Bounties

Bounties

"Have you ever seen this man before?" demanded the bounty hunter.

Staff Sergeant Stepyn Stiles stared down at the rough sketch of a half-orc with the nasty scar and broken tusk. He had seen that particular chap but wasn't about to give this arrogant half-elf the satisfaction of knowing that until he had a chance to talk to the fellow.

"No, can't say that I have," replied the sergeant, handing the poster back.

"Yer Sgt. Gosten says otherwise," she leaned down and stuck her face as close to his as the desk would allow.

"'My' Sgt. Gosten is a malingerer and scammer, I'm surprised the lieutenant hasn't busted him back down to private, yet," he said, not rising to the bait. "If I see him, I'll be sure to look you up. Good day."

The half-elf snatched the parchment from his hand and stormed from the office.

What is Gosten up to now? Stiles wondered.

The horc ... Malusk ... had spent a day helping clear stone from the yard. While not personable, he had been a hard worker and polite, to boot. Most half-orcs were surly and challenging to get on with. He and the halfling had arrived at about the same time and left for Suncall together. Rumor had it that they had left town some eight or nine days earlier to scout some ruin for a treasure hunter.

Ah well, not his worry. If the bloke came back by Fort Bridale, Stiles would give him a warning about the poster.

Later, he pulled the parchment off the board as he left his office. No use in worrying the locals, he thought as he slid the poster into his jacket pocket.



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