"Anyone told you that you snore, Cole." Neeshka said sleepily as she propped herself up with an elbow, bed covers tucked in around her.
"And good morning to you too, sleepyhead." Marcus retorted from where he was sitting at the writing desk. "I do not snore." He added.
Neeshka snorted. "Yes you do. Anyway what are you doing harbour boy?" she asked curiously.
Marcus smiled a little. "Maybe I do sometimes." he conceded. "I've just been trying to work out how long it's been since the... attack on West Harbour." he said, it wasn't the attack itself that hurt, but the loss of his friend, Amie. "As near as I can tell it's been two months and two tendays since the attack. Which means, it's been about two months and fifteen days since we met." The harbourman couldn't keep the grin off his face as he said it.
"Gods it doesn't seem that long." Neeshka remarked, truly surprised. "It's true what they say, time flies when you're having fun."
Marcus chuckled. "I wouldn't call most of what we've been doing fun, though some of it has been. Must be the company you're keeping these days Neesh." He said.
"Could be I guess, harbour boy. So what you've been doing with that battered bow?" Neeshka asked pointing at the longbow that was propped against the writing desk.
"I had thought to work a little on restoring this bow of mine." The harbourman said as he let a hand trail along the bow. It was the one he'd lent Amie the night she'd died. Somehow when she's been hit by the mage's fireball Marcus's bow had been thrown clear and only suffered some surface scorching. He'd taken it with him even though he suspected he'd never use it again. "But that somehow didn't seem right as it's got a lot of memories attached to it. Mostly good but some not so much." he said, a little sadly.
"Memories? Like what?" Neeshka asked as she sat up in bed.
"That's one of the many bows I've made over the years." Marcus said as he walked over and sat next to the tiefling. "I completed it last summer."
"And the not so good ones?" Neeshka asked hesitantly.
Marcus shook his head "Too soon Neesh. One day I'll tell you how this bow became so scorched but not today." He told her truthfully. "Um... Neesh you may want to button up your night top." He said, noticing that her top had come unbuttoned and was dangerously close to revealing too much.
Neeshka smiled devilishly. "What? And spoil your view?" she asked half seriously as she buttoned up her top.
"Believe me when I say that's a good thing, for both of us." Marcus replied. "You're a beautiful woman Neeshka, and I enjoyed holding you last night. But let's not push our luck okay? Anyway how's Duncan been treating you?" he asked.
"Keep telling me I'm beautiful and I might just start believing you, Cole." Neeshka said softly her eyes downcast a moment before she looked Marcus in the eyes. "Duncan just keeps giving me funny looks for the most part. I know he's not happy about me being there that much is obvious." she sighed. "But last night he was giving me the real cold shoulder. Guess he's heard about us you know…"
"Snogging at Ophala's?" Marcus asked with a grin.
Neeshka giggled. "Is that what we were doing? Snogging?" she asked amused.
"Well, no not really, but I'm sure we'd have gotten to that if it wasn't for the ordinance…." Marcus said as he waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Neeshka laughed. "And what would the harbour boy know about snogging a girl?" she asked playfully a slight gleam in her eyes.
"More than you'd think Neesh." Marcus replied as he remembered a time, the previous year when Bevil had come up with some crazy dare for him to kiss Amie. Boy had that almost gotten out of hand and the amount of Harvest Mead they'd had hadn't helped matters. "One day I'll show you just how we harbourmen do it." He said.
"Hey, that's not fair!" Neeshka said pouting. "Getting a girl's hopes up first thing in the morning like that is just mean."
The harbourman chuckled as he searched the tiefling's face for a few moments "What happened in the Tomb of the Betrayers?" Marcus asked.
Neeshka swallowed she's been dreading him asking her that. "Nothing really, you almost died though." She said
"That's bull and you know it." Marcus said gently. "I was told some very interesting observations by our resident druid when you were setting that fire. So I'll ask again, what happened?"
"What would the tree worshiper know?" Neeshka muttered "Not like she's ever had a boyfriend." She looked Marcus in the eyes "I was scared Marcus so very scared when that spirit got you." Neeshka said softly "I thought you were… that I'd lost you." She paused, getting her breathing under control. "Elanee wasn't able to help; she didn't have any spells left. If it hadn't been for Lady Aribeth…" Neeshka left that thought unfinished.
Marcus just pulled the tiefling onto a hug. He didn't know what else to do.
"I don't know where all these feelings are coming from, harbour boy but they're there." Neeshka said.
"Perhaps it's best not to question it too much Neesh." Marcus said as he stroked her hair "After all we're a pair of outcasts together."
Neeshka looked surprised at that "You an outcast?" she asked "You're human though."
