me a little more time.

You said five days. I gave you five days. What now?

The plan is going well. You'll have your results soon enough.

Plan? What have you been doing the past four days?

You drank coffee on Monday, played poker on Tuesday, went to the market on Wednesday, and slept through Thursday. Now it's Friday, and you haven't even moved your ass one inch from your room.

(Glances at watch)

Stop looking at your goddamn watch!

It’s not time yet.

What? Are you telling me to calm down?

...I guess so?

Easy for you to say, you son of a bitch! It wasn't you who lost everything to those bandits!

Oh, believe me, I could tell how little you had left by the amount you were offering.

...Yeah, if I had any left over, you'd be worrying about your own head instead of anyone else's.

My, and here I thought we had a good partnership going.

(Slumps against the wall)

I should've died along with my wife... At least then I wouldn't have to deal with this shit.

Would you like some hot water? I can get you a cup.

You—forget it. Why should I talk to you about it? You don't know how I feel.

Not quite... I do know, to an extent.

Then do something. I'm begging you.

(Glances at watch)

(Shakes head) *Sigh*...

It's time. Would you like to come with me?

For what?

Blood for blood, just like you asked.

Here we are. Have you hidden your burdenbeast?

Yes... Wait, why are you the one giving the orders, when I'm the one hiring you?

My apologies, Mr. Haller. Would you like me to go tie it up again?

No need. I'd rather you explained why you brought me all the way out here.

Take these.

Binoculars?

Look over there.

I don't see anything.

Further. There's a convoy coming towards us from the horizon, flying blood-red flags with black skulls on them.

I see it! It's them! It's them!

(Draws crossbow)

You don't need binoculars?

No.

But it's so far away.

Shh. Quiet.

Done.

So quick?

Yeah... Unless there was something else?

What?

I mean, I'm not too keen on desecrating corpses, but if you insist...

You... you're sure there are no survivors?

By the size of the explosion, I would say the odds are slim.

......

......

They're dead. They're all dead. Good.

You don't sound as happy as I expected.

I thought I would be, but... it all happened so quick. Almost like it wasn't real.

Now, maybe this isn't the best time to bring this up, but as for the other half...

(Tosses out a bag of gold coins)

Take it.

(Picks up the bag)

Don't you have anything to say?

...Thank you for your business?

Those eggheads spent a month trying to track that group down and came up empty-handed. How did you do it?

How did you know they would show up right here, right now?

Actually...

Ach, let's talk someplace else. I need a stiff drink.

I wouldn't recommend drinking in your current state.

Ha... what would you know about it?

Apparently, the people in this town drink in the morning to celebrate the sunrise. I ordered two drinks. Which one do you want?

They're not exactly the same size.

Yeah, the big one's mine.

Why did you ask me to choose, then?

To be polite.

I'll take the small one then, thank you.

(Guzzles half the mug)

Argh—burp.

So can you talk now? How did you do it? You didn't prepare anything the last few days. You just showed up there, pulled back your crossbow, and whoosh—

They're gone.

What the hell was that? Future sight? Did you bribe one of them?

Come on, tell me. I just don't understand. I was sure you were scamming me when I found you last night, but now...

Let's just say that if you wanted me to lick your boots, I'd get on my knees this instant.

You're getting a little too excited.

I've had something to drink.

It wasn't so hard. It's all about having a good plan, and following it step by step.

(Takes out a notebook)

You complained that I spent all Monday in a cafe, but the cafe in this town plays an important role.

It's sort of an information exchange for traders passing through.

It's where all the news spreads, true or false.

Have you managed to get your spices out? I've tried other routes, but it seemed like they always knew where we were going.

Still thinking about what to do. I might just throw my hands up and hire mercenaries to guard the goods. Better than letting it rot in the warehouse.

When is the lord ameer going to do something about this? I can't afford any more losses.

Hello, what can I get for you?

A cup of coffee, please.

Our coffee is strong by most places' standards, so it comes with a plate of honey dates to balance out the bitterness.

Thank you. I like my coffee bitter anyway.

By the way, could I ask where the town doctor lives?

The east side of town. Just head east along the fountain. Are you ill?

I have a batch of emergency medical supplies that I thought might come in useful for somebody.

......

Medicine, not money, is the most powerful currency in the barrenlands. Now that the cat was out of the bag, I had to prove I was worth the trip.

I think my luck's about to change.

Time to cut your losses, buddy. Your wife isn't gonna like it when she finds out how much you've lost.

Eh, it's just some spare change. I play for the thrill.

Ha, that's what we like to hear!

One more round! Let's go!

......

I found footprints outside my window Wednesday morning, as expected. Someone tried to cover them up, but it was the work of an amateur.

Have you ever hunted, Mr. Haller?

Wild animals have their own territory, and they follow certain rules when they look for food or wander around in it. Understand their habits, and you'll know where to place your traps.

Leaving so soon, sir?

Yes, I'm concerned about these bandits I keep hearing about. The sooner I can leave, the better.

Do you know of any other routes out of here?

To be honest with you, sir, it makes little difference whichever route you pick. They know every move you're about to make, and there's no way to avoid their ambushes.

