Rosette pursed her lips as she looked down at what was in front of her, bloodied garments and Garlean colors crumpled on the hastily cleared dining table. “Everything was ransacked?” She crossed her arms, her gaze cutting up to Richart and Murdock as they stood before her. Both men were covered in sweat and dirt, disheveled like they had hauled ass to get here. Richart was slightly pale beneath the smears of blood and dirt on his face, teleportation magic having never sat well with him. The Ishguardian only utilized that particular strand of magic when needed.
He nodded to her, Murdock not daring to open his mouth lest his temper run away with him. “Aye, mistress. Garleans killed the entire caravan, save the chocobos. They took them, as well as all the cobalt and mythril shipments. The supplies, water, and weapons destined for Ala Mhigo were gone as well.”
“The six guards and four drivers, mistress.” Richart shook his head, “The caravan was small with only two carts total. One driver in the seat, one sleeping or resting until his turn as you ordered. Two guards per cart, one scouting ahead and one rearguard.”
Rose cursed and ran a hand through her hair, “Our damned luck.” She muttered, scowling darkly.
Murdock finally spoke up, “We might wanna hire additional guards next time. Mayhap we should be lookin’ at th’ Adventurin’ List ‘at Momodi keeps, eh?” The Hyur shifted from one foot to the next, crossing his arms over his chest.
She sighed a little and nodded, “See that it’s done then, Murdock. Get a new shipment prepared and out to our customer in Ala Mhigo as soon as possible.” She looks from the scarred redhead to Richart, “Send messages to them and inform them of the situation. Send our apologies and relay that the next order will have a discount due to the delay. I know some of their orders revolve around some time sensitive material.”
Both of her retainers nodded and turned, leaving Rosette’s formal living area and headed out into the desert sun. She shut the door behind them and turned, descending the stairs into the lower level of her home to flop into the chair behind her desk. Her hand lifted, pressing the spot between her eyes as the headache that had already been throbbing behind her eyes turned into a steady pound. Tension thrummed through her, knowing full well that Nanoni Noni would want a full report of why the shipment had failed.
She blew out a slow breath, her eyes opening and she looked to her stealth gear that was laid out over the back of the couch. Murdock and Richart’s appearance had not been the first interruption as she prepared for her mission tonight. No, message from Lady Noni had been delivered that spoke of Alistair beginning to make subtle moves to gain more power from additional backing of some of the Syndicate members. Luckily her patron was in a position to block it and quietly dismantle any growing support for the elder Valeria. There had been whispers of Rosette being unreliable and providing poor quality products.
Which, thankfully, Nanoni had quickly squashed. Though, the Garlean ambush proved to be a thorn in her side in that regard as well. It simply required moving some funds around, hiring additional guards and some adventurers who had little problem spilling Garlean blood. Seven Hells, she may ask some of the crew members to escort a caravan to the front line if they were so inclined and she would pay them well.
She reached for a cigarette, intending to perch one between her lips to enjoy…only to find the silver tin empty. She made a noise of frustration and snatched the tin, hurling it and causing it to hit the wall across the room. She glared at it where it had fallen, her glare so intense that had she been magically inclined…it likely would have melted.
