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Mask of Virtue
lorddevilkun
Member Posts: 60
1 - Shining Knight and Distressed Damsal
Mask of Virtue
“Let go of me!” The lush voice of a damsal in distress sang through the woods, followed by raucous laughter and the thud of a small explosion.
The forest road was scene to something becoming more common, a wagon half overturned, corpses strewn about and an unshaven bandit dragging a young woman into the forest, where she would never be seen again. The guard’s presence was strained, and travel tended to become sparse at this time of the evening.
Startled yells broke from bandits, staring at the smoking crate in the wagon’s back, and then something unexpected happened.
He strode from the forest on his chestnut mare, his mass produced breastplate polished and shining, long sword drawn as he rode down a surprised thug. The setting sun illuminating the knight’s figure. “Lay down your weapons, ruffians, and release that lass. You are under arrest for banditry and murder, resist and perish.” His noble voice demanded.
The bandits looked amongst each other. “Let’s kill’m!” They nodded their agreement.
“Poor decision, knaves!” The man dismounted, saluting with a flourish before walking forward to engage. “Worry not, milady, I shall save you.”
He swung wide, keeping one of the bandits at bay before parrying the jab of another, backstepping as he faced a three on one. The fourth looked on gleefully, making the lady watch. “Yer hero’s gonna be gutted like a pig, wench, then we’ll be tossin’ you ‘round like a lil piggy too.” He chortled, saliva dripping through the gaps between his crooked yellow teeth as he looked down her low cut dress with lust.
The knight, brave as he may have been, was saved by his armour from a blow that may well have gutted him, off balancing him which the bandits took advantage of. A rearing horse’s hoof caving in one of their skulls and sending the body across the road like a ragdoll gave them pause though, the knight’s sword cutting a nasty gash in a distracted bandit’s chest, not enough to halt him but giving them pause and making him stumble to the ground.
“Better lay down yer sword, pig, or we’ll slit the girl’s throat.” They tried a different tactic, which gave the knight pause.
The bleeding thug threw a handful of dirt at the knight’s face in that moment, forcing him to blindly swing as he backtracked, the bandits carefully avoiding his wild swings and picking and choosing a time to strike.
Little did they know the knight did not need his eyes to strike down evil, and when they closed in, their heads rolled to the ground.
When he could see again, he found the maiden, thankful for his help, yet saddened by the loss of her friend, a stout dwarf who had in his last breaths slain the bandit holding her.
The maiden in her grief protested his taking her to the city, but he knew her safety was his prerogative now, and so he escorted her back to Neverwinter, like a hero.
“Yer pulling my breeches captain, yer bout as ‘eroic as a drunk stunty lookin’ fer another mug.”
“Ah resent that. Ah'm quite nimble when ale's the prize, willin' tah sink me axe into a hill giant fer a flagon.” A dwarf in chain grunted as he stared down the woman who may have had orc blood in her… or just been real ugly. Both had the tabard of the Neverwinter guard, along with their comrades. All had a heaping mug of ale (well, the dwarf’s was already looking half empty) as they enjoyed the captain’s story.
“Not a word I spoke is false.”
“Oh ya, so where’s this lovely damsal now then?”
“May I get you anything to eat… or another drink?” I forced a smile as I walked up to their table, the captain smiling at me and giving his crew a triumphant grin.
The maybe half orc looked at me in disbelief. “No way… this guy’s foolin’ us right?”
“Not at all, Captain Ward saved my life and I am grateful for him.” I curtseyed and went to get the dwarf another mug as he chugged back the remainder gleefully, the guards shocked to find out it was true.
No wonder why, who actually believes in heroes saving beautiful, innocent girls anymore?
What a load of kobold funk.
Here’s what actually happened.
I jolted to awareness, I had needed a nap and while a stuttering wagon on a forest road was a hard thing to get rest on, I’d slept through worse when I needed to. When the wagon came to an abrupt stop though I almost sprung to my feet, immediately taking in my surroundings.
The dwarf was getting off his perch, grumbling to himself about bad luck, noticing I’d woken. “Ah, lass, nothing to worry, wheel got stuck in a rut, will just take a minute to push it out.”
Ruts in a well traveled road, not much to worry about, wear and constant travel without common maintenance made them inevitable. A quick perusal told me otherwise though. It wasn’t a rough, uneven rut.
It was dug, the smoothness could not be anything but man made.
“Wait, be careful.” My eyes darted to the treeline, it was close and the shadows were thick, the road curving behind and before us. This was an ambush point.
The dwarf scoffed, turning to tell me it was all going to be fine.
Falling dead with a bolt in his chest.
I cursed vehemently under my breath, jumping from the wagon, ducking to the opposite side from where the bolt came from so the wagon was cover. I had no weapon, but the dwarf had an axe- inelegant but it’d do if I could grab it.
I cursed again, three bandits came from the woods on my side, grinning in that way mindless idiots grin when they think they have all the cards. This was bad, really bad. Another three were on the other side, six on one wasn’t my odds regardless of the situation. “Please, don’t hurt me.”
My mind was running, cursing myself for not seeing this coming, for not having a back up. Of all the things to get in my way, low life thieves had been the last thing to cross my mind.
“Oi lass, do what we say and we won’t hurt ya… much.” A disgusting grin was sent my way, and with a shudder of revulsion I read what he was thinking. Typical men; loot and sex were the only two things that got through their thick skulls, and men who weren’t able to make their own money weren’t able to get their own women.
So they got what they wanted the way a scumbag did.
I needed a way out. Perhaps the forest, if I could get them to take me there I might be able to lose them. They were all human, and in the low light I had a vast advantage when it came to sight.
I was reminded of my second problem though as the creep who was eying me up lewdly grabbing my wrist.
The crate. “Wait, don’t open that.” I warned, this was not going to be good.
The bandit tugged me harshly, sneering at me, making me scrunch up my face as his fetid breath invaded my nostrils. “I thought I told ya to shut yer filthy mouth, less ya want me to shut it fer ya. How bout a kiss, hehe.” He puckered up, a hand grabbing me in a spot that I did not want him to touch.
“Let go of me!” I yelled, which just drew more chortles. They were buying the bluff at least, that I was completely harmless. I’d have to think about the crate after my escape.
The lock on the crate didn’t dissuade them, and a crowbar shoved it open.
Something exploded in the crate, sending the two nearest bandits flopping in a smoking heap, the others startled. It was the perfect chance to make a break for it.
Then captain doufus showed up.
I really would love to know why he was wandering the forest on horseback, must have been a path I missed. I could not believe my terrible luck lately, and this just took the cake.
I couldn’t see him any better than I’m sure the bandits could, the sun was in the perfect spot to create a blinding aura behind the rider- but his voice was crisp and words spoken perfectly. He was noble, I could tell the moment I heard him, and there were only three reasons a noble would be riding around alone in a forest.
They were an idiot. They were a knight or guardsman. Or they were part of some sort of demonic cult full of rich kids with more gold than sense, surveying the country side for people to sacrifice to their foul overlords.
I immediately dismissed notion three.
I also almost immediately decided point one and two were both correct.
