~Chapter 3~
Darktown 9:36 Dragon
"Three weeks here and I still can't find my way around," I complain.
Ishri leads us down the pungent walkways of filth and rot of Darktown like we are on a pleasant Sunday stroll, "don't worry, I know exactly where we are," she winks over her shoulder.
Elves in rags cower in the corners and avoid eye contact as we go by.
"Let's just find Tomwise and get out of here, I need food." I scan his usual dingy table but the elf isn't there.
Ishri taps the table smiling at some urchins running by, "we are early, be patient."
I lean on the wall crossing my arms, "I hate waiting."
"On time as usual," the dark haired elf emerges from around the corner, "your order is ready." He places it into Ishri's hands, "and take care not to drop it," he warns with playful caution.
I pull the pouch from my belt and toss it with a small clunk onto his table, "the final payment as promised."
His lithe fingers gather the bag into his tunic, "pleasure as always, come back again."
"Hey Rene," ishri's voice is hushed as she circles us into a secluded corner. Assuming she saw something suspicious I reach for my ax. Her hand stops mine as she sighs, "listen, we could leave."
"What? Not right now, we have to finish this drop before sunset," I respond.
"No," she frowns, "I mean," she leans in close looking up at me then whispers, "leave the Carta."
Shocked I shake my head, "what are you drunk? the Carta is for life."
She stalls, an unfamiliar light in her eyes, then in a moment it's gone. She replies defeated, "never mind, forget I said anything."
As she turns to walk away I grip her arm, she spins her head to look back at me. Concerned I ask, "Have you said this to anyone else, Brecken?"
Her muscles relax, "no, obviously I didn't tell our slimy boss. You are the only one I trust, it'll always be you and me kid."
Stunned I stand motionless. My chest swells then I remind myself that Ishri is a master of manipulation. I cannot risk vulnerability to anyone, especially her. I drop my hand and walk forward, "Let's just finish this drop."
In just a short couple months the Hanged Man has slowly started to feel like home, there is a sense of relief as we pass over its rotting threshold.
"I've been dreaming of this drink all day," I slump into the corner chair of our table holding my frothing mug.
Ishri swirls her idle finger in the brown liquid of her cup, "I'm tired, I'm just going to go to bed." Satisfied with her whirlpool she slides her finger into her mouth to clean it, even without conscious effort she manages a seductive poise in all her movements. "You handle the contact."
I shrug in response and wave the waitress for another drink. At the bar a scantily dressed Rivanian woman slams her cup into the face of a greasy mercenary man whose hands wandered where they were apparently not wanted.
"You bitch," he draws a rusty mace from his belt. Before he can swing she drives a dagger into his forearm, pinning it to the table.
His weapon falls to the ground and blood drips from the wound as her dark eyes mock, "you poor sweet thing, now move along," she sends a kick to his groin while simultaneously retrieving her blade. She casually turns to the bar for a fresh drink as though nothing had happened. With her stagnate mead comfortably in hand she saunters to my table.
"You don't seem like you are looking for company," I answer dryly from my cup.
"No, but I think you are," her tone is flirtatious. Annoyed I glance up to her dark eyes.
"You aren't my type," I answer coldly.
She smirks and leans into the table resting her chin in her hands, her cleavage billowing onto the surface, "what if I said we had an appointment."
I set my cup down, "I was expecting someone else."
"I know," she smiles holding the merchant guild ring required to identify my contact, "someone shorter."
Cautiously I grip my ax under the table, "it's unusual for a human to have a dwarven signet ring, been taking things that don't belong to you?"
"Hardly." She sips her drink, "if you must know," she presses the ring back into her breasts, "its owner is too busy fluttering around the city to meet with you, he sends his gravest apologies. Now, to business then. Do you want what I have or not?"
With this sudden change of plan I wish Ishri was here, she's better at these games. With a forced slyness I return, "I've got the information requested, but it depends. What do you have?"
"Oh you are simply adorable. Let's just make this easy," she runs her hand through her black hair, "I'll show you mine if you show me yours."
Brecken's hand slams into the back of my head, "you little shit."
