Chapter 1 – An Odd Turn of Events
Natsuki Kuga sat alone in a crowded tavern, in a corner away from the hustle and bustle of the common patrons. At the moment she was immersed in the odd way the grains along the wooden table snaked every which way. It was weird, and she had never seen anything like it. To anyone who might have watched her, would swear she had tipped back a few to many ales, which might explain why she sat alone. Most people did not like being around a drunk. Though in her case it was usually the opposite, at least with the male crowd.
But the fact was that she was as far from drunk as possible. In fact, it was impossible for her to get drunk at all. One of the few drawbacks of her heritage. She wished she could have been able to be able to be downright stupid and forget everything, at least for one night. Though she supposed that the trade off of not having to struggle with the morning after, like so many often complained after drinking with her, was worth it. And it also let her make a few coin from those poor human sods who thought they had stomachs that rivaled a dwarves.
To put it shortly, Natsuki was an elf. One of the few left in existence. Though to be more precise, she was only half-elf. The other half being human, and it was the reason she was here trying so desperately to drown himself in alcohol rather than dancing around without a care in the furthest depths of some forest. Elves were an odd sort. Sure they preached for the goodness in everything, and worked hard to preserve the balances of the world. But they did so hidden away from all, and gods forbid if you asked them their opinions on the race of humans. They would rant all day long. Natsuki had to wonder if they even realized how contradictory they really were.
So because of her human half, the elves hated her, and because of her elven half she had to spend her eternity in endless travel. Because to humans, all magical folk were the stuff they told their kids at night to help them get to sleep, or to scare them into behaving, whichever happened to be needed at the time. Since she had reached the point in her life where living for a hundred years equaled close to about a single year for a human she very well could not stay in one place for any particular amount of time. People would start to notice, and questions would be asked, questions Natsuki would rather not take the time to answer. But love for others was something she had forsaken long ago. Which helped ease the emotional burdens that came with living your life alone.
Not wanting to dwell any further on morbid thoughts, Natsuki drained the current contents of her wooden mug. The liquor was obviously watered down but she didn't complain as the fluid drained down her throat. The ale gone, and ready to leave, and continue her travels, Natsuki unknotted a small rope cord that dangled from one of her pants belt loops. As soon as the lax knot was undone, she pulled up on the cord, and up with it came a small velvet pouch. The pouch swung noiselessly through the air. A warning flag sprang up immediately. This certain bag should never have swung around without a sound. It was her money bag. If it did, that could only mean one thing. She was broke.
As she snatched the bag out of mid-air she clenched her hand around it tightly, and her fears were realized. There was nothing in the bag, not even one measly copper coin. She was pennyless, with a bar tab. That never meant good, and also meant that she would have to work in order pay off her debt, and from past experiences that was never good. Especially so for a woman like herself. Sure the thought of just skipping out on the tab was the first thing that popped into her head. But since she was part elf, and part human, she had a very screwed up sense of justice. Sure she could steal, and kill without remorse, but only as long as the person in question had deserved it. Instigating such acts by herself was far to evil a thought to wrap her head around. And since this particular tavern keep had been good to her this evening, she had no desire to betray that. But then, like a gift from the gods, she was given a way out.
"Wha' migh' be 'he problem lass." A males voice brought the girl out of her trance like state.
Natsuki looked over to find a middle age man whose teeth and face definitely could have seen better days, the perfect mark. She blessed every god she could think of at this moment, "What is it?" She asked gruffly, trying to not break character.
"Well...you see mi and 'he boys over dere." He motioned to a table surrounded by six other, not very good looking, men all who were staring their direction grinning like idiots. Natsuki sighed, whenever alcohol was involved, men seemed to be totally idiots. It was the same everywhere she went, but at this particular moment she was somewhat glad for it.
"We 'ere wonderin' if you migh' like ta join us." The man finished his previous statement and tried to put on a tone of seductiveness to his voice though with his terrible speech failed miserably and to make matters worse placed his hand on Natsuki's mid back.
Fighting the urge to take the of the short sword that was strapped hidden away beneath her long baggy sleeves, and shove it a certain place where sharp objects should never be shoved up Natsuki responded rather calmly, "I'm going to have to pass." She hoped he would take the bait.
"Ah, come on lassy, don' be like tha'." The man said not backing down, exactly what she wanted. He then proceeded to move his hand in small slow circles.
"I said no." She reiterated forcefully, even if this was all an act on her part. She could not keep her anger in check for much longer.
"Ahhh, I se', scared eh? 'Ell don' be little lady, I promise e'll be gentle." The man said as he slid his hand down to the Natsuki's butt giving it a playful little squeeze. Natsuki let out a surprised yelp, her face turning a slight red and clenched her fists so hard her nails were almost digging into her skin. It was time to end the charade.
"Why are humans so stupid." She mumbled through still clenched teeth, her voice taking on an eerie calm.
"Wha' was tha'?" The man said through a stupid grin.
"I said." Clearly enunciating each word her voice getting louder and angrier with each word uttered, "Why are you people so STUPID!" She finished with a loud scream silencing the tavern and with elven like speed quickly grabbed the back of the man's head and slammed his face into the wooden table. There was a loud crack as the man's nose impacted first, blood immediately started to flow from the broken appendage.
"Ahhh!" The man screamed in pain, and clutched his nose, "U-U-U Bish! 'ow dere u!" He screamed in rage, as he stood. As he did so, he wobbled a bit clearly drunk, which probably contributed to the fact he was able to recover so quickly after suffering a broken nose, "oo'll pay fer da'! Gi' ova here, boys. Wef go' sum 'eachin' fo 'his un here!"