Normal people might have said ‘oh hooray, the guard is here!’, normal people also eat in the same room they take their dumps in so sod them.
His horse had some sense at least, getting the first kill with a hard kick. That was a good horse, very well trained and without a doubt one no common guardsman would get their hands on. He was a noble after all.
Unfortunately, he was clearly the type who had more training than experience… who likely landed an easy spot in the guard because his parents had a stockpile of gold.
His technique wasn’t terrible… if he was dueling another noble with a long sword in a fair fight. He must have been oblivious to the fact he was facing two scumbags with no training- but lots of experience- with their shorter blades.
He got a blow off regardless, a superficial but bloody cut that surprised one of them. The bandit fell, a bluff, he wasn’t downed by it, and I saw him beginning to scoop up a handful of dirt. The bandit holding me forced a dagger to my throat, threatening to slit it if the knight didn’t comply, letting me enjoy his unwashed human scent. Another bluff, but the idiot noble was equally oblivious of that.
I took a deep breath, I could have warned the hero, but held my tongue. No, I had a better plan.
The noble backstepped as dirt filled his eyes, swinging wildly, swinging nowhere near the bandits who were nonetheless cautious not to get in the path of his broad swings. It was like a man trying to ward off bats with a torch.
It was distracting them though, including the man holding me.
I paid him back for touching me inappropriately with a sharp grab and twist, my elbow catching him in the neck before he could call out and winding him. I yanked his dagger away as his hand went slack to grab his two bruised parts, spinning it blade first between my fingers and flinging it in a fluid motion the twenty feet into the melee.
It caught one of them in the ear and right through to the inside of his skull, the man not having chance to register before he flopped dead, catching his partner off guard. Off guard long enough for a wild long sword swing to cut a gash in his throat, blood erupting out which he attempted, poorly, to keep in desperately.
I didn’t have time to admire it, running to the downed dwarf who was minutes earlier my driver. The thug grunted angrily, starting to waddle after me in his pain. He immediately changed his mind when I spun around with an axe, raising his hand as if in surrender.
He sunk to the ground with an axe in his chest. I spat on him, scumbag deserved it, and I was pissed off. This was not a good day.
That just left the fop headed noble. I didn’t know Neverwinter, but I could figure the tabard meant he was some sort of guard. That didn’t make me a whole lot happier than dealing with bandits, but he’d cleared his eyes and was surveying the scene.
He did save me… well, I saved him actually, but he intended to save me. I couldn’t hate him for being an idiot, well, not to the point of wishing terrible things on him anyway.
I’d just have to play along, and hope he’d leave me be.
“Are you well fair maiden? By Tyr what happened, I am certain I only handled those three.” Well, he wasn’t a complete moron.
Time to bluff. “Thank you, I was so scared!” Tears on command, fluttering eye lashes… a bit of cleavage action for good measure. As I said- men care for only two things, I can’t be blamed for playing to that.
“I… well, I am happy to be of service milady, yet… I think, unless you had things under control, how did the other four die?”
“Oh, the dwarf was my friend… dear Brewbeer…hyld.” Brewbeerhyld… really, that was the best I could come up with? Smooth. “He hit those with an explosive and took out that one with his axe… before they got him…” I whimpered, crying more at how off my bluffing was today.
“I am sorry for your loss milady… I will escort you at once to Neverwinter.”
“Oh thank y- wait, oh, no. No.” No no no no no! Absolutely, definitely no! That was bad, not good, just bad bad bad. It was getting late, and that would turn a disaster into a nightmare.
“Do not worry ma’am, you are under distress.” Oh you have no idea buddy. “It will not be an inconvenience to me.” It’ll be an extreme one to me! “I am a Captain of the Neverwinter watch, this is my job.” Your job is being a pain in my butt.
“I really appreciate the offer, but Neverwinter’s just around the bend, I’ll be all right, really. But thanks so much.”
“I insist ma’am, I’d be derelict of my duty to simply let you go unprotected after this… and of course your dwarf friend, we shall have him buried and honour his bravery.” What the orc dung was this?! A guard taking his job seriously. Even if he was an idiot, this did not bode well for me at all.
“I, well.” I was out of bluffing material, it was either run or let him have his way. The blasted crate was still here though, and I had a deadline. “Very well, I… umm, need help with my chest.” Double entendre, I really need to stop doing that.
“Of course ma’am, the wagon’s wheel has snapped, but I can put it on your horse and… goodness this is heavy…” He grunted as he started to lift it, putting it back down. “What is in this?”
I cringed, that was bad, really bad. Bandits opening it was one thing, but a guard was a whole different story. “Don’t open it!” I was frantic, but nothing was coming to me.
He had that suspicious look, he was starting to catch on. “Most of it is surely burnt, perhaps we can empty out some of it.”
I bit my lip, this was not going well at all, if he found out what was in there, this whole situation was going to turn against me. I stepped back, my foot prodding one of the bandits who had been scorched when he opened my crate up, I started to kneel slowly, my hand crawling to the dagger on his belt as the noble opened it.
“By all that is holy…” I took a deep breath, I did not enjoy this at all. “… I am so sorry, I didn’t know.”
I blinked, taking a look for myself, and all that stress just left me.
Though the top layers were blackened, it was clear the crate was full of clothing, the top being undergarments the blushing knight was avoiding touching.
I can honestly say I was more shocked than he was.
“Come, I’ll return you to the city safely milady.” I took a bit of convincing, and some teary eyes at leaving my belongings behind, but he cracked (naturally) and the crate was put on the second horse.
He was such a gentleman to walk while I took his horse. No I don't feel bad for that, give me a break.
Getting to enter the city with no questions asked ended up being the first stroke of luck in the evening, good because I didn’t have much time.
He was kind enough to show me to one of the nice taverns of the city, which just happened to be hiring. I can’t say working in a tavern crawling with guards was overly pleasing, but finding a job on my first day was a boon. Of course, I hadn't intended to start work that night, but misfortune smiles on her children.
I was running short on time though as the night passed its darkest point before all the patrons were passed out or gone. I rented a room until I found my own place, which was a concern for another day.
So there I was, finally alone in my small room, with the crate.
I wasn’t supposed to open it, but thanks to the idiot bandits that ship had sailed. I didn’t have time to examine the trap and replace it, and while I might be able to find a place to buy the replacement parts, chances are I wouldn’t. Wouldn’t want to draw the attention of such a purchase to myself this early either.
That aside, I now had a crate of clothing. Why did I have a crate of clothing?
Why did I have a crate of clothing.
I rifled through it, most of it was burnt and torn, though I did find a few pieces that might fit and weren’t bad off. That wasn’t the point though. There was supposed to be something there, but I went through it twice, a third time, and I found nothing.
Just clothing, worthless clothing. Why by Selune's nipples did I have a bloody crate of clothing?
I had to get another drink, this was frustrating me and I needed a moment to think.
I went back to it with more care. I had to assume it hadn’t been burned up, or there would be residue. Piece by piece I dissected them. Hidden in the heels of the boiled leather boots? No. Stuck in the generous chest padding of a blue linen dress? No, nothing but cheap feathers... why do I need padding anyway, never seemed to keep them from looking without it, typical men. Not in the pockets of the pants, in the fingers of the gloves, in the brim of the spring hat.
