"There must be someone you can spare, lieutenant. He's the first shopkeeper to take a stand against these thugs and deserves our protection." Cormick said to Lieutenant Roe as Marcus and his friends walked into the watch post.
"You know the number of men I have available to me, Marshal. You also know the efforts I've been taking to weed out turncoats." The hard pressed lieutenant replied. "I can send some watchmen to this shopkeeper, but then we'll have to postpone the sweep through the northern district. I'm sure you'll agree that we want every man available for that operation."
Cormick shook his head. "The Council hasn't done us any favours with that last vote, have they, lieutenant?" he sighed. "We'll just have to make do with what we've been given. Very well then, postpone the sweep. Assign some men to the shopkeeper. Place the others on patrol and…" Cormick smiled when he noticed Marcus, who still had his two companions from Fort Locke as well as a wood elf. "Well, what brings you to the watch post, Marcus?" he asked. "I managed to speak with my captain this morning, and she agreed that your services were quite valuable and that you deserve some monetary compensation."
"That isn't necessary, Cormick. I was just doing what needed to be done. That and I wasn't going to get very far otherwise." Marcus replied, slightly embarrassed. "However, you might be able to help me with something."
Cormick grinned. "That might have been the case Marcus, but you have expenses to cover and you're going to have to get used to being rewarded... and frequently too, I suspect. But enough of that. What can I do for a fellow Harbourman?" he asked.
"We need to enter the Blacklake District. I have to see Aldanon the sage about the shard I carry, which, according to Sand is something that he might know about." Marcus explained.
"I see. I'm afraid we have the entire district locked up tight. You won't be getting in any time soon." Cormick said darkly. "The only way anyone gets in is if they're a member of the Watch, and even then Captain Brelaina has to personally approve anyone who wants to enter Blacklake. That woman takes her job very seriously." Lieutenant Roe tried not to snort too loudly about the Captain's competence. He was of the opinion that it was due to her leadership, or lack thereof, that the Docks were in the state it was. "She won't just give you one if you ask." Cormick said, giving the lieutenant a disapproving look. Though he did agree with the man, you couldn't badmouth your superiors too much.
"What if I were to work for the City Watch?" Marcus asked. After all, that was his main reason coming here this morning. "Would that help?"
"It would be a good start." Cormick nodded thoughtfully. "Knowing you, you're more than capable of handling the job. If you make enough of an impact, Captain Brelaina may even take an interest in you." The Marshal said with a smile. "The City Watch has lost its grip here on the Docks District. Criminal gangs are running loose, and even some of our own seem to have forgotten the oaths that they took when they joined." Cormick said, voicing his feelings on the turncoats. "It hasn't been just your usual crime wave, however. These thugs have been well organized. We've heard a name... Moire. We think she's the one running the gang. We also know others have tried to organize their own gangs. The City Watch is outnumbered. We can use anyone willing to join our ranks."
"Alright Corrmick, I'm in." Marcus said. After all, it was a means to an end. "But what about my friends?" he asked, indicating Elanee, Khelgar and Neeshka.
"What'd I tell you about Marcus, Roe?" Cormick said with a grin. "Gets things done with little fuss." He turned back to Marcus. "As for your friends, they don't have any official power but I'll note that you have three adventurers in your personal employ. It's not uncommon when the Watch is so short handed. Where are you staying?" Cormick asked, though he already knew.
"At the Sunken Flagon. It's handy knowing the owner." Marcus turned to face Neeshka. "See, Neesh, no need to worry. Your reputation will be alright; you're not officially working for the Watch." he said with a wink. Neeshka just poked her tongue out at him which made Marcus laugh as he was remembering their kiss the previous night. He'd gotten to know her tongue quite well.
"Yes, sir. A valuable recruit." Lieutenant Roe answered, looking a bit bewildered at what had just transpired. "The Captain will be pleased." he said with a hint of sarcasm.
"We can only hope, lieutenant." Cormick said. "Here, Marcus, you'll need to wear this cloak to mark you as a member of the City Watch. We'll sort out a proper uniform later." the marshal said, as he handed Marcus the cloak. "And believe me, your arrival has helped us out immensely. As you likely overheard, we've got a problem with one of the shopkeepers. His name's Hagen, and he's decided to stand up to the criminals of this district."
"He's either brave or foolish... or a brave fool, harbour boy." Neeshka remarked. "If that lowlife Caleb is working for that cold blooded bitch Moire, that merchant is in a world of trouble."
