The flame of dozens of torches mounted on the cave walls danced at the same time, creating a jittery silhouette of the dark skinned man staring into the dark night from the mouth of the cavern they called their hideout. His crimson eyes virtually glowed in the dark as he scanned the surrounding area suspiciously, only to speak in a confident, yet silent tone. "What is it Wade?"
The man who apparently did everything he could to sneak past the man stopped dead in his tracks, swallowed as he straightened himself, then quietly cleared his throat. "N-nothing sir..." - The man who outwardly appeared as a drow always made Wade uneasy, especially how he always seemed to be more aware of his surroundings, then anyone expected "It's just... there's a problem with that thing the guys caught... and... well... I think we lost Jones.. it tore his arm off from the shoulder... then proceeded to... uhh..." - Wade's mouth ran dry, he tried to swallow, but it was like sandpaper in his throat - "Nasty bus-"
"God damn it Wade... I told you and your men a hundred times..." - The 'drow' cut the man's words in half with a disgusted grunt, thus hiding the shiver that ran down his spine perfectly from Wade's less then perfect night-sight. "Don't screw with these creatures... they can kill you... and I know what you want... put that knife away... you were distinctly told NO killing of the specimens... if I see you again, or I catch any of your men trying to kill these beasts, I -will- have you clean the pens for the rest of your miserable existence..." - Urebrion, or rather 'Barhn' as these men knew him, knew very well he couldn't enforce that, but also knew Wade and his men feared him too much to question him.
The man's eyes never looked back towards Wade, at least not that he could see, and the man kept wondering how the hell Barhn knew about the knife, that he now slid back in it's sheath with a shaking hand, whilst his throat ran drier then the deserts he had seen enough of during his lifetime. He could only mutter, until he managed to take hold of himself and after a heavy swallow, managed to utter a "Yes sir... I know... sir...", then retreated seemingly silent into the cavern.
The 'drow' meanwhile had shifted his gaze to the full moon, and was now just silently staring at it, almost longingly. "Soon... it's not going to be long now... we'll see how tomorrow's hunt goes... " These words merely ran through his mind. He was now alone, and after doubly checking that that was the case, he lifted a small whistle to his lips, blew on it a few times in the rhythm of a small ditty, and tossed the slab of dried meat he had been hiding under his cloak into the darkest area of the woods in front of him. As he turned towards the cave to retire, leaves rustled, and a low, rumbling sound accompanied the sounds of chewing and gnawing that were too quiet for pretty much any human to hear. The dark skinned man walked into the cave, not too far in fact, and laid down on his makeshift bed, hooking his fingers into the array of strings he had previously laid out as proximity alarms, quickly falling into an uneasy slumber amidst the rapid dance of shadows projected onto the walls...
The man who apparently did everything he could to sneak past the man stopped dead in his tracks, swallowed as he straightened himself, then quietly cleared his throat. "N-nothing sir..." - The man who outwardly appeared as a drow always made Wade uneasy, especially how he always seemed to be more aware of his surroundings, then anyone expected "It's just... there's a problem with that thing the guys caught... and... well... I think we lost Jones.. it tore his arm off from the shoulder... then proceeded to... uhh..." - Wade's mouth ran dry, he tried to swallow, but it was like sandpaper in his throat - "Nasty bus-"
"God damn it Wade... I told you and your men a hundred times..." - The 'drow' cut the man's words in half with a disgusted grunt, thus hiding the shiver that ran down his spine perfectly from Wade's less then perfect night-sight. "Don't screw with these creatures... they can kill you... and I know what you want... put that knife away... you were distinctly told NO killing of the specimens... if I see you again, or I catch any of your men trying to kill these beasts, I -will- have you clean the pens for the rest of your miserable existence..." - Urebrion, or rather 'Barhn' as these men knew him, knew very well he couldn't enforce that, but also knew Wade and his men feared him too much to question him.
The man's eyes never looked back towards Wade, at least not that he could see, and the man kept wondering how the hell Barhn knew about the knife, that he now slid back in it's sheath with a shaking hand, whilst his throat ran drier then the deserts he had seen enough of during his lifetime. He could only mutter, until he managed to take hold of himself and after a heavy swallow, managed to utter a "Yes sir... I know... sir...", then retreated seemingly silent into the cavern.
The 'drow' meanwhile had shifted his gaze to the full moon, and was now just silently staring at it, almost longingly. "Soon... it's not going to be long now... we'll see how tomorrow's hunt goes... " These words merely ran through his mind. He was now alone, and after doubly checking that that was the case, he lifted a small whistle to his lips, blew on it a few times in the rhythm of a small ditty, and tossed the slab of dried meat he had been hiding under his cloak into the darkest area of the woods in front of him. As he turned towards the cave to retire, leaves rustled, and a low, rumbling sound accompanied the sounds of chewing and gnawing that were too quiet for pretty much any human to hear. The dark skinned man walked into the cave, not too far in fact, and laid down on his makeshift bed, hooking his fingers into the array of strings he had previously laid out as proximity alarms, quickly falling into an uneasy slumber amidst the rapid dance of shadows projected onto the walls...
The sound of the forest canopy as the leaves rustled in the slight night wind slowly came to her ears, as the world around the elf steadily came back into focus. Cold, damp soil pressed against her cheek, the smell of early morning dew filling the air. She opened her mouth slightly, and a slight coppery taste reached her tongue. A groan escaped the slender elf’s mouth as she brought herself steadily into an upright position; a dizzying sensation still present in her head. Lifting a hand tenderly, she found the cause - a swollen lump to the back of her head; she’d been dealt a heavy blow.
Nessa winced as her fingers came into contact with the bump; it was difficult to tell just how long she had been out for. Minutes, hours? She surveyed the scene before her - boot marks, several areas warm with blood, a... body? The elf unsteadily got to her feet, using the support of a young nearby tree to keep her footing, and staggered forward to better observe the corpse. It was well run through, with the sword arm lying a good couple of feet away. The elf took note of the well worn club lying nearby, and thought bitterly that at least the person had their comeuppance - a growing sense of unease grew in the pit of her stomach, however, as she looked down at the man’s torn out throat; two to three hours since death, by her guess.
“Narea...” The elf whispered, pulling her eyes from the gruesome spectacle to rescan the rest of the area. She called the name a second time, with more strength behind her voice. Moments passed, followed by what seemed the longest minute of the elf’s existence. The sick feeling of dread lined her stomach as she immediately scanned the ground for marks; drawing her attention from the numbing throb of pain coming from the back of her head. It was highly unlikely that the she-wolf would have abandoned her friend unconscious in the middle of a clearing, and Nessa instinctively set about tracking the strangers that she recalled very little of.
Those next few minutes all seemed a blur to the female, but before she knew it she was on the move, following the clumsy prints of heavy boots down the bank of a small stream, where the trees began to thin out into the open night sky.
‘If anything happens to you, I won’t forgive myself you silly wolf.’ She reflected, tears of worry filling her hazel eyes. A couple of uncharacteristic stumbles brought Nessa into the exposed open coutryside, a road just barely visible in the distance. Confirming that the tracks were heading in that direction, she tried her best to compose herself and followed at a gentle pace, trying her best to calm those worried thoughts of hers.
Cold bars of solid steel stood firm against the wolf’s relentless defiance to be held by them. Her muscles ached with fatigue, but still she persevered against those that would hold her. Bright, wide eyes surveyed the dark of the cavern, where other cages full of more exotic creatures lay a short distance away. Judging from the stillness of some of them, Narea almost wondered how long they had been held there for.
Finally, giving in to the exhaustion of her body, the wolf resorted instead to pacing slowly back in forth within her confinement, ears ever alert to the slightest of sounds. How she wished to be free of this place; to be at Nessa’s side again. The last time she laid eyes on the elf, she was lying unconscious in the mud. A low, miserable whine filled the room, as the paw pads slowed to a stop.
Narea’s ears began to lower, finally admitting defeat against the steel prison, when a familiar sound reached the wolf’s ears. She stood alert, her tail flicking in an almost-wag action as a wave of hopeful energy coursed through her. After a couple of seconds listening to the whistle, the wolf howled in response, resolute now in her opposition with such a familiar presence being nearby.
Nessa winced as her fingers came into contact with the bump; it was difficult to tell just how long she had been out for. Minutes, hours? She surveyed the scene before her - boot marks, several areas warm with blood, a... body? The elf unsteadily got to her feet, using the support of a young nearby tree to keep her footing, and staggered forward to better observe the corpse. It was well run through, with the sword arm lying a good couple of feet away. The elf took note of the well worn club lying nearby, and thought bitterly that at least the person had their comeuppance - a growing sense of unease grew in the pit of her stomach, however, as she looked down at the man’s torn out throat; two to three hours since death, by her guess.
“Narea...” The elf whispered, pulling her eyes from the gruesome spectacle to rescan the rest of the area. She called the name a second time, with more strength behind her voice. Moments passed, followed by what seemed the longest minute of the elf’s existence. The sick feeling of dread lined her stomach as she immediately scanned the ground for marks; drawing her attention from the numbing throb of pain coming from the back of her head. It was highly unlikely that the she-wolf would have abandoned her friend unconscious in the middle of a clearing, and Nessa instinctively set about tracking the strangers that she recalled very little of.
Those next few minutes all seemed a blur to the female, but before she knew it she was on the move, following the clumsy prints of heavy boots down the bank of a small stream, where the trees began to thin out into the open night sky.
‘If anything happens to you, I won’t forgive myself you silly wolf.’ She reflected, tears of worry filling her hazel eyes. A couple of uncharacteristic stumbles brought Nessa into the exposed open coutryside, a road just barely visible in the distance. Confirming that the tracks were heading in that direction, she tried her best to compose herself and followed at a gentle pace, trying her best to calm those worried thoughts of hers.
Cold bars of solid steel stood firm against the wolf’s relentless defiance to be held by them. Her muscles ached with fatigue, but still she persevered against those that would hold her. Bright, wide eyes surveyed the dark of the cavern, where other cages full of more exotic creatures lay a short distance away. Judging from the stillness of some of them, Narea almost wondered how long they had been held there for.
Finally, giving in to the exhaustion of her body, the wolf resorted instead to pacing slowly back in forth within her confinement, ears ever alert to the slightest of sounds. How she wished to be free of this place; to be at Nessa’s side again. The last time she laid eyes on the elf, she was lying unconscious in the mud. A low, miserable whine filled the room, as the paw pads slowed to a stop.
Narea’s ears began to lower, finally admitting defeat against the steel prison, when a familiar sound reached the wolf’s ears. She stood alert, her tail flicking in an almost-wag action as a wave of hopeful energy coursed through her. After a couple of seconds listening to the whistle, the wolf howled in response, resolute now in her opposition with such a familiar presence being nearby.