There wasn’t a single thing of value in the lot of them. It was just clothes, cheaply made pureblood fabrics with atrocious stitching and no fashion sense.
My frustration was returning, every single thing in that crate was out there, and yet not a thing was clicking as important.
I’d given up, piling the clothing back up neatly, it had been a full crate so there’d be no stuffing them back in willy nilly, not that I’d want such wrinkles. I paused, that didn’t seem like much at all when I looked at it.
I put the clothing next to the crate, stacking up the burnt pieces on top. No, it was short, far short.
How I didn’t notice the depth difference before was beyond me, because it was clear now. The inside of the box was several inches shorter than the dimensions suggested.
I began to smile, very clever.
I turned it on its side, expecting a hole in the bottom, nothing was apparent. I ran my finger along the bottom, and there it was. A softer point, it wasn’t metal but coloured wood. Very elaborate.
I could have left it, proved I hadn’t touched a thing, but I was too curious now, perhaps a bad choice, I should be thankful I was no cat. The fireplace’s poker pierced the soft hole and pressed up straight into the chest. I paused, it would be ludicrous for this to be trapped too, but there were precautions enough as is to make it possible.
I kept it straight, and gave it a sudden push. It hit the false bottom, and did nothing more.
With a second thrust it popped off and the layer of metal went flying with a crash.
I apologized meekly to the yell to keep it down, then took a look with a wide grin.
Finally something to put a smile on my face. Tightly packed in was everything I could want. Fine leather armoured, dyed to match the dark of the city night. A perfectly made rapier, knives, tools of the trade, powders and some of my individual preferences- so nice that they actually knew me after all that time together.
A small figurine. There it was, who knew what value the item had, I sure didn’t, but it was intact, and that’s all that mattered.
I also knew I had a place to put it within the hour, and I’d have to find that place almost blindly.
That didn’t give me much time, and as I put my equipment on, admiring the tight fit, I had to wonder. Which one of those blockheads had gotten such a good judgment of my dimensions?
Mask of Virtue
“Let go of me!” The lush voice of a damsal in distress sang through the woods, followed by raucous laughter and the thud of a small explosion.
The forest road was scene to something becoming more common, a wagon half overturned, corpses strewn about and an unshaven bandit dragging a young woman into the forest, where she would never be seen again. The guard’s presence was strained, and travel tended to become sparse at this time of the evening.
Startled yells broke from bandits, staring at the smoking crate in the wagon’s back, and then something unexpected happened.
He strode from the forest on his chestnut mare, his mass produced breastplate polished and shining, long sword drawn as he rode down a surprised thug. The setting sun illuminating the knight’s figure. “Lay down your weapons, ruffians, and release that lass. You are under arrest for banditry and murder, resist and perish.” His noble voice demanded.
The bandits looked amongst each other. “Let’s kill’m!” They nodded their agreement.
“Poor decision, knaves!” The man dismounted, saluting with a flourish before walking forward to engage. “Worry not, milady, I shall save you.”
He swung wide, keeping one of the bandits at bay before parrying the jab of another, backstepping as he faced a three on one. The fourth looked on gleefully, making the lady watch. “Yer hero’s gonna be gutted like a pig, wench, then we’ll be tossin’ you ‘round like a lil piggy too.” He chortled, saliva dripping through the gaps between his crooked yellow teeth as he looked down her low cut dress with lust.
The knight, brave as he may have been, was saved by his armour from a blow that may well have gutted him, off balancing him which the bandits took advantage of. A rearing horse’s hoof caving in one of their skulls and sending the body across the road like a ragdoll gave them pause though, the knight’s sword cutting a nasty gash in a distracted bandit’s chest, not enough to halt him but giving them pause and making him stumble to the ground.
“Better lay down yer sword, pig, or we’ll slit the girl’s throat.” They tried a different tactic, which gave the knight pause.
The bleeding thug threw a handful of dirt at the knight’s face in that moment, forcing him to blindly swing as he backtracked, the bandits carefully avoiding his wild swings and picking and choosing a time to strike.
Little did they know the knight did not need his eyes to strike down evil, and when they closed in, their heads rolled to the ground.
When he could see again, he found the maiden, thankful for his help, yet saddened by the loss of her friend, a stout dwarf who had in his last breaths slain the bandit holding her.
The maiden in her grief protested his taking her to the city, but he knew her safety was his prerogative now, and so he escorted her back to Neverwinter, like a hero.
“Yer pulling my breeches captain, yer bout as ‘eroic as a drunk stunty lookin’ fer another mug.”
“Ah resent that. Ah'm quite nimble when ale's the prize, willin' tah sink me axe into a hill giant fer a flagon.” A dwarf in chain grunted as he stared down the woman who may have had orc blood in her… or just been real ugly. Both had the tabard of the Neverwinter guard, along with their comrades. All had a heaping mug of ale (well, the dwarf’s was already looking half empty) as they enjoyed the captain’s story.
“Not a word I spoke is false.”
“Oh ya, so where’s this lovely damsal now then?”
“May I get you anything to eat… or another drink?” I forced a smile as I walked up to their table, the captain smiling at me and giving his crew a triumphant grin.
The maybe half orc looked at me in disbelief. “No way… this guy’s foolin’ us right?”
“Not at all, Captain Ward saved my life and I am grateful for him.” I curtseyed and went to get the dwarf another mug as he chugged back the remainder gleefully, the guards shocked to find out it was true.
No wonder why, who actually believes in heroes saving beautiful, innocent girls anymore?
What a load of kobold funk.
Here’s what actually happened.
I jolted to awareness, I had needed a nap and while a stuttering wagon on a forest road was a hard thing to get rest on, I’d slept through worse when I needed to. When the wagon came to an abrupt stop though I almost sprung to my feet, immediately taking in my surroundings.
The dwarf was getting off his perch, grumbling to himself about bad luck, noticing I’d woken. “Ah, lass, nothing to worry, wheel got stuck in a rut, will just take a minute to push it out.”
Ruts in a well traveled road, not much to worry about, wear and constant travel without common maintenance made them inevitable. A quick perusal told me otherwise though. It wasn’t a rough, uneven rut.
It was dug, the smoothness could not be anything but man made.
“Wait, be careful.” My eyes darted to the treeline, it was close and the shadows were thick, the road curving behind and before us. This was an ambush point.
The dwarf scoffed, turning to tell me it was all going to be fine.
Falling dead with a bolt in his chest.
I cursed vehemently under my breath, jumping from the wagon, ducking to the opposite side from where the bolt came from so the wagon was cover. I had no weapon, but the dwarf had an axe- inelegant but it’d do if I could grab it.
I cursed again, three bandits came from the woods on my side, grinning in that way mindless idiots grin when they think they have all the cards. This was bad, really bad. Another three were on the other side, six on one wasn’t my odds regardless of the situation. “Please, don’t hurt me.”
My mind was running, cursing myself for not seeing this coming, for not having a back up. Of all the things to get in my way, low life thieves had been the last thing to cross my mind.
