"Are you sure this is wise, Duncan?" Shandra asked as she looked around the common room of the Flagon, which had taken on a festive mood. "Sure, I know we need to mark the occasion of Marcus escaping with his life, but I don't think he really feels like doing that."
Elanee nodded in agreement. "He, after all, had to face a man who was from his own village. I do not think that Marcus would feel compelled to celebrate that."
The innkeeper let out a sigh. "I just don't know what else to do, Shandra. He needs to let loose somehow and I'd rather he did it here than at some stuffy noble's house," Duncan said, eyeing the pile of invitations that had been accumulating during the harbourman's absence.
Casavir tried not to smile at Duncan's remark about stuffy nobles. "Marcus can pick and choose which parties he attends for the most part. However, there are two that he must attend, the one at Castle Never and the one being hosted by Sir Grayson." The paladin looked thoughtful for a moment. "I suspect that the majority of the remaining invitations have been extended as a courtesy only… if the language in them is anything to go by."
"What makes you say that, Casavir?" Khelgar asked. "You think they'd turn him away if he showed up after being invited?" The dwarf was having a hard time understanding.
Bishop snorted. "It's not our leader they'd be turning away, is it, paladin? But his lady friend, the she-devil, they don't want her anywhere near their posh homes."
Casavir let out a sigh. "Despite Bishop's… choice of words, he is correct. The language of the invitations suggests that most of the nobles view Neeshka as beneath their contempt, in spite of the fact that it is obvious to anyone with eyes how Marcus feels about her." And one of the reasons I became disillusioned with the nobility.
"Yes. Neverwinter politics is nothing but complicated," Sand observed. "The only two invitations that mention Neeshka by name, or any of us for that matter, are the ones from Lord Nasher and Sir Grayson, which is not too surprising really." The moon elf cocked his head to one side. "And I suspect that Nasher is up to something. Notice how his and Sir Grayson's festivities are the last two to be held?" the wizard said, indicating the dates. "Nasher is testing the rest of the nobility for some reason. It's not obvious, unless you know how he works. The party at Castle Never will be important in more ways than one. If my intuition is correct, there may be more than a few nobles with the figurative egg on their faces." The moon elf had a very mischievous smile on his lips.
Vengaul Bloodsail let out a deep sigh as he turned away from the window of the small house he'd bought on his return to Neverwinter months ago. It broke his heart to see the city he loved in such a state, though he knew Nasher was doing his best. What really hurt was the state the docks were in. What he wouldn't give to have the Bloodsailors back at full strength! Then he'd show the petty dock thugs who was boss. As things stood, there was only him, his beloved Dara'nei and twenty-four others, the remains of the proud and noble Bloodsailors, an adventuring company that had numbered two hundred, before the plague, Callik's betrayal and the war with Luskan.
The old sailor sat down, looking across at his elven wife, Dara'nei. "What happened to the docks? Where's the pride in the place?" he asked sadly.
The elf shook her head. "I do not know, but I have been able find out what happened after our flight. A woman named Moire took over the docks and she was brutal, no tact at all. She and her gang had almost driven the Watch from the district entirely when she did something very stupid. She attacked the main Watch post in the Docks directly."
Vengaul snorted. "No sense of style, just like Callik. The Watch would have retaliated after that."
Dara'nei smiled a little. "Yes, they did, but not the way you'd expect. The Watch dismantled Moire's organisation from the bottom up and ultimately captured her. However, she has since been released, for what reason I cannot say. The word on the street is that she wants revenge on the Watchman who captured her."
Vengaul looked surprised. "Sounds like something I'd do, not something I'd have thought of from one of Nasher's lapdogs, particularly that Captain Brelaina woman. She is too by the book."
Dara'nei chuckled. If her husband was poking fun at Nasher, he was in a good mood. "It wasn't the Watch as such, but a small group of adventurers acting for the Watch. It seems the group's leader, a young human named Marcus Cole, is a full member of the Watch and holds the rank of lieutenant…." She became worried at her husband's glazed look. "Vengaul, dearest… what's wrong?" she asked.
The old swashbuckler blinked several times, as memories from long ago assaulted him. "I knew a woman many years ago, named Esmerelle Cole. A fine adventurer and one of the best ship captains I'd ever had." He looked up at Dara'nei with sadness in his eyes. "I loved her dearly and wanted to marry her but never did, and to this day I don't know why. She came to me one day and said it was time for her to leave the Bloodsailors, so she left and I never saw her again." He smiled wistfully. "Perhaps it's the delusions of an old mind… but I wonder if this Marcus Cole is her son." Dara'nei didn't know what to say, so she simply hugged her husband.