Cormick nodded in agreement at Neeshka's words. He was a little surprised by her obvious hatred of Moire and Caleb. "Get down to his shop and make sure nothing happens to him." he told Marcus. "My gut tells me Moire's crew isn't through with him yet." Neeshka, Elanee and Khelgar had started walking out of the Watch Post when Cormick put a restraining hand on Marcus's arm. "Can I tell you something?" he asked.
The harbourman nodded. "This is about Neeshka, isn't it?" he asked.
"Yes." Cormick said. "Neeshka has a record with the Watch as long as your arm. Not that we've ever managed to pin anything major on her. We know well enough what she gets up to."
Marcus smiled. "Somehow that doesn't surprise me, Cormick."
Cormick looked thoughtful. "No, I don't suppose you would be. Anyway, do me a favour and keep an eye on her. Never know, it might do her some good working for the Watch."
"Oh, don't worry, Cormick, I have every intention of keeping my eyes on Neeshka." Marcus replied, keeping his tone neutral as he turned and walked out of the Watch post.
"Alright, harbour boy, what did your buddy the Marshal want?" Neeshka asked, her hands on hips and tail twitching. "Telling you to watch me like a hawk, no doubt."
"Come on, Neeshka." Khelgar said. "You can't blame the man for doing his job, can you?" he asked with a grin.
"I guess not, Khelgar. But it doesn't mean I have to like it, you know." Neeshka replied.
Marcus gave the tiefling a quick hug. "Yes, he told me about your record with the watch." He said. "Cormick also said that I should keep an eye on you and that working for the Watch might do some good." Then the harbourman grinned. "I have every intention of keeping my eyes on you, Neesh, just not in the way Cormick was thinking." Neeshka's cheeks turned a delicate shade of pink and she had to look away from the harbourman's intense gaze.
"Oh, gods, will you two get a room?" Khelgar complained good naturedly. It seemed the harbourman was deadly serious about wooing the tiefling.
Elanee smiled slightly. "Now is not the time, you two." she said, admonishing her love struck friends. "Come, we need to get to Hagen's shop."
Marcus, a grin still on his face, nodded. "You're right, Elanee. Come on, let's get a move on." The four friends walked away from the watch post and toward the docks.
A human woman approaching middle age with flame red hair, green eyes and dressed in what was obviously an expensive outfit smiled as she watched the strange quartet walk away. "Well, well... that's most interesting." she murmured under her breath. "What are you doing back in Neverwinter, Neeshka, my girl, and with friends it seems?"
The mysterious woman made her way toward the watch post to see if she could find out what had brought an old acquaintance back to Neverwinter. "Lord Nasher might want to know about this." she mused.
"Is the owner of this shop in?" Marcus asked the young woman behind the counter.
"That would be my father, and yes he's here. Might I ask what it is you wish to speak with him about?" the young woman asked.
"We're with the City Watch." Marcus replied. "I understand that your father is having trouble with the local ruffians."
"I'm pleased to see that the watch still responds so promptly to reports of crime." the woman said, sounding a little frustrated. "It's good to know that the watch considers threats to one's livelihood as sufficient reason for an investigation."
Marcus sighed. Cormick, just what have you landed me in? "I take it you're unhappy with the watch."
"Unhappy only begins to describe my frustration. However, now that you are here I am more than willing to forgive. Please wait here while I fetch my father. He will be happy to know that his pleas have been answered." the woman said as she vanished out the back of the shop. A few moments later she reappeared with her father following. "The City Watch has honoured us with their presence, father. Perhaps a celebration is in order."
"Be silent, Reesa." Hagen said, scolding his daughter. "They are here now, and they mean to help." He then turned to Marcus. "Thank you for responding. Forgive my daughter she has yet to learn patience."
"So what can the watch do for you, Hagen?" Marcus asked.
"I want the watch to put a stop to the tribute demands that a local thug named Caleb has insisted from the merchants." Hagen explained. "For all the 'services' that he's been providing." He snorted. "If you'd listen to Caleb's goons you'd think the only reason the entire docks haven't burned down is because of their efforts."
Marcus nodded. "I can't promise anything, but I'll see what I can do about your situation."
"That's all I can ask of you, I suppose." Hagen said as he turned to face his daughter. "Reesa, I want you to go home where it's safe until this is all over. I don't want you getting hurt."
"I'm not leaving you here alone, papa. I want to help if Caleb sends more men." Reesa said defiantly.
"Reesa, your father is right. Things are liable to get unpleasant. No place for a young lady like your good self." Marcus said.