“Oi lass, do what we say and we won’t hurt ya… much.” A disgusting grin was sent my way, and with a shudder of revulsion I read what he was thinking. Typical men; loot and sex were the only two things that got through their thick skulls, and men who weren’t able to make their own money weren’t able to get their own women.
So they got what they wanted the way a scumbag did.
I needed a way out. Perhaps the forest, if I could get them to take me there I might be able to lose them. They were all human, and in the low light I had a vast advantage when it came to sight.
I was reminded of my second problem though as the creep who was eying me up lewdly grabbing my wrist.
The crate. “Wait, don’t open that.” I warned, this was not going to be good.
The bandit tugged me harshly, sneering at me, making me scrunch up my face as his fetid breath invaded my nostrils. “I thought I told ya to shut yer filthy mouth, less ya want me to shut it fer ya. How bout a kiss, hehe.” He puckered up, a hand grabbing me in a spot that I did not want him to touch.
“Let go of me!” I yelled, which just drew more chortles. They were buying the bluff at least, that I was completely harmless. I’d have to think about the crate after my escape.
The lock on the crate didn’t dissuade them, and a crowbar shoved it open.
Something exploded in the crate, sending the two nearest bandits flopping in a smoking heap, the others startled. It was the perfect chance to make a break for it.
Then captain doufus showed up.
I really would love to know why he was wandering the forest on horseback, must have been a path I missed. I could not believe my terrible luck lately, and this just took the cake.
I couldn’t see him any better than I’m sure the bandits could, the sun was in the perfect spot to create a blinding aura behind the rider- but his voice was crisp and words spoken perfectly. He was noble, I could tell the moment I heard him, and there were only three reasons a noble would be riding around alone in a forest.
They were an idiot. They were a knight or guardsman. Or they were part of some sort of demonic cult full of rich kids with more gold than sense, surveying the country side for people to sacrifice to their foul overlords.
I immediately dismissed notion three.
I also almost immediately decided point one and two were both correct.
Normal people might have said ‘oh hooray, the guard is here!’, normal people also eat in the same room they take their dumps in so sod them.
His horse had some sense at least, getting the first kill with a hard kick. That was a good horse, very well trained and without a doubt one no common guardsman would get their hands on. He was a noble after all.
Unfortunately, he was clearly the type who had more training than experience… who likely landed an easy spot in the guard because his parents had a stockpile of gold.
His technique wasn’t terrible… if he was dueling another noble with a long sword in a fair fight. He must have been oblivious to the fact he was facing two scumbags with no training- but lots of experience- with their shorter blades.
He got a blow off regardless, a superficial but bloody cut that surprised one of them. The bandit fell, a bluff, he wasn’t downed by it, and I saw him beginning to scoop up a handful of dirt. The bandit holding me forced a dagger to my throat, threatening to slit it if the knight didn’t comply, letting me enjoy his unwashed human scent. Another bluff, but the idiot noble was equally oblivious of that.
I took a deep breath, I could have warned the hero, but held my tongue. No, I had a better plan.
The noble backstepped as dirt filled his eyes, swinging wildly, swinging nowhere near the bandits who were nonetheless cautious not to get in the path of his broad swings. It was like a man trying to ward off bats with a torch.
It was distracting them though, including the man holding me.
I paid him back for touching me inappropriately with a sharp grab and twist, my elbow catching him in the neck before he could call out and winding him. I yanked his dagger away as his hand went slack to grab his two bruised parts, spinning it blade first between my fingers and flinging it in a fluid motion the twenty feet into the melee.
It caught one of them in the ear and right through to the inside of his skull, the man not having chance to register before he flopped dead, catching his partner off guard. Off guard long enough for a wild long sword swing to cut a gash in his throat, blood erupting out which he attempted, poorly, to keep in desperately.
I didn’t have time to admire it, running to the downed dwarf who was minutes earlier my driver. The thug grunted angrily, starting to waddle after me in his pain. He immediately changed his mind when I spun around with an axe, raising his hand as if in surrender.
He sunk to the ground with an axe in his chest. I spat on him, scumbag deserved it, and I was pissed off. This was not a good day.
That just left the fop headed noble. I didn’t know Neverwinter, but I could figure the tabard meant he was some sort of guard. That didn’t make me a whole lot happier than dealing with bandits, but he’d cleared his eyes and was surveying the scene.
He did save me… well, I saved him actually, but he intended to save me. I couldn’t hate him for being an idiot, well, not to the point of wishing terrible things on him anyway.
I’d just have to play along, and hope he’d leave me be.
“Are you well fair maiden? By Tyr what happened, I am certain I only handled those three.” Well, he wasn’t a complete moron.
Time to bluff. “Thank you, I was so scared!” Tears on command, fluttering eye lashes… a bit of cleavage action for good measure. As I said- men care for only two things, I can’t be blamed for playing to that.
“I… well, I am happy to be of service milady, yet… I think, unless you had things under control, how did the other four die?”
“Oh, the dwarf was my friend… dear Brewbeer…hyld.” Brewbeerhyld… really, that was the best I could come up with? Smooth. “He hit those with an explosive and took out that one with his axe… before they got him…” I whimpered, crying more at how off my bluffing was today.
“I am sorry for your loss milady… I will escort you at once to Neverwinter.”
“Oh thank y- wait, oh, no. No.” No no no no no! Absolutely, definitely no! That was bad, not good, just bad bad bad. It was getting late, and that would turn a disaster into a nightmare.
“Do not worry ma’am, you are under distress.” Oh you have no idea buddy. “It will not be an inconvenience to me.” It’ll be an extreme one to me! “I am a Captain of the Neverwinter watch, this is my job.” Your job is being a pain in my butt.
“I really appreciate the offer, but Neverwinter’s just around the bend, I’ll be all right, really. But thanks so much.”
“I insist ma’am, I’d be derelict of my duty to simply let you go unprotected after this… and of course your dwarf friend, we shall have him buried and honour his bravery.” What the orc dung was this?! A guard taking his job seriously. Even if he was an idiot, this did not bode well for me at all.
“I, well.” I was out of bluffing material, it was either run or let him have his way. The blasted crate was still here though, and I had a deadline. “Very well, I… umm, need help with my chest.” Double entendre, I really need to stop doing that.
“Of course ma’am, the wagon’s wheel has snapped, but I can put it on your horse and… goodness this is heavy…” He grunted as he started to lift it, putting it back down. “What is in this?”
I cringed, that was bad, really bad. Bandits opening it was one thing, but a guard was a whole different story. “Don’t open it!” I was frantic, but nothing was coming to me.
He had that suspicious look, he was starting to catch on. “Most of it is surely burnt, perhaps we can empty out some of it.”
I bit my lip, this was not going well at all, if he found out what was in there, this whole situation was going to turn against me. I stepped back, my foot prodding one of the bandits who had been scorched when he opened my crate up, I started to kneel slowly, my hand crawling to the dagger on his belt as the noble opened it.
“By all that is holy…” I took a deep breath, I did not enjoy this at all. “… I am so sorry, I didn’t know.”
I blinked, taking a look for myself, and all that stress just left me.
Though the top layers were blackened, it was clear the crate was full of clothing, the top being undergarments the blushing knight was avoiding touching.
I can honestly say I was more shocked than he was.