The quiet gnawing continued in earnest. The moonlight reflected off of dark fur in brief flickers amidst the trees, as the sleek, yet large, four-legged figure devoured the meat silently.
The ’drow’ was already off to his cot, when the panther’s ears flicked straight up, then focused towards the cave, at a howl that Ure could not have singled out of all the noises coming from the pen at the same time... Silently, the creature licked his maw clean as he headed off in the direction of the cave. He saw Urebrion already on his cot, thus he didn't hesitate... None of his steps could be heard, and the proximity wires the drow had stringed out were all too familiar to the large creature who stepped over each like he had done so every night. His Jade-green eyes continuously scanned his surroundings, whilst his body lowered closer and closer to the ground, the further he went into the cave. He knew he was not supposed to go in, yet the howl he heard earlier urged him on.
Soon the panther found the pens where all the creatures were held. The stench of all the different beasts crammed into the same cavern hit his nose hard. It was not easy to single out the scent he was looking for, even despite his well developed senses. After stepping over the sleeping guard in silence, a quiet rumble greeted the wolf he had found, giving her nose a rather familiar, if a little smug and taunting, lick through the bars that had held Narea imprisoned. The feline didn’t even wait to hear the disgruntled snort that he knew would come from the wolf after such treatment, and turning around, he literally darted out of the cave, into the wild, making sure he’d trod over the proximity wires leading to the part of the cavern.
The ’drow’ was already off to his cot, when the panther’s ears flicked straight up, then focused towards the cave, at a howl that Ure could not have singled out of all the noises coming from the pen at the same time... Silently, the creature licked his maw clean as he headed off in the direction of the cave. He saw Urebrion already on his cot, thus he didn't hesitate... None of his steps could be heard, and the proximity wires the drow had stringed out were all too familiar to the large creature who stepped over each like he had done so every night. His Jade-green eyes continuously scanned his surroundings, whilst his body lowered closer and closer to the ground, the further he went into the cave. He knew he was not supposed to go in, yet the howl he heard earlier urged him on.
Soon the panther found the pens where all the creatures were held. The stench of all the different beasts crammed into the same cavern hit his nose hard. It was not easy to single out the scent he was looking for, even despite his well developed senses. After stepping over the sleeping guard in silence, a quiet rumble greeted the wolf he had found, giving her nose a rather familiar, if a little smug and taunting, lick through the bars that had held Narea imprisoned. The feline didn’t even wait to hear the disgruntled snort that he knew would come from the wolf after such treatment, and turning around, he literally darted out of the cave, into the wild, making sure he’d trod over the proximity wires leading to the part of the cavern.
Urebrion’s eyes flicked open as soon as he felt the first wire getting tugged. It was the holding pens entrance. – “Wade… what the hell are you up to… “ Came the irritated mumble under his breath, as he glanced about, feeling the next wire tug his fingers, then a third, before seeing the panther dart out of the cave right next to him. – “Chrys… what the…” His right brow furrowed, curiosity taking over his better judgement. Still, there was not much danger of being found out, the panther had moved as silently as usual… but he did specifically tell the large feline to stay away from the cave… and he would not disobey without cause…
Getting to his feet, after a cursory glance around to see if everything else was in order, he headed into the cave, towards the holding pens… he also stepped over the sleeping guard with a smirk… It was Wade’s right hand man, Jacoby… - “Of course it would be you… “ His words were almost inaudible, but even if they had been… glancing at the mug next to the sleeping man, Ure knew the man couldn’t be awakened even if they fired a cannon right next to him…
Stepping into the pens, he knew he would make these men suffer soon… the stench that hit his nose only reaffirmed the notion… “Although…” – he thought – “If you can’t be assed to bathe, why would I expect you to keep the pens clean… Might as well just lock you up and throw away the key…” To the outside though, the thought only culminated in a quiet grunt as he began to look over the locked up creatures… He didn’t have to look twice, with a raised brow he stepped over to the cage Narea was in, raising his finger to silence the wolf – he knew the creature understood him.
Checking the cage, he found no padlock, merely a metal hook held the door in place from the bottom, where no creature on the inside could reach. Unhooking it, Ure opened the door, giving the wolf a brief scratch behind the left ear. “Please keep her away if you can… “ – was all that he whispered to the wolf before motioning towards the exit. He knew it’d seem like the hook holding the door got loosened during transport, and obviously, Jacoby would be the one to take the blame… For some reason knowing that put a faint smile on his dark lips as he quietly followed the trail out, and looked up at the moon once more, then at the darkness of the forest ahead of him… he knew he’d have to reward Chrys the next day… with a faint smile, the drow went back to his cot.
It was almost morning, but every moment of relaxation away from these people was worth days… still… he couldn’t even meditate. He knew what Narea’s presence meant, he knew he was not supposed to, but it filled him with too much excitement to be able to rest. Thus he sat with closed eyes, and a smile on his face, listening to his surroundings…
Getting to his feet, after a cursory glance around to see if everything else was in order, he headed into the cave, towards the holding pens… he also stepped over the sleeping guard with a smirk… It was Wade’s right hand man, Jacoby… - “Of course it would be you… “ His words were almost inaudible, but even if they had been… glancing at the mug next to the sleeping man, Ure knew the man couldn’t be awakened even if they fired a cannon right next to him…
Stepping into the pens, he knew he would make these men suffer soon… the stench that hit his nose only reaffirmed the notion… “Although…” – he thought – “If you can’t be assed to bathe, why would I expect you to keep the pens clean… Might as well just lock you up and throw away the key…” To the outside though, the thought only culminated in a quiet grunt as he began to look over the locked up creatures… He didn’t have to look twice, with a raised brow he stepped over to the cage Narea was in, raising his finger to silence the wolf – he knew the creature understood him.
Checking the cage, he found no padlock, merely a metal hook held the door in place from the bottom, where no creature on the inside could reach. Unhooking it, Ure opened the door, giving the wolf a brief scratch behind the left ear. “Please keep her away if you can… “ – was all that he whispered to the wolf before motioning towards the exit. He knew it’d seem like the hook holding the door got loosened during transport, and obviously, Jacoby would be the one to take the blame… For some reason knowing that put a faint smile on his dark lips as he quietly followed the trail out, and looked up at the moon once more, then at the darkness of the forest ahead of him… he knew he’d have to reward Chrys the next day… with a faint smile, the drow went back to his cot.
It was almost morning, but every moment of relaxation away from these people was worth days… still… he couldn’t even meditate. He knew what Narea’s presence meant, he knew he was not supposed to, but it filled him with too much excitement to be able to rest. Thus he sat with closed eyes, and a smile on his face, listening to his surroundings…
Ears perked forwards, Narea stood silently and unmoving; intently listening for any sounds out of the ordinary within the cavern. As the shadow of the panther appeared out of the dim, she flicked her tail happily; clearly relieved to see the familiar feline despite the cat’s taunting nature. Reacting to her treatment from Chrys, Narea did indeed snort softly in response, shaking her muzzle as she did so. As her brightened eyes looked up though, she just saw the tip of the panther’s tail disappear back into the darkness of the cavern.
The wolf continued her pacing eagerly, eyes locked to that same spot of darkness. When the silhouette of the familiar man came into sight, a soft, nearly inaudible whine escaped her maw. She flicked her tail happily, watching Urebrion as he unlatched the cage door. Once opened, she swiftly padded out and nuzzled him in thanks and greeting with the top of her muzzle, the tinge of red on her lower jaw still apparent from the earlier skirmish.
Before leaving, the wolf paced in a brief circle, flicking her tail in an irritated manor towards a nearby occupied cage. Without any further hesitation, however, she quickly turned and trotted quickly in the direction Chrys had left; not quite as silently as the feline, but quietly enough. Knowing what state Nessa was last in when she was separated from her, Narea spared no delay as she bolted into the night using her instincts for direction as she made sure to circle around the border of warehouses and ruin that marked the northernmost point of Neverwinter.
It had been some time that Nessa had followed the road leading from the rural area she had been exploring just the day prior. The dirt path had gradually developed into a sturdier road surface as she had continued, until cobbled stone stretched out before her. Her strength was still waning slightly, but she felt a lot more grounded and stable than she did straight after the attack, and the road was far easier going than the rough terrain would be, albeit unnatural to the ranger.
“No...” She sighed, as she came to a crossroads further down the road. The sign looked worn, but the eligible title of the city was familiar to her. ‘I knew we were close, but not that close.’ Gazing into the distance, the odd caravan or traveller could be seen on the road stretching towards civilisation. Pulling her hood over her head as much for the feeling of security than any, she trotted down the path ahead, hazel eyes scanning the roadside for anything (or one), that could prove useful.
“Neverwinter.” She muttered. The name sent a feeling of discomfort again to the elf’s stomach, but she figured that it was the most likely place for people dealing in illegal wares to travel. Or, at the very least, perhaps someone could point her in the appropriate direction; she just hoped that by then it wouldn’t be too late...
The elf shook herself, frowning at the very thought. “Thinking such things will prove no use.” She scolded herself aloud, strengthening her resolve. “It’s a city; there’s always eyes and ears in such a place.” Recalling where she had learnt such things from gave Nessa a small measure of comfort, though how she wished that she had that particular company now, as buildings began to line the road, and the towering structure of the city proper gradually came into sight in the distance.
Still, she knew enough to get by herself. That she had to believe; one of her closest friends relied on it.
The wolf continued her pacing eagerly, eyes locked to that same spot of darkness. When the silhouette of the familiar man came into sight, a soft, nearly inaudible whine escaped her maw. She flicked her tail happily, watching Urebrion as he unlatched the cage door. Once opened, she swiftly padded out and nuzzled him in thanks and greeting with the top of her muzzle, the tinge of red on her lower jaw still apparent from the earlier skirmish.
Before leaving, the wolf paced in a brief circle, flicking her tail in an irritated manor towards a nearby occupied cage. Without any further hesitation, however, she quickly turned and trotted quickly in the direction Chrys had left; not quite as silently as the feline, but quietly enough. Knowing what state Nessa was last in when she was separated from her, Narea spared no delay as she bolted into the night using her instincts for direction as she made sure to circle around the border of warehouses and ruin that marked the northernmost point of Neverwinter.
It had been some time that Nessa had followed the road leading from the rural area she had been exploring just the day prior. The dirt path had gradually developed into a sturdier road surface as she had continued, until cobbled stone stretched out before her. Her strength was still waning slightly, but she felt a lot more grounded and stable than she did straight after the attack, and the road was far easier going than the rough terrain would be, albeit unnatural to the ranger.
