-1King of Shadows, Queen of Light

Disclaimers:

As you probably already guessed after the first chapter, English is not my native language. I appreciate any constructive corrections.

There is some language in these chapters occasionally; nothing really serious, but be warned if you are offended by such things.

I write to music; there is a soundtrack to each of these chapters. In case anyone is interested, this one had Lorena McKennitt's La Serenissima and Sarah Mclachan's Drifting playing.

Chapter Two: You Have Been Drifting For So Long

We argued all the way back to the common room.

"No, I had no idea." I raised my voice, irritated. "Why would you think that I…?'

"Forgive me, my lady, I meant no offense." he said tersely, and I could see his shoulders bunching up. "But it bears no argument. I know these matters, forgive my bluntness, better than you do, and there is no question that you did not…"

"Oh, right." I threw up my hands. "Now we have arrived to the crux of the matter. You know these things. Of course you do, you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth, probably had lace on your diapers and they sang entire hymnals over you before you even learned to walk. I know I am only a country bumpkin who is probably the laughingstock of the Order, with no known parentage or fancy coat-of-arms…" I pushed the door open and marched in, throwing the words back at him like poisoned darts, "… but making fun of me just because I botched some steps in an exercise after a rather tiresome series of events up to and including saving your and your companions'… Uh-oh."

Of course, everyone was looking at us at this point. The common room was not too crowded at this early hour, but everyone from my company was present, with a couple of others. As I stopped my angry stride dead center of the room, I could almost see the sickly green glow of my words in the air. I was, suddenly and with crystal clarity, painfully aware that what I said was entirely out of line, malicious, capricious, and purposefully hurting.

"I am an ass." I said, with feeling. "Look, Sir Casavir, I am…I did not…I…" I really needed some of Elanee's concoctions to calm me down. This was a bad cycle.

"Of no matter, my lady. " He shook his head, but would not look me in the eye. "There is…some truth in what you said. My…family is…was one of…"

"Wow, Rig…!" That was Neeshka, as usual, her words accompanied by a long whistle. "That was almost as good as…"

"Not. Now." I turned towards her, and I think I showed some teeth because she lifted her hands in front of her, defensively.

"Okay, okay, never mind…!" she squealed. "And just for the record, your aasimar really shows right now!"

"Sorry!" Sometimes I really underestimate the effect I have on her, mainly because she tries really hard not to be bothered by it.

I sat down heavily at the first available table, not even looking around. I felt, rather than saw the blue-and-silver aura tentatively settling down next to me. I buried my face in my hands and let out a deep sigh.

"If you decide to pack up and leave…"I said between my fingers, "since I insulted your good word, your family and your honor, Sir Knight, you have every right."

"I do not take my vows lightly, my lady." he said, after a little silence. I took my hands away and looked up at him. He looked very serious. "You saved my life, and I owe that to you. Until I have a chance to repay you, I will be at your side." A cloud passed over his face that I could not place. "And maybe beyond."

The tension that was almost palpable in the room eased up; the silver-and-blue pressure against my skin dissolving into the air. I did not realize I was holding my breath until now.

"I am not sure why you decided to hitch your horse to this cart…" I said, still not quite believing I let my emotions run my mouth for me there, "However, the sword cuts both ways. Henceforth, while you are with us, you have my permission to smack me if I ever behave like that with you again." Disbelief mixed with apprehension started to spread on his face. Clearly, this was not a normal apology he'd have expected in a situation like this, but then again, I was not the usual paladin companion from his chapterhouse either. "It was inexcusable, childish and petty, and I will take the due penance for it by holding a vigil tonight in the temple. Until then, however, I think I owe you the courtesy of an answer about my upbringing, education and suchlike, given that you seem to think I possess some powers that I am clearly not aware of."