“Come, I’ll return you to the city safely milady.” I took a bit of convincing, and some teary eyes at leaving my belongings behind, but he cracked (naturally) and the crate was put on the second horse.
He was such a gentleman to walk while I took his horse. No I don't feel bad for that, give me a break.
Getting to enter the city with no questions asked ended up being the first stroke of luck in the evening, good because I didn’t have much time.
He was kind enough to show me to one of the nice taverns of the city, which just happened to be hiring. I can’t say working in a tavern crawling with guards was overly pleasing, but finding a job on my first day was a boon. Of course, I hadn't intended to start work that night, but misfortune smiles on her children.
I was running short on time though as the night passed its darkest point before all the patrons were passed out or gone. I rented a room until I found my own place, which was a concern for another day.
So there I was, finally alone in my small room, with the crate.
I wasn’t supposed to open it, but thanks to the idiot bandits that ship had sailed. I didn’t have time to examine the trap and replace it, and while I might be able to find a place to buy the replacement parts, chances are I wouldn’t. Wouldn’t want to draw the attention of such a purchase to myself this early either.
That aside, I now had a crate of clothing. Why did I have a crate of clothing?
Why did I have a crate of clothing.
I rifled through it, most of it was burnt and torn, though I did find a few pieces that might fit and weren’t bad off. That wasn’t the point though. There was supposed to be something there, but I went through it twice, a third time, and I found nothing.
Just clothing, worthless clothing. Why by Selune's nipples did I have a bloody crate of clothing?
I had to get another drink, this was frustrating me and I needed a moment to think.
I went back to it with more care. I had to assume it hadn’t been burned up, or there would be residue. Piece by piece I dissected them. Hidden in the heels of the boiled leather boots? No. Stuck in the generous chest padding of a blue linen dress? No, nothing but cheap feathers... why do I need padding anyway, never seemed to keep them from looking without it, typical men. Not in the pockets of the pants, in the fingers of the gloves, in the brim of the spring hat.
There wasn’t a single thing of value in the lot of them. It was just clothes, cheaply made pureblood fabrics with atrocious stitching and no fashion sense.
My frustration was returning, every single thing in that crate was out there, and yet not a thing was clicking as important.
I’d given up, piling the clothing back up neatly, it had been a full crate so there’d be no stuffing them back in willy nilly, not that I’d want such wrinkles. I paused, that didn’t seem like much at all when I looked at it.
I put the clothing next to the crate, stacking up the burnt pieces on top. No, it was short, far short.
How I didn’t notice the depth difference before was beyond me, because it was clear now. The inside of the box was several inches shorter than the dimensions suggested.
I began to smile, very clever.
I turned it on its side, expecting a hole in the bottom, nothing was apparent. I ran my finger along the bottom, and there it was. A softer point, it wasn’t metal but coloured wood. Very elaborate.
I could have left it, proved I hadn’t touched a thing, but I was too curious now, perhaps a bad choice, I should be thankful I was no cat. The fireplace’s poker pierced the soft hole and pressed up straight into the chest. I paused, it would be ludicrous for this to be trapped too, but there were precautions enough as is to make it possible.
I kept it straight, and gave it a sudden push. It hit the false bottom, and did nothing more.
With a second thrust it popped off and the layer of metal went flying with a crash.
I apologized meekly to the yell to keep it down, then took a look with a wide grin.
Finally something to put a smile on my face. Tightly packed in was everything I could want. Fine leather armoured, dyed to match the dark of the city night. A perfectly made rapier, knives, tools of the trade, powders and some of my individual preferences- so nice that they actually knew me after all that time together.
A small figurine. There it was, who knew what value the item had, I sure didn’t, but it was intact, and that’s all that mattered.
I also knew I had a place to put it within the hour, and I’d have to find that place almost blindly.
That didn’t give me much time, and as I put my equipment on, admiring the tight fit, I had to wonder. Which one of those blockheads had gotten such a good judgment of my dimensions?
Post edited by lorddevilkun on
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If it were more polite I'd make it a character's catchphrase
((Thanks for reading! And methinks the lady doth not act very maidenly, she should invest in some better manners.))
I'd love the time to get my escape routes ready, but I was overdo already so cursory glances on the way were all I could manage.
There were more guards in Neverwinter than I expected, like they were expecting the worst already. This kind of nervousness wasn't that of a city looking for thieves. It was of a city preparing for a siege. They were at war, or, someone thought they were going to be. This wasn't Waterdeep, I didn't know much of Neverwinter's history, but I knew it wasn't a pretty one.
Reward and risk often went up at the same time; at one point the risk was low enough and reward high enough for those who liked to stay safe could feel comfortable.
I liked to stay safe, and while war increased profits, it made everything a lot more dangerous too. More dangerous clients, targets, and cargo. Everyone I passed on the streets was nervous, heads ducked and hoods drawn low, moving quickly on their way.
Thankfully I had a good hint where to go. The docks- just head towards the water, didn't need a map for that. Fine cobble and simple housing made way slowly for the rundown, ruts and patches of dirt showing in the roads. Construction material was everywhere, as if the district was rundown but someone was starting to fix that. The guard presence was more clustered, I was stopped three times, keeping my cloak tight to hide what I wore. They didn't seem to like me walking around, but it seemed less concern for my safety and more suspicion.
They didn't want to be there, and the public wasn't. At least, not the neat (for humans) peasantry. The homeless, the wanderers, the filthy, and of course, the lawless.
Passing between dilapidated buildings and through twisting alleyways, I drew my hood down on my head, looking suspicious here was going to be a benefit. Might encourage people to leave me alone. Of course, with a body like this, it was impossible not to get noticed.
"Lost, little lady?" He had confidence, wasn't a street thug, no, he knew where he stood. Dirt on his clothing, mud on his boots, but an even beard meant he shaved- he had the sense to care of his appearance somewhat. Yellowed edges to his teeth, but not missing any. Clothing had no rips, pants worn at the boot, plenty of discolouration.
"No, I believe I'm in the right place, thanks for asking though."
"Heh." He grinned a bit, eyes darting behind me. Flankers, two most likely. Had a smooth operation here, saw an easy mark. Organization, of the simplest variety but enough to tell me what I needed to know. "Y'know, I think yer right lass, this is the place fer ya. I'd be neglectin' me duties not to offer ya an escort fer the night, lots of unsavoury folks abound. They be attracted by tha sound o' a jinglin' purse. I'd be willin' ta take that attention fer ya though, lighten yer load a bit an' send ya on yer way."
A small bag popped into my hand, I gave it a customary jostle to let him hear the jingle, then plopped it into his hand. "Much oblidged, sir." I took a step back, for a moment leaving him perplexed at the ease of which he obtained what he wanted. I took a second step back and raised my cloak over my face as he opened the bag.
A flash and acrid smell faintly came through the fabric, already in full spin a dagger in my palm, the man behind me barely able to raise in arm in time to fend of a slice aimed at his neck, his elbow blocking my offhand jab. The other lunged with his short sword, catching air as I spun behind his partner, my nimble movements ending with my hand on the man's neck, dagger dug between his shoulder blades.