“No...” She sighed, as she came to a crossroads further down the road. The sign looked worn, but the eligible title of the city was familiar to her. ‘I knew we were close, but not that close.’ Gazing into the distance, the odd caravan or traveller could be seen on the road stretching towards civilisation. Pulling her hood over her head as much for the feeling of security than any, she trotted down the path ahead, hazel eyes scanning the roadside for anything (or one), that could prove useful.
“Neverwinter.” She muttered. The name sent a feeling of discomfort again to the elf’s stomach, but she figured that it was the most likely place for people dealing in illegal wares to travel. Or, at the very least, perhaps someone could point her in the appropriate direction; she just hoped that by then it wouldn’t be too late...
The elf shook herself, frowning at the very thought. “Thinking such things will prove no use.” She scolded herself aloud, strengthening her resolve. “It’s a city; there’s always eyes and ears in such a place.” Recalling where she had learnt such things from gave Nessa a small measure of comfort, though how she wished that she had that particular company now, as buildings began to line the road, and the towering structure of the city proper gradually came into sight in the distance.
Still, she knew enough to get by herself. That she had to believe; one of her closest friends relied on it.
The following day started without anything out of the ordinary. Heading into the nearby slums of Neverwinter, Ure's eyes kept constantly scanning his surroundings, eyeing every alley, every paperboy, even the last beggar hiding under their rags. It was slightly past noon, the fact that he had not seen Narea at all since last night both calmed him, yet filled him with anxiety. As if the fact that for the first time it was he who made the delivery had not been enough, he was now worried about his better half. The only thing that made him all warm and fuzzy inside was the fact that he got to chew out Jacoby and Wade for a 'missing specimen' in the morning... not that it mattered that a wolf was never in the contract list in the first place...
As his lips curled to a smile at the thought, his eyes met the ramshackle barn where he had to make the drop. After a brief glance around, he merely nodded towards the building for his men, drawing his cloak a little tighter around him, whilst he checked every single cart that had passed. While all the carts had been disguised, the cages covered with hay to muffle the sound and linen to cover it all up, the stench was rather pungent... lucky that in the slums, this wouldn't really stand out too much... after all, not long ago they carried piles of dead bodies like this around town... and things have not improved much since then...
"Let's get this show on the road.." - he thought as he grabbed an apple from the corner street vendor, and flicked the old hag behind the counter a gold coin. He followed the last cart into the barn, disappearing in the dark inside, as his men closed the doors behind him...
Chrys crept in the alleyways, following the carts as he jumped from shadow to shadow silently, keeping an eye on both their surroundings, and Ure... as the drow disappeared into the barn and the doors closed behind him, the panther laid low, ears perked, letting out a low growl as the stench of death hit his nose... he could do nothing, he was told not to move under any circumstances, yet it was one of the harder things he had to do... soon he began to pace back and forth in the patch of shadow he was hiding in, only to disappear in another patch of shadow in a moment's notice, starting to circle around the rundown barn, trying to find an entrance without being spotted...
As his lips curled to a smile at the thought, his eyes met the ramshackle barn where he had to make the drop. After a brief glance around, he merely nodded towards the building for his men, drawing his cloak a little tighter around him, whilst he checked every single cart that had passed. While all the carts had been disguised, the cages covered with hay to muffle the sound and linen to cover it all up, the stench was rather pungent... lucky that in the slums, this wouldn't really stand out too much... after all, not long ago they carried piles of dead bodies like this around town... and things have not improved much since then...
"Let's get this show on the road.." - he thought as he grabbed an apple from the corner street vendor, and flicked the old hag behind the counter a gold coin. He followed the last cart into the barn, disappearing in the dark inside, as his men closed the doors behind him...
Chrys crept in the alleyways, following the carts as he jumped from shadow to shadow silently, keeping an eye on both their surroundings, and Ure... as the drow disappeared into the barn and the doors closed behind him, the panther laid low, ears perked, letting out a low growl as the stench of death hit his nose... he could do nothing, he was told not to move under any circumstances, yet it was one of the harder things he had to do... soon he began to pace back and forth in the patch of shadow he was hiding in, only to disappear in another patch of shadow in a moment's notice, starting to circle around the rundown barn, trying to find an entrance without being spotted...
“So... you’re looking for a wolf. Here. In the city?” The city guard looked at Nessa with a quizzical expression. Suddenly the elf realised how ridiculous her query had been, and pulled her cloak up further to conceal the rosy blush of embarrassment growing on her pale face.
“Yes- No! What I mean is, has Neverwinter a district for commerce, here? For shipments, or... merchants.” She motioned to the buildings nearby. “It’s pelts that I’m after, you see, and I can’t appear to find any stores within this area.” Bluffing was never her strongest of suits, but clearly the man assumed she was just and awkward type of person. Truly, Nessa had slowly wandered into metropolis of stone, completely at a loss for all of the city’s districts and areas. A sigh escaped the guard, and he motioned to the north of their position.
“You’ll want to head across the way towards the docks district if you’re looking for fresh shipments of goods; hunters tend to sell there first, before selling in the housing districts.” Nessa absorbed the information intently, then thanked the man politely before heading in the direction of the docks. She hoped at least that the port’s merchants could provide her with some leads, but in hindsight with the day now before her, she wondered just how easily that would be, with most illegalities being out of the public eye, especially now that daylight exposed the ongoings in alleyways and street corners.
A dull throb returned to her head, however, and as the woman turned a corner, the sight of a nearby inn looked a welcoming sight for a short break, as the waterskin on her person had run dry quite some time ago. The stale odor of the past night’s alcohol filled her nose as she entered the building; which was for the most part quiet so early in the morning. A slender, hooded figure sat reclined in the very corner, almost unnoticeable in the shade of the ceiling’s overhanging beam. Two men sat near the entrance, enthralled in a gambling game of sorts that Nessa was unfamiliar with, and a couple of men stood bickering over trivialities at the bar.
A gruff, elderly man hobbled out from behind the two argumentative figures, spotting the caped ranger as she entered, and made a grunt as she approached.
“What c’n I do ye for.” The man uttered; nearly illegibly to the elf.
“Water, please. If you have any.” Nessa requested politely, slipping a coin on the table; the man promptly refused, insisting that the ‘stuff’ was free, but stale. A tankard was thrust across the bar to her, before he hobbled away into what Nessa could only assume was the kitchen. With a sigh, the elf took a seat at a nearby table and just took a moment to gather her thoughts, hydrating herself reluctantly with the foul liquid the man had served her as “water”.
It didn’t take her long for the feeling that she was being watched intently to wash over her, as the sound of the arguing voices faded to nothing. Without turning around, she took another sip from the bulky tankard as one of the fellows sided up beside her in a chair. The stench of mead was quite strong, and Nessa almost wondered if this man alone had been what she smelt upon entering the inn.
“So what brings a pretty lil’ think like you to these parts?” ‘So typical.’ Nessa turned to make eye contact with the drunkard, her patience for such things wearing thin with the headache she had been carrying. It wasn’t in her nature to snap, but her gaze was threatening enough of doing so.
“I’m here on business, actually.” Her tone polite, but blunt. The man rocked back on his chair, threatening to overbalance and cocked his head back to look at the man he’d been arguing with just moments before.
“Oh-ho! Hear that, Wells? On business, she is!” The man named Wells sneered, before passing a comment about somewhere he ought to be, and stumbled out of the inn, leaving his ‘associate’ to pester the elf.
“Yes- No! What I mean is, has Neverwinter a district for commerce, here? For shipments, or... merchants.” She motioned to the buildings nearby. “It’s pelts that I’m after, you see, and I can’t appear to find any stores within this area.” Bluffing was never her strongest of suits, but clearly the man assumed she was just and awkward type of person. Truly, Nessa had slowly wandered into metropolis of stone, completely at a loss for all of the city’s districts and areas. A sigh escaped the guard, and he motioned to the north of their position.
“You’ll want to head across the way towards the docks district if you’re looking for fresh shipments of goods; hunters tend to sell there first, before selling in the housing districts.” Nessa absorbed the information intently, then thanked the man politely before heading in the direction of the docks. She hoped at least that the port’s merchants could provide her with some leads, but in hindsight with the day now before her, she wondered just how easily that would be, with most illegalities being out of the public eye, especially now that daylight exposed the ongoings in alleyways and street corners.
A dull throb returned to her head, however, and as the woman turned a corner, the sight of a nearby inn looked a welcoming sight for a short break, as the waterskin on her person had run dry quite some time ago. The stale odor of the past night’s alcohol filled her nose as she entered the building; which was for the most part quiet so early in the morning. A slender, hooded figure sat reclined in the very corner, almost unnoticeable in the shade of the ceiling’s overhanging beam. Two men sat near the entrance, enthralled in a gambling game of sorts that Nessa was unfamiliar with, and a couple of men stood bickering over trivialities at the bar.
A gruff, elderly man hobbled out from behind the two argumentative figures, spotting the caped ranger as she entered, and made a grunt as she approached.
“What c’n I do ye for.” The man uttered; nearly illegibly to the elf.
“Water, please. If you have any.” Nessa requested politely, slipping a coin on the table; the man promptly refused, insisting that the ‘stuff’ was free, but stale. A tankard was thrust across the bar to her, before he hobbled away into what Nessa could only assume was the kitchen. With a sigh, the elf took a seat at a nearby table and just took a moment to gather her thoughts, hydrating herself reluctantly with the foul liquid the man had served her as “water”.
It didn’t take her long for the feeling that she was being watched intently to wash over her, as the sound of the arguing voices faded to nothing. Without turning around, she took another sip from the bulky tankard as one of the fellows sided up beside her in a chair. The stench of mead was quite strong, and Nessa almost wondered if this man alone had been what she smelt upon entering the inn.
“So what brings a pretty lil’ think like you to these parts?” ‘So typical.’ Nessa turned to make eye contact with the drunkard, her patience for such things wearing thin with the headache she had been carrying. It wasn’t in her nature to snap, but her gaze was threatening enough of doing so.
“I’m here on business, actually.” Her tone polite, but blunt. The man rocked back on his chair, threatening to overbalance and cocked his head back to look at the man he’d been arguing with just moments before.
“Oh-ho! Hear that, Wells? On business, she is!” The man named Wells sneered, before passing a comment about somewhere he ought to be, and stumbled out of the inn, leaving his ‘associate’ to pester the elf.
Urebrion's nose wrinkled as he stepped into the barn, the unmistakable stench of death and decay lingered in the still air inside. It turned his stomach... he wanted to get out... back to the wilderness... more than anything just to get out of the choking combination of smells that filled the ramshackle barn to the brim... he would have wondered how this went unnoticed by the city guard, had he not known that the slums had much worse smells around... and it wasn't like the city guard was trained to sniff out undead... Steeling himself, he forced a neutral expression on his face as he pulled his hood back, and took in his surroundings, whilst he motioned for the men, who started promptly tugging off the disguise from the carts.