"You are one of the planetouched." he said –was that a shiver of reverence crossing his face there? Can he be that devout? I was told by Aevan that I undeniably had some blood of the celestial sphere. Anyone could see that, he told me, who studied the way he did. I had imperial purple eyes with a focused glaze that could strike some as too intense, long-limbed nervous body that was prone to excessive clumsiness in one second and utter grace and sinuousness in the next, and my hair, that I normally hid in a severe bun, played in the three colors of gold: white, yellow and red. I heard that some of the holy warriors held beings such as me in the highest reverence, worship, even. "Surely, your teacher, or your father must have told you…"

"Foster-father." I said. "Duncan's brother. Just to be precise. And yes, of course…it is hard not to, when you are, since age four, the one asked by your friends to go with them every time they need to go down to the cellar to get something, so they are not scared in the dark. "You glow…" they say. "You make me feel safe" they say. So Daeghun and Brother Merring had a talk with me rather early on. Brother Merring is the only priest in my village. Lathander's." I added. "That was before Aevan came, and spotted my birthmarks."

His eyebrows went up, questioningly.

I did not like talk about it; it embarrassed me, frankly, from very early on.

"Well, I was kind of mocked because of them at first. You know how kids can get with someone who is different, sometimes." That was put mildly…I took to never showing my shoulders in public after that incident with the Mossfelds. "Then I was just…"I shrugged. "I figured it comes with the blood, but since I've never met anyone like me, it was hardly a question to ask or get answers to. All Aevan said was that they were clearly the god's marks on me dedicating me to His service."

His intense blue gaze was on me fully now: It felt like little silver sparks were prickling my skin.

"I am making you uncomfortable." he said quietly. I was startled; yes, this was not an easy conversation…but it still surprised me just how well he sensed my moods. It takes one paladin to figure out another, I guess—but then, why was he still a completely closed book to me? "I am sorry, my lady. Perhaps another time." He stood up, carefully sliding his chair back in place. "Do let me know if there is anything you require from me while we tarry here…"

"I…need to go to make my report to Captain Brelaina today," I said, and absurdly felt like a coward for not staying with him.

"Surely you won't need me for that." His face was hard, now. "If you don't mind, my lady, I would prefer not to…make my return to the city wildly known."

"Really?" Great, just great; I was full of witty repartee today. "I thought…this was your home."

"I used to live in Neverwinter, yes." He was halfway turning away, clearly indicating that our conversation was at its end. It was strange; this was about the closest he ever came to being rude. And just when his past life came up. "And now, if you will excuse me, my lady…"

I still stared after him deep in thoughts when Neeshka came over and took his place.

"When you finished drooling…"she said in a slightly reproachful voice, "I need to talk to you about something."

"When I…what?"

"Come on, Arrighan, don't tell me you didn't wonder what might be underneath that full plate? It was all over your face…" She grinned.

"Neesh!" I was utterly scandalized for a long moment. "For pity's sake, girl, I do not drool over men, especially not…"

"Ah-ha." She said triumphantly. "You blushed."

"Did not."

"Did too." She stuck her tongue out. "It's just funny, I've never seen you look at someone like that. Paladins, eh? Nevermind…"she said quickly; I think I growled. "We'll talk about it later when you are not…"

"WHAT do you want to talk about?" I think I got a bit loud there. "Sorry, Neesh, but you are getting on my nerves today."

"Aura itching, eh? "

"You have no idea." I said, truthfully. Paladins never lie.

"I knew it…" She grinned again: the freckles around her delicate nose were dancing. "Anyhow…I was going to go and do some…um, shopping, I guess, and I was wondering if you wanted to come with me?"

"What, you need someone to make sure your hands don't stray?" I winked.

"You are besmirching my good name." she said with a sniff. "You could not stop me if you'd tried…but no. El and I need some supplies, and…well, it would be just bad form if we'd run out without asking you."

"That's awfully nice of you two." I shook my head: the mental image of the always calm and perfectly groomed elven druidess and the always slightly rumpled but very pretty tiefling rogue wondering around the Merchant District was rather disturbing. "I need to do some laundry today, plus that report needs to get done to Brel…"

"Why? You can just buy more shirts, and pay one of Wolf's kids to do your laundry." Neeshka waved dismissively. "You support the local economy with your hard-earned gold pieces and give opportunity to an urchin to prove they can do real work as well." She stood up and grabbed my hand. "Come on, come on, I know this shopkeeper who has the best silk this side of Faerun…you never felt anything on your skin like this before."