It slid out with ease to parry a second thrust, riposte deflecting his blade into his already dead partner. He darted desperately to avoid three rapid cuts, he didn't have the reflexes to move his knees in time though, and the tip of my foot dislodged the knee bone, my own knee catching his nose as he crumpled.
The man waved off the white smoke to find a dagger under his chin, one of his buddies dead and the other out. "Now, kind sir, you were about to escort me to these people." I flashed a cut of cloth with the symbol on it.
"I... what the hell are you?" He spent a few moments of sputtering as panic began to set in.
"Just a girl. Where are they?"
"I don't know..." I poked him a bit. "I swear! I ain't never seen that, I ain't know what it is! Gods don't hurt me miss."
"The shadow thieves... thieves guild..." He just shook his head. Well, if the shadows were particularly good it was a good sign I couldn't find them that easily... roughing up some random idiots shouldn't give me there whereabouts. "Very well, who organizes crime in this city."
"Organizes? There's no org- aa but, m-maybe there's some turf we stay off around warehouse 23 at the waters. But they don't like being sniffed around."
"Mmm... let me worry about that... piece of advice, get a real job moron." I gave him a hard smack for good measure before sliding into the shadows.
I was sure the time had come and passed, I'd found the warehouse but I wasn't about to just barge in, still, I didn't see the signs: chips on low bricks, nicks in the wood, symbols harmlessly etched in objects that seemed to be in the right place to the untrained eye. Something to tell me these were the right people before I charged into another group, one that didn't like people on their turf. Handling a couple lowlifes was one thing, real shadows entirely different.
They were good though, there wasn't anything discreet, it looked like thugs had traveled this place but nothing special. Yet, there was no hints.
Not on the ground anyway. If they were good, perhaps they expected only the best. Guards didn't jump around rooftops, but scaling a wall was something I could do.
And it was right in front of my face.
Graffiti, a massive painting across the wall, so big you could only miss it if you were looking at it. It was them though.
It made me even a bit more nervous, this wasn't cautious, it was like a foghorn.
I kept to the shadows, if there was a look out they saw me already, I didn't want to break any locks, but the back entrance wasn't locked. Why would you lock up a base after all? Perhaps it was smart, locks can look suspicious. Still, this was even more so.
I could see well enough in the dark back entrance, a small room with stairs and storage, a door to the storage chamber. The top level was wide open, giving space to be seen by any number of watchers above, I could hear muffled sounds from the other room. Laughter perhaps, my ears were sharp but not enough to make out what they were saying. There were a lot of them.
If I went up and they were waiting for me, I'd be a sitting duck. Down here I had cover, I could make a quick escape if things got ugly. It was risky, and if they didn't like that I'd taken out the figurine, this would turn ugly fast. I wasn't supposed to open the crate- it wasn't my fault, but some people weren't forgiving when things went wrong.
It wouldn't be the first time I'd been stabbed in the back, literally.
I was ready as I could be though, my hand closing around a smoke bomb while I pushed open the door.
The door was barely open when a large hand grabbed my arm.
He did, but only after tossing me away from the door, a quick getaway out of the question now. I rolled as I hit the ground, ducking behind crates as a dagger slipped into my hand. Chairs were pushed over, I caught a brief glance while tumbling of a cluster of them around a table with cards and coins, how typical.
"What in the seven 'ells was that?"
"Nine."
"What? I only saw one, looked like a Halfling er somethin'."
"... nine hells you idiot."
"I'm no halfman, we just met and you're insulting me already?" I felt a bit calmer, they seemed to not be too panicked despite my sudden appearance, and by the easy conversation they didn't sound sadistic, at the least.
"Insults? I'm a Halfling, you got a problem girl?"
"I can't see! The building's on fire every man for themselves!" The guy who had laid hands on me coughed out while he flailed around.
"Am I the only one who realizes some girl has snuck in here and potentially is here to arrest or kill all of us?" That voice sounded sinister, with a hint of brooding.
"Oh shut up Tinder she's probably just lost, you're always so paranoid about new people."
"That's Tinder for you, always thinking everyone's out to get him." I added in casually, using my hand mirror to get a view for the inhabitants of the room. Looked like mostly tieflings and Halflings, that was an odd group.
"Haha, it's funny cuz even strangers can tell he's crazy."
"... what?! Don't even, you... you just got here!"
Well, I was ready as I could be. Didn't see any clear entrances, and I only had one more smoke bomb, maybe enough to get away, maybe not. "I hear Elminster is looking for young talent."
"... Who? That your boss or something girl?"
"Naw, ain't that the fruit merchant?"
"Ya mean Eric? That ain't even close man."
"Maybe she don't know his name."
I was beginning to dread something, something worse than I'd even expected.
"The church of Tyr hates competition." The voice was a cut above, more elegant and with that hint of haughtiness that nothing could hide, like a birthright. I swore I knew the voice, and he got it right.
That dread was rising.
"Ilani, that's you isn't it?" He asked.
Yeah, I knew him, I could never forget that voice. I stood slowly, being identified was a HAMSTER off enough, I didn't want these low lifes knowing who I was, defeated the purpose of a mask. Yet, as I looked over and saw him, that was like a pinch compared to this kick in the head.
"Thalas..."
One of the Halflings looked at him, looking to be an older gent with scars and certainty, a bit of gruffness to him, perhaps the leader. "Eddy, you know this broad?"
"Yeah, from Waterdeep. Goodness, I hadn't heard that phrase in ages, can't believe you of all people are on delivery, must really be counting on you."
My fears were realized. This was the Neverwinter's shadow thieves.
And they were clearly idiots.
I sheathed my dagger as I walked over to my good old friend Edwinal Thalashwyn, a grin on his face. "It is so good to see you Ilani! This is going to be just like old times!" I gave him a swift kick in the balls. "... uggh... it's all... achk... coming back to me..."
"Idiot! What did I tell you about using my real name! What is this circus... why are you here of all people, by Moradin's flatulent buttcrack I thought you were dead!!"
"S-sorry, the boss needed me to come here... said I couldn't tell anybody, especially you..." He groaned from where he was rolling around on the ground, holding his nuts like they were about to fall off.
"Why not!? If I'd known where you'd gone... I'd have never accepted coming here!"
"Ya... that's... kinda what the boss said."
The other thieves seemed to be amused more than anything, well, other than Tinder skulking in the corner. Another tiefling- much more cheerful and, well, honestly rather good looking, the goat horns and black skin beautiful, and his clothing was a cut above, dressed nicely enough to pass off as a minor noble, and a stylish one at that. "Well, your girlfriend is quite charming Ed, why don't you introduce her to the rest of us."
"I'm NOT his girlfriend, no chance in a million years I'd be caught with that chump."
"Ugh... this is Ilani... though she prefers to go by Ribbons in the field. We grew up together... she's a bit short tempered..."
"Short tempered!? I'll give you short temper when I shove my foot up your-"
"As much as I love a lover's quarrel, I'm sure Ed's still busy coughing up his baby makers. Perhaps you'd care to join us in a game of cards miss Ilani."
"Ribbons, my name's Ribbons... are you guys even thieves? The door wasn't even locked, I just waltzed right in."
