Terveta-Chapter 3: Payment (Part 1)
The snow had begun to come down harder just after the battle, and it stayed that way through the rest of the night. A day since the extermination of the invading hostile army, the town was in a celebrated uproar for the brave warriors ever since the first announcements were given to come out of their homes. Everyone gathered around one of the city's banks just as Blizzard and the others were lead through the entrance by a guard.
The president stood inside and presented a smile when they walked through, but there was something wrong with it. Blizzard could feel sinister vibes coming from leader. What was he planning? It unsettled the Alpha but he pushed it to the side and lived in the present of the moment.
"Terveta," the president addressed the team. "We thank you greatly for what you've done for us. I can speak for everyone when I say that we are as happy as we ever have been, now that we can rest in peace and not be in fear," he said, all the while keeping the same strange expression. Blizzard cleared his throat to speak.
"Payment for what we've done will be sufficient enough," he said formally.
The leader could only nod and wave his paw for some of the guards to pull out a few large sleds, stacked with a small mound of gold bricks on each. The blue husky's eyes narrowed as he sized up the mounds and gritted his teeth. He was trying to cheat them?
"What is this?" he growled and stepped up to one of the sleds.
The guards backed away rather quickly and just watched. The president's smile seemed to grow even more.
"It's the reward you were promised. Expenses deducted of course," he grinned.
Blizzard let loose a deep, threatening snarl and reeled on the leader. The guards all around pulled their weapons up and aimed at the alpha, ready to fire.
"What seems to be the problem?" The president inquired with a sneer in his voice.
"The contract was for five tons. This barely amounts to half of one!" he yelled and stepped closer.
Weapons audibly chambered rounds all around them. The other Terveta warriors began to take up defensive positions, ready to fight in the close quarters if needed.
"Yes, but you did a good deal of damage to my buildings, not to mention the few civilians that got in the middle of your little conflicts. I'd say your reduction in pay is sufficient and fair for the repairs and grieving, don't you?" He seemed to have a bit of a time holding back laughter.
Blizzard gritted his teeth. "You knew the chance that some damage was going to befall your city, and the lost lives are not our problem. Fair warning and directions were issued. Now either you give us our full payment, or-"
"Or what? You can't hurt me; you and your whole team will be killed if you even lay a paw on me. Do the smart thing. Take your money and be gone. I'll send some of my guards to escort you to the city gates," The leader lost his smile now, perhaps finally beginning to understand the real threat the Terveta were posing.
Blizzard was astonished at how greedy the other was, but he came here for a promised reward, the contract said nothing about any forms of reduction, and he wasn't going to leave for anything less. "You're being foolish..." he growled through his teeth.
The president just shook his head. "No, you are the one being foolish. Leave now, before I give the order for your death."
The blue husky pulled his paws into fists, the metal beginning to glow a faint sapphire and tiny sparks of electricity jumped between the plates of his suit, too small for anyone to see from a distance. "Is that a threat?" Blizzard challenged, the glow intensifying.
"Take it as you wish, but know I will not take any further of this commotion in my bank or city. Now either take it or leave it, the choice is yours," he pushed back and smiled.
Blizzard let his jaw drop a fraction of an inch, as he looked the president over and then the guards. He thought for a short while and then stared the leader back in the eyes with before a smile formed over his muzzle.