User blog:Mauller/Absolution 016

Absolution, Chapter:016


The view of my impending death swung above me, or rather I should say that I was swinging above it. We had tumbled down the slope until we hit the edge of a cliff. Then we fell. But looking down, or should I say up? Was a relieving sight. Marie smiled at me as she hugged my waist. And behind her was Inka holding onto the spider girl’s abdomen for dear life.

‘Well, that went better than expected.’ I chuckled while the young spider girl glared at me.

‘This is harder than it looks you know? I was surprised that I could spin thread fast enough.’ Looking past the spider girl revealed the fine thread that our lives hung from. Four of her legs were clinging to it while her front pair kept us pushed away from the cliff face.

‘Erm… can we get down, I… I am afraid of heights…’ Looking back to Inka revealed her shaking body. I guessed she was terrified from how scrunched up her eyes were.

‘How about you go back in your bag, damn mimic, it would be easier.’

‘No no no no! I can’t… I can’t move right now.’

I sighed then looked back to Marie, I could see the strain on her face and in her legs. My hopes were hinging on her lasting long enough. The drop below was not short. It was easily ten times the height of a person. The chances of surviving the fall were low.

‘Do you think you can manage Marie?’ The spider girl inspected my face while frowning, but after a few moments she nodded.

‘I think so, I have never done this before. Like sure, I have made webs, but I have never descended from this kind of height. And my thread was kind of rushed, I just hope it holds.’

The moment she stopped speaking we heard a creaking. A high pitched twang rang out from above us before fine hairs rained over me.

‘Erm… I think we should hurry. Now!’

Marie sprang into action, we began to descend while her legs worked behind her. The concentration on her face was unreal. But in that kind of situation she needed to work as hard as possible.

As I looked behind her I could see that the thread was becoming more hap hazard as we descended. The small spinnerets on her abdomen must have been working faster than she had ever used them. Is that what they are called? Odd.

‘Marie… Marie! Stop!’ I started screaming when the tops of the trees accelerated towards us. But the wind was knocked out of me when we jolted to a stop. ‘urgh… are you okay Marie, you look a little pale.’

The spider girl was hyperventilating and she chuckled when she looked at me. ‘I, I just ran out of thread.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Don’t do that again you stupid spider!’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Hey! Don’t hit me you stupid scrounger!’

<p class="MsoNormal">The girls started arguing. I guess being on the brink of death then surviving was a relief. But we were still dangling above the tree canopy.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Erm, girls. We still need to get down you know, I still don’t think I could survive this fall.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Marie looked at me. She was all sunshine and roses again as she beamed a smile. ‘That is okay, I can jump us down from here…’

<p class="MsoNormal">A Loud twang reached our ears and we dropped by an arm’s length. ‘You… might want to do it now Marie!!’

<p class="MsoNormal">The snap signalled our doom. Although it was delayed as I hit every branch on the way down before my head collided with the floor. And as what always seems to happen, I blacked out.

<p style="text-align: center;"> *****

<p class="MsoNormal">The walk to the estate was more calming than expected. A large number of people were anticipating this event. Numerous stalls were setup in the streets and multiple houses were hosting their own parties. It made me sick. Such waste. The nobles had nothing to worry about, yet I needed to bloody my hands to survive.

<p class="MsoNormal">It had reached the point where I could no longer remember my life before becoming an assassin. But that no longer mattered, paying off my debt was all that mattered now. Then I could escape this hell.

<p class="MsoNormal">Now the time had arrived, there was a small queue into the party. So I stood in line and waited. My nerves still wracked me, even my knife was becoming less of a comfort as I neared the gates.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Invitation please.’

<p class="MsoNormal">I jolted and looked up at the older servant who was at the gate. ‘Your invitation? Young Master.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh, yes, of course.’ I had removed the slip of paper from its envelope. The small envelope was in my other pocket. It still smelt of her perfume. What am I thinking! She is my target, how can I get giddy at the thought of keeping something she gave me?

