Morning broke over the stone walls of Rattay. The air was crisp, and the mist that clung to the road dissolved as the first rays of sunlight touched the earth.
The Silver Company was ready.
Their horses stood saddled, supplies packed, and weapons sharpened. Dikun Silver stood at the head of his warband, clad in a simple yet sturdy leather jerkin, with his sword resting at his side. Though the weight of the previous day's audience with Lord Berrick lingered in his thoughts, there was no room for hesitation now.
This contract was their opportunity.
"Mount up," Dikun called, his voice firm. "We ride for Talmberg."
The company obeyed without question. Rudric, the towering axeman, checked the bindings of his armor. Elira adjusted the quiver at her back, her sharp eyes scanning the distant horizon. Bran tugged at his bowstring, testing its tension, while Saria and Lorin exchanged a few quiet words before taking their places.
Fifteen men rode in total — no longer just a band of scattered mercenaries. The Silver Company had grown, and now, with a name to uphold, they rode with purpose.
The group had grown, and so had its reputation. For every contract completed, stories of their deeds spread — tales of their discipline, their loyalty to their own, and their unwavering resolve on the battlefield. Word of the Silver Company reached every corner of Bohemia, and it drew men like moths to a flame.
Some joined for the promise of coin, others for the hope of earning glory. A few sought purpose, a banner they could stand behind. Dikun accepted them all, but not without trial. Each recruit was tested — not just in strength or skill, but in heart. The Silver Company did not suffer the cowardly or the dishonorable.
---
A Leader's Resolve
The road to Talmberg was a winding path, flanked by dense forests and open fields. Dikun led at a steady pace, ever watchful of their surroundings. Bandits would not dare strike so close to a noble's domain — but caution was the hallmark of survival.
As they rode, Rudric guided his horse closer. The giant of a man, with arms like tree trunks and a perpetual scowl, had earned the respect of every man in the company.
"You're quiet this morning," Rudric rumbled. "Thinking about the noble's words?"
Dikun nodded. "Lord Berrick offers opportunity, but nobles rarely act without motive. Our success will bring us favor, but failure..."
"Failure won't happen," Rudric grunted. "We're not the same company we were before. Every man here would fight and die for that banner."
Dikun glanced back at the silver triangle symbol stitched into the flag carried by one of his men. It was simple, unadorned — but it was theirs.
"Let's make sure it never falls," Dikun said firmly.
---
Campfire Conversations
By nightfall, the Silver Company had set up camp in a small clearing along the road. The crackling flames of their campfire offered warmth against the creeping chill of the woods. The men sat in small groups, tending to their weapons, sharing hushed laughter, and eating from simple rations.
Dikun rested against a fallen log, sharpening his sword with methodical precision. Across from him, Elira pulled at a strip of dried meat, her bow leaning against her knee.
"You were right," she said, breaking the silence. "Lord Berrick will use us."
"Of course," Dikun replied. "But it's mutual. The Silver Company needs contracts to grow. And we need the lords to notice us."
"And when they do?"
"Then we play the game."
Elira nodded, though concern lingered in her eyes. "Just remember, Dikun. Noble favor is fleeting. Soldiers like us — we only matter when they need us."
"I know," Dikun said quietly. "But one day, we won't need their favor."
---
Approaching Talmberg
The sun had barely risen when the walls of Talmberg came into view. The village was modest, nestled at the foot of a rocky ridge with a stone keep rising above it. Smoke curled from chimneys, and the sounds of blacksmith hammers echoed through the air. But even from a distance, the unease was clear.
The fields lay untended, with only a few villagers working the barren soil. Guards patrolled the outskirts in greater numbers than usual, their movements tense.
"They're on edge," Bran observed, lowering his bow slightly.
"Bandits leave more than corpses," Dikun replied. "They leave fear."
As they rode through the village, the people watched in silence. Some gazed in awe, while others whispered with suspicion. Mercenaries were not always welcome.
At the entrance to the keep, a grizzled man in chainmail waited — the Bailiff of Talmberg. His face was hardened by years of service, and his sharp eyes studied the company as they approached.
"You're the Silver Company?" the bailiff asked, though it was clear he already knew the answer.
"We are," Dikun confirmed. "Lord Berrick sent us to handle the bandits."
The bailiff nodded stiffly. "Good. You're already late. The raiders struck a nearby hamlet two days ago. Burned it to the ground. My men can't track them fast enough, and the villagers are too terrified to speak."
"We'll do what needs to be done," Dikun assured him.
The bailiff's expression remained stoic. "I'll hold you to that, Captain Silver."
---
A Divided Company
As the sun began its descent once more, the Silver Company gathered outside the keep. Dikun stood before them, his voice steady.
"The bandits are close. They think they can slip through the cracks, but they're wrong. We'll split into two groups."
He gestured towards Elira and Bran. "You'll lead a scouting party. Track their movements, find their camp. No unnecessary risks. We need information, not bodies."
Elira nodded, her bow slung over her shoulder.
"The rest of us will secure the roads and patrol the villages. If the bandits try to move again, we'll be waiting."
The men responded with a chorus of agreement. The Silver Company was no longer a band of mercenaries seeking gold alone. They were protectors now — a force to be reckoned with.
Dikun met their eyes, the fire of determination burning in his own.
"This is our fight. And we will see it through."
As the Silver Company dispersed, Dikun's resolve hardened. He knew the dangers that lay ahead. But with every step, they carved their name into the world.
And soon, Dikun Silver would no longer be just a captain.
He would be a legend.