"What's the occasion, Duncan?" Marcus asked as he looked around the Flagon, which seemed very festive all of a sudden. It hadn't looked like this when he and Neeshka had left for West Harbour about a week ago.
The innkeeper rubbed the back of his neck. "I was planning a bit of a knees up, seeing as you won that duel and all."
"That's nothing worth really celebrating, Duncan, but I do appreciate the thought," Marcus replied with a sigh. "So what else has been going on?"
"See, I told you, Duncan," Shandra said as she came over with a pile of official-looking envelopes. "Here, Marcus, you've apparently proven to be the flavour of the month with the nobles," she said, handing the harbourman the invitations.
Marcus frowned a little as he began looking through the letters. "All because I had to fight a duel… but what about Neesh, and the rest of you?" he asked. "The only invitations that mention the rest of you are the ones from Sir Grayson and Lord Nasher."
"Does that really surprise you, harbour boy?' Neeshka asked.
Marcus sighed. "No, not really. But it is disappointing. Still, if they don't want you there, Neesh, I'm not going either. We're a package deal. They get both of us, or they don't. So it looks like we'll just be going to Sir Grayson's and Lord Nasher's party."
"Hey, I've got an idea to teach these snotty nobles a lesson!" Shandra said. "Why don't the two of you get dressed up as if you were going. Turn up, they make a fuss about Neeshka, and you just say 'oh well, in that case… bye'." The farm girl was grinning.
"I don't think that would make much difference, Shandra," came Casavir's deep voice that was filled with mirth. "But it would make Neeshka feel better, I would think."
"Dammed right it would!" Neeshka cried. "They better get used to the idea of a tiefling in the nobility. Not that I'm all that noble. Far from, it in fact. Which kind of makes it funny."
"You're far more noble than you give yourself credit for, Neeshka," Casavir said. The tiefling's face scrunched up in puzzlement. "You have always known what's 'right' and 'wrong'. Even if you have made your living by thievery and misdirection, you have never intentionally harmed anyone. That alone says much about you. You are noble in your own way, Neeshka. All you need is to believe in yourself," the paladin said, giving Neeshka's shoulder an affectionate squeeze.
Dumal Erard, founder of Helm's Hold and one of its few survivors when the hold was taken over by Desther and his 'Order of the Eye' to unleash an unholy plague on the city of Neverwinter, re-read the personally written invitation from Lord Nasher again, to make certain he was reading it correctly.
Dumal sighed. He had indeed read it correctly, but it was the line that referred to the squire's consort being present that seemed a little out of place. Nasher had also suggested that she may have been in the care of the Hold at some point. Was he trying to warn him about something?
Dumal stood from his desk and walked to the large bookcase, looking carefully along its shelves until he found the tome he was looking for. He carefully lifted out the book and then returned to his desk. This tome had details of all the children who had ever been in the care of the Hold. Dumal spent the next few minutes looking through the pages until he smiled, almost sadly, when his finger came to rest near one name in particular.
"So, Neeshka, after all this time you've came back to haunt me, have you?" Dumal asked softly, for he remembered the feisty tiefling well. He frowned. They were meant to be her guardians and protectors. Instead they'd violated her in the worst possible way, by suppressing her natural arcane abilities when they'd started to reveal themselves. He'd have much preferred to let the natural order of things progress and would have given her over to a mage for training. Ophala Cheldarstorn, of the Many-Starred Cloaks, would have jumped at the chance to train such a young and promising mage. Sadly, however, Dumal had been outvoted on that idea simply because Neeshka was a tiefling.
Dumal let out a weary sigh. "It seems our mutual past is about to catch up with us, Neeshka. I just pray to Helm that you can forgive and that I can make you understand." He stood and placed the tome back in the bookcase.
"Marcus, lad, what's the matter?" Duncan asked as he sat down. "You've been subdued ever since you came back from West Harbour." The party was in full swing but Marcus had been sitting off to one side, brooding.
"Yeah… just got a lot on my mind is all," the harbourman replied. "Do you anything about my father, not Daeghun, but my real father?"
The innkeeper shook his head. "No, your mother didn't talk about her adventuring life much, if at all, as I recall; and as far as I know she made no mention as to who your father was."
