Victoria stood proudly across a high table from three lords. The Lord in the center wore all the adornments worthy of his status as a prince while the two on either side of him wore numerous military honors. Victoria wore a simple black dress that descended to just below her knees. From the hemline, red flame patterns stretched upward along the dress. Her brown hair was pulled neatly into a military style bun. She work heavy black leather boots akin to those used by the soldiers of this world. The only thing suggesting she was not some country girl was the long one-and-a-half handed steel sword that rested on her left hip.

The lord in the center of the trio passed a bag of coins across the table to Victoria, "Are you sure there is nothing We can do to make you stay? After all you did bring a war that has been waging for almost 30 years to a swift, decisive end. Surely you have earned something other than gold. Lordship, land, men, you name it and i will give it to you. You can give up this mercenary lifestyle and serve with honor in a proper army. And what if the enemy does return?"

Victoria chuckled as she grabbed the bag of coins, "[color=ed145b]No need to be so dramatic, my fair prince. All I really did was blow a whole in the walls of a string of coastal fortresses. Honestly, if you would have just invested in better siege craft or had better mages.[/color]" Victoria began to transfer the coins from the bag into one of her own counting silently as she did. 

"Perhaps we should take that money back to buy siegecraft and train better mages then," The Lord on the right piped up.

Victoria did not even pretend that she was amused, "[color=ed145b]Look! We had a deal. You pay me, I kill for you. The more I kill, the more I am paid. I have kept my end of the deal, I find it funny that you a lord knight would tarnish your honor to even suggest not honoring your end of the deal. As for the enemy returning, I doubt they will be able to muster the numbers to return for several years if not a decade.[/color]" Victoria finished counting her gold then turned to leave, "[color=ed145b]If they do return, then so shall I. If I am still alive that is...[/color]"

The trio of Lords watched as Victoria left. The lord on the right shook his head before turning to the others and asking, "Was a quick, and easy victory worth dealing with that woman?" The doors closed behind her just in time for Victoria to not hear the other's answer. Victoria was fine not knowing how they felt in the end.

Victoria had just exited the building as a happy looking noble woman ran over to Victoria. "Lady Victoria!!!" The woman exclaimed. A fully armored knight walked behind the woman. Victoria knew that knight well. Victoria raised her hand to stop the approaching noble woman, "[color=ed145b]Sorry Princess, But if you try one more time to get me to come to the Victory Gala. I swear I will scatter your insides from here to church at the end of this street.[/color]" 

The princess was startled at Victoria's tone. The knight jumped at the remark, "What! What is wrong with you, Lady Victoria?!"

Victoria reached up and undid her bun. Her hair fell down as it may. Victoria smiled, "[color=ed145b]I have not killed anyone in a week. I just got my pay for my work. I am off to go find another war to fight in.[/color]"

The Princess looked confused then asked, "But the war is over. The land is finally at peace. Where can you go to find war? Are you going to start one?"

"[color=ed145b]Maybe...[/color]" Victoria replied, "[color=ed145b]However, this is not the only world wars are waged on. I think I am going to try somewhere new.[/color]" Victoria turned and walked down the street away from the princess and her knight. As she walked the cool evening air of the city was replaced with a warm salty ocean breeze. Slowly the evening city landscape faded away to be replaced with a bright sunny deck of a ship at sea. Victoria went from walking down a street to standing against the railing of a ship staring out into the vast blue ocean. 

"HEY!!! IDENTIFY YOURSELF!!! HOW DID YOU GET ABOARD?!" A hostile, male voice came from behind Victoria.

Victoria raised her hands non-aggressively and turned around slowly. As innocent as she could muster, she began to lie, "[color=ed145b]I am Rachel Hargrove. I am a humble Scholar. I was experimenting with a teleportation spell and landed here. I was lucky I landed on a ship. I really must thank you.[/color]"

The crew of the ship that was on the top deck looked to be very well mixed. Merfolk, Humans, and goblins. There was a minatoar pulling a rope to raise the ships red sails. Victoria's accuser was a slimy looking merfolk. He already taken out his sword already. The merfolk approached Victoria, "Well, Ms. Hargrove. You must be the least luckiest woman alive. For This Ship belongs to the Raldoran fleet. One of the infamous Red Fleet, under the Command of Admiral Khal Hungun. Even more unfortunate for you, Our captain is human. A pretty thing like you should easily be to his liking."

The merfolk reached out to take the sword from off Victoria's hip, "Now why would a scholar be needing such a nice sword." Victoria reacted suddenly. She grabbed the merfolk's arm and twisted. In one fluid motion, she threw the merfolk over the railing of the ship and disarmed him. The merfolk splashed loudly when he hit the water. Victoria chuckled as she examined her newly acquired blade, "[color=ed145b]Wow! I did not expect that to work. I had forgotten how slimy fish people can be.[/color]"

The crew were startled by how quickly she reacted. She definitely was not a humble scholar. The minotaur that was on deck dropped the line to the sails. He pulled two maces off his belt and bellowed out a warcry. He charged across the ship shaking the enormous vessel. Victoria's eyes glowed dark red and with a innocent wave of her left hand the minotaur was dead. Its flesh was replaced with ash and its charred skeletion bounced accross the deck in pieces. Victoria comments coldly while her eyes still glowed, "[color=ed145b]Sure, I am no humble scholar, but I am still a mage beyond your power. Who is in charge here?[/color]" Victoria rested her boot on top of the minotaur's charred skull and crushed its brittle remains effortlessly.