Wheel Of Life

Mark sat patiently in the Headquarters, awaiting the arrival of Sengo and Jorg. He was interested to see what wares they had available for his Red Ribbons.

There was soon a gentle knock at the door to the Headquarters. A smile appearing on Mark's face. They had arrived.

"Come in!" Mark shouted.

The door soon swung open and Sengo and Jorg walked in, followed by Coyotl and two others. They carried a collection of weapons and armours wrapped in cloth. Coyotl smiled and nodded at him, placing a few bundles down.

"This is Ronald and Simon, our head builder and farmer as chosen from the rest." Coyotl introduced. "I shall leave now boss and see you later."

He turned and left, leaving the 4 newcomers alone with Mark. Mark nodded at Sengo and Jorg before looking at the newcomers.

Character Information

Name - Ronald Macdonald

Position - Farmer

Age - 40

Relationship Status - Good

Level - 4

Additional Information - In a past life, Ronald was a successful farmer, on his farm he had some Sheep, on his farm he had Ducks, on his farm he had some Cows, on his farm he had some Chickens and on his farm he had some Llamas. He lived a happy life on his farm until his death at a ripe old age.

Skills - Freedman, Agricultural Fan, Farmer.

Potential - 3 stars

More information upon level up.

Character Information

Name - Simon Sayes

Position - Builder

Age - 37

Relationship Status - Good

Level - 4

Additional Information - In a past life, Simon was a successful builder from France, who moved to England in the early nineteenth century. He was an expert in his trade, helping to rebuild some damaged parts of london. He was a well respected supervisor on sites, with people only doing what Simon said.

Skills - Builder, Woodwork Fanatic, Lover of Stone.

Potential - 3 stars

More information upon level up.

"Welcome, I take it this is what you mentioned earlier." Mark asked Jorg and Sengo, pointing at the weapons and armour. He then smiled at the newcomers. "Welcome, Ronald and Simon, which of you is my head builder and farmer?"

"I am Simon." Simon said. "Thank you for the freedom and the opportunity, I won't let you down. I have been chosen as your head builder."

"I am Ronald." Ronald exclaimed. "But everyone calls me Old Macdonald. I am also grateful and will make this town a roaring success. I am your head farmer."

"Thank you both for helping Sengo and Jorg with the equipment. Today has been long, go and get some rest, I expect more work to take place tomorrow. Simon continue repairs for now as planned, I will locate you when plans change. Ronald, please look after the Cattle and find suitable ground to build your farms, any help you need, any purchase regardless of cost, let me know. I am happy to invest, both of your roles are very important."

Simon and Ronald both bowed gratefully before turning to leave. They had been slaves for periods of their lives, and having freedom and a place to call home was the most satisfying feeling in the world.

Mark turned to Sengo and Jorg.

"So what goodies have you brought me?" he asked.

"Swords, Shields, Axes." Sengo replied.

"Bows, Light Armour and some Heavier stuff." Jorg added.

"Exciting!" Mark exclaimed, before having a very expensive shopping spree. Sengo and Jorg would in time become some of Mark's greatest assets.

....

A couple of hours later Mark was still sat patiently waiting, he was listening to the agonising screams coming from down below, causing the hair upon the back of his neck to stand to attention. He didn't enjoy pain, and the sound of someone else suffering in it turned his stomach.

He was sat alone in the Headquarters, everyone else had joined the rest of the Red Ribbons and were either sleeping or drinking. Boudica had popped by before heading to bed to check on progress, she was impressed to hear about Mark's purchases. She was going to stay with Mark and await the news from below, but had eventually decided to succ.u.mb to sleep as it was more important to sleep than wait. Only Sakura and Eduardo were busy, downstairs having a harsh discussion with Little John.

Mark listened as the screams continued, long in to the night, wondering why the man wouldn't just speak. Mark had wanted to head to bed as they had a busy day tomorrow, but couldn't ignore the agonising noises from below. Part of him pitied Little John's circ.u.mstances, but then he remember how they had been ambushed, and his sympathy disappeared. Someone on his side could have died, or worse, him.

The screaming eventually stopped, giving Mark a pause of thought. After a couple of minutes Sakura appeared from behind the door to the bas.e.m.e.nt.

"He was stubborn." She announced matter of fact. A little blood speck resting upon her pale white cheeks.

"Did he talk?" Mark asked in response, his tiredness obviously showing.