The sun outside shone with all it's might, creating beams of light that poured in through the holes in the roof of the old barn, illuminating perfectly the door near the rear of the barn, which now opened, and a deathly thin figure, clad in black robes that carried flowing patterns of poison green emerged. His face could not be seen, yet what was certain, was that he was not the only source of the deathly smell in the room...
The drow's muscles were tense, though noone watching would have noticed. The facade he put on was perfect to a fault! His head dipped in a nod towards the deathly figure. "I've brought the beasts on the manifests. You'll find none missi-..."
The figure raised a slender hand to silence him. Fingers unnaturally long were hidden in a crimson coloured silk glove... it may very well have been soaked in blood as it were.
Without much looking, the deathly figure seemed to know what was present and what wasn't... "You... did well..." - The frail man's voice came in a low, raspy voice, as if through the long dried out vocal chords of a corpse... - "Better then your predecessor... you get the second chance... " The man's hood moved in a nod towards Ure, whose hands were already on the handles of his rapiers underneath his cloak, ready to strike, as one of the men who previously closed the doors, was headed for him in haste.
The drow did well to still his hand as the man dropped a hefty bag of coin at his feet, and shoved a parchment in his hand. - "You will get.. the items... on the list.... " - The deathly voice said. Though Ure looked up as soon as he heard the voice, all he saw was the robed figure disappearing in the darkness behind the door he emerged from. Then the door closed, and the two lackeys who had opened and closed the barn doors, now set about shooing Wade's company out a small side-door. The drow felt no need to stay either, and made his way towards the side door. On his way however, the stench hit him hard... he had to use all the willpower he had not to throw up there and then, especially as he noticed the corpse of a gnoll opened up on a table behind some crates, tubes leading in and out of it's opened torso... it looked like a mad scientist's experiment...
As soon as they were out, he turned to Wade - "Take the men back... we have more work to do... make sure they're ready, -AND- sober... " - With that he turned on his heel, not even waiting to hear Wade's defensive grunts about 'even the assumption of my men being drunkards is preposterous...' that he was so happy to go on about usually. Turning in on the corner of the first alley, he immediately took his flask and took a long, heavy drink of water... it didn't matter that it was warm, or stale... he needed to get rid the taste the smell of death left in his mouth, and now...
His head suddenly turned, looking behind him as something brushed against his cloak. With relief, he leaned down and gave the large panther a rub behind his left ear, something the cat really did enjoy. Apparently glad his master was well, his maw rubbed up against his legs, before slinking off into the shadows.
The drow gathered himself quickly, and looked around, making sure noone had seen him or followed, he decided to do some recon, and slid into the shadows himself, tugging his cloak tighter around himself, the magic imbued in it made him virtually unnoticeable to anyone, as he began to scour the alleys, and even rooftops!
The sun outside shone with all it's might, creating beams of light that poured in through the holes in the roof of the old barn, illuminating perfectly the door near the rear of the barn, which now opened, and a deathly thin figure, clad in black robes that carried flowing patterns of poison green emerged. His face could not be seen, yet what was certain, was that he was not the only source of the deathly smell in the room...
The drow's muscles were tense, though noone watching would have noticed. The facade he put on was perfect to a fault! His head dipped in a nod towards the deathly figure. "I've brought the beasts on the manifests. You'll find none missi-..."
The figure raised a slender hand to silence him. Fingers unnaturally long were hidden in a crimson coloured silk glove... it may very well have been soaked in blood as it were.
Without much looking, the deathly figure seemed to know what was present and what wasn't... "You... did well..." - The frail man's voice came in a low, raspy voice, as if through the long dried out vocal chords of a corpse... - "Better then your predecessor... you get the second chance... " The man's hood moved in a nod towards Ure, whose hands were already on the handles of his rapiers underneath his cloak, ready to strike, as one of the men who previously closed the doors, was headed for him in haste.
The drow did well to still his hand as the man dropped a hefty bag of coin at his feet, and shoved a parchment in his hand. - "You will get.. the items... on the list.... " - The deathly voice said. Though Ure looked up as soon as he heard the voice, all he saw was the robed figure disappearing in the darkness behind the door he emerged from. Then the door closed, and the two lackeys who had opened and closed the barn doors, now set about shooing Wade's company out a small side-door. The drow felt no need to stay either, and made his way towards the side door. On his way however, the stench hit him hard... he had to use all the willpower he had not to throw up there and then, especially as he noticed the corpse of a gnoll opened up on a table behind some crates, tubes leading in and out of it's opened torso... it looked like a mad scientist's experiment...
As soon as they were out, he turned to Wade - "Take the men back... we have more work to do... make sure they're ready, -AND- sober... " - With that he turned on his heel, not even waiting to hear Wade's defensive grunts about 'even the assumption of my men being drunkards is preposterous...' that he was so happy to go on about usually. Turning in on the corner of the first alley, he immediately took his flask and took a long, heavy drink of water... it didn't matter that it was warm, or stale... he needed to get rid the taste the smell of death left in his mouth, and now...
His head suddenly turned, looking behind him as something brushed against his cloak. With relief, he leaned down and gave the large panther a rub behind his left ear, something the cat really did enjoy. Apparently glad his master was well, his maw rubbed up against his legs, before slinking off into the shadows.
The drow gathered himself quickly, and looked around, making sure noone had seen him or followed, he decided to do some recon, and slid into the shadows himself, tugging his cloak tighter around himself, the magic imbued in it made him virtually unnoticeable to anyone, as he began to scour the alleys, and even rooftops!
The steady rhythm of her paws on the rough terrain never faltered, as Narea finally slowed her pace to a light trot; the wolf’s breath coming in a steady pant after the long run. She was certain she wasn’t far from the clearing, when she picked up the all-too familiar scent of Nessa on the wind. It was faint, but there nonetheless.
She slowed, turning back to face the direction she had just come from the city, her ears perked. Without hesitation she turned back, but soon slowed as she reached the now bustling outer wall. With a small whine of frustration, the wolf paced the area, before coming to rest in the shadow of a nearby building. Having no intentions of attempting to enter the city proper, Narea plopped herself down on the soft grass, resting her maw on her paws. She remained ever watchful in the direction of the city, eager to meet Nessa when she left the stone walls of the city from the main exit.
A sudden irony occurred to the wolf; it appeared now that she was to be the one to wait for Nessa to escape a cage of her own.
With the empty tankard in front of her, Nessa wearily looked again at the drunken man who persisted to continue his one-sided conversation with her. She smiled weakly at a poorly executed joke that the man himself roared with laughter at - though the nature of the joke did make her wonder if the man was mentally touched; or just racist. Perhaps both.
Before she was to suffer before another poor attempt at a pick up, she glanced around for anything that might excuse her from the situation. The two men further away still has not looked up from their gambling game, despite the occasional cheer and curse that one of the two spat out. Not bothering to look in the direction of the man, nor over his shoulder, she missed the shadow of the small, caped figure in the corner of the room, still sitting silently observing the spectacle from under a black hood. Seeing no other option, Nessa made her move.
“Well, it’s about time I was off.” She stated as politely as she could, before swiftly standing from the table. A sudden pressure around her wrist made her look down in surprise, however, at the man’s grip around her forearm. ‘How can one so intoxicated be so agile?’ She blinked, still in shock from the speed of the fellow. Her politeness had just been worn out, anger beginning to bubble to the surface along with her impatience. “Get off of me.” She snapped, trying to tug her arm away, but the stranger held fast.
“Oh come on, we’re having such a good time, though.” The man purred, trying to wrap his other arm around the elf’s slender waist. “Besides, who else would be able to show you an actual real cockatrice? Or a wyvern?” Still struggling against the grip of the man, Nessa’s attention snapped on to the last part of the sentence.
“What... do you mean?” She struggled to ask, most of her strength combatting the firm grip of the drunk.
“Well, me and my mate there, we... I could show ‘em to you. I think Wells is heading there now, you know. We’ve got some well powerful people at our disposal, y’see. Well - I do. I’m kinda the brains of the operation.” He leered, far too close for Nessa’s liking. Her strength failing, he drew her down to his level, his face level with hers. About to kiss her with that vile mouth of his, Nessa flinched; but to her surprise, so did he.
“Evidently not.” The cold voice cut through the air, much like the blade that was now protruding from the man’s neck. Nessa cried in horror, pushing the man away from her as the gargling drunk dropped from his chair, drowning in his own blood.
The two men gambling at this point, sat dumbfounded - before they decided it would be a good idea to make a break for it, however, the hooded figure in the black cape pointed a second dagger in their direction. “Sit.” Was all that she uttered, and the duo happily obliged.
“What th- who- what did you do that for?! You killed him!” Nessa, still in a state of horror, stared aghast at the cloaked figure in front of her. As the female turned to face her, she could now see the pale face of the woman before her with some more clarity. Eyes as black as coal glared straight back at the elf, the two women matching each other’s gaze for a few split moments as they measured each other up.
“You’re welcome.” The rogue hissed scathingly, before casually slinking towards the exit. Nessa just continued to stare dumbfoundedly after her, before gathering her senses and quickly making to follow.
“Wait - where are you going?” She demanded loudly, but as she swung around the ajar door, all she was met with was an empty street, the faint sound of chattering from the surrounding city echoing in the distance, oblivious to the events that just occurred. As swiftly as she could, she trotted down the street, eyes and ears open for any signs of the petite woman. It wasn’t long, however, before she slowed her pace to a walk, seeing the futility of trying to pursue the stranger. The buildings here were a lot more ramshackle; and as she looked around, she could see that she had ventured into the more impoverished area of the city.
The echo of a nearby voice, however, quickly stole her attention. Slipping into an alleyway off of the street she had been on, she turned a corner to witness the man from the tavern before; Wells, she was sure his name was, having a disagreement with yet another man outside the door of a large, derelict looking warehouse.
“Okay Wade, so I’m here already. Calm yer tits. What’s the problem?” Wells swayed with every word, refusing to be scolded by the man in front of him. Hazel eyes watching from a distance, Nessa hugged the wall and listened on, frowning as she picked up the rest of the conversation.
She slowed, turning back to face the direction she had just come from the city, her ears perked. Without hesitation she turned back, but soon slowed as she reached the now bustling outer wall. With a small whine of frustration, the wolf paced the area, before coming to rest in the shadow of a nearby building. Having no intentions of attempting to enter the city proper, Narea plopped herself down on the soft grass, resting her maw on her paws. She remained ever watchful in the direction of the city, eager to meet Nessa when she left the stone walls of the city from the main exit.