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Very well, you may proceed young master…?’ The older gentleman returned my invite.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh yes, it is …, Master … from … ‘ I smiled and the older gentleman chuckled.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Very well, Master … I shall see that you are formally announced on arrival.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Did he just say announced? Oh great mother, is this what happens at these things? Am I going to walk inside and have everyone watch me? I shook my head and one of the guards gave me a funny look as he opened the gate.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Thank you.’ The guard seemed surprised but smiled and nodded. A group of girls behind me began giggling over the gesture. But I walked on to destiny. It was better than standing there and feeling as though my face were going to set on fire.

<p class="MsoNormal">What is wrong with me?

<p class="MsoNormal">I continued walking through the garden and towards the manor. Various guests were already standing on the lawn and talking, I could not see the girl anywhere.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I guess she will be ins-ahh!’ I jumped when something cold touched the back of my neck. ‘What was that?!’

<p class="MsoNormal">Damn it! I would be dead if that was a knife!

<p class="MsoNormal">The sweet chuckling from behind warmed my cheeks. And when I turned I was greeted by the most splendid pair of pink eyes I had ever seen. Her long silvery white hair was tied up into a bun while strands framed her face. The light pink dress she wore only accentuated her pale complexion.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Hello? Is anyone home?’ She smiled at me!

<p class="MsoNormal">I shook my head and grinned. ‘Oh, hi… sorry, I was caught a little off guard then.’ She started giggling while watching me. It made the odd feeling in my stomach grow. ‘But… it is nice to see you again.’

<p class="MsoNormal">She kept smiling and she raised her hand to me. I almost reflexively went to grab and break her arm. But managed to hold her fingers then kiss the back of her hand instead. ‘My name is …, but you can call me … ‘ Her smile grew and my heart quickened. Dear lord mother, what is happening to me? And why did I use my real name?!

<p class="MsoNormal">‘ …, call me … , that is what my friends call me. But you can call me De.’

<p class="MsoNormal">This was big, I had only been given a picture and family name. But to know her name now it made things a thousand times worse. The strange feeling was telling me to grab her, but my thoughts were telling me to then snap her neck. A battle was being waged inside my body, I could feel it.

<p class="MsoNormal">For the first time I felt scared of the outcome and of myself.

<p class="MsoNormal">I think I understood why the others abandoned me, why they looked at me in that way.

<p class="MsoNormal">What I was doing was wrong, yet I felt nothing towards it.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Hey? Are you alright?’ A silken gloved hand turned my head. De was looking at me with, worry? Is she worried about me? How could anyone be worried about someone they just met? How could anyone care about me?

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I… yes, I just get head pains. But it passed now, I think I just need a drink.’ My smile did not seem to convince her, she grabbed my hand and started marching towards the house. The feeling in my stomach started to disappear as dread set in.

<p style="text-align: center;"> *****

<p class="MsoNormal">My entire body hurt. ‘I can’t feel my legs… oh wait, Inka? Is this yours?’ The toes on the foot that I was holding wiggled accompanied by both girl’s groans.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Yeah… that’s mine. Marie? Can you get your big butt off me?’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh bite me…’ The spider girl had landed on top of us. It was unsurprising considering she was still hugging my waist. ‘Are you okay Martin?’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Martin? Who is… Oh yeah. I am fine.’ Strange, I could swear I remembered something then. Why is the name De floating about in my head? It was then that I realised I was gripping my dagger. So I pried my hand free and looked at Marie. She did not look happy.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Are you okay Marie? You did great, thank you so much.’ The spider girl went from glaring to blushing.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Well I… could have done better, just I had a stupid… will you stop poking me between my leg joints! That hurts!!’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Well get off me then!’ Inkas foot kicked me in the side and she apologised when she realised. But after we untangled ourselves from the remains of Marie’s webbing we sat and rested.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Ah my back hurts, but you did great Marie, thank you again.’ I smiled and the spider girl smiled. She had decided to collect as much of her webbing as possible. The majority of it looked frayed although she still wanted to try making something from it all.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Hey! Don’t ask if I am okay then…’ Inka folded her arms and huffed. She had lost most of her bows, only one that kept a pigtail in place remained.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Well I can see that you are fine and I am glad.’ I smiled and she stuck her nose up. But I could see the smallest hint of a blush. ‘But I am still annoyed with you, remember that you wanted to pull me into your chest.’ The mimic jolted then scratched her head while chuckling. ‘Yeah, act all innocent, you still wanted to eat me. No different to you Marie.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The girls gave each other a funny look then glared at me. I was not going to take any of their tantrums so I glared back. The oddest part was when they smiled and began discussing something.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Look girls, I can’t wait around here all day so I am carrying on to the city. I have something important that I need to do. So it was nice meeting you but I will be off now.’

