Zarak pulled his main hand out of the tub and rested it on the hilt of his sword – Yes? – He ventured.

-Is this the room of the swordsman who escorted two ladies into town today? The voice of an older man inquired, muffled by the closed wooden door.

-Yeah? Who's asking? – Zarak replied after a short pause.

-Could you open the door please?

--Zarak felt no need to fear any one man, as experience taught him that none stood equal to him, once swords had been drawn. He took a moment to prick up his ears, but the man seemed to be alone. He opened the door, his sword resting next to him in case he needed to grab it.

-What do you want, old man?

-Well met young lad! – The old man replied, heartily grabbing Zarak by the hand. – The ladies you escorted are my wife and niece! I am Jim Bronson, proud owner of this here fine establishment, as well as the coal mine this city is so famous for! What's your name boy?

--The man was so loud that Zarak's ears hurt a bit. He looked more like a worker in tacky, squalid clothes, than a wealthy coal trader. Zarak wasn’t used to seeing rich people who looked like that.

After a moment to deal with the shock caused by all the yelling, Zarak replied – My name is Zarak.

-…Zarak? – Jim paused with an inquisitive look in his eye. – Zarak what?

-Just Zarak.

-Zarak... Where did I hear that name already? It sounds strangely familiar.

-I was named after a legendary swordsman. In my line of work, it doesn't hurt to keep your true name to yourself.

-Of course! Silly of me to ask. Well then Zarak, I came here to thank you for keeping my girls safe and sound. And on that note, feel free to stay here as long as you please.

-Yeah... You mentioned something about a mine? You need extra hands? I could use some quick cash right now.

-Why yes, this is Nomad’s Rest, the famous coal mining town, and we have a mine to prove it. – Jim’s enthusiasm faded, but his volume did not. His face turned slightly green. – Not much work going on there though. Not since the workers ran into a pale spider nest... The damned thing ate almost a third of my workers. Nobody wants to go near the mines now. So I'm afraid I can't help you there.

-Pale spider nest?

-Yeah, pale spiders. Damn things live under ground, thriving in the dark. Big as a cow they are. I have no idea what they eat down there to get so big! Every once in a while, a mining tunnel connects to one of their nests and... Well, good men meet the maker.

-How many?

-Oh, like I said, a third of my workers. 10, maybe 15 people.

-How many spiders?

-Spiders? Just the one, thank the One God.

-How much for its head?

Jim froze in shock, his jaw open. If his fat cigar weren't in his hand, he might have dropped it.

After regaining composure he asked – You got a death wish, boy?

-How much? – Zarak repeated, his voice remaining unamused.

-...500 gold pieces. – Jim replied, after a short pause.

-1000. – Zarak said.

-600.

-How about 800 and we skip the rest of this dickering?

--Jim's face skewed into a dirty looking half-smile, as he held out his hand to Zarak. The deal was sealed. The two men said their goodbyes and Zarak shut the door and lazily threw himself on the bed.

Not a bad deal. He'll get all the gold he needs in one job. If he lives.

And spoiled brats aren't so bad either. He could work with spoiled.

@@@

--Thank you for reading. Next update will be on Monday. There will be three updates a week, starting with next week.

(Edit: Updated image)