"Eventually, after some work." She sighed. Sakura had done similar to things to this many times in the past, but she found no p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e in it. She would have refused if not for having the same goals as Mark.

"What's his condition?" Mark asked solemnly. He was aware the response couldn't be good, and he knew he should pity the man, as he was from a more civilised world than this. Torture and prison brutality were illegal in his world, and the thought that he could drop to this level so fast scared him.

"He's alive, sleeping for now." She replied. "Eduardo is just allowing the doctor to over see his wounds, before he locks them up for the night."

"Did he give you what you needed?" He asked. Hoping the information was worth the effort.

"He did, there base is located due west of the fork in the Mount Tai Woods. There is a slight clearing that leads up a path, the other prisoner will guide us and if he is lying, they both die." Sakura replied.

"How many of them are there?" He asked.

"28 remaining after the skirmish in the woods, but we need to confirm that. They sound like a random bunch, with a mixture of skills. A force that we need to remove and replace before the Wolfheads arrive." She explained

"Why didn't he speak earlier" Mark asked confused. "Was it worth all of that trouble?"

"Honestly, I dont know. Neither of them would and the doctor had no clue." She replied honestly. "He was trying to hide some information, I feel there must be something there he is hiding or protecting. His man, Filipe, is more scared of Little John than us, which did prove troublesome."

"Thank you for the hard work Sakura." Mark offered. "I am sorry you had to do that."

"It is ok, seriously." she replied. "I know what needs to be done to achieve our goals, the town needed our help and that it will get."

"Did he share any information about the Wolfheads?" Mark asked intrigued.

"Just that he hoped we died a gruesome death when they come." She replied in a bored voice.

"Get some sleep, I will wait for Eduardo." He ordered, before sitting back down in his chair, his legs soon placed upon the table.

Sakura nodded her head in agreement, before plodding upstairs. She had decided she would sleep in Mark's room again tonight in case any problems arose that needed a solution. Mark didn't mind as he felt relieved having someone nearby.

Mark sat and waited for Eduardo. Whilst he waited he continued planning his next movements. In the morning he would send the prisoner Filipe to the Mount Tai Wood Bandits hideout, followed by his new scout team ran by Boudica. Once he had located them and confirmed their numbers, he would device a plan on either attacking or trying to recruit some key members. It would be a good testing ground for his knew men, all of which were capable fighters and shouldn't struggle against a bunch of disorganised bandits.

Eduardo soon joined him upstairs, his clothing covered in dried blood. He smiled and nodded at Mark in satisfaction.

"He'll live." Eduardo stated. "The doctor is impressive though, he may be worth having a conversation with when you get chance."

Mark nodded in agreement, another task to add to his ever growing list.

"Filipe will take us tomorrow, I don't trust him, but he is that terrified I don't doubt him taking us to the right place." Eduardo continued.

"I'll send Boudica in the morning to track their movements." Mark offered.

"That is a good idea, I would probably follow up with the whole group. If they are in an easy position to strike when Boudica arrives, we can quickly attack." Eduardo stated.

"True, I just want to gather information about them first. I don't want to risk lives if I dont need to." Mark replied.

Eduardo looked at the pile of weapons and armour on the tables behind Mark. He pointed towards them.

"With that collection, I highly doubt they'll stand a chance." Eduardo stated. "You get some sleep, I'll sleep down here tonight, just incase I hear any shouting from below."

"Thank you Eduardo." Mark thanked, very grateful to get some sleep, and for Eduardo's never ending skill set. "Is it worth taking Little John with us tomorrow as a hostage?"

"I doubt that, he's not really in any state to walk there and it may cause more damage than good." Eduardo replied honestly, causing Mark to look at him in fear, wondering just how much damage this man had caused to Little John.

"Very well then, Good Night!" Mark replied, before heading up the stairs to his room.

He opened the door slowly and headed inside, there was proper bedding on the bed now, courtesy of Gan Nings earlier trip. Sakura was lay under the window again, wrapped in a blanket and sleeping lightly. Mark decided he would have some additional beds placed in this room for future reference. He felt safe having Sakura in here with him, and she felt safe not being alone.

He undressed and pulled himself in to the bed, it was surprisingly comfy for the era, with a layer of feathers on the top that cushioned him from the straw mattress.

He closed his eyes and wondered if he would dream again.