"Figures. I don't suppose she wanted to advertise she was a Bloodsailor. Not something to shout from the rooftops, now is it?" Marcus asked with a slight smile.
"Bloodsailor? You can't be serious, lad!" Duncan said, shocked.
"Oh, I am, Duncan. I have her old uniform to prove it, as well as a few other things." Marcus paused a moment, as he fingered the spyglass he'd taken to wearing on his belt. "Also, it seems that my father might be none other than Vengaul Bloodsail himself. That's just going to make Nasher's day, now isn't it?" he asked.
"How… no, must be some mistake!" Duncan replied, shaking his head.
"I don't think so, Duncan. Among mother's things was a captain's spyglass that bears an inscription that suggests that when my mother was given it, she and Vengaul were close. Now I may not be his child… but my mother suddenly turns up at Daeghun's, pregnant and with the possession that I now have that she entrusted into Daeghun's care?" Marcus let out a sigh. "Thing is, Neeshka doesn't know if the old scoundrel is still alive. But we both know someone who might, Kari. We're going to go and see her later and see if we can get to the bottom of this little mystery. Am I the son of the infamous Vengaul Bloodsail, or is it just coincidence?"
"You've been the life of the party, haven't you?" Neeshka asked as she sat next to the harbourman. "You know that necklace you got me? I think it's got silver in it. I'm beginning to itch."
"Silver?" Marcus asked. "What… oh, you bloody idiot, Cole," he muttered, whacking himself on the forehead with the palm of his hand.
"Hey, don't worry about it, harbour boy," Neeshka said with a smile. "I really liked the thought behind it. But what are we going to do with it, seeing as I can't wear it?"
Marcus rubbed his beard in thought. "Well, I guess you could give it to Shandra or Elanee?" he suggested. "Which reminds me; you still got that big ruby?"
Neeshka nodded. "Yeah, still got it, why?"
"How about we find a good jeweler and get something made up for you for the party at Castle Never? We've got the dress covered, sweetheart, so got to get the accessories, you know," Marcus said, his eyes sparkling.
Neeshka couldn't help but giggle. "You really are determined to spoil me, aren't you, harbour boy?"
"Dammed right I am," Marcus replied.
"Alright… but only after we've seen Kari about you-know-who," Neeshka said as she stood up. "I'm going to give this necklace to Duncan so he can give it to Shandra," she announced.
"Now this I have to see," Marcus said, as he too stood and followed.
"What can I do for you, Neeshka, lass?" Duncan asked as the tiefling sauntered up.
"Nothing really, but I thought you might like this," Neeshka said as she dropped the necklace on the countertop.
Duncan looked stunned as he picked up the fine silver necklace. "Where did you get this?" he asked. "And why are you giving it to me?"
"Marcus bought it for me when we were away; only thing is, there is silver in it," Neeshka said "And… well, me and anything silver generally don't get on so well."
"But what would I do with it?" the innkeeper asked, looking puzzled.
Neeshka leaned over and whispered. "Thought you might give it to Shandra, you know? Make you look good and all." All Duncan could do was stare after the tiefling as she turned and walked away.
"You two cannot be serious!?" Kari exclaimed. "Please tell me you're joking," she said, looking from the harbourman to the tiefling and back again.
"I wish we knew. That's why we want your help. Neeshka doesn't know if Vengaul is alive or not, and it might just be coincidence," Marcus said, not convinced.
"Somehow, with the luck you've been having, Marcus, my friend, I doubt it," Kari replied with a shake of her head. "Nasher is just going to love this!" she said with a grin. "His newest squire is none other than the son of his old nemesis, Vengaul Bloodsail." Kari couldn't contain her mirth; she'd met the man once very briefly. "Despite all Nasher's bluster to the contrary, I think he liked the old swashbuckler, though being Lord of a city he couldn't show it too much."
"Well, we don't know for certain, but it looks that way," Marcus said, feeling very self-conscious.
Neeshka grinned. "I think it would be cool to see the Bloodsailors take back the docks. I can remember when they pretty much ran the place and the docks were safe. Not like now, though the harbour boy has helped."
Kari roared with laughter. "Now that would give the old man kittens, though I think Nasher would welcome Vengaul back… maybe not with open arms, but he'd be happier knowing who's skulking around the docks. He was good for stability," she said, grinning. "Leave it with me and I'll see if I can find the old scoundrel."
