A loud thunder, a lightning faster than human eyes could see, and then: silence. Mere seconds later the world was drowning in heavy rain. The water masses poured down on Niva as she watched the people of Bree flee from the upcoming storm. Windows were hastily closed, Children were called inside and merchants tried to save their goods from the water. Yet, she was in no hurry to escape the storm and quietly kept sitting on the wet ground next to a wooden barn. It made her chuckle how desperately everyone tried to not get drenched. She didn't mind the water and being cold was something Niva was very much used to. And so she kept watching the storm until lightnings started hitting the ground too close to where she was seated. With a heavy sigh she got up and made her way through the rain towards the only homely place around, the Prancing Pony. As soon as she opened the door, a thick smell of ale and sweat greeted her. A few judging eyes were laid upon her as she sat down in one of the few remaining spaces and slowly took off her drenched coat, revealing a once white linen shirt. Its buttons had fallen off long ago and in some parts dried blood stained the fabric almost black. It stood open in the front, revealing a robust leather corset. At the praying eyes of some fellows on the other side of the room, Niva unwrapped a leather string from her ponytail and instead tied it around her waist, at least partially closing the linen shirt. Now her black hair stuck to her head and bust like the drenched mess it was. As a waiter appeared at her side, she looked up.

" Hello Miss, what can I bring you?" The waiter asked politely, even though Niva could see the haste in his small eyes. He tried very hard not to stare at two fellows on the other side of the room.

" I don't want anything, I'll just sit here until the storm has passed..." Niva answered, following the waiters eyes with her own. But as soon as she had answered, his head snapped back to her.

" Order something or leave, we have no space for the folks who come here looking for pity."

" Fine, then bring me an ale, a strong one." She answered annoyed, still looking at the fellow with the long gray beard on the other side of the room.

The waiter smirked. " An ale for a lady? That's funny..."

Not even half a second later Niva rammed a small dagger into the wooden table, right in between the waiter's chubby fingers. " Do we have a problem?" She hissed quietly. The waiter on the other hand stared at her in shock for a second before hurrying off.

Now it was Niva's turn to smirk, as she put the dagger back into its hiding place. Now that more or less everyone was ignoring her again, she continued to look around at the people. Some strange folks had sought refuge here in the inn. Most of them didn't catch her interest. The bearded, tall fellow however interested her. In his company was a dwarf, also bearded. However all dwarfs Niva had ever met were bearded so this wasn't much of a surprise. The two unlike companions seemed quite serious and tense. Curiosity got the better of Niva and she tried to listen as closely as she could to their conversation. The few pieces she could pick up however did not make much sense to her. Only as her ale was carelessly dropped onto the table in front of her, she stopped staring. After taking a sip she looked back to her persons of interest only to find the tall one gone. Surprised she decided to take a closer look at the dwarf, now that the tall guy wasn't blocking her sight anymore. For a dwarf this fellow was quite tall, compared to the human men that were sitting on the tables next to him. He was quite handsome as well, but Niva had seen better, or so she told herself. Yet there was something dark and somewhat dangerous about him, like a forest at night. Suddenly he looked up, meeting Niva's gaze. She was not one to look away, all shy and giggly, and so, for a second, they stared at each other, both wondering. Then the gray fellow came back and both men made for the door. With a sigh, Niva drank her ale in one big gulp and put the jug down with enough force to make the wooden table quiver.

" Not all that bad for a lady..." Slurred a drunken man sitting at the table next to hers.

" Thank you..." She answered politely and stood up. There was nothing more she could do here, now that the interesting folks were gone.

" Do I know you from somewhere?" The drunkard asked with a smirk. " I could swear I've seen you... disrobed?"

" I am most certain you have not." Niva answered short tempered, continuing to make her way through the crowd towards the door. Outside it was still raining heavily, and only the thunder was still to hear. As the cold air hit her face, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. The night was a beautiful thing. So welcoming for those who like to wander, and oh so calming for those with troubled minds. Slowly she made her way around the house, into the shadows. But she was not alone. Before her opponent could do as much as draw a weapon, she had him pinned against the wall of the neighboring building. It was the dwarf from the inn; she was not surprised at all. People usually didn't like it when she spied on them. The speed with which she moved had overwhelmed the dwarf for a moment, but now that he was pinned against a dirty wall by a female, less than his height, he came back to mind quickly. With heavy, strong movements he pushed her away and drew his sword.

" Who are you and what is your business in listening to others' conversations?" He asked quietly, yet with such anger that made Niva shiver. He slowly walked towards her, sword aimed at her neck. Niva on the other side did not bother to threaten him, so exaggeratedly slow she put back her dagger in its sheath under her coat. This seemed to irritate the dwarf quite a bit, but he did not lower his weapon. " Speak, woman!"

Niva smiled teasingly but then answered though. " My business, such as my name, is none of yours. However will I tell you why I was listening: Merely because I had no other business to mind! You two fellows seemed to be more interesting than the drunkards and burglars in there."

" What exactly did you hear?" He growled.

" Oh, this and that..." She teased on. " But nothing that would be harmful to you or your important quest..."

" What do you know about it?!" He shouted and his voice mixed with thunder, making it sound like a deep, dark growl from within the earth. Niva liked the sound of it, but it also indicated that the game was over.

" I know nothing, I swear to you. Alone the seriousness on your faces and the place where you met, an inn loud enough to hinder everyone's ears from picking up on your conversation, were indicators for the importance of what you needed to discuss. Let alone the fact that the gray beard gave you a map of which content however I don't know." She told truthfully. " It was all just a guessing game until you confirmed it to me, just now. See, I know not more than you are telling me at the moment." Niva looked into the dwarf's eyes, but could see nothing of the rage and bloodlust she would have suspected. On the contrary, she saw worry and relief. With a little bit of guilt she added, " Look, I am sorry for listening. I meant no harm by it."

Slowly the dwarf lowered his sword and looked at her for a short moment before answering. "You should put an end to that habit of yours. It could lead to a bad end for you."

With a short but bitter laugh she pulled down the collar of her coat and shirt, revealing a large scar on her collarbone. "It already has quite often, so don't worry about me. I'm a tough girl."

The dwarf's eyebrows narrowed, forming a deep crease. " Well then, whoever you are... My quest is none of your concern. If you ever listen on me again I will give your scar a twin." He put back his sword and turned to leave. " Good luck, stranger in the dark, at finding your own quest." With that he had vanished into darkness.

Niva frowned. That had been oddly entertaining, even if she had been reckless. He could have killed her in an instant and yet she did not care. When had her own life become to worthless to her? Just as she was about to wander off into the darkness as well, she heard a noise. The sound of heavy boots on the mud of the streets. It came closer and closer to her, even though she walked backwards, further into the darkness. Until suddenly her back touched the tip of a blade.

Chapter 2 anyone? I hope you liked it and will follow Niva on her journey. :)

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