A sudden irony occurred to the wolf; it appeared now that she was to be the one to wait for Nessa to escape a cage of her own.
With the empty tankard in front of her, Nessa wearily looked again at the drunken man who persisted to continue his one-sided conversation with her. She smiled weakly at a poorly executed joke that the man himself roared with laughter at - though the nature of the joke did make her wonder if the man was mentally touched; or just racist. Perhaps both.
Before she was to suffer before another poor attempt at a pick up, she glanced around for anything that might excuse her from the situation. The two men further away still has not looked up from their gambling game, despite the occasional cheer and curse that one of the two spat out. Not bothering to look in the direction of the man, nor over his shoulder, she missed the shadow of the small, caped figure in the corner of the room, still sitting silently observing the spectacle from under a black hood. Seeing no other option, Nessa made her move.
“Well, it’s about time I was off.” She stated as politely as she could, before swiftly standing from the table. A sudden pressure around her wrist made her look down in surprise, however, at the man’s grip around her forearm. ‘How can one so intoxicated be so agile?’ She blinked, still in shock from the speed of the fellow. Her politeness had just been worn out, anger beginning to bubble to the surface along with her impatience. “Get off of me.” She snapped, trying to tug her arm away, but the stranger held fast.
“Oh come on, we’re having such a good time, though.” The man purred, trying to wrap his other arm around the elf’s slender waist. “Besides, who else would be able to show you an actual real cockatrice? Or a wyvern?” Still struggling against the grip of the man, Nessa’s attention snapped on to the last part of the sentence.
“What... do you mean?” She struggled to ask, most of her strength combatting the firm grip of the drunk.
“Well, me and my mate there, we... I could show ‘em to you. I think Wells is heading there now, you know. We’ve got some well powerful people at our disposal, y’see. Well - I do. I’m kinda the brains of the operation.” He leered, far too close for Nessa’s liking. Her strength failing, he drew her down to his level, his face level with hers. About to kiss her with that vile mouth of his, Nessa flinched; but to her surprise, so did he.
“Evidently not.” The cold voice cut through the air, much like the blade that was now protruding from the man’s neck. Nessa cried in horror, pushing the man away from her as the gargling drunk dropped from his chair, drowning in his own blood.
The two men gambling at this point, sat dumbfounded - before they decided it would be a good idea to make a break for it, however, the hooded figure in the black cape pointed a second dagger in their direction. “Sit.” Was all that she uttered, and the duo happily obliged.
“What th- who- what did you do that for?! You killed him!” Nessa, still in a state of horror, stared aghast at the cloaked figure in front of her. As the female turned to face her, she could now see the pale face of the woman before her with some more clarity. Eyes as black as coal glared straight back at the elf, the two women matching each other’s gaze for a few split moments as they measured each other up.
“You’re welcome.” The rogue hissed scathingly, before casually slinking towards the exit. Nessa just continued to stare dumbfoundedly after her, before gathering her senses and quickly making to follow.
“Wait - where are you going?” She demanded loudly, but as she swung around the ajar door, all she was met with was an empty street, the faint sound of chattering from the surrounding city echoing in the distance, oblivious to the events that just occurred. As swiftly as she could, she trotted down the street, eyes and ears open for any signs of the petite woman. It wasn’t long, however, before she slowed her pace to a walk, seeing the futility of trying to pursue the stranger. The buildings here were a lot more ramshackle; and as she looked around, she could see that she had ventured into the more impoverished area of the city.
The echo of a nearby voice, however, quickly stole her attention. Slipping into an alleyway off of the street she had been on, she turned a corner to witness the man from the tavern before; Wells, she was sure his name was, having a disagreement with yet another man outside the door of a large, derelict looking warehouse.
“Okay Wade, so I’m here already. Calm yer tits. What’s the problem?” Wells swayed with every word, refusing to be scolded by the man in front of him. Hazel eyes watching from a distance, Nessa hugged the wall and listened on, frowning as she picked up the rest of the conversation.
"Dammit Wells!" - Wade snapped at the man, then lowered his ovn voice considerably - "lower your voice...you don't want all Neverwinter after us do you?..." Wade scratched his nose and glanced about nervously for a moment, before turning his gaze back to Wells. "The drow is good... better then we thought... we need to do something about him soon... Somethign is just... off about him... I cannaut put my finger on it... The higher ups were pleased with us though... for now, we got another job... Get yer clowns together and meet up with the rest at the cave... I think we'll be up against something big... " Wade glanced about nervously again, only to notice Wells holding out his hand towards him as he turned back. - "You'll get your pay there too... The drow got a hefty bag... he better split it proper or we'll have to gut'im sooner then I wanted to... " With that, he slapped Wells' hand away, then turned on his heels, and disappeared back into the alleys.
Just as he did, Ness would possibly spot a brief flicker of black fur in the shadows, following the man...
Urebrion scouted all around the barn, examining every angle he could find, but saw no other exit then the two large barn-doors, and the small side-door they came out through. They both were now barred from the inside, yet he was sure the frail man he had met was not inside the barn itself. He could no longer feel the stench of undead, and upon closer examination through a hole in the roof, the gnoll corpse proved to be abandoned in there a long time ago. Most likely a ruse to hint at this place being the head of whatever was going on... peeking in through the rest of the holes yielded no results either... aside from a few cages they moved the critters out of, all that was left in the barn were the empty carts... Magic was not his strong suit though, and it was either that at play, or a tunnel... there could have been nothing else. He watched the building ever since his men left.
It was time for action... after one more glance, he drew his cloak tight around himself, pried a loose roof-board out of the way, then deftly slid into the opening, disappearing inside the barn to investigate.
Chrys followed Wade from a distance, as the drow asked him to do so. He was supposed to make certain Wade would not head back to the barn, though it did not seem to be his intention. The feline's nose twitched as he caught a familiar scent, turned back to spot Nessa hugging a wall, but he staid within the shadows. He could not afford to loose Wade. Darting after the man silently proved to be easier then he thought, Wade was not the careful type really... more like the man who burns down a bar just because they didn't have his favorite drink... and he smelled like said drinks too... somethign that made the feline uncomfortable... alcohol imbued meat was not on his list of favorites after all...
At one point, It looked as the man had intended to go back to the barn, but right before the panther decided to intervene, he turned a different direction, stopping to slip something to a beggar here, and take something from another in a different alley, he was, with slight detours, headed back towards the cave.
Just as he did, Ness would possibly spot a brief flicker of black fur in the shadows, following the man...
Urebrion scouted all around the barn, examining every angle he could find, but saw no other exit then the two large barn-doors, and the small side-door they came out through. They both were now barred from the inside, yet he was sure the frail man he had met was not inside the barn itself. He could no longer feel the stench of undead, and upon closer examination through a hole in the roof, the gnoll corpse proved to be abandoned in there a long time ago. Most likely a ruse to hint at this place being the head of whatever was going on... peeking in through the rest of the holes yielded no results either... aside from a few cages they moved the critters out of, all that was left in the barn were the empty carts... Magic was not his strong suit though, and it was either that at play, or a tunnel... there could have been nothing else. He watched the building ever since his men left.
It was time for action... after one more glance, he drew his cloak tight around himself, pried a loose roof-board out of the way, then deftly slid into the opening, disappearing inside the barn to investigate.
Chrys followed Wade from a distance, as the drow asked him to do so. He was supposed to make certain Wade would not head back to the barn, though it did not seem to be his intention. The feline's nose twitched as he caught a familiar scent, turned back to spot Nessa hugging a wall, but he staid within the shadows. He could not afford to loose Wade. Darting after the man silently proved to be easier then he thought, Wade was not the careful type really... more like the man who burns down a bar just because they didn't have his favorite drink... and he smelled like said drinks too... somethign that made the feline uncomfortable... alcohol imbued meat was not on his list of favorites after all...
At one point, It looked as the man had intended to go back to the barn, but right before the panther decided to intervene, he turned a different direction, stopping to slip something to a beggar here, and take something from another in a different alley, he was, with slight detours, headed back towards the cave.
Nessa’s eyes widened as she listened to Wade’s lecture; the references to a drow piqued her interest. ‘Surely not.’ Although she had no idea of her husband’s whereabouts at present, she assumed as her thoughts suddenly turned to him, it was just due to her missing the man. It had been a while. Still, if another drow was involved, that made things more complex than she had initially suspected. A small throb on the back of her head reminded her, however, of the lengths these people would go to to get their way; it was in her interests to bring them down a peg or two, and for all that Nessa could gather, they were still holding Narea.
She shook her head slightly in dismay as Wells gave the other man a crude gesture to his back, after his hand was slapped away. The human muttered something illegible to himself as he turned to leave via a different route to his ‘superior’ (at least Nessa assumed that was the case), but her attention was stolen by the brief flicker of a moving shadow across the way, travelling in the direction of the first man to leave the area. She had only known one creature to travel with such finesse, and she was able to put two and two together.
“Chrys.” She muttered to herself, barely audibly. “What are you doing here?” A mixture of relief and concern washed over her, for she knew what the panther’s presence indicated. Tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, she made a move to also follow the man, taking care to keep her distance.
Taking note of her surroundings, if there was one thing that made Nessa more uncomfortable than a city, it was the feeling that there could be knives poised at her back. As she weaved between the derelict looking buildings that it appeared were the homes to some, her thoughts returned back to the black clad female from before, replaying those awful events in her head. A couple of precautionary glances were thrown over her shoulder now and then, a slight paranoia surrounding the elf at the thought.
Perched on the warehouse roof, the tiefling’s dark eyes watched intently as the peculiar array of people left the area. Content that the coast was clear, she stood up and strolled along the building’s roof towards the front, where she swung down to land in front of the door. Stealing a quick glance in the directions of the two crooks, she pulled a lockpick from her belt and set to work on the door; the sounding ‘click’ of it opening took only moments to achieve.
Ardira swung the door casually open, allowing light to filter in. Particles of dust danced as the breeze from doing so disturbed the floor.
Scanning the contents in the dim, she approached a particular covered pile stashed in it’s center, pulling the cover off of it in one swift motion. “Ugh...” The woman sighed in annoyance. Piles of clothes and fur lay in bundles, their damp smell soon reaching her nostrils. This wasn’t what she was looking for, at all. She didn’t even bother to replace the sheet, as she returned to the open door, snapping the lock back into the place before slinking down the same route that Wills took. She knew the man would lead her to her destination eventually, and she preferred to avoid travelling in the same direction as the elf she has evaded previously. Ardira was indeed surprised that Nessa had followed her so closely, even if she had failed to notice it herself.
