A Raw Deal

by WinterSun (for iron age media writing competition)

The thick soupy fog seemed to cling to both fabric and flesh as the convoy made its winding way up the Vennel mountain path. The local name for the jagged chain of frozen teeth that separated the swampy coastal river valley from the forested plateau above. Near the head of the convoy a redheaded middle aged man helped a teenage youth through the gloom
“Fold that up and put it in your pack” Jacobin scolded, pointing to a sleek chrome plated rifle hanging around his assistants shoulders
“Sorry sir” Randolph apologized collapsing the stock and putting the firearm in his pack.
“We’re trying to blend in with these primitives as much as possible” Jacobin continued. “Its unlikely but theirs always a chance that they could figure out how to reverse engineer modern firearms if they got their hands on anything remotely modern and it spread our ability to properly colonize outside of outside of the valley would go from hard to impossible. You need to be careful”
As if to punctuate his point Randolph Slipped on an icy patch on the rough wooden bridge nearly tumbling down to a quick death on the stone teeth below. Only saved by quick reflexes of his teacher pulling him to safety.
Jacobin unphased by any of it just kept talking.
“you just keep your mouth shut and don’t talk to any of the locals unless you really need to. We’re here to trade for food. A few of these crappy junkers we rigged up in the workshop.-”
Jacobin pointed to a patchwork bolt-action rifle sticking out of the pack of the man in front of him “-should be more then enough to get us all the food we need till we can figure out whats killing off the greenhouses”
Randolph merely nodded and followed along. It would be a long way yet through the bone chilling fog and the old rotting wooden path would only become more unsafe the higher up they went.
The village of Gangrel is nothing special. Just a collection of log longhouses with thatched roofs of faded purple grass. Tucked next to a highland mountain river and shielded from the whipping north wind by the surrounding cliffs it may have passed for a genuine middle ages town if not for its inhabitants.
The Lahemeans, considered miracles of convergent evolution by most generally followed the human body plan, two arms, two legs, one heart, excreta. However, only a blind man would confuse them for human. Carnivores by nature evolution gifted them with long spindly limbs tipped with claws for chasing down prey, whip-like tails for balance at speed and large reflective eyes.
Standing a full head over most humans they may have been intimidating but instead the tired convoy was greeted with open arms and before long the center of the town was dotted with tents and campfires. Randolph didn’t have time to sit down. As assistant Armorer he was invited along with Jacobin to present the deal to the aliens.
“all kneel before countess Illrelith” the translator slowly said after hearing the harsh barking Lahemeans. Randolph would have never disobeyed. The Countess was an imposing figure even for the normally large aliens. Though her body language was totally relaxed, casually relaxing in a large wooden chair and occasionally taking a bite out of a sweet smelling chunk of meat.
“my advisors tell me you're fallen star down below doesn’t have the food for the winter?” The translator told Jacobin.
“yes my lady” he nodded “ Were willing of offer a crate of 20 Rifles plus 200 rounds each month in return for 500 Pounds of meat and 200 pounds of grain a month”
the Lahemean made a strange vibrating sound that sounded almost canine. Most of the convoy could only sit in anticipation as even after she finally spoke the poor translator struggled with a few words having to ask some questions back and forth in the alien tongue.
“the countess says last year she would have happily seen you unnatural aliens starve in your metal star, but after you killed the lowlanders shes expanded her lands thrice fold. Unfortunately her own people will also struggle to eat this winter. You're going to need to pay extra. She wants 40 rifles 600 rounds and for you to stay behind as her guest and teach her warriors in their operation.” the translator finally finished with the countess grinning over her shoulder.
“don’t tell her any of this” Jacobin ordered the translator. “listen” he grabbed Randolph by the shoulder “I’m too valuable back on the ship, the captain needs me to maintain what we have back home. I know its a lot to ask but can you stay behind. Everyone will be counting on you.” his hand tightening around the youth’s shoulder.
“ill do it” he responded immediately.