Have you all been attacked before, then?

My convoy tried leaving by a tiny trail to the east, but the bastards were laying in wait an hour out from town.

That's terrifying. Has anyone managed to avoid them?

We tried many different routes, big and small, but it makes no difference. You're doomed to run into them no matter what.

I identified where the bandits operated by comparing the convoy routes to the locations where they encountered the outlaws.

I found a few sniping vantage points, from which my crossbow could cover those areas.

The final step was to lure my prey into the trap.

Hey, kid, wanna make some quick cash?

What do you want, sir?

I'm leaving town tomorrow. Get me ten days' worth of fresh water and dry rations, and have my burdenbeast fed before sunset. I'll be leaving before dawn.

Here are four gold coins for your trouble. I'll be waiting at the west entrance at 5 a.m. tomorrow.

Wow! You've got it, sir.

Now get going, and don't disturb me. I need to sleep before the trip.

No problem, sir. I'll get it done!

Two gold coins would have been a fair price, but I paid him twice that.

A kid that age can't help but brag when he runs into a stroke of luck. And the more people he tells, the better.

So you weren't sleeping yesterday?

No, I slept. Needed to be in top form for what was to come.

(Takes a gulp)

So... that's what happened.

You sound disappointed.

Yeah... I thought I'd hear the breathtaking story of a legendary mercenary, but it ended up being more like one of my wife's business proposals: detailed, but boring.

A good plan doesn't need twists and turns. The safer it is, the better.

That's what she said, too! She even had a notebook with her at all times, just like you.

It's a good habit to have. People shouldn't trust their own memories. So what's she doing now?

The bandits cut off her head... I told you that when I first came to you.

...Oh, right. Sorry.

It's okay. At least she doesn't have to worry about writing any more business proposals. She'd probably have been a poet, if I hadn't dragged her into my business.

Yes, poet is a good occupation. Safe.

......

To be totally frank with you, chatting with you makes me uncomfortable.

I get that a lot. I'm just grateful to those who are satisfied with merely saying so. Plenty more wouldn't leave it at that.

My brain tells me I should say something comforting, but my heart would never let me.

Sorry.

(Shakes head) Never mind.

Can I take a look at your notebook?

Sure.

Your writing is really big.

I have something of an eye problem. I can see things far away perfectly, but things that are up close, not so much.

Looks like you meticulously plan out everything in life.

Yes. Having a plan in place makes things less hectic when trouble comes up.

(Closes the notebook)

Someone like you must have everything under control, with nothing ever going wrong or deviating from plan.

I'm sure your life is smooth sailing. You'll never wake up one day only to find you've lost everything.

(Guzzles the drink)

(Rubs the mug nervously)

Not exactly...

Not exactly what?

No, my life has hardly ever been in my control.

(Takes a sip)

Poor thing.

Please don't say that.

I meant myself.

(Finishes in a single gulp)

Alright, I've got to go... Hey, where's my money? Oh, right, I gave you everything I had left.

I'll pick up the tab.

Thanks.

Why don't you take these gold coins? You'll need them.

Nah, I won't. Keep them.

You're drunk.

Don't worry about it, I can stand on my own. Farewell, friend.

♪I held her in my arms, before the day was gone♪

♪She smelled of jasmine, beneath the purple veil♪

♪Her soft lips take me away♪

♪To our eternal home far away♪

♪A moment of pain, for a lifetime♪

♪Louisa, Louisa in my heart♪

♪Take me home with you, and I'll want nothing more♪

♪Louisa, Louisa in my dreams♪

I'm sorry, Totter, but we have to leave you here.

We're headed north, and there's no way you can keep up with that injury.

You'll just abandon me here?

This is near the Snow Realm. It's a beautiful place.

But you're still abandoning me here, right?

I'll leave some money for you. There's a village nearby where you can buy necessities.

Stop dodging the question! Answer me!

Totter, I...

Do you think the same, Ann?

Don't be like that. You know we can't slow down for you. We have our missions to complete.

So you're abandoning me.

You're not a child anymore. Throwing tantrums won't get you anywhere.

This isn't what we agreed on, Ann.

No one can predict the future, Totter... We might be back by next spring. Or things may have changed by then. Don't beat yourself up over it.

Ha. So will you come back for me?

......

...I see.

......

♪Louisa, Louisa in my heart♪

♪Take me home with you, and I'll want nothing more♪

♪Louisa, Louisa in my dreams♪

♪I'll always be there...♪

♪...Waiting for you♪

(Finishes in a single gulp)

The key. Where's the key?

Is it this one?

No, not this one.

This one?

No... forget it.

(Sits down)

...What time is it? Must be almost time. I'll wait outside.

Totter! Totter! Wake up!

Hmnuh? ...Whoa! What is it?

I'm here to pick you up. Sorry about the delay; we ran into a sandstorm on the way. Hope we didn't keep you waiting?

(Stands up and brushes the dirt off his pants) No, you came just in time.

But you had fallen asleep.

Just a nap. I had to go out earlier.

Er... why are you smiling?

I'm smiling?

(Touches the edges of his mouth)

Strange. Why am I smiling?