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Chapter 4: Drinks and new clothes
Bishop
She's back again, and the Flagon is starting to be full of her companions. The latest additions have been a gnome that can't sing but doesn't let it stop him, and a paladin who looks at her with the expression of a dog begging for scraps. She seems to gather quite a sad group around her. Duncan had no problems telling me about her, this adopted niece who has made him so proud. It doesn't take much to impress Duncan, apparently. She's no real relation then, just a poor orphan his elven brother had decided to take care of. A poor orphan Duncan is ready to protect with his life. The last bit was added with a stern voice quite unusual to Duncan, hinting me that I should keep my distance from her. Not a problem, really. Except if I decide I need to take Duncan's life and need a good excuse for slitting his throat. Can anyone blame me for defending myself against a man who attacks me, claiming that I've dishonoured his niece? And dishonouring her might be fun.
I can't believe I'm still here. But there haven't been any job opportunities available recently, and although tracking and killing a Luskan patrol just for fun is tempting, why not enjoy the warmth of indoors and the taste of cheap beer for now. And I have to admit, I do get some amount of pleasure from watching the tiefling girl systematically pilfer coins from every customer in the Flagon. The idiots don't even realize it, probably because after a long night of drinking their money is usually gone anyway.
My glass is empty and I wave my hand at the red-haired girl who has just managed to spill half of the drinks she carried to the people in the next table. They don't complain much, probably because they're scared of her temper. She tries to ignore me, but a stern look from Sal sends her to my table.
"What do you want?" she scowls at me, holding a tray in front of her like a shield. I've learned some things about her as well, both from Duncan and the regulars. Some Academy drop-out who almost burned down the Flagon and was then forced to work for Duncan and his niece. When Duncan's niece doesn't need her in their adventuring, or whatever it is they do, she's serving the tables in the Flagon. Pathetic.
"A better attitude towards a paying customer," I say, enjoying the angry look she gives me. A spoiled girl who knows nothing of the real world. She should be grateful she's safe inside these walls, because the only reason she has survived outside must be that someone else in that group has some common sense and fighting skills. "Unless you wish me to complain to the owner."
"The useless drunk won't understand any big words," she snorts. "Then again, I don't think you'd be able to think up anything more complicated than a couple of grunts."
"Qara," a voice says and the red-haired girl swirls to look at Duncan's niece, who has walked up to us.
"What is it now?" the girl moans, but with less whine in her voice as usual.
"Duncan said you should stop annoying the customers. So take a break, we might need you tomorrow. Go and read a book." The last sentence is accompanied by an evil little smile and the red-haired girl scowls at Duncan's niece, but says nothing and marches away.
"Sorry about that, she can be difficult sometimes," Duncan's niece says to me, flashing a little smile. "Why don't you tell me what kind of drink you want, I can take your order to Sal."
"Why don't you go away like a good little nuisance," I reply, glancing at Duncan who isn't looking our way. I could slit his niece's throat and he wouldn't notice. She looks at me and the look in her green eyes is amused.
"Whatever you say," she chuckles. "I was trying to be nice, but apparently that's not a popular trait these days. Enjoy your evening!" She's mocking me. Before I manage to say anything, she sweeps away, her hips swinging, and I notice the paladin watching her very intently. Seems like she would have at least two people defending her honour. That is, if she has any honour left. But she seems like the respectable sort, despite the swinging hips and all.
Selenya
I'm trying not to laugh when I sit down by the bar and glance back at the man I just saved from Qara's bad temper. I shouldn't have done that, since that kind of attitude deserves Qara at her worst. Although he looks like a person who might hurt Qara if she went too far, as she usually does. I haven't managed to get anywhere with her, getting only nasty remarks whenever I try to talk to her seriously. I'm scared that some day her lack of self-control will prove dangerous, but I'm hoping she will realize herself at some point.
"Why aren't you going to Blacklake tonight, since you have the permission?" Duncan asks me and I turn to look at him. I still can't believe I finally got the permission, I was certain I would've had to jump through a lot more hoops before the bureaucracy of the Watch had run its course.
"I thought the sage we need to meet might be more welcoming tomorrow morning rather than late at night. Although he has been described as rather eccentric," I say. "But we can talk later, I still need to go and collect my clothes from the seamstress. I don't want to spend any more time in armour. I can't move in this thing."