“Really?” Jacobin gasped.
“Of course. I hate my cramped quarters and anyways i’m in no danger. These freaks should know not to hurt any of us after what we did to the last batch that tried to kick us out” he shrugged.
Jacobin didn’t say anything. Instead he just looked into his apprentices eyes for a few awkward moments before carrying on the negotiations.
“excuse me” Randolph jumped at the voice.
He had stepped outside for some air while the others hammered out the details of the trade deal. He stiffened in confusion upon seeing that it wasn't a human grabbing his attention but a Lahemean speaking near perfect English.
“I understand you’ll be staying here a lot soon. The countess is good to her guests but shes unlikely to provide much in the way of creature comforts. Thankfully for you I represent a group that can make your stay a lot more enjoyable and you'll hardly have to lift a finger” the strangers pronunciation was only given a slight accent by his? Razor sharp teeth.
Now that he? had stepped closer into the firelight Randolph could see that his? leather traveling clothes where covered in silver simple and glyphs that made his eyes itch.
“whats the catch?” Randolph asked suspiciously
“No catch. You just get me one of your light guns each month starting with the one you’re carrying right now and in return you can have this.” He? reached into his pack and produced a wooden box. Unlatching it to present its contents Randolph was captivated by the sea of small silver coins. Each polished to a gleam and bearing the image of a serpent like creature eating its own tail.
“Also” the stranger added closing the box when Randolph reached for it to get a closer look
“I’m also paying for your discretion, no one is to know. Not the rest of the crew on your fallen ship. Not anyone in town. As far as you know I was never here. Take it or leave it” he? Finished toying with the copious collection of charms and jewelry attached to his? Horns.
Randolph was about to refuse the highly suspicious offer until he had an idea
“just give me a second to look it over” he said
The kg-85 laser rifle’s delicate internal circuitry was separated from the emitter assembly by a ceramic shield. It wasn't the main heat management but an extra layer to keep the most heat sensitive components safe. Randolph only needed a minute to remove it and reassemble the stock. The laser would fire perfectly well for a few hundred shots but after the internals finally gave up it would be no more useful then a club.
“everything looks to be in order” Randolph lied
the stranger didn’t appear to inspect the rifle in any great detail. he? Just seemed to be more worried about being seen by others then anything else handing over the payment and “do business next month” before vanishing back onto the road. Onto the fog shrouded maze of walkways that shrouded the mountain valley.
When he returned Randolph found that he was far richer then he even cared to hope before. Each coin was worth far more then a days wages for any of the ordinary locals and soon he was living like a king. An isolated well built home formerly owned by a now deceased merchant was soon his and along with it he hired servants, and bought any comfort he could get his hands on from any merchant that passed through the village. Before long he could spend the days drunk on exotic alien alcoholics or relaxing in his newly made sauna.
Only for a couple days a month did he have to do anything of real effort. To train a few dark age guards how to operate a few guns.
Of course packed in each shipment was an unofficial extra rifle. Bought from his crew mates down below for a few bottles of native wine and like clockwork the stranger appeared out of the Vennel path to trade for his? Sabotaged prize. Randolph was uninterested in who he was selling to. The native was being fooled and he was helping humanity gain a foothold on the planet in the process. That was until one fateful night a year after his lucky break.
His hired guard never got a chance to fight back. Her skull was shattered by a supersonic bullet that sprayed the dew covered grass with a fresh layer of viscera. The doors bashed clear off their hinges in perfect unison as if by a well oiled machine. All of it completely unnecessary of course Randolph was passed out on his bed in a drunken stupor.
He hardly even noticed as he was taken down down down the path. Into caves no human had ever seen. To a secret older then anyone dared to guess.
There he would make up for his deception. Unfortunately for him Lahemean biology was close enough to a humans for most of the same nerves to be located in almost the same location. Even after he had spilled every last secret he knew professional sadists would made his screams echo endlessly. Into black caves. Into the twisting path high above.