Reesa nodded. "Yes, papa. But if anything happens, I want you to let the Watch handle it. Do you promise that you will stay out of it?" she asked, worried.
"Yes, yes. You have my word." Hagen said, somewhat dismissively.
Cormick was finishing up some paperwork now that the planned sweep through the northern district was able to go ahead. He looked up when he heard footsteps on the tiled floor. "By the gods!" he cried in surprise. "Kari, what are you doing here?"
The red haired woman smiled. "You should know better than to ask me that question, Cormick." she said, leaning on the desk. "I got your message, so here I am. What was Neeshka doing here? Last place I'd have expected to see her."
Cormick grinned. "Well, seems there is quite a story to that." he said as he recounted to Kari what had happened near Fort Locke, Marcus' efforts to locate Commander Tann and the other happenings he'd been told about on the voyage to Neverwinter. "That's why I sent you the note, cryptic as it was. There's more happening that Lord Nasher needs to know about." He said. "Also, if you want to know more, it may be worth talking to the owner of the Sunken Flagon, Duncan Farlong as that's where Marcus and his friends are staying."
"Thanks, Cormick, you've given me a lot to work with." Kari said thoughtfully. "It's more than a little concerning too. I can tell you now that Nasher won't like it, not with the troubles in Blacklake. Makes me wonder if they aren't all connected, somehow."
"No trouble, Kari, we've been friends for a long time, and anyway, it was my duty to report something as serious as this. If you don't mind my asking, what's with the sudden interest in Neeshka?" Cormick asked.
"Ah... you could say this is an unfinished mission of sorts on behalf of Lord Nasher." Kari said with an enigmatic smile.
Cormick raised his hands. "In that case, I don't want to know any more, thanks all the same. Knowing you is hazardous enough for me." Kari just chuckled as she left the watch post. Her next stop was the Sunken Flagon.
"Caleb didn't like your answer, merchant. You will pay him the tribute or things will get unpleasant here pretty soon." said the leader of the group of four thugs.
"I will not be bullied." Hagen said. "Caleb has my answer. I owe him nothing."
"Wrong answer, old man. Maybe a few broken bones will change your mind." The thug growled as he looked round the shop. "Where's your daughter? Sent her away, did you? Not smart at all. We can find her..."
The next thing the thug knew he had a long sword blade at his throat and he'd been slammed against the wall. "That's quite enough of your lip, you good for nothing low life." Marcus growled. "You and your buddies are under arrest; and don't worry, I'll be paying Caleb a little visit soon enough." he said, his eyes cold as ice. "We do this the easy way... or the hard way, which would mean you don't walk out of here alive." The harbourman had more important things to worry about than the local hoods, but this watchman's job was a means to an end.
"Hey, just calm down. Look, this isn't my idea. Caleb's the one who sent us here." The thug said, clearly alarmed at the way this, supposedly easy intimidation job had gone.
"That's as may be." Khelgar said. "But you're acting on his orders so you're just as guilty."
"Hagen, do you have any rope handy?" Marcus asked, not taking his eyes off the thug.
"Yes, I do have some out back. Why do you ask?" Hagen inquired.
"Good. Get it and then we can tie up these four misfits." Marcus explained. "Khelgar, I want you and Elanee to stay here and keep an eye on them. Neeshka and I will go see Caleb."
"Alright, but I'd rather be going with you." The dwarf said.
"I know, Khelgar. We shouldn't be long." The harbourman said as he started to tie up the four thugs. Soon he and Neeshka left to find Caleb while Elanee and Khelgar kept a watchful eye on their captives.
Kari walked into the Sunken Flagon which for mid morning was pretty empty, so needless to say Duncan noticed the red haired woman almost straight away.
"Well now, what can old Duncan do for a lovely lady like yourself?" the half elf asked as Kari sat on a bar stool.
"How about a tankard of your best ale, perhaps?" Kari asked. This was going to be too easy, she thought to herself. "My friend Cormick was telling me that your nephew had arrived?"
Duncan raised his eyebrows. "Cormick, aye? Then Marcus has signed up with the watch I take it?" Kari nodded. "Good. I was a bit worried what with that tiefling and all."
"Tiefling?" Kari asked, sounding surprised. "Your nephew keeps unusual company then."
"Aye." Duncan snorted. "You don't know the half of it. There is the tiefling who's a thief, a wood elf druid and a dwarf who wants to become a monk of all things." the innkeeper said.
"My, my, that is quite the mixed group." Kari said, impressed.