<p class="MsoNormal">They stopped their chat then looked at me, but returned to it soon after. I cannot be bothered with this, I need to get to the city. Considering the deal that Malachi gave, I think I may make it before the seven day mark. I could not help but smile as I picked up my pack.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Well, goodbye then girls and good luck.’ I waved to them but they were not looking. Their conversation seemed more important than me. So I started walking in the direction I remembered the city.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘This forest is nice, far nicer than the other one. The lack of webs and now I’m tied up…’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Hey hey, where do you think you are going?’ Marie appeared beside me as two of her spider legs wrapped her thread around my chest.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Yeah, we were just getting to the good part then we see you already wandering off in the distance.’ Inka appeared on the other side, looking amused.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Erm, girls… can we talk about this?’

<p class="MsoNormal">They both shook their heads. Shit.

<p class="MsoNormal">The moment the young spider girl stopped binding my arms to my sides, I ran.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I am not going to be anyone’s dinner today! And I thought you were nice!’

<p style="text-align: center;"> *****

<p class="MsoNormal">As with every day, Inquisitor-Major Alec Duskhelm woke at six am. He then proceeded with his morning routine. Light exercise followed by washing, preening, then breakfast. He made sure to keep on top of his work so he always brought a mobile desk when in the field.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Hmm, so things in lescatie go well.’ He sipped his morning tea while flicking through a few of his papers. If the angels were good for one thing, it was delivering messages with haste. At least that was what Alec thought. For all intents and purposes they annoyed him as much as an over affectionate dog that needed taming.

<p class="MsoNormal">The only person in camp who he considered worthy of joining him was his Lieutenant. So as with every morning she was up and working on her own papers. Although Alec insisted on her joining him for this daily pastime.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Brianna, what do you think to this? “Major Alec.” That is me of course.’ He smiled to his subordinate who rolled her eyes in response. ‘Now now, no need to be like that. Listen to this. “It has come to our attention that you...” What?’ He continued reading while looking more confused as he went along.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Something the matter Alec… I mean, Inquisitor Major?’ Brianna walked over and stood in front of his desk. Her armour was missing today and instead she was wearing a thick fur jacket. Although it was not the height of fashion it was warm. And that was all she cared about at this point.

<p class="MsoNormal">Alec looked to her in disbelief, the letter remained in his hand while he glanced back over it on occasion.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Yes in fact. They, are recalling me… and after everything I have done for them… Damn it!’ Along with the letter the contents of his table flew to the side. ‘Those old bastards! How could they do this?’ Alec held his head while deciding on what he would do. He had spent his life trying to join the inquisition and now he felt his purpose was being taken away from him.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Alec?’ The inquisitor Lieutenant touched his shoulder but he jolted back. His eyes looked at her but he appeared to be staring elsewhere. ‘Alec, everything will be okay. I am sure there is something else to this.’ Her words and touch seemed to stir something in him. After a moment his eyes refocused and his hands stopped shaking.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I… yes, of course. But I will be damned if I am lumbered with a desk job.’ The inquisition Major righted his table then read the letter again. ‘This letter is over two weeks old. I doubt it is in reference to… never mind, how is the mutt… I mean our guest?’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘She will be fine, but what about you?’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I am fine bri… Lieutenant. You are dismissed.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘But Major.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I said you are dismissed Lieutenant, that is an order.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Brianna straightened and saluted. ‘Yes inquisition Major.’ She then clicked her heels together and walked out of the tent. It pained her to see him in that way, but their situation muddied their relationship.