"I tell you what." I half let her drag me towards the door; I realized this was an honest offer and an honest asking for my company. It was not often I could use truth-sensing, but sometimes Tyr blessed me enough to grant me a glimpse, and lately the occasions were becoming more frequent. "If you two accompany me to the City Watch building, we can take care of the irksome duties first, and then we'd be free to roam in search of silk shirts, colorful ribbons, stinky herbs and whatever else we require to have a leisurely day in the City that we all, no doubt, could use."

"I knew it." Neeshka made a face. "You and your skill with words…Very well, since you asked so nicely, and since I'd not really mind if you weren't distracted while we are shopping, we can do the ugly part first."

"Why am I not supposed to be…what was the word, distracted?" I was immediately suspicious. "Where are we going?"

"I told you: El needs some herbs, I need some little stuff, and you need some clothes." Yes, there was something there…but I also knew by long experience with her that if I kept pressing, she just buttoned up and I'd get it even worse. Better if I just let her give me into whatever relatively survivable mischief she was planning. It was irritating, but I actually quite liked her—she reminded me of Amie, my lost friend back in West Harbor, first victim of the chase after whatever I was carrying that brought me all the way here to this strange city. And it made Neeshka so happy, to play these jokes on me, so as long as there was no harm in it, I let her have her way.

Except when her feud with Leldon was involved, I had to remind myself, so I had to ask.

"Neesh…this hopefully has nothing to do with your rival for the Greatest Thief in Neverwinter title, right? Because if it has, you know where I stand." I tried to put all the weight of my status as a holy warrior into my words. "When he tries to kill you and those around you, including me, that's one thing. But I am not going to back you up, if…"

"Hey, hey, HEY!" Her voice got higher and higher. I sighed. Here we were again: I swear to myself I won't get prying and then I say something after all that trips her wires. Me, the aasimar, she, the tiefling. We ought to sell tickets, as Khelgar suggested once. "I told you this will be a friggin' shopping trip, no more…Sheesh, Rig, can you just lighten up a bit?"

"Not in the package." I turned and started towards the steps, my room. "I need to get myself ready, Neesh. A visit to our Dread Captain of the Watch, then seeing what the market has to offer. This requires careful preparations. Meet you two here in a few."

Honestly, Brelaina proved to be the easiest part of the day. She was brusque but carefully spoken as usual… and surprisingly thankful, which was a first. Up till now, all I got from her is how I could have done even better.

"Your efforts in rescuing the Waterdeep emissary at Old Owl Well and preventing the orc tribes from re-organizing have proven to be vital for securing the trade routes of our city." she said; as always, she sounded like she was having a speech at court. I suspected she was going for a promotion soon: she never did strike me as a career Watchman. "For this, you have earned our gratitude." Her brows drew down before she continued, and I knew there was an inevitable 'but' coming, with yet more things to do for me as her newest lieutenant.

"She gave you the speech there, didn't she?" Cormick caught up with us as we took the stairs from the Captain's office downstairs. "So where do you need to dash off this time, eh?"

Marshal Cormick was a Harborman, like me. He had the ruddy hair, build, voice and complexion to declare it to the world, too. Normally, I would have appreciated that, but right now, it just made my stomach ache with longing for my home so much that when I looked at him, he took two steps back.

"Easy, there, lass." He said, with his hands up in the air. "I am no orc to chop up…"

"I know that, Marshal." I sighed. "I just hoped for a nice quiet week after my recent encounter with said orcs. Instead, I need to visit some ship that docks tomorrow." It was a Luskan ship to boot, but there was no need to spread operational details of a secret assignment, not even to a fellow officer and compatriot. I learned fast in this role.

"Assessment of back taxes, my favorite." Cormick mock shuddered. "No doubt."