"Ah, yes, of course, we haven't introduced ourselves. I'm Weevil, you've already chatted with Tinder, that's like the most you'll get from him."
"What's his deal anyway."
"We don't know either." The charming tiefling shrugged, the other tiefling scowling, burying his face into a book as if trying to ignore us. "The halfling's the boss, Tak Spottlenob, and that's his daughter Kayla." I eyed a second, shorter one, who waved with a smile at me. "The quiet one... don't know much bout him, we just call him the Muscle... don't mess with him, he's a bit of a tough guy." If a halfling could look intimidating, this guy was it, and he was as pretty as his name was subtle. "We have two other ladies, but they're out surveying the landscape... if you know what I mean."
"No, I don't."
"Well I can explain-"
The boss cut in. "Thanks Weevil, for making us look like a bunch of idiots."
"Any time boss!"
"... Girl, Ilani... Ribbons, whatever. I get you don't like leaving your turf, coming over here. I know you've left behind the people you cared for and all your close friends in Waterdeep."
"... are you talking about some thieves guild in Waterdeep I've never met or something?"
"... Look, I can sympathize with your position, but this is my city. Behave yourself, if anyone else had barged into my property like that I'd slit their throat." I nodded. This was a boss alright, he wasn't kidding around now, and the attention he was given was no joke. At least, maybe, they weren't a bunch of clowns after all. "Eddy's told us all about you, now, I figure most of it's exaggeration, but as long as you're not as useless as he is, you'll be a welcome addition to the team."
"I... got it." I nodded, I didn't like this. Oh, it's not as he said, I didn't feel homesick or nothing- the guys I worked with in Waterdeep were professional, but they were also mostly sadistic jerks who I wouldn't mind finding in a gutter. Still... having to put with Thalas again spoiled everything.
I almost forgot. "Oh, here." I handed him a bundle of cloth carefully, watching him unwrap it to reveal the statuette. "This was what I was sent with."
"... I thought you were bringing a crate."
"The crate got opened, by bandits. This was the only object of value... was this not what you were expecting?"
"Do you know what this is, Ribbons?"
"A... statue?"
"Ya... obviously... nevermind, thanks for the delivery. You look tired, we have a small house nearby, Eddy'll show you around. Eddy, keep it clean, remember we all gotta sleep there sometimes so we don't need your mess all over."
"I would never-"
"Ya ya sweetcheeks, whatever you say. Just go sleep."
I wanted to protest, but frankly he was right, I was exhausted and felt like my muscles would just give out any moment. I sent Thalas a glare for good measure, he was back on his feet though walking tenderly, he cringed at my stare, and apologetically offered to lead me out.
"It was a pleasure to meet all of you... no hard feelings about the smoke bomb I hope, or anything I said." Maybe I was wrong about them, they didn't seem all bad- except for Thalas, he could go to Cania and freeze his fingers off for all I cared. They seemed pretty balanced, and Halflings did make good sneakers, so maybe there was some smarts behind it all. "I can see you have your wits and I look forward to working with talented professionals like yourselves. Thank you for having me."
As we made our way to the exit, a half orc with a yoke and two large pales of water hanging from it ran into the room, gasping for breath. "Horc got water for the fire! Hey, you got rid of it... hey, pretty new girl! Aww, did elf girl already call dibs?"
"... Horc, I'm a guy."
"Ya ya, sure thing Evie, can Horc watch?"
I sighed. "I take back everything I just said."
I recognized that immediately when I began to rouse, feeling urgency- the kind you get when you realize you slept heavy when you shouldn't have. It was a hard thing to get up from, feeling that lethargic weight on me, keeping my eyes from opening fully and my limbs were like lead when I tried to lift them.
Much like deep sleep, I didn't have the luxury of dreaming in my line of work, the illusion of reality was a dangerous thing to cloud my senses when most vulnerable. I could tell it was a dream, yet it was vivid. Brief, vague on the edges but the focus was clear.
A blind angel shone before me, he was beautiful, pure. A guardian stood in his shadows, the angel fitting a bag over the guardian's head. The guardian warped, becoming something foul, form twisting into something grotesque, reeking of sewers. My hand found a crossbow in it, and despite the guardian drawing closer it pointed at the angel unerringly.
I tried to fire but no bolt was locked in, only spiders which scurried away. I loaded a bolt only to look up to a dozen silver spikes raining down upon me.
I snapped from my dream before they struck, panic rolling off of me and a large green form the first thing I saw, a dagger in my hand before I thought, drawing my cover up over me in case I was naked- realizing after my mind had cleared a speck both that I was in a nightgown, and that in a moment of danger my modesty probably shouldn't be my first concern.
It was an orc, which brought me to full alert. They were monstrous creatures, and what they did to my kind was atrocious. To have one in my room as I slept curdled my blood, my kill instinct was driven to the surface.
Yet, he didn't so much as move, just staring at me. Then, he grinned. "Pretty girl awake, Horc watch girl sleep!"
"..." It took me a moment to even know what to say to that. I almost asked what he was doing here, but I guess he answered that. "Hork... you mean, like spitting?"
"What?"
"Your name."
"... Horc name? Oh! Horc simple, the H means half."
"... you are kidding right... no, you aren't... why were you watching me sleep, Horc the half.... Orc." I think I'd just found stupidest name ever, though it seemed to fit the intellect of the dumb beast himself.
"Keep pretty girl safe! Make welcome to Neverwinter, we shop, get girl settled!"
"Yeah, that's what I want, to go shopping with an orc, very subtle... gods you probably don't get sarcasm in the slightest. I can shop on my own, thanks but no thanks. How about you go eat some children or whatever it is you people do."
"Girl not like Horc? Horc sad. Horc go now, let boss know girl awake."
I sighed in annoyance, the home had a few beds, a pantry and some furniture for eating and sitting around, but didn't seem meant for living in- it was almost closer to being a barracks. It was mostly one large room, which was empty. There were few individual items and little d?cor, this was a place with no attachment.
I thought a moment of my dream, maybe the freakish guardian was the half orc, and it was an ill omen of what he would do. Naturally, I held little stock in divination and prophetic dreams, they were often little more than parlour tricks to goad money from simpletons and make charlatans rich.
Still, I did have to trust my intuition, and I had a gut feeling that green monster was going to be nothing but trouble.
I frowned as I watched a spider scurry across the floor while I was dressing, putting my boot on so I could stomp it. Disgusting little creatures, why couldn't I go somewhere that had beaches, all the people had pink skin and bugs were rarer than dragons?
I ended up with an even worse companion, Thalas upon leaving. Like he was waiting in the shadows to ambush me- but without the whole shadows thing because that would almost imply he was a competent rogue.
"Ilani! Are you in a better mo- ah, I see... you are not." He looked sheepish, as if he was guilty of something, no doubt hiding more from me. He was always plotting something, and not the good, smart plotting- but the kind of idiotic plans that always make my life misery. "The boss has a job for us, and I volunteered to show you around the town today so you're ready."
"How nice of you... tell me about this job while we talk, I'm not sure I intend to accept anything right now."
"Uh... Ilani, we don't... really say no here."