I spin around in fury, jamming my elbow into his jaw, "the hell?" I grit my teeth and pounce on him, swinging my fists into his shoulders.
"Bitch!" He growls as his knee jabs my stomach, followed by a hard double fisted blow to the head. My face hits hot on the sandy ground. He jumps onto my back penning my hands behind me. I twist but cannot move under his pressure. He presses my cheek into the road, quietly he hisses in my ear, "you take orders from me. Don't EVER work behind my back again. Next time," his thumb slides from my temple down to the corner of my mouth, "I'll kill you."
He kicks my side and I breath deeply as his footsteps echo, leaving me alone in the dark alleyway of the Lowtown bizarre. I get to my feet, spit blood to the side, then with frustration fueled fury punch at the stone building repeatedly.
"Hey, doing that might hurt the wall," a vaguely familiar voice detracks me.
"What do you want?" I snarl to the bloody wall, angry at having a witness.
Nolan's voice plays at my back, "I was in the neighborhood and thought it would be rude not to say hello." His hood is down, revealing short dark curls. "Got a few minutes? I could use help carrying this," he lifts a small crate toward me in offering. I recognize the symbol on the box.
"You are the one making the drop?" I inquire flatly.
He steps closer, "oh no, we should use code it's more fun that way, feels more like a game, less like midnight illegal activities." He clears his throat then drops his voice, "the grey nug is in the basket."
I let out a frustrated sharp exhale, "you must be deficient at reading maps. The location is up a few blocks."
"Yet you're here too?" His focus bounces to my hand.
With reluctance I admit, "I'm not your contact tonight."
His smile remains but doesn't reach his eyes as he replies, "Maybe not, but you are covered in blood."
"It's not mine," I lie, "I killed the last smart ass who passed through here."
His grin widens, "evidently." Taking a step closer to me he pulls a small cloth from his side. His eyes scan from my bloodied hand back to my face, his expression a mix of interest and concern, "here." He offers it to me.
My fingers twitch then I curl them into a fist at my side. "I'm busy," I grunt.
"Me too," he taps the box with his offered cloth still in his hand, "but if you get less busy, I know a better place than the Hanged Man to get a drink." He pushed the cloth into my palm.
I scowl and walk past him, blood soaking the cloth as I tighten my grip around it.
"What happened?" Ishri's eyes are hard on the gouge in my forehead, my attempts to clean the blood away during my short walk back were insufficient. There's no hiding my brawl with Brecken from her anyways.
I shrug and sit at the table in her room, "nothing. Has Brecken returned yet, he sent me back early."
She brings a rag to my forehead and I flinch away, "don't fuss," she commands and dabs at the wound. "You need to be more careful," she looks to my raw knuckles and I slide my hand off the table.
"I'm invincible," I smile but my teasing is wasted on her unamused countenance.
She licks her thumb and uses it to smooth down one of my stray hairs, "none of us are. Don't be careless."
Brecken saunters into the room slamming his shield onto the ground. He pats Ishri's butt as he passes by her, then lays with his arms behind his head on the bed. He smells of cheap ale. "Ladies," he smirks but his eyes challenge me. My jaw clenches. "Success as usual. The next drop is just a message run, no brains needed," his lips twist into a pleased grin, "I'm sending the squirt."
My blood rushes as I kick the chair out behind me, I sprint to him but Ishri steps to stop me. "Wait Rene!" She calls and circles her arms around my middle, her cheek lays against my back as she pleads, "let it go."
Brecken chuckles and moves casually to a seated position. "How about it then, just let her go Ishri. She needs taught another lesson."
"Drop it," Ishri calls to him, swirling around so I am behind her petite frame.
"This is bullshit." I spit, "I'm not putting up with is anymore, and neither should you!"
"Let's go for a walk," Ishri grabs my fist, urging me to the door.
"No," Brecken's voice is low and hoarse, "she goes, you stay Ishri." He removes his belt, "or she can stay and watch, I don't care."
"Go Rene please," she whispers and pushes me out, closing the door.
My ears throbbing with anger I hesitate at the dark wood slab. I will kill him.