"Indeed." I nodded. We both knew that was not the case, but he had been in this long enough to know the game, and, like I said, I learn fast.

We kept up a pleasant and empty chatter for a while, just in case there were still some infiltrators of Moire's now defunct gang or Luskan around (you never knew, that was also one of the things I learned) then I excused myself and went to collect my companions in the front room. I was slightly worried about how some of the younger Watchmen might react to them. Cormick said he was due to write some reports anyway, so he headed that way with me too.

As I closed the door to the stairs behind us and looked around, I realized that my fears were, at least in part, justified. Elanee was chatting with the Watch healer on duty, which was pretty normal. She was making little notes on a piece of parchment. I assumed she got recommendations for some herb shops, recipes to cure hangover or broken noses, or all of the above. Neeshka, on the other hand, was playing dice with some off-duty officers at a table in the corner, and judging by the smug expression on her face and the little pile of coins in front of her, she was having a field day.

I cleared my throat loudly, right behind them. Of course it was the youngest one, sitting right next to Neeshka, who dropped the dice and jumped up, red as a beetroot. All right, then.

"As you were, officers," I said crisply. "You are off shift, after all." I stared at my tiefling, who stared back at me, defiantly. Oh, I had her. Staring I could do all day, if needed. "I, however, need to get moving and so do my aides." I flicked a hand at the little pile of coins. "I am assuming that goes to the widows' fund, correct?"

"Aww, Rig, really…" she started, but I turned up the intensity of my glare, and that cut her off quick enough. I did not enjoy this, and I understood she could not resist (not to mention she needed the practice), but these were Watchmen, dammit.

"Am I correct, Officer?" I turned to the young fellow next to her, who by now was rather pale.

"Yes, sir…"he managed to squeeze out, avoiding looking at me. "A charity game."

"Most excellent." I nodded towards the rest of the table. "A commendable initiative, one that should, nevertheless, not be repeated too often. This is what the charity pot is for, and that's even anonymous. We should strive for modesty in all things." I glanced towards the duty officer's desk. Cormick was messing with some papers half-turned away, but I could see that his shoulders were shaking with suppressed laughter. I might have been overdoing it a bit. "Whenever you are ready, Neeshka. Elanee…"

"You are SO not fun," Neeshka complained as we stepped out of the gloom of the Watch building to the bright sunshine of the city. Another gorgeous day I will have a hard time enjoying. "Why do you always have to be so stuck up?"

"Comes with the job, Neesh." I dodged a cart delivering some supplies to the next door establishment. "Seriously, could you have resisted doing what you were doing in there? No, you really don't have to answer that; that is called a rhetorical question. You cannot help trying to take people's money and I cannot help trying to stop you." I shrugged. "Like Khelgar says, we really need to sell tickets for this."

Elanee sighed.

"The problem is, we'd have a sellout in ten minutes." she said, which made both me and Neeshka turn and look at her with astonishment. "Most of the time you both can get away with what you do because you are…well…"she shrugged. "Let's face it, ladies, you are rather cute."

"Cute." I said, with my hands on my hips. I was wearing light armor, which for me means chain shirt, bracers and greaves, with my Watch cloak draped over everything and my sword rather visible on my side. I was just coming from report duty to my commanding officer, after all. "I can see you saying that about Neesh," I glanced at the tiefling in her tight-fitting leather outfit that emphasized her gracefulness, aided her movements and pretty much did not leave anything to then imagination, "But Elanee, I am a paladin of Tyr!" The god's holy symbol was hanging from my neck on its silver chain, sparkling in the morning sun. "We are not supposed to be cute."

The druidess just kept smiling.
"I rest my case." she said, and slightly inclined her head.

I turned.

I would not call it a crowd, but there were definitely men milling around on the small square where the Watch building was located who obviously had other things to do but chose to linger instead, stealing glances.

"Fine." I said, still defiantly. "All right. But it's the three of us, not just me. The least of it is me."

