It was a long night. I stayed out at the tavern quite late with Leylla and Eric, celebrating the completion of my bet. Eric told a story about the Antivan Crow he had killed, that had been hired to assassinate him by a rival Orlesian noble. I was entranced both by the detail and reality of some parts story, and by the hilariously outlandish and unrealistic heroic accomplishments he claimed. Then Leylla spoke of training with the Templars. Several of my different emotions churned into a confusing jumble at this. I was frightened at how dangerous she could be to me, angry at the way the Order turns apostates automatically into heartless villains, but also sympathetic towards her. She had had a rough time with the order despite her enthusiasm and perseverance. When she finished her story, they both looked at me.
"Well?" said Leylla.
"What?"
"It's your turn." she insisted "Tell us a bit about yourself. Tell us a story about you, Thomond."
I was relieved to discover a vicious bar fight breaking out right at that moment.
A couple of thugs I had never seen before were making a commotion, and they seemed to be attacking just one patron. I knew I wouldn't be much good with just my knives, but I got the other two in motion and followed right behind. Leylla drew her official Templar sword and shield and Eric whipped out his knives. They were short, and mostly unremarkable specimens that looked relatively dull, but in his hands, still seemed as deadly as any. We rushed blindly towards the conflict but stopped short.
The other two nearly dropped their weapons in surprise as a number of thugs ran toward the exit clutching their wounds and the woman spun her daggers back onto her back. I, however, had grown accustomed to these displays.
"Ah. I should have known it was you." I chuckled. "Leylla? Eric? This is another regular here, Isabela."
"CAPTAIN Isabela. And I wish you wouldn't introduce me to every pitiful fool who buys you a drink."
They exchanged a somewhat awkward greeting after this insult.
"Isabela, these are actually my new friends."
"Friends? YOU have friend, Thomond?" She scoffed "I never thought the day would come."
"So, Captain Isabela, what were those gentleman after you for?" Eric asked.
"Oh them? Just some fools who followed me from The Pearl. They'll probably say I cheated playing cards, but don't mind them. They couldn't tell their ass from their elbow. Play a hand of Wicked Grace with me, and find out for yourself."
"Oh come now, Isabela, leave these poor sods alone." I laughed.
"Who are you calling poor sods, Mr. Knife-In-The-Abdomen." Leylla sassed.
Eric laughed heartily and Isabela raised her eyebrows "Oh, do tell Thomond. I thought I had made it clear that nobody could skewer you, but me."
"Garin's boys." I sighed.
"Ugh," Isabela said with great disgust, "He's always been a dumb one. No tact, no class, just an empty head. And he is one sailor with extremely poor control of his rudder. I suppose that's why they use 'Oars', though that would be a generously exaggerated description of his endowments."
Leylla turned pink, and Eric laughed to a point of near convulsion.
It suddenly occurred to me how nice it would be to have Isabela have my back on the patrol.
"Hey Isabela? I'm going on a patrol with these two tomorrow night. Any way you could be there?"
"No. I have an arranged engagement. Shame though. Would definitely like to sink my daggers into something. Since when do you patrol anything other than the liquor cabinets?"
"Since my new friend requested my companionship on her patrol."
"Friends with a templar huh?" Isabela mused, "I always found templars so very...boring...and...celibate. Well anyway, I'll see you later Thomond, I've got another ship to sail on tonight."
As she walked away the three of us sat back down to our drinks, as I tried my best not to stare at her retreating figure. We quickly realized how late it had become, so we parted ways and headed to sleep.
Walking back to my house, I noticed that I was being followed. A dark figure, that appeared to be in armor was following at some distance. I quickened my pace, knowing that if I could get him to follow me into my house, I'd have the advantage of being able to use all my powers. Just as I rounded the corner to my house, I ran straight into a large metal gauntlet. My last thought before I blacked out, was that they had been waiting for me, and that I was done for.
...
I passed in and out of consciousness, but mostly out, and remembered nothing but colors, sounds, flashes of light. I awoke slowly to a room full of smiling faces. I didn't appear to be bound, which seemed a stroke of luck as far as my chances for survival. I looked around and began to understand my situation. I counted ten young men and women, sitting in a semicircle, facing me. They wore many different types of robes, most of them shabby, and it was clear that they were apostates. Directly around the wooden chair that I had awoken in, were some mercenaries. The man directly across from, the oldest it seemed, stood up to address me. He was bald with black facial hair, and a sickening smile.
"My friend, I know who you are, as I assume you know who I am."
"Nope." I said nonchalantly.
He was slightly taken aback, but quickly recovered.
"Yes well. Regardless of who I am, then, my friends and I have rescued you from your enemies in the Crimson Oars, and we want nothing in return, except to talk to you briefly."
"Well, here you are talking, and here I am listening, so perhaps just say what you want?"
His face grew slightly red with annoyance.
"Your hostile attitude is uncalled for. We've been nothing but helpful and trusting to you." he said.
"Trusting? If you trust me so much, then what is with ugly meatheads one through four guarding my chair?"
His face grew more and more twisted. "A necessary precaution for somebody of your reputation."
"If you knew my reputation, you'd know these motherless sons of whores are useless to you."
I received an armored punch in the face from the nearest mercenary, and wiped the blood away from my mouth. It was working.
"Please!" the mage chastised the man who struck me, "Restrain yourself, fool. What do we pay you for? His insults are meaningless, so don't be a child. Act like a professional." After a grumbled apology the bald man continued. "Right. As you wish. To the point. My companions and I are all powerful blood mages, and you will join our brotherhood, either as a member, or as a sacrifice."
"Hmm." I said, rising to my feet "Now tell me, how would joining your brotherhood benefit me exactly?"
As I stood up, so did all the mages. They drew their staves, and the mercenaries behind me drew their weapons as well.
The blood mage leader began "If you value your l-" but was stopped midsentence, as everyone in the room began to twitch and convulse as their blood boiled inside them.
"Now friends," I said "I must respectfully decline your offer. I have done much to distance myself from my past, and I simply do not wish to join you weaklings and fools. Understood? Now, I can't stay, you see, I need to rest before an important engagement this evening. So if you all would please just drop your weapons..." everyone's weapons clattered to the floor, "...I'll be on my way. Oh, and the next time you hear about an incredibly powerful blood mage, don't go looking for him. Have a lovely evening, and thanks again for rescuing me from the Crimson Oars men."
I strolled out of the room before releasing my spell, and then I started sprinting. There was a clamor behind me as they scattered to try and catch me, and I heard someone yell "We need to set up some traps in here!", but I escaped out into the night, sealing the door with a weak barrier to give me a head start.
Upon returning home, I set up what few traps I owned and cast several glyphs and runes around the entrance before I felt safe enough to go to sleep. I looked out the window and it was already nearly dawn. The sky had begun to show the sparkling pink shadows of a sun that was still struggling to rise onto the horizon. I closed my eyes to try and get what little rest I could, because I had a feeling that I was going to have another long night.