Campfire company

Alex took the evening to learn about the company that he was traveling with. And for the most part they were open to discussion.

Apparently when Julian was a younger man he got in pretty good with a family who owned a farm between Grumen' Kal and the entrance to the deep road that led to Glita-himinn. Since his main route of trade passed by their farm he stopped by every couple of months. When a famine nearly obliterated their way of life he helped them convert into a Bison ranch, and the ranch became his base of logistics.

Marriages and money followed until Julian could pretty much buy himself a title of nobility, which he hadn't done because no one in Grumen 'Kal would care about it and it wouldn't make his job as a merchant any easier in negotiations. His eldest son was running the ranch and the estate, but also found no use for a title and would rather invest in acquiring more land than getting involved with politics.

The chief guard, who everyone called "dad" even though only two of the other guards were actually his children, had been one of the sons of the original farm family, and had joined Julian in an attempt to help stipend his family, but when Julian helped save the farm he became a guard full time and got trained as a man at arms extensively. There were now a few dozen families living and working on the ranch, and with their ranch being the most prominent source of Bison outside of the orc tribes everyone was well provided for.

Of course Alex had known of the ranch, but had never had need to stop and meet the owners so this was his first interaction with the people living there. But he now had a better understanding on the social structure and dynamic of his traveling companions. Business and family mingled quite well when you had the support structure to involve everyone.

The connection between Julian and the Street was never explained, Julian was a well respected honest merchant without reason to deal with undercity types, but then again Alex had been the most sought hero in the lands and still maintained his very personal ties with Vic and Spike.

At some point when curiosity got the better of him he sought out Julian to ask him about it in person.

Julian was sitting alone in his tent reading a book, an incredibly rare artifact to possess, to have one was impressive, to be able to read was already a skill reserved for people able to afford the education.

"Am I interrupting?" Alex asked politely.

Julian set the book down, "Not at all. I've read this text many times, it never ceases to amaze me how artistic words can be. I have several books, but only one book of poetry." Julian motioned to an empty stool.

Alex took the seat, "I don't know that I would have taken you for a scholar as well as a businessman."

Julian smiled wistfully. "I'm not, but my wife is a romantic despite being a practical peasant type as well. This was an anniversary present that she went to great lengths to acquire without my knowledge."

"I suppose your wife doesn't read since the book is in your company not hers?"

"Indeed she cannot read, too many children are raised in this world without knowing how easy it can be to save your thoughts for another person to see at a later time. I insisted that all of our children be at least capable of reading, but the endeavor to read was always beyond her patience."

Alex thought of Vickary immediately, "I know the type myself."

"You mean Vickary," Julian accurately surmised, "she is quite good and pretending she can read, but if cornered she will admit that she cannot."

Alex nodded, "I actually came to ask about that. How did you become acquainted with Vickary and Spike? From spending the evening with your guards I'm a little curious why a man of your position would work with a guild that's not exactly reputable."

Julian smiled and held up the book, "First off they are most resourceful, anything you need they can and will acquire for you, even something as precious as a book of poetry. Their prices are always fair, they value their contracts, and they never reveal their dealings. I've needed their services a few times over the years and being as close to home as they are I've been able to send messages ahead of my travels to have things waiting for me when I arrive in Grumen 'Kal. They are also the most able to negotiate the services of the many guides through the desert so I source through them pretty much exclusively. They honor my stipulations that I don't deal in stolen or smuggled goods, and I honor their prices. I'm a business man, not a cleric."

Alex nodded, "Despite their upbringing they are fine people indeed."

Julian looked thoughtfully into the distance, "Would you believe it that Spike and Vickary fought beside the hero Alexander Lionheart during the last set of great orc wars. I was very skeptical of that rumor for years until I was asked to give security to a noble from Den Hou to Grumen 'Kal. He was a very capable man and enjoyed sparing with my guards at any possible opportunity. Said he was visiting his replacement daughter."