"Khelgar and Elanee are alright. But it's the tiefling that has me worried. What's her name now? Neeshka?" Duncan said trying to recall the tiefling's name. "Yeah, Neeshka. She seems far too attached to my nephew. I don't like it. Though Marcus being a harbourman is too stubborn to notice."
Kari smirked as she drained her tankard and got off the bar stool as she placed some gold on the bar. "Thanks for the ale and the chat. It's been most interesting." she said before she turned and walked out.
Bishop had watched the whole thing with detached amusement. "Duncan, you do realise you've been had." he remarked to the innkeeper.
"What are you on about now, Bishop?' Duncan asked as he turned to face the ranger.
"That woman wasn't just here for a drink. In fact I'd go as far as to say a drink was the last reason she was here." Bishop said, an evil smirk on his face. "She was after information and you happily gave it to her."
"Information? What information, Bishop?" Duncan asked.
"What, you mean you don't know?" the ranger scoffed. "To me it was obvious, she was after information about your tiefling-loving kin and his friends. Sure, you didn't tell her much but she seemed happy with what she was told. Don't know what it means, though."
"Well, what brings the great and supposedly retired Kari Byron to the Docks?" Sand asked almost as soon as the woman in question was out the door of the Flagon.
"I should have known you'd come out from under the nearest rock, Sand. What do you want?" Kari asked the wizard.
"It's not what I want, dear girl, but more what you want." Sand replied. "You didn't come here for the fun of it. You were pumping Duncan for information, were you not?" he asked knowingly.
"Yes, as it happens. Not that it was that useful." Kari said, looking at the moon elf in thought. "What do you know about Duncan's nephew and Neeshka?"
Sand arched an eyebrow. "Well, I do know a little. Like why the harbourman is here. As to the tiefling, all I can say with any certainty is that she's attracted to Marcus, as he is to her. Not that Duncan is happy about it, mind you." the moon elf observed.
"Alright, Sand, stop playing games. Why is Marcus here?" Kari asked as she folded her arms over her chest. She'd dealt with the moon elf enough to know what he was like.
"Answer me one thing first, Kari." Sand said. "Why the interest in Neeshka?" he asked.
Kari rolled her eyes. "Fine, have it your way, Sand." She said. Some things never change. "This is something of an unfinished mission of mine. Years ago I tried to recruit Neeshka to replace me as Nasher's spymaster. Now that she's back in Neverwinter I might be able to do just that."
Sand nodded with a smile. "In that case, Kari, I'll tell you all I know. Marcus came here after an attack on West Harbour. He carries with him two silver shards that were recovered many years ago after the battle with the King of Shadows." he recounted. "They are the remains of something magical... exactly what I couldn't say. However, Aldanon the sage in Blacklake may know something. If Marcus and his friends can get to see him."
Kari's eyes sparkled. "Ah so that's why Neeshka is working for the Watch. Thanks, Sand. I might have need of your services later, if all goes as I hope." She said thinking ahead.
"You know where to find me, dear girl." Sand replied as he walked back to his shop.
"What're you looking at, hound?" Caleb asked as Marcus and Neeshka walked up to him. "The watch isn't welcome here..." He trailed off on seeing Neeshka stood at the harbourman's side. "What are you doing with the hound, demon wrench? They finally collar you?" Caleb asked.
Neeshka snorted. "Yeah, right, like the watch has managed to collar me after all these years." she said, rolling her eyes. "No, when I heard they were planning on bringing you in, I just had to come and watch. Old times' sake, you know." The tiefling's sarcasm was obvious, even to someone of Caleb's limited intellect. "You know what they say about revenge, it's best served cold." Caleb wasn't sure what he found more disturbing, Neeshka's coldness as she spoke or her eyes glowing like red hot coals.
The harbourman looked sideways at his tiefling companion. It was obvious that Neeshka and Caleb had a past, and not a very pleasant one. Marcus also had visions of what had almost transpired at Fort Locke with Vallis, This time, though, Marcus doubted he'd try and stop Neeshka if she snapped. "I thought you might want to come and have a chat with Marshal Cormick at the watch post, Caleb." Marcus said pleasantly. "And by the way, it's not a request. You're coming with me. Now."
Caleb laughed. "You've got a lot to learn if you think you can just come here and try to arrest me." he said angrily.
Marcus smiled coldly as he kicked Caleb in between the legs, the harbourman's heavy plate boot connecting with the thug's privates. Caleb howled in pain and he dropped his short sword as he cupped his hands over his groin. "I'm not giving you a choice, Caleb. You're coming with me or you die here in this gods forsaken street. It's up to you."