<p class="MsoNormal">Back in his tent Alec restored his table to its original state and returned to his routine. The letter brought back unwanted memories. He was going to continue to do his work for others.

<p class="MsoNormal">He did not want them to lose their families to the monsters. He did not want to feel helpless again. He did not want other children to face what his old friend had to live through.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I am sorry Brianna, but there are things I can’t let you know about me.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Amongst his letters was a black envelope. Alec knew what it meant. A message from his former master and another mission to perform.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘So that old bastard wants me for something. Well, I may be in the inquisition but I am still a Paladin of Nyx.’

<p style="text-align: center;"> *****

<p class="MsoNormal">The girls caught up to me in no time. A stray root snared my foot, leaving me with a rather sore face. But the situation turned for the worse when they began piling firewood.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Will you let me go? I am not anyone’s dinner!’ I wiggled about as much as I could, but the spider silk ropes would not budge. ‘I did not want to hurt either of you! Let me go!’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Quiet you, I think a nice spit roast will do you good.’ Marie smiled, showing off the small fangs in her mouth. It was the first time I had seen them since meeting her.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Ooh, how about I get an apple to cork his trap? I bet it would make him tastier.’ Inka appeared on my other side with an amused grin. She added a few more sticks to the pile before tightening my bindings.

<p class="MsoNormal">It would not be so bad except I was dangling above the campfire having been tied to a small tree.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Girls! This is ridiculous! Let me go!’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh no, remember what you said? We are monsters so we are going to eat you.’ Marie held my chin then moved her face closer. The small fangs in her mouth extended and I could see a clear stream coming from their tips. ‘Hmm, but using my venom would be no fun.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Venom? Hey! Are you trying to poison me you damn fluffball?’ Inka grabbed the spider girl and pulled her back.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘What? It is what we spiders do. We inject venom into our prey then suck out their insides.’ She grinned at me and it sent a chill down my spine.

<p class="MsoNormal">I felt disgusted and Inka looked just as reviled. But the spider girl shrugged then returned to clearing space in their camp. Inka then turned back to me and frowned. ‘What? I didn’t think they did that for real.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Inka, let me go. I already saved you from that medusa girl… woman.’ It still made me feel embarrassed when I was reminded of her. ‘I just want to help my friend… she was captured and taken away.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The mimic shook her head then turned away. ‘No, you are our dinner. So stop squirming about.’

<p class="MsoNormal">I sighed and squirmed about some more. The bindings did not hurt, if anything they felt comfortable. As though I was being hugged. It made me think of Marie giving me a big warm hug. But that was a ridiculous notion, it was just spider silk and they were going to eat me. Why would I feel comfortable?

<p class="MsoNormal">The girls continued making camp, a strange thing was that they made another camp fire. It also appeared that Marie had caught a few small animals in her web and had started skinning them to cook. I felt very confused, why would they do that if they were going to eat me?

<p class="MsoNormal">After the small animals were over the other fire to cook, Inka walked over to me. ‘Hmm, I think you will taste great with rabbit.’ She smiled then pet me on the head. ‘It shall be a grand feast for two.’ Although after she returned to Marie they left me alone for a while.

<p class="MsoNormal">Come on, can I reach the dagger? No, damn. Anything else? This is so disheartening, I want to break free but part of me wants to stay tied up. My internal turmoil was further growing as the smell of cooked meat wafted past my nose. It was still early in the day and I could not remember when I last ate. But that smell was making me more desperate.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Okay, now time for the main event.’ Marie had appeared beside me, I had not noticed her approach. But the sweet smile she had confused me. Along with the cooked meat she was holding. ‘Here, I know you have not eaten in a day or two. So we thought we would do something nice for you.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Yeah, we guessed you would be hard headed about it. But we know we can’t follow, so we would not take no for an answer.’

<p class="MsoNormal">I was stunned, it seemed the girls were playing with me all along. An odd feeling welled up in me, then my eyes started watering as my chest tightened.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Hey, don’t go blubbering on us.’ Inka chuckled then held some of the meat to my mouth. ‘Here, eat up.’

