Before the Sczarni Job, Serad Rocide had never needed help with his work. He'd be hired to guard a caravan, or to protect a wealthy merchant. He'd do so, get his money and go on his way. Things had been simple, just as he liked them.
He knew the Sczarni were bad news. He shouldn't have taken the job, but it was a lot of money. Just to see that one of their allies made it to Ustalav unharmed.
It should have been as simple as it sounded. But on the way, they were attacked by a pair of ghouls. Taken by surprise, Serad and his passenger were quickly paralyzed. They would have been done for, had a small carriage not been passing by. In that carriage was Professor Lorrimor.
Serad and his charge were rescued, but the Professor requested no payment. He only said that, at some point, he would call upon the mercenary for a favor.
That made Serad more nervous, but there was nothing he could do about it. And so, up until now, he's been preparing for the call he was certain would come. He's turned from traditional weapons--aside from his trusty meat cleaver, he never keeps an item for long.
Being predictable is dangerous, he believes, and he has to be ready to answer Lorrimor's call whenever it should come. He doesn't plan on being surprised.