On cue the five guys that had been sitting at the other table all rose in unison. Their previously stupid grins had been replaced by equally stupid anger. All five started to make their way towards Natsuki, and their hurt companion. But a loud yell from the bar stopped them.
"If your gonna fight, do it outside! I don't want blood all over my bar." The tavernkeep yelled sternly. Natsuki grinned internally. Her plan worked to perfection. Now all she had to do was to beat up a couple of drunks, and one free night of drinking was all hers.
" Fine 'hen, ge' ou'side, and u'll 'ish oo had neva been born, lil gurl." The man with the broken nose told Natsuki, and walked outside with his friends. Natsuki watched them go, and stayed seated for another second. She let out a deep breath, stood, gave her limbs a few good stretches, and followed the men out.
When she exited the door, she found the drunks standing in a small halfmoon around the tavern door. Clouds covered the night sky, and only the lights from the crystal lampposts posted at even intervals along the cobbled road illuminated the dark. As soon as she left the tavern the men instantly became aggressive.
"So, u 'hink 'hat u can act howeva u wan' eh? E'll see abou' tha'." The man with the broken nose started. In the time he had been out of Natsuki's sight, he had taken his poor excuse for a shirt off, tying it around the lower half of his face to absorb some of the bleeding.
"Hmph. I think it's an improvement, myself." Natsuki retorted with a shrug. She hoped she could get these guys even madder than they seemed to already be. In her experiences, those who fought mad fought stupid, which just made things so much easier.
"O' ya. E'll see 'ow big u 'alk after e're dun wit u. Git er boys!" On the man's command his five lackys started to make their way towards Natsuki slowly. Each chuckled to themselves, obviously pleased at the work they were going to be doing. Or at least the work they were going to try and do.
As they made their way towards the halfling, Natsuki reached up her sleeve, ready to withdraw her shortsword. She preferred the art of surprise, and waited for the men to reach her before she made any sort of maneuver. It was much more enjoyable that way.
But before either side could make a move to attack, a voice called out from the sidelines, "What is going on here?!"
Both sides were startled at the voice, and both turned to find it's owner. Natsuki was shocked to see a small contingent of fully armored knights standing with weapons drawn, and ready. At their head was a blond woman, carrying a frightfully large morning star.
"Gah, eet's the knigh's boys, book eet!" The leader howled. His lackys did not need to be told twice, and they all ran the opposite way away from the knights.
Natsuki sighed, withdrawing her hand from her sleeve. She had been looking forward to the fight, and the chance to relieve some steam. But she supposed this way worked out to. At least she would not have to worry about bruising her knuckles, or cleaning blood of her sword.
"You there!" The blond woman called, and the rest of the knights moved into action, surrounding Natsuki, "Not gonna run away like your friends, huh?"
"W-What?" Natsuki exclaimed, "They weren't my friends!"
"Hah! A likely story. Do you take me as some sort of cool?!"
"Cool?" Natsuki repeated cocking an eye, confused.
"I think you mean fool, Haruka." A third voice made itself known. Behind the blond woman was a mousy looking brunette. She carried a yew staff, and was dressed in a simple brown robe with a pair of horn rimmed glasses, the staple dressings of a mage.
"That's what I said!" Haruka snapped at the mage, "Now. You there, hold your arms out!" She then barked at Natsuki.
The halfling did not comply right away, "Don't I get a chance to explain myself?" To be accused without having the chance to prove her innocence seemed a bit backwards to her. Plus if she was to be searched, the hidden short sword would not help her case. And terrible misunderstandings were likely to ensue.
"No, potential criminals don't get any sights. Now hold out your arms! "
"Rights, Haruka." The mage behind her, corrected again.
"That's what I said!" The blond woman snapped again, "Now hold out your arms, and submit to be searched. If you truly are innocent, you should have nothing to hide."
Natsuki looked around for a possible exit, but found none. The knights stood shoulder to shoulder, around the entire street. Only a fight, or magic would get her out of this situation. But neither would apply to here. Knights were the epitome of justice in human lands, going against them was a no-no to her code. Plus, it would put her on bad terms with the city, and she would rather not be barred from one of the largest cities in the realm, which also happened to be one of her favorites. So, grudgingly she held out her arms.
Immediately Haruka grabbed Natsuki's wrists, and found the hilt of her short sword, "What's this? A congealed weapon?! Assassin! Arrest this woman!"
"Concealed." The mousy woman corrected the blond again.
"A-Assassin?!" Natsuki yelled in disbelief, yanking her arm out of Haruka's grasp. She backed up to the wall of the tavern, "I'm no assassin! Let me explain, dammit!"
"There's no need to explain anything, only an assassin would carry around a hidden weapon. I hope you enjoy your hell! Yukino, subdue her!"
"It's cell Haruka." The brunette corrected yet again, moving in front of the blond. Natsuki could not believe the turn of events, and gritted her teeth trying to come up with a strategy. In her haste, she withdrew her sword, getting into her fighting stance. Which in hindsight probably only made her truly look guilty.
Before she could do or say anything further, there was a bright flash of light, and she found herself suddenly battling drowsiness. Her legs failed her, causing her to slump back against the wall, and slide to the ground. She was familiar with the sleeping spell, and tried to counteract it with a spell of her own. But the spell words did not come, it was like they were on the tip of her tongue but would not go any farther. Another effect of the spell. She was stuck. The only thing she could do was submit to unconsciousness.