"Another fantastic thing about this ratty town. Please tell me it gets worse. At this moment I'm considering why I should work with this group, heck, nothing is stopping me from just taking a ride back to Waterdeep."
"Your orders were kind of specific... I know you don't like adjusting to new people because of your para- err, I mean."
"My what?"
"N-nothing Ilani."
"Paranothing? Para... noia... are you saying I'm paranoid, huh? Is that what you've been telling your new buddies, that I'm crazy?"
"Not at all, I've never said anything but good things about you to them... I want you to be happy, but I know you are slow to trust new people. I want you to know I'm here for you, I'll always be here for you Ilani."
That earnest, puppy dog look in his eyes made me feel a bit nauseous. What a sappy dolt, wish I could trade him in. "Ya, whatever. Look, just show me the town and get it over with, I'm not in the mood to argue, and I've got a shift in the evening."
"A... shift of what?"
"I got a job last night, tavern wench. Got myself a room and a small paycheck that'll cover my expenses... what's with that look."
"Why? We get more in a decent heist than you'd make in a month."
"It's called supplemental income, not all of us put our chips on one table. Besides, with a face like this and a good view down my cleavage, the tips I get are practically criminal on their own."
"Oh, eww, I didn't need to know how you use your body for cash."
"Thalas, did you just imply what I think you did? Because if you did you're getting something shoved up somewhere- and I promise it'll hurt."
"Never, Ilani... oh I get it, it's a cover. You always were good at integrating, and a tavern's a great spot to get all the scoops. Which one?"
"I... don't want to say... for safety reasons." Last thing I needed was him showing up at my workplace, blabbing our profession and more importantly talking in my presence.
"You know I'll find out."
"Why, are you saying you'll stalk me you creep?"
"Ilani... information travels fast, you know that."
He was right, he'd find out regardless... of course, he probably would stalk me given the chance too. "Then find out. I don't know you outside of our nocturnal habits, understood?"
"Well, you'll need some friends in the city-"
"I'll make friends just fine, being spotted with you only means if one of our cover's is blown the other is compromised."
"You worry way too much, you need to take it easy girl."
"Easy? We walk the night, every breath may be our last; between the law and the unscrupulous underbelly of crime there are countless enemies all who seek our painful deaths- and you want to shrug it off? This is why I can't tolerate you. This is a very risky business, treat it as such or you will get us all killed. Now, show me the town quickly so I can be rid of you."
"Uh... y-yes Ilani, as you wish." He looked apologetic again, what was he hiding from me? Always looking away when I turned to him, no doubt he asked to be the one to keep an eye on me. What had caused him to loathe me so much he needed to do everything to ruin my life?
It was no matter, I am smarter than him, I'll figure out what he is up to in time. Neverwinter was an interesting city. In old history it had been destroyed and besieged multiple times, by volcanoes, undead hordes and betrayals. The signs of rebirth were still present, but it was making a good recovery; in the daylight it was bustling, trade coming in from the sea and a market that thrived.
He pointed out the Blacklake, where the guard presence merely at the gates was more than the entire docks combined. This was the rich man's playground, streets were kept free of trash and maintained, houses were not functional but architecturally intricate as if a piece of art. It was not at the level of decadence I'd seen in parts of Waterdeep, but it was enough so that it was a place we were not welcome in.
These would be prime targets for those who sought wealth, but between security and possible magical wards it was far too much danger. These people were wealthy in a sea of poor- they had reason to be paranoid, because everyone wanted what they had.
"This is the place." I followed his eyes, and had to hold back from smacking him.
"You are kidding, do you see this place?" It was one of the largest houses, two stories and larger than the warehouse by double. Uniformed guards stood by the gate, and two guard towers were atop the mansion with movement. It was practically a mini castle, the kind of place you'd enter and never leave. "We're not the kind of thieves that can pull this off."
"Don't worry, we have it all sorted out, we have a plan, and a good one at that. We have a wizard, we have protective wards, and we're going to pick up the last part of the plan right now."
It was near the outskirts of the district, a quaint little place that looks like it had just been made, but never been fully lived in. The only thing showing there was somewhere there was the countless scraps of parchment on the walls and the building equipment throughout the home. Saws, axes, mathematical tools, a forge, glass oven- it was the builder's ultimate base.
Then I saw the owner, and a bitter lump blocked out my first angry thought from spilling from my throat. She had dark blue black skin, was tall and sinewy muscled, white hair speckled with oil hung to her elbows. Her tunic was greasy, blouse hanging open and a cigarette loosely in her lips as she studied some sort of map.
A drow, I almost had to check myself to make sure it wasn't just a really badly tanned elf but no, it was a drow. Thalus acted like he didn't even notice, walking right up to her with the same cheerful stupidness he always had.
I cautiously followed, keeping enough distance and tensing, I had a hidden knife for such a situation, wondering if this was his foul plan. Did he not know what this thing was? How dangerous they were; masters of combat and poison, traps and dark magic.
"Ilani, this is Savi Rellena'threx, she's a scholar, and she has a map for us."
"Map of what?"
The drow looked up at me, staring for a few moments, I think I visibly flinched at it. "Half human huh..." Before I could say anything in retort she continued. "Blueprints, for the Feldrakkus Estate, owned by one Lord Kaviat it says."
"Lord Pendar, now... Kaviat was the one who had it built and he's been dead for half a century..."
"Whatever, it has been paid for already... is the half human shy or something, her staring's creeping me out." The drow eyed me with a neutral gaze, like she was challenging me.
"I... smoking's unhealthy."
I wasn't looking forward to how this was going to turn out, not liking that smile on Thalus' face as I handed him a mug. He found where I worked already, and seemed to be amused by my outfit for some reason. "Is drinking unhealthy too?"
"Oh shut up." I didn't want to talk about the drow- if we had some deal with her, she could be handled without me from now on.
"Careful, don't want to cut into that tip of yours."
"Heh, keep it up and the next mug's going through your jaw."
"Mercy... nice choice by the way, hiding in plain sight. Chose the guard's favourite tavern in the city, and I thought you hated living on the edge."
"I don't know you- oh hello Captain Ward, can I get you something?" The 'hero' was my most generous repeat customer, much as it bugged me to see him. At least now he gave me something to occupy myself with- something other than Thalus.
I made my way into the cellar to look for the wine he asked for. Dim place full of casks and kegs, as to be expected. A long word most people couldn't pronounce on a fancy looking label, typical, I'd heard his family was big in Blacklake- just another boy who got his position because of parents. Probably used to having the best given to him whenever he wanted.
It made an odd scrape as I pulled it from the rack, and I paused a moment before turning.
A hand went over my mouth, and I immediately swung the bottle like a hammer. I caught only air, and before I could downswing the Halfling grabbed my hand. "It's me, calm down. You really are jumpy." He let go off my mouth.
"Boss, why are you here I'm working."
"Yeah, you are. We're moving the heist to tonight, you're on."
"What... I can't, tonight... I'm not ready for-"
"I've been told what you're capable of, this is simply in and out, the treasure room's been marked on the map, and Thalus is your back up."
"You're kidding me."
"He said you two work well together, show me. Not up for negotiation Ribbons, we won't get another opportunity like this. Move out now."