<p class="MsoNormal">My nose started watering along with my eyes. The sudden feeling of relief seemed to break something inside of me. But I started eating what they offered. It tasted so good. And after being toyed with some more the girls untied me and let me down. We then sat arouns the camp fire. Well saying sat around would not be correct as the girls had me wedged between them.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘well this feels familiar?’

<p class="MsoNormal">The girls looked at me with suspicious looks. but I just smiled back and ate a little more. ‘Thank you for this, going through that forest left me feeling so tired and hungry.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh, sorry about that. We were just trying to track you at first. We didn’t think you had noticed us till big sis went and talked to you.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘What is this about being chased? Ooh, that sounds horrible.’ Inka hugged closer to my side till her cheek was touching mine.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Inka… too close.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘sorry.’ She chuckled and smiled. ‘Being stuck in a box on your own for ages, I forget how to act around people at times.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Yeah, you should know when you are trying to steal away someone elses…’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Shut up you stupid spider! I caught him!’

<p class="MsoNormal">Marie chuckled and held her hand to her mouth. ‘Oh really? Well you did a bad job of it since you left your box.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The mimic flushed then returned to eating. Both of the girls still seemed on edge. ‘So, I should be going soon. Thank you both for this and for your help. I don’t think I would have made it out of that cave otherwise. Those snake women terrified me…’ I had not noticed my hand was shaking till the girls held it. They then started at each other before turning their noses up and huffing.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Well you helped me get away and we were both stuck. And I am not one to forget a debt.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I also did not want to stay stuck in there… she would only visit on occasion when she was very lonesome. Which ended up being every day…’ Inka scratched her head and chuckled.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘So you weren’t trapped in there and that whole sob story was a big ploy?’

<p class="MsoNormal">Inka Knuckled her own head and stuck out her tongue. ‘But I am still cute though?’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘You stupid mimic!’ Marie growled and pushed me to the side, the girls ended up fighting and rolling around on the floor.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Urgh… why do things end up like this?’ I smiled and watched them, they would tire out in the end.

<p class="MsoNormal">I hoped.

<p style="text-align: center;"> *****

<p class="MsoNormal">The walk through the forest was peaceful in the end. Marie let me ride on her back again as my foot was still weakened. But she let me down once we reached the treeline.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh wow… those walls are huge!’ Inka pushed herself up over my shoulders to get a better view. When I looked up she smiled down at me then poked my nose. ‘This is going to be so much fun.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Who said you are going anywhere you stupid mimic? You are coming with me remember?’ Marie looked back then sat. But before I could get off her back, Inka sprang over my head and landed with a graceful flip.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Inka…’ I got off the spider girls back then straightened my clothes. They were a little worn now after the journey but they still kept the warmth in.

<p class="MsoNormal">A sudden squeal made me jump. ‘It’s so cold!’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh, is the little mimic getting cold feet, well boo hoo. Maybe you should grow some fur’

<p class="MsoNormal">Inka had ended up in a hands deep pile of snow. She had ridden in my pack until now and the forest was clear of any signs of winter. ‘Oh b-bite me, s-stupid spider.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I would oblige anytime you ignorant mimic. What else did you think would happen if you jumped into snow in bare feet?’