"Whatever you say, Rig." Neeshka caught my arm. "They are staring at us: at a goatgirl, a shining example of virtue and a mysterious elf lady. All alone in the middle of the Merchant's Quarter." She shivered. "The dangers we might be in!"

"Neesh, be reasonable." I said, a bit more relaxed. "I am wearing a Watch uniform."

"She is hopeless, El." The tiefling sighed. "I am trying all day to cheer her up and all she thinks about is her duties and tasks. Shall we ever take her with us again?"

"You fight dirty." I looked at her with a hurt expression on my face.

"Hey: remember- rogue?" she answered back, her eyes sparkling. "If you want to talk about smiting evil and doing good deeds for love and justice, either get back to that building behind us…"she jerked her head towards the Watch building, "or track down the man whose aura makes my skin itch but makes your breath speed up."

I knew I was not supposed to be blushing at that, but blush I did. I was not sure why. She was usually pretty perceptive, but…I barely knew the man for a week, and here, Neeshka was making the second remark today indicating that I reacted to his presence much more strongly than to any other…

The temple tonight, definitely. The more I thought about it, the less I liked the thought, but the fact remained, and needed to be contemplated upon, while kneeling in the dark coolness of Tyr's sanctuary. I needed to know if it was merely the fact that I was a healthy young woman, who for an entire week had shared hardship, cold food, campfire, and enemies who wanted to kill without hesitation, with a naturally attractive male of similar convictions and rather broad shoulders and disturbingly beautiful azure eyes and finely curving lips, and…

I shook my head. I really, really had to talk to Elanee about some tea.

"Can we just go and take care of shopping, please? "I was surprised how dull my voice sounded. "If I recall, there were some herbs and some clothes…"

The herbalist's shop was fairly near, and Elanee had a list, being the organized, neat elf that she was. I took the opportunity and when Neeshka was busy peeking at a nearby stand, I asked her in a whisper if she could also recommend some herbs for me.

She regarded me with one of her more sympathetic gazes.

"Yes, of course, Arrighan." she said after a brief silence. "This adventuring life is hard on women, and your path is especially trying. I will make something for you." She lifted her hand. "No need for thanks and no need for feeling embarrassed. I am of a mind to kick myself for not thinking about it earlier, anyway. You are so young, and sometimes you are too hard on yourself." She turned away, and started to browse amongst the shelves of a hundred canvas bags with their aromatic contents. "And don't forget to ask me again for a…different kind of tea if the time comes…"she added, with a smile on her lips that reminded me that of Neeshka's. I sighed. Why is it that everyone was looking out for me that way all of a sudden?

Sometimes I tended to forget that Elanee was almost a hundred years old, and that she acted kind of like a self-imposed guardian over me during my childhood and teenage years in the Mere. I did not think she could get away with it without Daeghun, at least, knowing that she was around…but maybe she did. My druid companion was uncannily good at making people forget she was there.

With that pressing concern of mine out of the way, and one of my companions content with a task I gave her, it was time to face whatever mischief Neeshka was planning for me, because I had no doubts that she had something more in store for me than merely browsing for silk shirts.

The merchant in question was located on a quiet, unassuming street close to the locked-down Blacklake District entrance. That in itself might have been a warning sign for the kind of clientele it normally attracted, which probably on normal days did not include Watchmen in stained shirts and maille, druidesses with twenty little bags hanging from their belts and tieflings in tight-fitting leather.

The merchant took a look at us as we entered and got that special look on his face that I long learned to associate with people who had been around nobility way too much. His shop was all understated simplicity, light touches of cream-colored drapes with traces of gold filigree on gracefully carved tables where bolts of satin, cendal and velvet were artificially strewn on top of each other. Even I could recognize that this particular shop normally would have been way out of the league of someone from West Harbor.

Except that I was now one of those who could afford to shop here and this made me a customer, not a gawker.

I took a deep breath. I could do this; just today, I was brushing shoulders with someone who, if my senses were right, will be one of the Neverwinter Nine in about five years, if not sooner.

"It's me, Hassim." Neeshka almost danced as she grinned at the merchant. "Hopefully you still recognize me."