She shook her head slightly in dismay as Wells gave the other man a crude gesture to his back, after his hand was slapped away. The human muttered something illegible to himself as he turned to leave via a different route to his ‘superior’ (at least Nessa assumed that was the case), but her attention was stolen by the brief flicker of a moving shadow across the way, travelling in the direction of the first man to leave the area. She had only known one creature to travel with such finesse, and she was able to put two and two together.
“Chrys.” She muttered to herself, barely audibly. “What are you doing here?” A mixture of relief and concern washed over her, for she knew what the panther’s presence indicated. Tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, she made a move to also follow the man, taking care to keep her distance.
Taking note of her surroundings, if there was one thing that made Nessa more uncomfortable than a city, it was the feeling that there could be knives poised at her back. As she weaved between the derelict looking buildings that it appeared were the homes to some, her thoughts returned back to the black clad female from before, replaying those awful events in her head. A couple of precautionary glances were thrown over her shoulder now and then, a slight paranoia surrounding the elf at the thought.
Perched on the warehouse roof, the tiefling’s dark eyes watched intently as the peculiar array of people left the area. Content that the coast was clear, she stood up and strolled along the building’s roof towards the front, where she swung down to land in front of the door. Stealing a quick glance in the directions of the two crooks, she pulled a lockpick from her belt and set to work on the door; the sounding ‘click’ of it opening took only moments to achieve.
Ardira swung the door casually open, allowing light to filter in. Particles of dust danced as the breeze from doing so disturbed the floor.
Scanning the contents in the dim, she approached a particular covered pile stashed in it’s center, pulling the cover off of it in one swift motion. “Ugh...” The woman sighed in annoyance. Piles of clothes and fur lay in bundles, their damp smell soon reaching her nostrils. This wasn’t what she was looking for, at all. She didn’t even bother to replace the sheet, as she returned to the open door, snapping the lock back into the place before slinking down the same route that Wills took. She knew the man would lead her to her destination eventually, and she preferred to avoid travelling in the same direction as the elf she has evaded previously. Ardira was indeed surprised that Nessa had followed her so closely, even if she had failed to notice it herself.
The drow actually heard Ardira leave, just as he swung a trap door open from beneath the floorboards, emerging with an unusually white pelt near aglow around his neck... the sad proof of the death of a fairly rare, completely white winter wolf... He found a list of ingredients in the hidden lair, and lifted it from under the nose of the necromancer, who was apparently very close to becoming a true Lich... And still he could not be sure there wasn't something much more sinister in the background. After all, the bag of coin he got was no pocket change...
The drow couldn't hide as effectively now, but still moved as silently as before. Deftly opening the lock Ardira re-locked,he slipped out of the building. He felt disgusted knowing the only two items on the new list he had received earlier... not that he minded killing a medusa, - it may even end up killing Wade or Jacoby or any of those filthy thugs he spent the last months amidst - but the dryad... It was time to weigh decisions and consequences... Thoughts like these circled through his head repeatedly as he followed the darkness of the alleys through the slums, headed back towards the cave where their hideout was.
Chrys had followed Wade out of the slums with ease, remaining hidden in the shadows throughout. As they reached the edge of the city, he let Wade go ahead, not wanting to risk being spotted around the open road... yet he felt a familiar scent, and crept along the walls, only to silently crawl atop a large rock, where he had perfect sight of a waiting Narea... and as cheeky as he was, his head silently lowered behind the wolf, only to plant a broad lick up along the back of her head, making the fur stand right up to between her ears, letting out an odd noise somewhere between a chuff and a playful growl.
Despite a quite likely annoyed Narea, the large feline slid down beside the wolf, and laid beside her in the shade, keeping his eyes on the road leading out of the Neverwinter slums...
The drow couldn't hide as effectively now, but still moved as silently as before. Deftly opening the lock Ardira re-locked,he slipped out of the building. He felt disgusted knowing the only two items on the new list he had received earlier... not that he minded killing a medusa, - it may even end up killing Wade or Jacoby or any of those filthy thugs he spent the last months amidst - but the dryad... It was time to weigh decisions and consequences... Thoughts like these circled through his head repeatedly as he followed the darkness of the alleys through the slums, headed back towards the cave where their hideout was.
Chrys had followed Wade out of the slums with ease, remaining hidden in the shadows throughout. As they reached the edge of the city, he let Wade go ahead, not wanting to risk being spotted around the open road... yet he felt a familiar scent, and crept along the walls, only to silently crawl atop a large rock, where he had perfect sight of a waiting Narea... and as cheeky as he was, his head silently lowered behind the wolf, only to plant a broad lick up along the back of her head, making the fur stand right up to between her ears, letting out an odd noise somewhere between a chuff and a playful growl.
Despite a quite likely annoyed Narea, the large feline slid down beside the wolf, and laid beside her in the shade, keeping his eyes on the road leading out of the Neverwinter slums...
Remaining vigilant in her watch, Narea’s ears remained forward facing Neverwinter’s bulk as the panther made her move. A small yelp of surprised escaped her maw and she swung her head about to face Chrys, releasing a slight growl in protest, but she was evidently pleased to see the feline. The wolf shook her head and mane of silver hair, trying to return it to it’s natural place.
She nuzzled the panther in greeting with her nose as he approached, before lowering her head back to her paws. Her ears remained perked forwards, along with a small piece of fur between them, much to the wolf’s annoyance.
No longer had she done so, however, another familiar scent reached her nose on the wind. She promptly sat upright, her tail flicking and eyes bright; an eager look on her face as the one she had been waiting for couldn’t be far away.
Ardira rolled her eyes at how conspicuous the man she was tailing was, for a crook who made his living from ‘staying out of the eye of the law’. The man named Wills had made several stops along his route, his idea of a low voice being the equivalent to any other person’s casual conversation. Still, despite this small flaw, she was surprised to see that he drew no attention from any of the people she could see. Perhaps this sort of behaviour was just accepted here. ‘Wouldn’t last a half day in Calimshan.’ The tiefling thought, as she casually turned a bend in the road to see Wills stumble into a nearby door.
Wanting a better vantage, Ardira slipped into a nearby alleyway and scrambled quietly up the drainpipe, confident that it would hold her light weight. As she reached the top she perched down beside the roof’s chimney, grumbling at her lack of patience in these ‘house calls’ the man was making. She allowed her eyes to drift across the buildings and streets around her; the buildings were thinning out now that they were reaching the outskirts of the city’s slums. It was then that a streak of white caught her eye, and she turned to watch the figure disappear behind a wall. The tiefling blinked. ‘There’s a lot of activity here for such an unremarkable place.’ At that, Wells returned from inside the building, and rising just slightly, Ardira could see that he was now in the company of five others. They continued on their way - Ardira noted - in the same direction that she had glanced that curious figure go just moments before. She waited a while before shifting from the roof, not wanting to give away her position, and continued to follow the six thugs at a slight distance.
The elf felt a sense of relief as the buildings that surrounded her dropped away to reveal the city’s outskirts. Shrubbery, and even the odd tree were a welcome site indeed, and her attire made for a somewhat more camouflaged appearance compared to how exposed she felt in the heart of Neverwinter.
Her eyes never leaving sight of Wade for long, she slipped further away from the main path and into the concealment of some nearby shrubbery. It was there that she could see the man’s destination in the distance, up a small slope and into the cover of a small wooded area, full of weathered looking oaks.
She nuzzled the panther in greeting with her nose as he approached, before lowering her head back to her paws. Her ears remained perked forwards, along with a small piece of fur between them, much to the wolf’s annoyance.
No longer had she done so, however, another familiar scent reached her nose on the wind. She promptly sat upright, her tail flicking and eyes bright; an eager look on her face as the one she had been waiting for couldn’t be far away.
Ardira rolled her eyes at how conspicuous the man she was tailing was, for a crook who made his living from ‘staying out of the eye of the law’. The man named Wills had made several stops along his route, his idea of a low voice being the equivalent to any other person’s casual conversation. Still, despite this small flaw, she was surprised to see that he drew no attention from any of the people she could see. Perhaps this sort of behaviour was just accepted here. ‘Wouldn’t last a half day in Calimshan.’ The tiefling thought, as she casually turned a bend in the road to see Wills stumble into a nearby door.
Wanting a better vantage, Ardira slipped into a nearby alleyway and scrambled quietly up the drainpipe, confident that it would hold her light weight. As she reached the top she perched down beside the roof’s chimney, grumbling at her lack of patience in these ‘house calls’ the man was making. She allowed her eyes to drift across the buildings and streets around her; the buildings were thinning out now that they were reaching the outskirts of the city’s slums. It was then that a streak of white caught her eye, and she turned to watch the figure disappear behind a wall. The tiefling blinked. ‘There’s a lot of activity here for such an unremarkable place.’ At that, Wells returned from inside the building, and rising just slightly, Ardira could see that he was now in the company of five others. They continued on their way - Ardira noted - in the same direction that she had glanced that curious figure go just moments before. She waited a while before shifting from the roof, not wanting to give away her position, and continued to follow the six thugs at a slight distance.
The elf felt a sense of relief as the buildings that surrounded her dropped away to reveal the city’s outskirts. Shrubbery, and even the odd tree were a welcome site indeed, and her attire made for a somewhat more camouflaged appearance compared to how exposed she felt in the heart of Neverwinter.
Her eyes never leaving sight of Wade for long, she slipped further away from the main path and into the concealment of some nearby shrubbery. It was there that she could see the man’s destination in the distance, up a small slope and into the cover of a small wooded area, full of weathered looking oaks.
The panther laid there, pushing a paw against the wolf's side in a playful, yet lazy way, whilst his tail flicked slowly back and forth behind him. His ears perked some as Narea sat up, he also gave the air a few sniffs, but remained lazily on the ground. For the large feline it would've taken no less effort to ready himself, he was always ready to jump at a moment's notice.
A figure walked down the road, but it was not whom Narea was looking for yet. Wade didn't even notice he had passed the beasts on his way, he seemed to be lost in his own thoughts, headed for the caves.
Urebrion knew the nagging feeling he was getting pretty well... he felt exactly as if someone was watching him... "Damn... perfect timing... " - the drow mouthed the words to himself, then slid into an alley, and peeked out behind him. He was certain he had a tail on him, but didn't see anyone... the feeling also seemed to diminish, prompting action. Tugging his cloak tighter around himself, he deftly traversed a drainpipe onto the rooftops, hiding behind a small shack atop, he glanced about from the corners, only to spot another figure on the rooftops, now headed away from him... "Now this is getting interesting...." - he thought to himself, and followed Ardira from a -very- safe distance. He knew the white would make him stick out like a sore thumb...
It soon became obvious that she was headed the same direction as he intended to originally... this was not a good sign... To boot, as soon as they reached the edge of the densely built areas, he spotted Wade's lackeys... "Yeah... they move as silently as an elephant with a broken leg in a china shop... Why are humans so... dumb..." - he said to himself, his anger petering out and turning into acceptance on the last word, he knew what he volunteered for, and now - seemingly - it was all crumbling down... but there was at least a wrench in the works...