Julian shook his head, "I was very surprised to learn that he was lord Sambara Hiro, the father of heroic wizard Sambara Yumi. Vickary was the one he called 'replacement daughter', and despite her history and associations he greeted her as if she were in fact his child. I was both puzzled and intrigued, so I took the time to speak at length with her and Spike before I left for my next destination. Lord Sambara paid us handsomely with a bonus for permitting him entertainment along the way.

"Next time I was in town my wife met with me and we took Spike and Vickary out to a nice dinner, there was a customer who wanted a very specific relic for study and I wanted to ask if they knew of a way to acquire one through legal channels. Turned out that they had one in the guild already and were done studying it. And then they simply gifted it to me even though I asked them to name a price. In the years since then Vickary has become my wife's best friend, and her only real friend outside of our ranch. I spend a lot of time on the road so I'm very happy that Spike and Vickary are personable enough to be there for my wife whenever she's in town. My wife is a farm girl and feels a little out of place being one of the the upper class, she's comfortable with the street."

Julian tapped the book thoughtfully before asking something that seemed to be on his mind. "I'm rather curious about you too, and your association with the street. This is the first time that they've asked my wife about needing a favor. The favor of helping you get to Tutmanu 'Teliku, they paid travel fees to cover it as a technical business dealing, but they've never asked for anything before, and that makes this curious."

Alex shrugged, "I've known them since they were children I suppose. Like you said, they're quite personable and they don't judge a man in my occupation, or treat me as anything less than the family we became over the years of knowing each other."

"They were very tight lipped about you. Stressing that you were just a mercenary they knew. But I know them well enough to read them. You are someone much more important than you present yourself as. A disgraced noble, a man on the run from your past, maybe both. Either way I'm going to respect your privacy, but all the same I would like to know who you are and why the secrecy."

"If you value the secrecy then why pry at all?"

"Because this is the first time that Spike and Vickary have kept anything from me. It hurts a little, but I understand that is must be VERY close to them for them to do so."

Alex sat thoughtfully for a minute before demon piped up, "I don't mind him knowing."

Julian's head snapped in her direction, "You speak?"

"Pleasure to meet you." Demon stretched, "This one calls me Demon."

Alex tapped his leg in thought, "It's what you are."

Julian became troubled. "What am I involved in now."

Alex sighed, "A demon possessed man looking for a way to end his possession. Once and for all if I can."

"Curiosity can kill you, y'know." Demon purred in delight at the merchant's discomfort.

"Why would the street involve me in this? If people know it'll ruin me."

"Well, they didn't tell you for your own sanity I'm sure," Alex consoled him, "However the fact that they trusted you speaks quite a lot to me."

Julian composed himself forcefully and closed his eyes in thought, when they opened again he asked, "Are you Alexander Lionheart?"

"Odd question. Mind explaining it?"

"It's the only thing that makes any sense. My wife and I heard tales of him, so learning that Spike and Vickary were close friends of his we naturally had questions. When someone is dead they both say the person is dead, but when talking about the Lionheart they both say he is 'gone', and that's not the same thing. You said that you've known them since they were children, and they both were during the great orc wars, where they fought beside the Lionheart. Dealing with a possessed man is a huge risk, even for them, but they are genuinely invested in your safety. They are also highly invested in keeping your identity a secret even from their friends, so you have to be someone closer to them than anyone else. Alexander Lionheart is the only logical conclusion."

Alex made a non-committal gesture, "It was a long time ago. As they said, the Lionheart is gone, his party is dead and his fate was worse than ****. I'm not anyone special, just a mercenary named Alex with a demon problem I'm trying to undo."

Julian stared at Alex, "That's all I'm going to get aren't I?"

Alex shrugged, "It's the best I can give you."

Julian sighed, rose from his seat and went to rummage in his bags. "Care to join me for a drink? I feel like I should have one now, and I'd love to hear stories about some of the places you've been."

Alex smiled, his eyes might be obscured beneath his helmet, but his mouth was still visible. "I'd be honored to join you for a drink."