Horizon of Darkness

- Why did you destroy the bridge for the people? - Zeikin hit Joe on the shoulder and burst out laughing at his own joke.
After examining the remains of the infrastructure and the surrounding areas, he explained:
- We are mercenaries. We help those in need, protect the oppressed, and punish the wicked. For money, - he rubbed his fingers in front of the peasant's eyes in a symbolic gesture, to emphasize the importance of the last remark. - So, a Cyclops... But why did he suddenly become attached to your bridge? Does he have nothing else to do?

- That's the thing. Well, we don't have much money. You should go to Radovud, to the mayor. And there have never been Cyclops here. It seems like he crawled out of the darkness.

Added 28 minutes ago

We're going to the square to listen to the mayor.

A straight, wide road led to the center of the city, so the mercenaries didn't get lost and successfully reached it. There they saw a huge crowd of people. They were all noisy, mumbling, and very unhappy about something. In the center of the square, on a small stage, stood a large man who was trying to calm the crowd. 

 

- Calm down, calm down! I'm trying to solve our COMMON problems! As soon as this witch...
- Go to hell with your witch! - a voice came from the crowd.
- Yeah, no witch could steal so many goats! - said a man in a large straw hat.
- My grandmother was a witch! She cured the whole family's hemorrhoids and cured everything! She didn't steal people or goats! 
- Maybe we should hang the healer too, he's a sorcerer too...
- WE ARE ALL CURSED BY AN EVIL GOD!!!
- Yes, yes, it's all nonsense!
- It's not the witch's fault!
- WE ARE DOOMED!
- Don't cry, honey...
- It's just a common trouble from the Darkness, it will pass, - an old voice grumbled.
- WE WILL ALL BE KILLED BY DEMONS! 
- We need to do something about it!
- I'm moving to my brother's place behind the wall!
- I'm glad I saved money, now I can have some fun before I die! 
- WE ARE DOOMED! SAVE YOURSELVES IF YOU CAN! WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE IN... - the madman's speech was interrupted by a precise punch to the jaw.

The blessed man fell into a puddle and passed out. A couple of peasants picked him up and, sitting him on the ground, tried to bring the screamer back to his senses. Meanwhile, the townspeople silently watched the man who had hit the unfortunate man. A tall man in a wide black hat with feathers rubbed his fist and carefully examined his leather glove.

- Scratched it, - the man said, clicking his tongue, and gave the crowd a wide smile, after which he went up on the stage and stood next to the large man. - Ladies and gentlemen. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Rex von Süd. I arrived here with my team at the invitation of your highly respected mayor. The man pointed to the left side of him, but was surprised to find that there was no one there.
The people grumbled unhappily.

- Ah, for our taxes...
- What a clown! Go back to the circus before it leaves! 
- Some kind of scammer!
- Dressed like a faggot!
- Maybe he'll actually do something...
- He'll take all the gold and run away, you know!
- Shhh, be quiet, - said Rex, making a calming gesture with his hands. - Dear Radovudians and residents of the surrounding towns, I assure you, I have a huge amount of experience - Rex paused and winked at a pretty young girl who was standing next to the stage - in hunting witches, demons, possessed, creatures of darkness, and other supernatural evil. If the problems are not solved, then I will not take a single coin from you! Especially since your wonderful mayor has agreed to finance the maintenance of me and my team from his own funds. We will deal with it! I assure you! 

The people murmured and made noise, and the mayor took the floor again.

- See, I'm taking care of our problems, everything will be fine! Go home! Don't forget to lock your doors tightly and be vigilant. If we are united, then no troubles will be scary for us!

The people began to slowly disperse. The mayor sighed with relief and wiped the sweat that had appeared on his forehead with his sleeve, after which he spoke to Rex. Inone of the townspeople notices the turquoise patches on the clothes of the newcomers.

- Claws of the North! There are Claws of the North here!
- What?! Where?!
- Someone hired the Claws of the North!
- Glory to our ancestors, we are saved!

The townspeople instantly surrounded the mercenaries from all sides.

- You will help us, right?!
- My daughter is missing!
- The whole family has some kind of itching, no ointments help!
- Trolls were seen in the mountains! They can attack Uver!
- We have problems with a wild tree at the sawmill!
- The tavern has something wrong with the drink, they seem to be diluting it more than usual!
- All my potato crop was stolen!
- There are suspicious people in the abandoned monastery!
- The brothel has raised prices to the sky! It's not worth that much!

Lin felt that she had been pinched on the butt several times.
Araelle had all her feet trampled on.
Radiel was touched by a townsperson with itching. 
Despite the commotion, Lin noticed how negatively Rex reacted to the joy of the villagers. He was clearly very unhappy about the appearance of competitors.

The mayor runs up to the crowd to calm them down.
- Yes, yes, yes! I also hired guys from the Claws of the North! They will help our friend Rex in solving OUR problems! Now go home and don't interfere with the mercenary doing his job! All requests and complaints should be directed to my assistant, he will pass them on to the mercenary gentlemen!

People begin to disperse.