"Haunting my dreams, still," he murmured. "A rare pleasure to have you back here, flower of Neverwinter's nights." And he bowed, his arms crossed on his chest, in the manner of Rashemen.

"I noticed you almost threw us out first." Neeshka stated, matter-of-factly, then. "If I'd been in your dreams all this time, you would have let me walk on your most precious silk so my feet don't trod on stone, as opposed to contemplating calling in your henchmen."

"Please forgive me, rosy-cheeked daughter of dawn. Your servant is getting old, and his eyes are growing tired of empty smiles, his ears deaf from vapid chatter of the nobles of this city who only care about whether a fabric costs more than one a rival's garment is made of, as opposed to appreciating the true art that lies in how the light breaks on the gold that is woven into gentle threads of silk." This Hassim had a way with words even I could appreciate. His jet-black eyes considered us all, and they settled on my face. "If you would not mind, oh bird of Paradise, please do me the honor of being introduced to your companions."

"Ah. Right." Neeshka giggled. "Ladies, this is Hassim of Rashemen, who owes me big, for services rendered best left out of this tale, considering…" she stole a glance at me, "Well, considering." I understood; they had some shadowy dealings in the past when Neeshka moved up on the ladder of Neverwinter's criminal ranks. "Hassim, meet Elanee of the Mere and Arrighan Pendwyr, formerly of West Harbor."

"An officer of the Watch, and servant of Tyr at the same time, now." Hassim repeated his previous bow, his eyes never leaving my face. "I am deeply honored."

"We thank you." I nodded, feeling a bit uncomfortable for all the staring. "Neeshka here tells me you have silks such as nowhere else in this city, and that I wanted to see."

"The Lady of Silent Steps is flattering her humble servant." he murmured and bowed again. "I take pride in what I built here, and would be twice-honored if you three care to take a look at what I have to offer." He clapped his hands together, and three liveried servants just…materialized out of the corners.

This merchant was good. I started to get impressed, despite myself, and a knot in the middle of my stomach eased up a little bit. I took a seat on a rather comfortable, pillow-strewn sofa where Hassim indicated, my two companions next to me, and looked expectantly at him.

"As you probably guessed by now, I have no need of anything courtly. However, if you carry something suitable for gear that lasts through the trials of the road…"

"Say no more, Lady of Shining Justice." The merchant held up a hand. "Hassim would be proud if you would take a look at some of his silks. Contrary to what some of the courtly damas believe, silk is not their exclusive privilege for flimsy garments or bedsheets. My people found out a long time ago that even armor can benefit from being combined with this fabric."

"Surely not…" Elanee interjected, clearly intrigued. "Silk is too thin…"

"Ah, Lady of the Forests…" smiled Hassim while his servants appeared again, with bolts carried on their arms like fields of flowers, "therein lies the rub, as they would say here in the fair city of Neverwinter. Rashemen silk can be woven into many thicknesses, it is extremely versatile. It can be whisper-light to adorn a lady's delicate head, or sturdy to rival fustian or even wool." His hands were tracing invisible patterns in the air. "Some of the tribes in my homeland indeed, wear armor made of several quilted layers of silk enhanced with the magic of my people."

I leaned forward.

"Fascinating. " I said, and I meant it. I was always ready to learn more, and this discussion, besides being a good distraction from all my present worries, clearly was much more interesting than I originally expected. "So you are saying that what you can show me will make better traveling clothes than anything else? You make a bold claim."

"I would not presume to lie to a holy warrior of the Lord of Justice." he said seriously, but with a faint smile on his lips. I had to realize that he was younger than I thought; the huge white turban and thick beard deceived me at first. "Best if you see it for yourself." He clapped his hands again for his servants.

"What I am showing to you would not get in front of my…regular customers. These are not…ornate enough for their taste, and thus would, frankly, be wasted on them." He looked at Neeshka, who nodded, smiling. "I, however, maintain a…very select group of clientele who could benefit from these."