<p class="MsoNormal">The girls began arguing again but the sight ahead of me kept me captivated. My destination was an hour or twos journey across open farmlands. But I was within reach of my goal.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘No I just have to find Valis…’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Who is Valis!’ The girls shouted in unison with the sides of their faces pressed together. They appeared to have been wrestling till then which was amusing if you compared their sizes.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘She is the person I am trying to save, she was taken to the city ahead. So, I guess this is goodbye for now girls. It would be nice to see you again though.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The pair frowned and walked over to me. I was surprised when they hugged me.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Take care and I hope you find your friend Martin, sorry again about chasing you. But it was nice to meet you.’ Marie smiled then handed me a bundle. ‘And here, a present. I made it from the silk I used to save us. It is not much, but I hope you like it.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Held in her hands was a white bundle, when I picked it up it appeared to be a scarf. ‘Thank you. I love it.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Hey! Don’t get ahead of yourself big butt.’ Inka reached into my pocket and started fishing about. A moment later she pulled out a pair of fuzzy boots and some warm cloths. ‘Oh wait, those are for me.’ She smiled then felt inside my pocket again, a moment later she pulled out a small box. ‘Here, from me.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh, a money box, thank you.’ I smiled and she blushed. But the girls looked at each other and started laughing. ‘Well I best go.’ I hugged them back then started walking away. By the time I looked back, Inka was dressed in her warm clothing and both of them were waving.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Goodbye and good luck martin!’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Waggle that cute butt and tail for me! Ow! What was that for fang-face?!’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Wah! Who are you calling fang-face?!’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Hey girls! Have a safe journey home and don’t kill each other!’

<p class="MsoNormal">I waved and they started laughing while walking back into the forest. There was something strange bubbling under the surface, as though part of me felt alive again. Making a comparison between now and when I awoke with Kimiko at my side, I would say I was more myself. Although I could not remember who I was or any of my past.

<p class="MsoNormal">After a few moments I realised that I was gripping the daggers hilt. But it felt comforting. A strange comfort as though it symbolised something important.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I better hurry before night fall. I would rather not run into a pack of wolves again…’

<p class="MsoNormal">It did not take long until I had to stop again. The bubble we spotted around the city loomed in front of me. I looked along its perimeter and up to its peak. The interior of it was filled with snow and animals seemed to pass it without problem.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Well, here I go.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The moment my finger touched it I felt a churning heat within my body. The surface of the bubble began to glow while strange circles appeared across its surface. My finger appeared to be the point of origin but I could not move away.

<p class="MsoNormal">Then something knocked the wind from me and I was sent flying back. A deafening sound continued to ring in my ears and I swore I could hear other strange noises.

<p class="MsoNormal">I felt dazed, my headache returned and as I laid in the snow the heat faded. Then I saw the shadows in the sky moving around. They began to grow larger as they circled overhead.

<p class="MsoNormal">I swore they were people. But they had pure white wings on their back.

<p style="text-align: center;"> *****

<p class="MsoNormal">The rowdy bar of the Milk-Maid always attracted a certain clientele. An assortment of hardened and thuggish men and women sat within its confines. The current word of the day was “Dwarf”, considering the Stout and bearded man that was sat at the bar. But although he knew he was a rarity in these parts he kept to himself. He knew how stupid and xenophobic humans could be.

<p class="MsoNormal">Various men gambled while others talked business. A few pestered the pretty bar maid but were soon dealt with by the inn’s guard. They all knew their routines and stuck to them. The barmaid was not fond of some of the men but she felt safe.

<p class="MsoNormal">One group in particular sat around a table in the corner. Two of them had acquired a special item and were attempting to come to an agreement with their counterparts. But the transaction was not going as well as they hoped.

<p class="MsoNormal">The golden, gem encrusted orb remained hidden in a bag on the Table. But the bar went silent when its door burst open. All eyes turned to the newcomer, his pure white and distinctive robe set him apart.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I am looking for a pair of men.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The room burst into laughter while a few cracked jokes.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘This is no laughing matter gentlemen, an artefact has been stolen. And its whereabouts have been tracked to… there.’ He pointed towards the table in the corner. Or rather towards the bag on its surface.

<p class="MsoNormal">A few groups around the room stood while others warned against their actions. But the man knew how far desperate and stupid men would go. He grinned as he unbuttoned and removed his robe. Hanging it by the door before taking a few more steps into the room.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘So gentlemen, it is either a case of returning the artefact or accepting judgement.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The black outfit he wore underneath was less known compared to his white. But it sent a few of the men heading past him and out of the door. Yet during all of this the dwarf minded his own business while checking over his ledger.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Smart.’ He looked back to the room after watching the last man leave. ‘Now hand over the orb.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Alec grinned as the first man ran at him with weapon in hand. It had been a while since he felt he could let off some stress. Most of all he enjoyed wearing his blacks again.

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