"Neeshka, have you given any thought to the job offer Kari made to you?" Aarin asked quietly. "We do not wish to pressure you, but we suspect Lord Nasher is wanting to do more than just celebrate Marcus's victory come the ball at Castle Never."
Neeshka swallowed. "Are you saying he's wanting to say I'm his new spymaster? Make it official-like?"
Aarin nodded. "Yes, that's what we think he wishes to do, though he's never said as such. So do you wish to become Neverwinter's newest spymaster?"
Neeshka looked over at the harbourman with a slightly panicked look on her face. Marcus just gave her a hug. "This is your call, sweetheart. I'll support you whatever you decide, but I say go for it."
The tiefling nodded slowly as she thought her answer over carefully. Neeshka also remembered what Casavir had said to her. After several minutes she turned back to Kari and Aarin, a smile on her lips and a twinkle in her eyes. "Well, if Nasher is crazy enough to have me, I'm crazy enough to accept," Neeshka said.
Kari's reaction was immediate; she stepped forward and hugged the tiefling. "I knew you wouldn't let me down, Neeshka," she said, grinning.
Master Jeweller Rynne Aure looked up as he heard the door to his shop open, and a young couple walked in, arm in arm. Rynne looked them over as they looked at some of his work in one of the display cases. They were both dressed fairly simply, though their clothes were good quality. He also noted that both were armed. They both had a sword hanging from their belts, the man had a longsword, the woman a rapier. This led Rynne to believe they were adventurers or such, people used to having their weapons close at hand.
Rynne then realised something unusual about the woman: she had a tail! Why hadn't he noticed it sooner? As the young couple turned to walk over to where he was seated as his workbench, he could tell that the woman was, indeed, a tiefling. Rynne recognised the pair as he, like most of Neverwinter, had been at the tournament grounds for the duel. They were Squire Marcus Cole and Neeshka.
"Good day, Squire. How can I be of service?" Rynne asked, inclining his head slightly.
Marcus was momentarily thrown but recovered quickly enough as he placed the large ruby on the table. "We were hoping you may be able to do something with this?" he asked.
Rynne picked up the gem and studied it for a time. "Hmm," he said, looking at Neeshka for a moment. "You're wanting something for your lady?" he asked Marcus, who nodded. "Anything in mind?"
"I was thinking of perhaps a necklace, earrings and a bracelet?" the harbourman replied.
The jeweller nodded. "That shouldn't be a problem. I can perhaps also manage a ring and brooch as well. Then your lady will have a full set of matching jewellery."
Neeshka blushed. "Wow… um, that'd be cool," she murmured.
Ryan smiled a little. "Normally I'd suggest a silver setting but I think gold would be better, say with mithral mounts?"
The tiefling's eyes went wide as she glanced at the harbourman.
"The cost isn't important, Neesh. This is something special for you. I'm going to make sure you're the envy of Lord Nasher's Ball. You, sweetheart, are going to be the loveliest woman there, if I have any say in the matter."
"You really are spoiling me, harbour boy?" Neeshka asked, smiling.
"Yes, and I have to say you're worth it, Neesh," Marcus said.
"Glad someone thinks so," the tiefling replied a little shyly.
"Kari, Aarin? What brings the both of you here?" Nasher asked, looking up from his never-ending paperwork.
"We've just had an… interesting conversation with Marcus and Neeshka," Kari replied, a bemused expression on her face.
"That's one way to put it," Aarin observed dryly.
"Explain," Nasher said.
"First of all, Neeshka has agreed to be your new spymaster. However, Marcus is a war orphan. His mother was killed years ago in the war with the King of Shadows. He never knew who his father was," Kari explained.
Nasher frowned a little. "Why am I sensing a 'but'?" he asked.
Kari grinned. "But it seems his mother had some possessions that have thrown some light on who Marcus's father might be." The red-haired woman did her best to keep a straight face. "Milord, your newest squire may well be the son of none other than Vengaul Bloodsail."
"You have to be joking," Nasher said, after a long pause.
"That we don't know," Aarin said. "Kari has agreed to see if she can locate Vengaul, as it might be nothing more than a coincidence, but if he is Marcus's father, he's going to enjoy teasing you about the fact and, knowing him, probably in a very public way."
Nasher sighed. "You're right about that," he said with a slight smile. "It'll be good to see the old rascal again after all these years."