The small sack of coins made its familiar jingle as it scraped across the mahogany desk.

Laurenz Marcello knew this sound well, and always looked forward to it, expecting a handsome reward for such dirty work. Although, on this day, something was different. He eyed the small sack sceptically, noticing that it seemed emptier than usual. He reached out to it, and his thick fingers became entangled in the fabric. He didn't have to look to know that the payment was on the lighter side.

"Ashte, any reason why the load is light today?" Laurenz grumbled, glaring at his boss.

Ashte sat across from him, his features only just distinguishable in the dim lighting. He raised an eyebrow and tilted his head, the shadows dancing across his pale complexion. "The job was easy, Laurenz. The client was only willing to pay so much."

Laurenz growled at the pathetic excuse. "I seemed to recall you once saying that I would be paid handsomely for every job I did. I'm not accepting any exceptions, Ashte."

Ashte sighed, frustration flooding his expression. "You're my best bounty hunter, Laurenz. Why do you have to come at me like this? Why must you make things more difficult?" He paused. "Although, there may be something that will change your mind on the matter."

Laurenz tucked the sack of coins in one of his inner coat pockets, his eyes never leaving Ashte's. "What kind of something?"

Ashte smirked, knowing that he had piqued his bounty hunter's interest. "A job, but one that will pay more than you've ever been paid before."

"Tell me more." Laurenz said, leaning in slightly. Ashte could hear the curiosity in his voice beyond the stoic mask that the dark-skinned man in front of him maintained.

"It'll take you beyond the borders of the city. Are you sure you want to take it?"

"Since when did leaving Vaneaux ever bother me?"

Ashte knew that it bothered Laurenz, but he didn't dare bring it up. Instead, he fed his employee's growing interest. "This one's difficult, Laurenz. Every other bounty hunter that's tried to take the target down has died trying. He's a trickster, and some say he even wields magic."

Laurenz scoffed. "A magician? What is this, some sort of joke?"

"More than a magician, but if you don't want the job..."

Laurenz snarled. "I'll take the job. I've taken down shapeshifters, trained assassins, and even mortally wounded the King of the Dwarves, how hard could this really be?"

Ashte half-smiled, leaning back in his chair. "Good. Now here's the file," he said sliding a black folder across the desk, where it met the hands of his accomplished hunter, "and he needs to be taken care of by the end of the month."

"Three weeks? I'm not old and frail yet, Ashte."

"The sooner the better, my friend. They say he's quite the menace."

The room fell into silence as Laurenz opened the file and read through it. "Decius Cavlacanti? Why that's the most ridiculous name I've ever heard." Laurenz snickered, amused.

"Don't be fooled by a name, Laurenz. He's not going to be one to sit around and play tea parties with you."

Laurenz snapped the folder shut, the noise echoing within the office walls. He didn't like being mocked, in fact, it compelled him to get it done faster. "Consider the job done."

With that, he stood up, and left the room, beginning his journey to find the man he would kill.