Scenario:Feena - The Blackbow Mercs

The Blackbow Mercs

One day after the business with the goblins has concluded, Feena heads out on a request to cull monsters. She saves a young mercenary beset by the Blackbow Mercs, a group that assails other mercenaries to claim their share of the rewards. Shortly thereafter, their leader Geralt arrives with the Greatbow Rondor—he says he claimed the impressive weapon after killing Lydia, Feena's master. Feena attacks but, weakened after defending the young mercenary earlier, is overwhelmed. Geralt espouses his profit-driven philosophy once more before abandoning the scene.

---

Feena: Isn't this the same forest... as back then?

Monster: Groar...

Young Feena: Here, you can have the mushroom! It's kinda too gross for my taste buds anyway!

Monster: Groooar!

Young Feena: Eep!

Young Feena: Huh?

???: That was a close one, bud!

???: You're fine now though! The invincibly cool Lydia has your back!

Young Feena: Wow!

Feena: She looked so cool with that confident smile and black bow in her hands.

Feena: That was the moment I knew, I wanted to be just like her...

Goblin Mage: Fee! Hang in there, Fee!

Feena: Goblin... Mage?

Goblin Mage: Oh, it's so good to see you awake!

???: I feel the same way. Would've kept me up at night if you'd kicked the bucket here.

Feena: Uh... Remind me who you are?

???: Damn... I'd normally take that personally, but I guess a lot's happened. Give it a minute and you might remember.

Feena purses her lips in thought, trying to focus past the dull pain coursing through her body.

Some time has passed since all the business with the goblins was brought to a close.

Feena ventures out alone for the day, having accepted a request to cull the local monster population.

???: Ngh!

Feena: Whoa, are you okay?

Coming upon a man clutching an injured leg, Feena rushes to his aid.

Feena: You're a mercenary just like me, aren't you? Did the monsters get you?

Young Merc: No, not them... The Blackbow Mercs took a shot at me.

Feena: The Blackbow Mercs?

Young Merc: It's a group run by some guy with a black bow, hence the name. Not what they're officially called of course, but that's what the rest of us settled on.

Young Merc: Me and them were exterminating the same monsters, when they took advantage of the chaos and turned on me.

Feena: That's horrible! Why would they do that? Weren't you guys supposed to be working together?

Young Merc: Why else? Less competition means more monsters to turn in for themselves.

Young Merc: You be careful if you see them around. They're not above playing dirty for money.

Feena: ...

Feena: (A black bow? It couldn't be.)

Feena: You're not gonna go far with your leg in that shape. I'll carry you to the nearest guild outpost!

Young Merc: It's fine, I can just prop myself up with a stick and limp my way out...

Feena: And what if you run into a pack of monsters? Come on, hop on my back!

Young Merc: Huh... You're so nice, it's kinda hard to believe you're a merc.

Feena: Now that's just rude! I'll have you know, I'm the invincibly cute Feena—

Monsters: Groooar!

Feena: Does no one around here have any manners? I was in the middle of introducing myself!

Feena: And you brought way too many friends!

Monsters: Groar!

Feena: Yeowch! Okay, now you've done it!

Despite the size of the horde, Feena stands her ground to protect the injured man, even as the monsters threaten to overwhelm her.

Young Merc: We're both gonna bite it at this rate! Just leave me!

Feena: Nuh-uh, not happening!

Feena: Hey, good timing! We could use a hand here!

???: ...

Feena's request for help falls on deaf ears, as the armed men simply smile and watch the unfolding struggle.

Feena: What's the big idea? You could at least call for backup or something—

Young Merc: Don't bother reasoning with 'em... They're the ones who tried to do me in!

Feena: Say what?

Monsters: Grooar!

Feena: Urk!

Feena: Is that all you got? I'll teach you to mess with me!

Monsters: Grrr...

Feena: Pant... Pant...

Blackbow Merc 1: Tch, you were supposed to soften them up before kicking the bucket—not win.

Blackbow Merc 2: How about we just kill them both and take credit for the little lady's hard work?

Feena: S-seriously? That's messed up...

Exhausted from the monsters, Feena can only watch as the two bloodthirsty men approach with weapons drawn.

Man's Voice: That's enough.

Blackbow Merc 1: C-Captain Geralt! But these two—

Geralt: The woman's name is Feena. She's got close connections with a famous crew and the Mercenary's Guild.

Geralt: You'd better think carefully about the risks before killing someone like her. But if you insist on acting like a brainless beast...

The man named Geralt menacingly grips his black bow, which is enough to send his mercenaries scrambling away.

Feena: I don't think we've met before. How do you know who I am?

Geralt: Huh... What an interesting question.

Feena: ...?

Geralt: I suppose these things do happen. We'll be leaving now.

Feena: Hold it!

Feena: I have to know... Where'd you get that bow from?

Geralt: ...

Feena: I'd recognize it anywhere. That's the same one that my master... That Lydia used!

Geralt: Is that right? That's too bad then.

Geralt: I killed its previous owner.

Feena: ...!

Feena: Y-you... did what to Lydia?

Geralt: Since she was your master, I suppose I can offer a more detailed explanation.

Geralt: It happened while she was running around the battlefield helping others, even though she was a mercenary herself.

Geralt: Exactly like you were doing. Except her luck ran out.

Geralt: I happened to be in the neighborhood and recognized the value of the black bow she carried... I'm sure you can figure the rest out.

Blackbow Merc 1: The legendary greatbow Rondor—a relic worth more than you and me combined.

Blackbow Merc 2: Waste your time with charity, and you lose both your treasure and your life! Your master was an idiot!

Feena: Shut up... Don't you dare insult her!

Blackbow Merc 2: Whoa!

Feena: Gah!

Blackbow Merc 1: Haha, careful now or you might hurt yourself! Hell, you might even bite it like your ol' master if you keep that up!

Feena: Pant... Wheeze...

Collapsed on the ground, Feena glares up at Geralt as he slowly walks closer.

Geralt: Honestly, Feena. We should learn from your master's mistake.

Geralt: Mercenaries need only prioritize what makes a profit.

Geralt: Kindness is just a weakness that gets you taken advantage of in our world.

Too weak to react, Feena simply listens to the footsteps of the man and his mercenaries as they march away.

Eventually, the sounds fade alongside Feena's slipping consciousness.

Feena: Lydia...

With her last bit of strength, she calls for someone that can no longer answer.