"And how are ordinary clothes going to protect you from blades?" Duncan asks, his voice so worried that I want to hug him.
"That's where Sand comes in," I say and chuckle at Duncan's surprised expression. "He will put some kind of enchantment on my coat, so that it will be as good as armour. But not as restrictive."
"I can't believe he agreed to do that," Duncan says, shaking his head.
"Well, I'm very good at friendly persuasion and I have enough money. Never underestimate the combination of those two things. But I need to go now, so that Sand will have time to cast the enchantment. The way he talked about it, and the amount of money he's asking for it, must mean it's a very complicated and time-consuming thing."
"Be careful out there, you haven't made any friends among the thieves that still remain here," Duncan says. "You shouldn't go alone." Wonderful, no one trusts me to take care of myself.
"Uncle, the seamstress doesn't live far away and Sand's shop is only a couple of steps away," I say, but I have a feeling I'm going to lose the argument. Duncan has turned out to be very protective, which is rather nice, since Daeghun's main principle was that I need to take care of myself, not rely on others. I guess he was worried about me as well, but didn't show it. However, at a moment like this, protective uncle is not the best thing to have.
"You should take someone with you," he says. I glare at him. If he suggests that I should take Casavir, I'm going to kick him, no matter how childish that would be.
"Neeshka!" I shout over the noise in the inn. "Do you want to go shopping with me?"
"Shopping?" she stops talking to Ergol, one of the regulars. I think she hasn't emptied his pockets yet. I've never been very good at pick-pocketing, but my skills have improved a bit since I've had to return the money and all kinds of small objects Neeshka has taken, without people realizing they've ever been gone.
"Yes, it's the thing when you go to a store, take something and give money for it," I say and she grins.
"That's the boring way, but sure, I've got nothing better to do," she shrugs and starts walking towards us.
"Now I have company," I turn to Duncan. "Happy? And don't even think about saying that I should have a man with me."
"Not going to," he smiles. "Although I think the paladin…"
"No."
"Okay then," Duncan says grinning. I can't help it; I turn to look at Casavir, who is sitting with Elanee, talking. He sees me looking at her and looks at me expectantly. I smile at him and he appears confused for a moment, but then, miracle of miracles, a little smile appears on his lips. Neeshka snickers and I turn my eyes from Casavir, trying to suppress the stupid grin that must have appeared on my face.
"So, where're we going?" Neeshka asks when we walk out. "Anything interesting in sight?"
"Sorry, we're obeying the law tonight," I reply and she scowls.
"My skills are wasted when travelling with you," she moans, but then laughs. "But I have to admit, you're a lot more interesting, and nicer, than most of the people I've teamed up with in the past."
"That's nice to hear," I reply. "Let's go, we need to get to Sand's before he closes. He said I shouldn't be late."
The seamstress has done wonderful job and I pay her so much extra that Neeshka looks like she's going to faint. Then we head to Sand's shop. The elf gives me a polite nod and then looks at the grey coat I lay on the table in front of him.
"What kind of enchantments can you put on it?" I ask and he smiles dryly.
"All the enchantments your money can buy, dear girl," he says. "What kind of dangers are you planning to face while wearing this thing?"
"I've found that it's best to prepare for everything, but since I'm not certain I'll have enough money for everything, start with basic protection from blades and work your way up from there."
"Let me see what I can do," he says and lifts up the coat. He examines it for a while and then looks at me again. "Oh, you're still here? This will take same time, why don't you go and enjoy all the wonderful sights that the docks can offer while I work on your coat?" I have a feeling that I'm send away like a child, but I nod and head out.
"Oh, and your friend should empty her pockets and leave the things she took outside the door," Sand calls after us. "If she tries to take them out, she… Well, will regret it."
"Oh, alright," Neeshka sighs as I give her a long look. She takes out a couple of rings and a potion bottle, leaves them on a shelf and flashes a bright smile to Sand. "Sorry, a force of habit."
"Naturally," the wizard says and waves his hand. "Off you go now, girls." I grin at the tone of his voice and usher Neeshka out in front of me, half expecting a flash of magic to tear some stolen item from her. No flashes.