The dim lights of a few lanterns were casting shadows on sections of the hall. Grey stones of a dull color made up the only visible material on the walls and floor.


    Two female figures where crossing it shrouded by the partial darkness. One was a tall figure dressed in a black suit with golden embroideries and a white silky scarf around the neck. She donned on her face a red mask with a design resembling a fly''s head. Walking alongside was a shorter figure draped in a brown mantle, with a blue mask resembling a mosquito''s head.


    "Why where we summoned?" said the taller one.


    "I heard from an acquaintance of important news from the 16th battalion, i wager that is what we will discuss about today". Even with the mask hiding it, she could see the other''s frown at the mention of the subject. "Don''t worry is not assured to be bad news"


    The other stopped only a few meters from the door that lead to the meeting room and lowered her head to met the other''s gaze "What even is bad news to you? We both know you are a sick fucker."


    "Ohohoh!" a bemused laughter escaped her "I''m simply looking at the brighter side. You need to be a more seasoned merchant before you can appreciate this sides of life." she said with a face splitting grin that the mask couldn''t completely hide.


    "We agree to disagree i guess." she sighed "You damn warmongers are everywhere."


    "You are the rare breed here not us. Besides you can''t deny the economic benefits it brings to the country."


    "But you seem to forget about the death that it also brings?" said with disdain in her voice.


    "Everyone dies, many of starvation but only a few with honor." her tone serious "Girl, we will always lose people."


    They stared at each other in silence for a little, before they both started to chuckle.


    "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Let''s stop with the existential bullshit unless we have some alchool to drink." said the tall one in a tired voice "Now hurry up, we are probably late already. The others will anyway nag us about the waste of time"


    "Eh, fuck''em!"


    <hr>


    Upon entering the room we were greeted with a nod and a wave from the two in the room.


    The first one had a black spider mask and was dressed with a completely pitch black military vest. From the stiff demeanor one could already guess he wasn''t a great talker. I swear that if he could emanate a more unapproachable aura he would. I immagine he would probably be with his back against the wall, in a corner of the room and with his arms crossed.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "Hey, i heard we have news from one of our squads?!"


    He rolled his eyes "Mphf..."


    "Always interesting to hear what you have to add..." i joked.


    As amusing as it was to talk to him i had to stop after hearing a chuckle. Everybody froze for an istant, nobody moved for what looked like minutes. The young lass beside me was about to speak, but she let the words die in her throat and with apprension threw me a glance.


    What? You want a hug kid? Ah, i get it. You are forcing the savage beast on me, aren''t you? I''m so proud of you! But i''m sooo gonna make you pay for this later little bastard.


    I directed away my gaze from her''s and then the attention of everyone shifted on the last and most dangerous member of the group. She was the most eyecatching out of us all, courtesy of a set of very colorful and mismatched clothes. She was dressed in a short crimson red skirt with a few frills, dirty brown sleevless shirt and a bright green cape with yellow patterns. As always her clothes were both pratical for any abrupt fighting that might start and to attract her enemy''s attention on the frontline, the exact opposite of what the other soldier had on. In his defense he is a male and a spy so this difference had to be expected. She was sitting on the table with her legs dangling and at her side, on the smooth metallic surface of the table, was a green bee mask. It was not the first time she revealed purposefully her scarred and burnt face just to make others uncomfortable. Obviously the freak enjoyed the attention she received, it was a bliss for her to be a thorn in everyone''s eye.


    So i cleared my throat and spoke "You have to add something?"


    Then she started talking in a friendly tone "Oh, hello! What brings you here? How was the travel? How is the family? What about the weather? Is your birthday today? Did you-"


    Oh hell no! Knowing her, she could go on forever with this shit. "Drop the annoying act, you don''t need to waste everyone''s time, to make us pay


    for your own. I get it, we are really sorry."


    "Oh~" she smiled revealing her long and sharp canines in a threatning way "Someone is annoyed already? What if i want to ramble for an hour? You think your time is more precious then mine? Do you really think, that just because you are at the head of the merchant association i will not drag your sorry face all over the ground and pluck your hairs one by one? You think someone will give a fuck if you aren''t working for a few hours or disappear somewhere in the forest? "


    "Wow i have never seen you this sour, it must be really bad news then. Either that or you realized you are a man on disguise finally!"


    In response i only got a scowl from the bitch.


    "K''Loth stop provoking her!" replied instead the pissed and fearful mosquito.


    I started to yell "Don''t use my name! Why the gathering if we can''t abide by any rules? First that" i replied in an even more angry tone while pointing at the mask on the table "and now you too?!"


    "...ehm...can you stop this please?" said the scaredy-cat dressed in black.


    "Yeah, let''s all stop this dumb spectacle" i sighed and then glared at the idiot on the table "That goes double to you, stop bitching, get your shit together and explain."


    She growled at my answer and tightened her fists.


    I just rolled my eyes and continued "So, how much do we know of the enemy? When will they attack again?"


    She closed her eyes and exalhed "Let''s sit and start this damn meeting".


    Then she jumped down the metal table after putting on her mask and everyone else also took position on their seats.


    Sitted on front of me there were the two muscle heads and at my side the young pacifist.


    This was going to be a long meeting.