Neeshka winced in fake sympathy. "That had to hurt." she muttered. "Kind of glad I'm a girl." The harbour boy's girl, she thought.
"It's time Moire learned who's really in charge of the docks and it certainly isn't her. Now come on, you lowlife. On your feet." Marcus said has he hauled Caleb to his feet and marched him away back to Hagen's, Neeshka trailing behind, a slight spring in her step.
Caleb's two bodyguards were too shocked to do anything other than watch. They looked at each other after Caleb had been taken away. Moire would need to hear about this.
Lord Nasher was working on some important papers and he hated it. It was one of the banes of being Lord of a city state, the wretched paperwork, most of which he had a staff to take care of, but some he had to do himself. He looked up from his work on hearing a short sharp knock on his office door.
"Enter." Nasher said shortly. The door swung open and in stepped the last person he'd expected "Kari?" He asked. "What in the hells are you doing here?" What had brought the red haired woman to Castle Never?
Kari grinned. "Can't your former spymaster drop in and say hello to her old boss?" she asked with a twinkle in her eyes as she leaned against the office wall.
Nasher smiled. "No." he said. "You've come here for a reason. I know that much Kari."
"Alright, yes, I am here for a reason." Kari said, rising her hands in mock surrender. "Do you remember me telling you about the tiefling rogue, Neeshka some years ago, Lord Nasher?" Kari asked.
Nasher nodded. "Yes, I do. As I recall, you said she'd make a good replacement for you. A pity you were never able to mange to convince her."
"It wasn't through lack of trying." Kari said ruefully. "The poor woman wouldn't trust easily, and I couldn't risk revealing who I truly was." She grinned. "But all may not be lost, Lord Nasher. Neeshka is back in Neverwinter and she has an interesting collection of friends. I saw her in the Docks District this morning in the company of a human, dwarf and a wood elf." she said as she handed Nasher the notes she'd made. "Here's what I've managed to dig up on them so far. Makes for some interesting reading."
"So I see." Nasher said as he leafed though the detailed notes. "So Marshal Cormick has recruited them for the Watch?" he asked, surprised.
"The man's between a rock and hard place, thanks to the last council meeting which both Aarin and I warned you against." Kari reminded Nasher. "But no, the council had to have its reconstruction budget upped." The former spymaster said. "And I'm not even going to say what I think of Captain Brelaina." Kari just rolled her eyes.
Nasher shook his head. "Brelaina does the best she can." he said. "As for the council, they'd been getting... restless." Nasher hadn't been at all happy about the watch having its budget cut back to next to nothing.
Kari snorted at Nasher's weak defense of the Watch Captain. "If you say so, my Lord. Still, it seems that the group's leader, Marcus Cole, has an interest in Blacklake. Something to do with seeing the sage Aldanon that lives there over some silver shards." she said. "Also, Aarin has been hearing of some strange goings on he's trying to follow up on. But perhaps most worrying of all is what Cormick has learned from Cole and his friends, that the events round Fort Locke and Highcliff seemed to be linked, and that a Hosttower mage may be involved."
"Just what I need, more Luskans." Nasher muttered darkly. He was going to have some reading to do once Kari left. It was humbling at times to have people so loyal to you... or were Aran and Kari loyal to Neverwinter? Sometimes it was hard to tell. "How are Aarin and the children?" he asked. It was a chance to catch up with both of his former spymasters.
Kari smiled. "Aarin is well, as are the children, though having twins is a handful." She said. "We couldn't keep doing our jobs and juggle the kids. Shame in a way, both Aarin and I miss this place at times." Kari sighed.
Nasher smiled at the wishful look on the woman's face. "I don't know about that, Kari. Both of you have been helpful over the years, even though you're supposedly retired and rising a family."
Kari shrugged. "Once a spymaster, always a spymaster, I guess."
"Obviously." Nasher observed. "Do you think it will be possible to recruit Neeshka this time?" he asked.
"I think so." Kari said. "But it's too soon at the moment. Also, I think it may be worth keeping tabs on both Marcus Cole and Neeshka." Her eyes sparkled. "From what I've picked up, they are attracted to one another."
Nasher raised his eyebrows. "That's unexpected." He said. "As always, Kari, you've given me much to think about." The former spymaster nodded and slipped out the door.
Nasher rubbed his chin in thought. A human and tiefling? Having been an adventurer in his youth such a thing didn't worry him too much, as he'd seen many strange things, but how would the people of Neverwinter react? Time would tell.