He had no choice now but to stay back, and follow from a distance... a few roofs further in, he spotted another figure... a very familiar one at that... that made him slow down, at a loss about how to proceed... ultimately, the wisest course of action seemed to be to lag behind and observe, thus the drow tracked Nessa from a distance, whilst trying to keep an eye on Ardira as much as the situation permitted, as they all seemd to be headed the same way.
Wade sighed, he thought the day had been tiring enough as it was... Still, he had a job to do. He'd lean against the wall of the cave entrance, and rang the alamr bell placed there forcefully. "Get out all ya lazy bums! We gotta job to do!" - he shouted down the mouth of the cave.
The men gathered, surprisingly quickly despite the fact that many didn't seem quite decently dressed, or sober... "Alright you slobs... fact is, the drow did well. There'll be pay tonight. But we got another job ta do... so no drinking tonight... I see anyone drinking tonight, or hungover tomorrow, I'll lock'em in the pens myself... Now go get yourselves in order you shitstains..." - Wade sure knew how to motivate the men.. at least he thought so! He joined the rest of the men headed into the cave, and sat down in his private little hole, dipping his hands into the large sack of gold coins, running them thorugh his fingers with a greedy grin spreading across his face...
A figure walked down the road, but it was not whom Narea was looking for yet. Wade didn't even notice he had passed the beasts on his way, he seemed to be lost in his own thoughts, headed for the caves.
Urebrion knew the nagging feeling he was getting pretty well... he felt exactly as if someone was watching him... "Damn... perfect timing... " - the drow mouthed the words to himself, then slid into an alley, and peeked out behind him. He was certain he had a tail on him, but didn't see anyone... the feeling also seemed to diminish, prompting action. Tugging his cloak tighter around himself, he deftly traversed a drainpipe onto the rooftops, hiding behind a small shack atop, he glanced about from the corners, only to spot another figure on the rooftops, now headed away from him... "Now this is getting interesting...." - he thought to himself, and followed Ardira from a -very- safe distance. He knew the white would make him stick out like a sore thumb...
It soon became obvious that she was headed the same direction as he intended to originally... this was not a good sign... To boot, as soon as they reached the edge of the densely built areas, he spotted Wade's lackeys... "Yeah... they move as silently as an elephant with a broken leg in a china shop... Why are humans so... dumb..." - he said to himself, his anger petering out and turning into acceptance on the last word, he knew what he volunteered for, and now - seemingly - it was all crumbling down... but there was at least a wrench in the works...
He had no choice now but to stay back, and follow from a distance... a few roofs further in, he spotted another figure... a very familiar one at that... that made him slow down, at a loss about how to proceed... ultimately, the wisest course of action seemed to be to lag behind and observe, thus the drow tracked Nessa from a distance, whilst trying to keep an eye on Ardira as much as the situation permitted, as they all seemd to be headed the same way.
Wade sighed, he thought the day had been tiring enough as it was... Still, he had a job to do. He'd lean against the wall of the cave entrance, and rang the alamr bell placed there forcefully. "Get out all ya lazy bums! We gotta job to do!" - he shouted down the mouth of the cave.
The men gathered, surprisingly quickly despite the fact that many didn't seem quite decently dressed, or sober... "Alright you slobs... fact is, the drow did well. There'll be pay tonight. But we got another job ta do... so no drinking tonight... I see anyone drinking tonight, or hungover tomorrow, I'll lock'em in the pens myself... Now go get yourselves in order you shitstains..." - Wade sure knew how to motivate the men.. at least he thought so! He joined the rest of the men headed into the cave, and sat down in his private little hole, dipping his hands into the large sack of gold coins, running them thorugh his fingers with a greedy grin spreading across his face...
It took the six men a substantially longer time to reach the cave; Wells was not the only one, it appeared, to have been out drinking the night before. A couple of them sustained a rowdy conversation about... well, Ardira supposed she didn’t really want to know, guessing from their crude hand gestures now and then. Confident in their idiocy, she didn’t bother too much to remain inconspicuous to them, tugging on her hood to ensure it was pulled enough to conceal most of her features.
When the six of them ventured off of the road and up the slope to the forest edge, she held back, casting a curious glance towards some nearby shrubbery. ‘Odd, I could have sworn...’ She pondered about investigating the area some, but being the impatient woman she was, instead darted easily up the hill, circling the men’s route and entering the trees from a different place. Her eyes fell upon the concealed cave entrance just before the small group of thugs reached it.
Wells, leading the group as he liked to imagine, turned to one of the men behind him. “We weren’t tailed, nah?” The crony looked over his shoulder - perhaps one of the the only times he had even done so - and looked back at his workmate. “Nah.”
“Good.” Wells decided, and the group disappeared into the mouth of the cave. Once she was sure they were far enough inside, Ardira slinked in after them; cautious and silently shifting from shadow to shadow.
When the six of them ventured off of the road and up the slope to the forest edge, she held back, casting a curious glance towards some nearby shrubbery. ‘Odd, I could have sworn...’ She pondered about investigating the area some, but being the impatient woman she was, instead darted easily up the hill, circling the men’s route and entering the trees from a different place. Her eyes fell upon the concealed cave entrance just before the small group of thugs reached it.
Wells, leading the group as he liked to imagine, turned to one of the men behind him. “We weren’t tailed, nah?” The crony looked over his shoulder - perhaps one of the the only times he had even done so - and looked back at his workmate. “Nah.”
“Good.” Wells decided, and the group disappeared into the mouth of the cave. Once she was sure they were far enough inside, Ardira slinked in after them; cautious and silently shifting from shadow to shadow.
Nessa swept a chunk of hair off her face, an audible sigh escaping her lips once she was sure the coast was clear. A chill had run down her spine at how easily the tiefling had noticed such a slight movement; mentally kicking herself for underestimating the small woman. ‘That was way too close.’ She allowed her tense muscles to relax, and dropped down for a moment’s rest on the ground, her back propped up on the small birch tree that jutted out from the surrounding wild shrubbery.
She lifted a hand to tenderly examine the back of her head; most of the pain had now eased, but upon contact she still winced at how tender the bump was. She didn’t need to see her hair to feel the dried blood underneath a tangled portion of her hair. The elf had just begun to detangle the hair gently with both hands, when a rustle from the other side of the bushes caught her attention, just as a bundle of silver fur tackled her to the ground.
The wolf, upon determining that all of the crooks had now vacated the immediate area, had bolted towards the scent of the elf. She flattened the poor woman, tail flicking as she licked Nessa’s face vigorously.
“Narea?!” The elf part scolded, part exclaimed. A wave of relief came over her, a huge smile on her face as she tried to shoo the wolf and sit up. The excited canine wasn’t so quick to be dismissed, however, but eventually she sat back and allowed her friend to pick herself up off the ground.
She lifted a hand to tenderly examine the back of her head; most of the pain had now eased, but upon contact she still winced at how tender the bump was. She didn’t need to see her hair to feel the dried blood underneath a tangled portion of her hair. The elf had just begun to detangle the hair gently with both hands, when a rustle from the other side of the bushes caught her attention, just as a bundle of silver fur tackled her to the ground.
The wolf, upon determining that all of the crooks had now vacated the immediate area, had bolted towards the scent of the elf. She flattened the poor woman, tail flicking as she licked Nessa’s face vigorously.
“Narea?!” The elf part scolded, part exclaimed. A wave of relief came over her, a huge smile on her face as she tried to shoo the wolf and sit up. The excited canine wasn’t so quick to be dismissed, however, but eventually she sat back and allowed her friend to pick herself up off the ground.
The black panther stepped out of the bush right behind Narea in a pace that couldn't be called anything other then lazy. A white pelt was in his maw, that the feline tossed towards Nessa's lap, pretty much draping it over Narea. Getting noticed -was- a competition after all! His jade eyes were fixed on the woman as he stepped over and gave her cheek a faint nuzzle in a manner that said 'yuck... doggie drool....'
Despite the yucky doggie slobber, he proceeded to sit down beside the two, and rubbed his fuzzy cheek against Nessa rather affectionately, eyeing Narea with a cheeky, smug look.
In the mean time, Urebrion looked on at the scene from a distance. He had told Chrys to keep an eye on Nessa, while - rather reluctantly - he went after Ardira, not sure what the woman's agenda was. At least he didn't have the fur with him now, so he could blend into the shadows proper.
The slowly setting sun was more then a little help to the shadowdancer, the elongated shadows created nice, large areas to slip to and from. The tiefling was good, but experiencemade him even better... gaining ground swiftly, Ure reached Ardira as she had disappeared in the cave entrance. Ure knew the place better than anyone, hence as the opportunity presented itself, the drow suddenly appeared behind Ardira, hooking an arm about her neck, from behind, pulling the lithe form against himself, and disappearing in the entrance to his private lair, while the point of his rapier was pressing against the rogue's neck.
-"Who are you and what are you after? You better speak quickly woman... " - The drow was breathing pretty rapidly thanks to the effort he exerted in following her.
Wade heard a knock on the wooden frame holding the rug that served as his door and barely had the time to push a bag under his table, before Wells barged in. - "'ey Wade... I brought the men... we're ready..."
-"Alright... here's your share... now go an' join the men at the bunks... we go a few cots for your folks too... we need to be rested... the drow wants to tackle something odd from what I gather... meet me whe-"
-"This ain' what we agreed upon Wade... " - Wells snapped at the man mid-sentence, as he raised the box wade had motioned to indicating their share. The box seemed light, and he had opened it. "You ain't tryin to cheat me now are ya?
-"That's all there's left after paying the men... remember you are just paid to be lookouts... we take the risks... " - Wade's eyes slowly squint, somewhat menacingly... or at least trying to be.
- ... "screw you" - The brief answer came followed by a quick, but brutal punch, contacting wade right in the middle of his nose, breaking it instantly, and knocking the man back against the desk behind him... he was out cold in that instant...
Wells didn't bother, he knew the place somwhat, and also knew the barracks were some ways further in... noone would be bothering them if they just walked out as if nothing had happened... he did spot the bag after all, and snagged it up, pouring the contents of his box into it as well. Wells cast a second glance at Wade, kicked his unconcious body in the side, and as he rolled over, spat in his face, that by now was swimming in the man's own blood. - "Now you'll kno' who to screw ..." Wells said silently, then indeed as if nothing had happened, he stepped out, waved his men to follow him, and tipped a hat to the few men lingering in the main tunnel on his way out.
Despite the yucky doggie slobber, he proceeded to sit down beside the two, and rubbed his fuzzy cheek against Nessa rather affectionately, eyeing Narea with a cheeky, smug look.