"That may be so but I'm more of an outcast than you'd know Neesh." Marcus said. "Back in West Harbour I never really did fit in. I was always the odd one out." He said recalling his youth. "I had only two real friends and one of them was the local wizard's apprentice so Amie often had her head in a book." Marcus grinned "So did I, come to think of it. I'm pretty sure I've read all the books in Tarmas' library at least once or the ones he'd let me read. Think he was always a little disappointed I never wanted to become a mage. He always told me I had the mind for it but not the desire. I much preferred the feel of a blade in my hands." The harbourman was silent for a few moments "Then there's Daeghun of course he taught me all I'll ever need to know about bow and wood craft. He may have been distant but he cared in his own way and I think he's lost much in his life." Marcus grinned "And lastly there was Georg, teller of tall tales and leader of the militia. He was more a father figure to me than Deaghun. Probably where I get my sense of humour from and my skill with a sword." The harbourman shook his head "What I'm trying to say is that I was considered different by many and I was always treated as such. Here in Neverwinter it's easier to blend in, I admit." Marcus said as he kissed Neeshka.
Neeshka was going to reply when there was a soft but firm knock on the door. They both froze as the door opened and Elanee's head appeared around the edge looking amused at having caught the two young people together. "You two had better come for breakfast soon, as Duncan is wondering where you both are." Elanee said, warning her friends. "See you in the common room." She said before withdrawing and shutting the door.
"And where have you been, lad?" Duncan asked almost as soon as Marcus walked into the common room. Neeshka had gone ahead of him by a few minutes as to try and avoid arousing Duncan's curiosity.
"Where do you think I've been?" Marcus challenged not liking the implication of the question.
"In the demon girl's room?" the innkeeper asked accusingly.
Marcus actually laughed "Even if I had been in Neeshka's room I surely wouldn't tell you as it's none of your business." He snapped. "If you must know Duncan I've been in my room trying to restore my old battle bow. The one Amie was using the night she was killed." Marcus said getting angry. "Now if you'll excuse me I'd like to have my breakfast." He said as he moved past the innkeeper and went to sit with his friends and as always, Marcus took the vacant seat next to Neeshka.
Duncan blinked a few times. "Sorry lad, I didn't know." He muttered to empty air.
"Sergeant Aden?" Marcus asked surprised to see him near the warehouse they were to raid.
"Morning, Sir." Aden replied. "We've been keeping this warehouse under surveillance, once we knew this was the intended destination of those smuggled weapons. Cormick's orders."
"I see, Cormick has things in hand, so what's been happening?" Marcus asked.
"That's the odd thing, sir, nothing. No one has entered or left that we've seen." Aden replied. "Even if they were sneaking in and out I'd have expected to see some signs."
Neeshka looked about with a frown. "He's right harbour boy. I don't think anyone's entered or left for at least twenty-four hours. They're holed up waiting for something, maybe the weapons or maybe a visit from us."
"Oh wonderful." Marcus muttered. "Any idea as to how much opposition we're likely to have? He asked.
Aden shrugged. "Hard to say, maybe a dozen or more. My advice would be to take it slow, clear the warehouse a section at a time." The sergeant said "You have a good scout, so she'd be able to get an idea as to what you'll be up against." He said nodding at Neeshka.
The tiefling stood a little taller, it wasn't often that someone praised her abilities, even less when it was a member of the city watch!
"Heh, looks like you get to do what you do best, Neesh, cloak and dagger stuff." Marcus said.
Neeshka swatted his arm. "Behave, you! I take my cloak and dagger stuff seriously, you know." The tiefling said, grinning.
"What are you looking for, Neeshka?" Khelgar asked "We've cleaned the place out already." He said.
"Oooh no. I've got a warehouse full of who knows what here, with no guards. I'm going to see if there's anything I can help myself to." The tiefling replied, her eyes already darting around the warehouse's dimly lit interior.
Marcus grinned; he wasn't surprised that Neeshka's light fingered behavior had come out to play. "You know, Neesh, I think this is where I'm supposed to give you a lecture about not stealing." He said his blue eyes sparkling like sapphires.
"Yeah, but Cormick has pretty much said we can have a good look around while we're here and confiscate what we like." Neeshka replied with a devilish smile.
The harbourman sighed dramatically. "Why do I even bother trying to keep on you the straight and narrow?" he asked in mock dismay. "Alright, go on then, have some fun but be careful." Cormick had implied they were free to take what they wanted so Marcus saw nothing wrong in letting Neeshka have run of the place.
"Because you like me, and you like a challenge." Neeshka said as she winked. "Don't worry, I'll be careful and I'll try not to get too greedy." She said before her lithe form vanished into the semi-darkness.
"I don't know what you see in her. No scratch that, I know what you see in her but she still could be nothing but trouble you know." Khelgar said. "I admit you've done well so far to keep her under control."
"Will you stop being such a stick in the mud, Khelgar?" Marcus complained. "I trust Neesh and I thought you did too."
