Chapter 2.3

As Erasi looked at his skill menu Borthe continued to fidget as the effects of Stoic Gaze lingered. Finally with a sigh Erasi closed the menu. He decided not to delete the skill thinking maybe it would be useful in battle or something. Returning his full attention to Borthe who after the effects of the skill wore off was giving Erasi an odd look before Kaldris spoke up.

" The hunter was a man named Wervul... I'm sure there is no need to explain further." The smugness evident in Kaldris's tone was unmistakeable. Borthe's eyes widened at the mention of Wervul. He knew exactly how despicable the man was due to Kaldris and would have killed the man himself if given the opportunity.

"I see, well, you two better hurry up and talk to the captain. I'll start getting everyone prepared to leave... Gonna be a long march tonight if I'm not mistaken." With that Borthe turned back to the guards of the camp and issued orders to get everyone prepared to leave immediately.

Erasi stood the slightly puzzled and couldn't help but question why Borthe would act like it was settled and that Erasi was going to join them. It was like he didn't doubt the captain would let Erasi join and then leave quickly to keep him safe. It was peculiar. Suddenly jolted as Kaldris grabbed his arm and pulled causing him to stumble and nearly face plant.

" No time for spacing out idiot, noon is fast approaching and I'm sure the captain will want to be gone before then if you'll be in tow." Kaldris explained as he pretty much dragged Erasi through the camp.

Looking around Erasi noticed the camp had come life, buzzing with anticipation and sour remarks about how they weren't supposed to leave today. These remarks were normally followed by senior members barking orders and sometimes the one making the remark would find themselves kicked sprawling by an energetic bald man. Apparently Borthe enjoyed it very much as with every man sent sprawling his smile continued to widen. Erasi suspected it'd eventually look just like the smile the face of their helmets. It was a brief minute of being treated like a prisoner before Kaldris let go of his arm before stopping in front of a medium sized command tent.

"Alright now Erasi let me do the talking, the captain well... The captain is an odd one. You'll see." After what seemed a long pause as Kaldris seemed to gather himself Kaldris finally spoke again rather loudly.

"Captain Vion it's Kaldris may I enter?" Erasi found it strange, normally there'd be a guard or assistant to announce visitors. As he was thinking about the lack of a less awkward way to visit a voice replied that startled Erasi.

"Get your ass in here Kaldris! Bring that beauty next to you as well as I'm assuming he's the reason you're here."

The voice contrary to the harsh words that were spoken was beautiful, a little crisp, but almost like every word was sung and not spoken. To top it off it sounded most definitely female.

"Well get in there." Kaldris said as he stepped forward to hold the tent flap open. Looking quizzically towards the opening Erasi stepped into the tent followed by Kaldris. As the flap closed Erasi just stood there staring. The woman in front of him looked middle-aged and was dressed in a loose white blouse and tight form fitting soft leather pants with knee high black boots. She was no supreme beauty though she was certainly not average. She was sitting on a small foldable stool twirling a dagger with one hand while holding an open book in the other. Slowly she sat the book down as she smiled. The smile was beautiful but In the way a predator stalking prey could be beautiful. Luckily it was not directed at him or Erasi was pretty certain he'd have fled.

Captain Vion was a woman no doubt, athletic leaning more towards strength than most women. As she stood up Erasi realized she was taller than him and the movements gave off a slight air of danger. It was obviously not intentional but from years of combat her movements had a natural air of violence only weakly restrained. Vion had blue eyes and short blond hair only coming down to her jaw line, she was darker complected than most. The most startling thing was the resemblance to his teacher. Which was solved as soon as she spoke.

"Little brother what brings you here?" Erasi was intrigued to say the least as Kaldris never told him of any family members and certainly didn't mention this sister of his.

"Ahhh... I, well this here is my student, you know the one that was going to become a hunter..." As Kaldris explained everything Erasi studied captain Vion, even her slightest movement seemed incredibly smooth and trained, this woman was an expert. Probably not below level 50 and with excellent attributes. It was a wonder Kaldris never spoke of her even in passing but at the same time he could understand, Kaldris's sister out classed Kaldris in every way, be it looks or presence and even skill. As Kaldris finished up explaining Vion looked at Erasi with appreciation in her eyes.

"Erasi, well done. That snake managed to avoid me for much to long. Though I'd like to help, you must understand as a mercenary I will not do it for free." As she said this her smile curdled Erasi's blood. He started praying internally that she wouldn't want him as a sex slave. Although she wasn't ugly Erasi was still terrified of such an obviously violent woman taking that kind of interest in him.

"Uh... Yes ma'am I completely understand..."

"Good then!" As she responded she went to a leather pouch by her armor and pulled out a piece of parchment. The parchment have off a solemn aura. Erasi knew exactly what it was of course, a binding contract. She then used a small writing utensil to fill out somethings on the contract and held it out to him. "These are the terms, if you agree and sign we can depart before noon, I'll have you register with the guild once we arrive at our next job. If you don't agree then you'll have to leave and risk the fury of the hunters guild on your own."

Erasi took the contract and looked it over at first glance it was much as he expected. That is until he reached the term of service. He looked up at captain Vion and after a few seconds her brow twitched a little. He finally found a use for his most hated skill. Finally he could only sigh and resign himself to his fate, seriously he couldn't take on the entire hunters guild in this town, and there was little chance he could out run or out fight the upper tier members. Erasi slowly signed the contract before handing it back. Obviously angry. With Kaldris standing to the side looking perplexed.

' Fucking Wervul that bastard is probably laughing at me right now!'

Twenty years of service, Kaldris really had one bitch of a sister, and killing Wervul definitely wasn't worth 20 years of his life.