In the mean time, Urebrion looked on at the scene from a distance. He had told Chrys to keep an eye on Nessa, while - rather reluctantly - he went after Ardira, not sure what the woman's agenda was. At least he didn't have the fur with him now, so he could blend into the shadows proper.
The slowly setting sun was more then a little help to the shadowdancer, the elongated shadows created nice, large areas to slip to and from. The tiefling was good, but experiencemade him even better... gaining ground swiftly, Ure reached Ardira as she had disappeared in the cave entrance. Ure knew the place better than anyone, hence as the opportunity presented itself, the drow suddenly appeared behind Ardira, hooking an arm about her neck, from behind, pulling the lithe form against himself, and disappearing in the entrance to his private lair, while the point of his rapier was pressing against the rogue's neck.
-"Who are you and what are you after? You better speak quickly woman... " - The drow was breathing pretty rapidly thanks to the effort he exerted in following her.
Wade heard a knock on the wooden frame holding the rug that served as his door and barely had the time to push a bag under his table, before Wells barged in. - "'ey Wade... I brought the men... we're ready..."
-"Alright... here's your share... now go an' join the men at the bunks... we go a few cots for your folks too... we need to be rested... the drow wants to tackle something odd from what I gather... meet me whe-"
-"This ain' what we agreed upon Wade... " - Wells snapped at the man mid-sentence, as he raised the box wade had motioned to indicating their share. The box seemed light, and he had opened it. "You ain't tryin to cheat me now are ya?
-"That's all there's left after paying the men... remember you are just paid to be lookouts... we take the risks... " - Wade's eyes slowly squint, somewhat menacingly... or at least trying to be.
- ... "screw you" - The brief answer came followed by a quick, but brutal punch, contacting wade right in the middle of his nose, breaking it instantly, and knocking the man back against the desk behind him... he was out cold in that instant...
Wells didn't bother, he knew the place somwhat, and also knew the barracks were some ways further in... noone would be bothering them if they just walked out as if nothing had happened... he did spot the bag after all, and snagged it up, pouring the contents of his box into it as well. Wells cast a second glance at Wade, kicked his unconcious body in the side, and as he rolled over, spat in his face, that by now was swimming in the man's own blood. - "Now you'll kno' who to screw ..." Wells said silently, then indeed as if nothing had happened, he stepped out, waved his men to follow him, and tipped a hat to the few men lingering in the main tunnel on his way out.
“You had me worried, you know. Are you all right?” The elf was giving Narea an affectionate pat and check over (to which the wolf reluctantly allowed), as Chrys strolled so casually out before the reunited duo. She raised her hazel eyes to the panther to give a warm greeting; the smile stolen from her face as the pelt landed across her slender legs. Nessa glanced from the panther to the pelt, lifting it hesitantly in her hands.
“Chrys, where did you get this?” The light tone of joy in her voice was no longer present, as the muted question escaped her lips. She ran a hand across the feline’s head, tickling him behind one ear, but her attention had been stolen by the object now slung across her.
The wolf too, had fallen silent, her tail lying still where it had been happily flicking just moments ago. Narea stood up and approached the pelt in a tentative way to sniff it, her ears back. The loud growl that followed made clear the wolf’s displeasure for the object, her teeth nearly bared.
Her feeling was shared by her companion, it seemed, and Narea took a couple of small steps back as the frowning elf rose slowly to her feet. There she stood, silently for a good couple of minutes, a feeling of disgust and anger welling inside at the mere presence of the pelt she was holding. She snapped her eyes from the white fur towards the panther, a questioning look within those hazel orbs of her. She glanced from Chrys towards the not-so-distant line of trees where she had seen Wade vanish some time before.
“What is up there?” The elf asked, as she rolled the pelt up. She wasn’t sure she would like the answer. Not waiting to see the response from the panther, however, she tossed the thing angrily into the shrubbery; hidden from the sight of anyone who wouldn’t have known of the location from afar, and began her march up the hill, a hand reaching for the longbow that was strapped to her back. Narea’s ears perked as she stood between Nessa and Chrys, stealing the panther a glance before making a move to follow.
As if on queue, however, Nessa spun around just long enough to point at the spot and say “You two stay here.” Dark blond hair flicked over her shoulder as she turned back to the slope, the ranger’s momentum growing as in one deft movement the longbow was pulled into her hand and an arrow placed at the ready.
“Chrys, where did you get this?” The light tone of joy in her voice was no longer present, as the muted question escaped her lips. She ran a hand across the feline’s head, tickling him behind one ear, but her attention had been stolen by the object now slung across her.
The wolf too, had fallen silent, her tail lying still where it had been happily flicking just moments ago. Narea stood up and approached the pelt in a tentative way to sniff it, her ears back. The loud growl that followed made clear the wolf’s displeasure for the object, her teeth nearly bared.
Her feeling was shared by her companion, it seemed, and Narea took a couple of small steps back as the frowning elf rose slowly to her feet. There she stood, silently for a good couple of minutes, a feeling of disgust and anger welling inside at the mere presence of the pelt she was holding. She snapped her eyes from the white fur towards the panther, a questioning look within those hazel orbs of her. She glanced from Chrys towards the not-so-distant line of trees where she had seen Wade vanish some time before.
“What is up there?” The elf asked, as she rolled the pelt up. She wasn’t sure she would like the answer. Not waiting to see the response from the panther, however, she tossed the thing angrily into the shrubbery; hidden from the sight of anyone who wouldn’t have known of the location from afar, and began her march up the hill, a hand reaching for the longbow that was strapped to her back. Narea’s ears perked as she stood between Nessa and Chrys, stealing the panther a glance before making a move to follow.
As if on queue, however, Nessa spun around just long enough to point at the spot and say “You two stay here.” Dark blond hair flicked over her shoulder as she turned back to the slope, the ranger’s momentum growing as in one deft movement the longbow was pulled into her hand and an arrow placed at the ready.
No stranger to dark places, Ardira was cautious in her entry, taking note of the direction from which echoing sound of the men before her was coming from. It didn’t sound like there was only six, however, judging from the commotion of the lackeys getting ready from a ways in. She pursed her lips, weighing the complications before her. ‘This better seriously be worth my time; or Thoril be damned.’ She grumbled inaudibly. A hand clutched the dagger underneath her black cloak, as she peered around a curve in the cave some way in.
Her surprise was complete when the strong figure seized her from behind; on reflex she swiftly unsheathed the dagger, turning it’s point accurately to face where the drow’s femoral artery would be. The cold touch of steel against her neck drew her pause, but she held the dagger fast in it’s threatening position. If she was to be taken down here then she was sure that she would take this son of a bitch with her. Ebony eyes lowered to the man’s arm, and she testingly turned her head a tad to the side enough to catch a glimpse of his hand. ‘A drow?’ The tiefling did well to hide her concern for the situation, cursing herself for not noticing the presence behind her sooner. Yet, here she still stood; the blade against her skin as opposed to sliced through it. Why?
“Who’s asking?” She hissed, the venom in her tone evident. Her unarmed hand cautiously moved towards another blade on her hip, as she tried her best to make the movement beneath her cloak as unnoticeable as possible to the drow.
Her surprise was complete when the strong figure seized her from behind; on reflex she swiftly unsheathed the dagger, turning it’s point accurately to face where the drow’s femoral artery would be. The cold touch of steel against her neck drew her pause, but she held the dagger fast in it’s threatening position. If she was to be taken down here then she was sure that she would take this son of a bitch with her. Ebony eyes lowered to the man’s arm, and she testingly turned her head a tad to the side enough to catch a glimpse of his hand. ‘A drow?’ The tiefling did well to hide her concern for the situation, cursing herself for not noticing the presence behind her sooner. Yet, here she still stood; the blade against her skin as opposed to sliced through it. Why?
“Who’s asking?” She hissed, the venom in her tone evident. Her unarmed hand cautiously moved towards another blade on her hip, as she tried her best to make the movement beneath her cloak as unnoticeable as possible to the drow.
Chrys tilt his head somewhat as he glanced back and forth between the wolf and the elf, he didn't seem to get what the sudden change in mood was about, or he was trying to save face... either way, he'd stay put, right until he saw Nessa pull out her weapons and move with such determination. When the elf looked back, the panther was already gone. Well... not really gone... he was already beside her... Considering his toothing, he was quite gentle when he carefully, yet swiftly took hold of Nessa's wrist, and sat down on his rear again, trying to have her stay amidst a meek sounding growl. Tail curled up against himself, the creature's jade eyes were fixated on the elf quizzically, as if questioning her intent.
Urebrion held the tiefling as steady as he could. She could feel the cold, sharpened point of his rapier pressing against her neck more firmly. A true drow would not have hesitated to already spurt blood, much less give her a second chance to answer...
"I'll ask you again... who are you... and what do you want?" Not noticing her hand moving for another blade, his head tilt out to the right slightly, trying to get a look at the woman's face. "You have this one chance to get out of this alive..." His right leg sank between the tiefling's, and with a swift motion left and another right, kicked her legs just enough to have her feet slip on the stone floor and put her out of balance, trying to extend the power of surprise and make sure to keep the upper hand. "You are too skilled to be here by accident... city guard, or the necromancer?"
Though it was uncharacteristic of the 'drow' to be nervous, the day had been very long and much more complicated then he had anticipated. He didn't know what to make of the tiefling, but with Nessa around, he didn't want to take any risks... not a one... his hot-headed inner self wanted to finish the tiefling and be done with it, but he had been through much more and never gave in to such an urge... this was not going to be the first time either...
"Speak!" The last word came almost as a bark, right into her ear.
Urebrion held the tiefling as steady as he could. She could feel the cold, sharpened point of his rapier pressing against her neck more firmly. A true drow would not have hesitated to already spurt blood, much less give her a second chance to answer...
"I'll ask you again... who are you... and what do you want?" Not noticing her hand moving for another blade, his head tilt out to the right slightly, trying to get a look at the woman's face. "You have this one chance to get out of this alive..." His right leg sank between the tiefling's, and with a swift motion left and another right, kicked her legs just enough to have her feet slip on the stone floor and put her out of balance, trying to extend the power of surprise and make sure to keep the upper hand. "You are too skilled to be here by accident... city guard, or the necromancer?"
Though it was uncharacteristic of the 'drow' to be nervous, the day had been very long and much more complicated then he had anticipated. He didn't know what to make of the tiefling, but with Nessa around, he didn't want to take any risks... not a one... his hot-headed inner self wanted to finish the tiefling and be done with it, but he had been through much more and never gave in to such an urge... this was not going to be the first time either...
"Speak!" The last word came almost as a bark, right into her ear.
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