I nodded. That explained how he and Neeshka got acquainted, most likely. Any magically enhanced fabric would have been a hot commodity in the shadow-world of Neverwinter, obviously. I was glad she was not there any more—and I had no intentions of letting her slide back, however much she protested my efforts.

"Let me see your recommendations, then." I said. "We are looking into properly outfitting all three of us…if I like what you have, possibly more."

Elanee looked at me with surprise.

"Arrighan, you should not…"she started, but I shook my head.

"You two dragged me with you, now suffer the consequences. There is no argument." I smiled.

"Don't do that." Neeshka said with a shudder.

"Do what?"

"Don't smile like that." she said, serious all of a sudden. "You know how itchy I get from holiness…and right now, you are making me…"

That's how far she got before the door chime above the shop's door heralded the arrival of another customer. As I looked up, I seriously thought I was having a vision from all the talk we had today.

Hassim turned too, with the practiced ease of his trade.

"Ah!" His bow was deeper than the one he accorded to us, and more elaborate. "My lord of Kor…"

"We can dispense with long formalities and titles no longer in use." He was also wearing only maille instead of his full plate, but that just emphasized how broad his shoulders were. His deep voice was cold and formal, one used to command. "I am merely here to take the…"

"Of course, m'lord." Hassim stole a glance back at us. "I kept everything you entrusted me safe. However, if you would not mind according me some time to conduct my current

clients through our discussion of their purchases…We have a waiting room just over that curtain there, if you recall."

He nodded, politely inclining his head—I did not think he quite realized who we were yet…that hit him about two heartbeats later, when he actually looked.

There was this moment of awkward, utter silence that was at the same time so full of questions and possibilities that the air in the shop seemed to thicken visibly.

"Perhaps I'll come back another time, Hassim." He turned, put his hand on the door handle. "Send a runner of yours to the Sunken Flagon at the Docks where I currently take rooms."

"O-o-o, not so fast, you." Neeshka stood up and I could see by the twitching of her nose that she smelled trouble, mystery and intrigue, all almost intoxicating to a tiefling. "Doesn't your chivalry command that you offer your company and protection to three unescorted ladies back to their lodgings across the perils of city streets?" I could practically see her little horns twitching from excitement. "Or would you risk us falling into the hands of some foul…"

"Neeshka, enough." I stood up, too, squaring my shoulders against the inevitable. "My companion was jesting, Sir Casavir." I added, with a formal nod of the equals in Tyr. "I do believe we are capable of taking care of ourselves. It is, however, unexpected to meet you here…"

"My lady." Another stiff, formal bow, with nothing in the azure eyes. "I was not aware you were planning on visiting merchants today, otherwise I would surely have offered my escort."

Hassim darted quick, interested glances between us, but did not interrupt. I started to feel myself like I was in one of those prized and read-to-death romances my friend Amie liked to recite from constantly. We certainly talked like those knights and ladies in them, for sure. How far I've come from arguing with pig farmers over the price of a yearling sow…

"Of no matter…" I sat back on the sofa. "Now that we've met, surely you won't deprive us of your company?"

"Oh, that was cruel, Rig…"Neeshka whispered so he could not hear. "I am impressed…"

Yes, he was clearly uncomfortable; I had never seen him this formal, not even when we first met. Granted, at that point we both were covered in orc blood and bits, so that should have hardly counted.

But there was something haunted, something dark, something not quite fitting in this meeting, in him being here, in the way Hassim greeted him in a way that was due to a highborn noble, that unspoken family name or title… The fact that he had some things to retrieve from a silk merchant that he might have left here a rather long time ago…

I arranged myself a bit more comfortably amongst the pillows. Yes, there was definitely something not right. And I had to get to the bottom of it relatively quickly. I had way too many things to worry about already. My little band of companions was growing; I needed their help, just like they counted on me. Anyone who hitched their horse to my cart I was responsible for, but at the same time, I expected them not to keep secrets back that can put me or any others in danger. Neeshka and I had to have this conversation not too long ago…and now, in the direction least expected, another of those loomed.

This was going to be a long day.