Chapter Text
Tap-tap-tap, six, tap-tap-tap, that is: S I X, tap-tap-tap, six figures and not six the single digit, but six individual digits in their place, tap-tap-tap, in gold . The nervous finger stilled as its owner took note of the tick. Grim apologetically smoothed the worn wood grain. A feel of the ale-stained wood through the hole in his glove added another reminder of the six figures keeping him at the table.
Bringing his mug up to his lips, Grim gingerly sipped his ale to buy time and take stock of the situation. Across from him sat the most default man he had ever laid eyes on, and that man happened to be his escortee for the six-figure mission he had not bothered to read the details of before taking. Now, he wished he had read just a little more.
Nothing particularly stood out besides the obvious giveaways that yelled book nerd. The man clearly never saw light or a day’s hard work and ink-smudged, otherwise uncalloused fingers. Despite being Grim’s opposite, the scholar’s features reminded him of Grim’s hometown. Downing the rest of the diluted alcohol didn’t have the effect he was looking for, but he needed to shut down this scholar’s expectations all the same.
His well-rehearsed script was started to a stop by a slam of the empty mug, “Ah-hem. Hey, listen here, uh, Miller. I don’t really get why the church wants you to come, but this is dangerous, alright? They don’t put down six figures for nothing. You can come to Thousand Oaks” – Grimm waved his hand as if he could physically brush off the scholar’s protests before they started – “but no way, no how am I taking you to the mansion. I’ll bring you back the head of whatever beast has holed up there instead.”
Mostly high rollers and status seekers only wanted the trophy anyway. Brows pinched together in displeasure before the scholar relaxed back into the presentation hall voice that had lost Grim’s attention when they had first sat down. “Once again, my name is Milcom . I specialize in research of the supernatural from archaic to contemporary and folk narratives.”
As his introduction went sailing over Grim’s head a second time, Milcom continued, “You can consider this the church’s investment in ongoing field work and the reason they are willing to pay you so well for your time. They do not want just another dead monster; they want a detailed account and hard data from one of their scholars.”
A stack of papers appeared on the cleanest part of the table. “Grim of Isenberg: statistically significant success rate, and only the most dangerous bounties are accepted. I am still undecided if this is a sign of gross ego or desperation.”
That caught his attention; not many had the nerve to say something like that to his face, at least not while sober. Unaware of Grimm’s sock, Milcom happily continued, “Even though my contacts say that you work alone, there have been several groups that verified you accompanied them for a short time. Lord Bremen has agreed to leave the matter to the church, or rather myself, and in exchange, the church is paying your bounty.”
That’s an eyebrow raiser, “Why exactly is the church willing to pay for Lord Bremen’s bounty? His country is growing by the day. It isn’t exactly like the man can’t dig into his own purse to hire out.”
Ink from his finger left a print on the copy of the bounty as Milcom pointed to the signatures at the bottom. “Lord Bremen did not order it; his knights are in charge of sections. Sir Chanticleer came to the church hoping to barter, probably to look better on paper. He gets the beast’s removal in exchange for some of the area’s now vacant land.”
“Hmm, must be some land if your church is willing to put that kind of money down. What does the church expect that’s worth that kind of gold?”
“I am glad you asked. Thousand Oaks was once a bountiful and very profitable farming town, known for the scenic mountains that border it. Lord Bremen even built a retreat there, but the mansion sat unused and untouched.”
“The problem started a few years ago when the mansion’s caretakers noticed the local kids hanging around the grounds. They were going to chase them off, but apparently one of the kids was missing. The whole town got together to search, but turned up with nothing.”
“Over the course of three years, eight adults and ten children have disappeared from Thousand Oaks. Statistically, it wouldn’t be too out of the ordinary for a rural village like that, but it doesn’t stop with the disappearances. The residents started to report strange events in town, with more than half of the missing people taken nowhere near the mansion.”
“Losing villagers like that makes you wonder why he didn’t post a bounty sooner. Sounds like it’s only now hitting this Sir Chanticleer in his coin purse.” Milcom smirked, “Surprisingly astute of you, all of the townsfolk moved to neighboring areas, which has caused problems for the Noble, Lord Bremen. Only a few stubborn people come back for a few months of the year to gather resources. The abrupt exodus and the town’s ghost story earned the place a nickname, Abandoned Oaks.”
Grim leaned in, Disappearances start at an abandoned structure, then sightings in the village. Sounds like a beast, must’ve moved to hunting in the village when food became scarce in the mountains. If the villages feel safe enough to come back during part of the year, it might be hibernating? migrating and returning to the mansion? “Abandoned Oaks, huh, it sounds like the village isn’t the problem. Something must have ventured in looking for an easy meal. If everyone has moved out, the surrounding villages might also be in danger if it can’t find enough food in its territory.”
Lifting his glass, he contemplated what might have scared off a whole village before speaking again, “We’re probably looking at a stealth hunter. If no one’s seen it or found the bodies, that means it has a den it brings them back to. That, or it’s a person and they’re hiding the bodies.”
He tipped back, chugging the brew in a single motion until it was completely upside down, then smacked the empty glass down on the stained wooden surface along with coins. “I’m going to get some supplies, be prepared to head out first thing.”
Milcom’s eyes tracked the hunter as he grabbed his gear, “You aren’t going to put up more of a fight about me coming along? The headmaster warned me it would be an issue, so I had a speech prepared.”
Grim shook out his jacket before putting it on, “Yeah, yeah, well, I don’t get the money unless you come, right? Just don’t come crying to me when the monster you’re looking for doesn’t go away when you put down your book.”