Khelgar smiled slightly "Well, call it Ironfist stubbornness if you like. I trust you to do the right thing, but her I'm not so sure about her still." The dwarf said "So what are you looking at there, anyhow?" he asked curiously.
Marcus frowned as he studied the papers they'd captured after eliminating all the smugglers "I think these are inventory ledgers." He said as he shuffled through the documents "and these look like contact lists but not too surprisingly, they're in some sort of code."
Elanee nodded in agreement "I think you're right, but I can't make out the code it's no language I know. Maybe your Captain can read it." She said.
"Hmph. Not as much to pick through as I thought there would be." Neeshka said as she returned. "Here, harbour boy, I did find something for you, though." The tiefling said as she handed the harbourman a greatsword.
Marcus took the offered weapon wondering just how the petite tiefling had managed to carry something as unwieldy as a greatsword and unsheathed it. The immediate area around the harbourman was bathed in a pale yellow light. Marcus let out an appreciative whistle. "Nice blade Neesh." He said as he sheathed it again "Thanks sweetheart."
"Just looking out for you, harbour boy." Neeshka said mildly embarrassed "And besides, we could always sell it if you don't want it." She said as she drew out a finely crafted dagger "I found a little something for myself too. Nice blade, don't you think?" Neeshka asked.
Marcus studied the dagger. He knew that Neeshka had a fondness for them though he really wanted her to use a proper weapon, like a longsword but he wasn't going to push the issue. "I'm sure you're going to give that a work out." He said with a nod.
"With the trouble we've been getting into, this will definitely come in handy." Neeshka said as she put the dagger away. "You ready to go yet?" she asked "I'm done picking through this place."
"Are you sure that's all you found?" Marcus asked with a smirk.
"What are you trying to say?" Neeshka asked putting her hands on her hips "You know I wouldn't hide anything from you." She said pouting.
The harbourman's smirk grew as Neeshka looked so adorable when she was mad. "Come on Neesh you've got to admit that I know you and your sticky fingers a lot better than that now don't I?" Marcus asked. He really was just teasing her a bit.
"Uh... well, maybe I did find something." Neeshka said a little downcast "Here you go... I was going to tell you about finding this, I swear, but I just forgot about it while searching for other stuff, you know?" she said as she placed a large, red ruby into the harbourman's hand.
Marcus looked at the large ruby that Neeshka had given him and then at the tiefling who was looking down toward the floor and shuffling her feet, a smile begin to form as an idea came to him. "Here Neesh, you keep hold of it." He said as he carefully placed the jewel back in the tiefling's hand and closed her fingers around it "But don't lose or otherwise sell it." He told her seriously.
Neeshka looked a bit confused "Um… why?" she asked
The harbourman's smile grew "That stone is big enough that a skilled gem cutter could easily get enough out of it for a very nice pair of earrings and a matching necklace and maybe a ring." Marcus said as he studied Neeshka's face. "The cut stones mounted in silver would suit you more I think rather than gold."
Neeshka looked at Marcus with dawning wonder as she began to realise what he had in mind for the ruby. "You don't mean… jewelry for me?" she asked.
Marcus nodded "And why not?" he replied "You're a woman. You deserve something a little special." He said.
Neeshka didn't know what to think. "Wow… um." She said "What's the catch, Cole?" the tiefling asked.
"Catch, Neesh?" the harbourman asked with a grin "The only catch if you could call it that is that I don't want you selling that ruby. I want to get it made into something for you when we get the chance whenever that might be." He said. "Come on let's give Brelaina the good news." Marcus said as he put an arm round Neeshka and all four friends made their way through the warehouse.
Marcus and his friends stopped short upon exiting the warehouse as about a twenty feet away from them stood a man dressed in a blue and white tunic giving orders to what appeared to be some of Castle Never's guards. Neeshka had to suppress a very unladylike snort that threatened to erupt as she recognised the tunic the officer wore.
"... and I want the archers to secure the perimeter. The rest of us will split up into three squads..." the man said in a confident tone.
"Ah… Sir…" one of the guards said motioning toward the small group that had just left the target.
Darmon spun around drawing his weapon as he did so, then stopped, not sure of what to make of what he was seeing. Standing a short distance from the warehouse they'd been ordered to raid, stood a human man dressed in the uniform of the City Watch. To his right was a tiefling woman, and the watchman had an arm securely around the woman's waist. The tiefling was resting her head on the watchman's shoulder and both her arms were around him. It was this... couple, and that was the best word Darmon could think of to describe the human and tiefling as they were giving all the signs that they were such, who had him confused. Then he recalled the gossip he'd been hearing about a new watch recruit and the female tiefling that never seemed to be far from his side.
There was also a dwarf and a wood elf present, and then the beauty of the elven woman caught his eye. Serene and still in a way he'd almost forgotten within the hubub of Neverwinter, a breath of calm from nature. It can't be the same woman, can it? Darmon asked himself. But I think it is.
So the stories about the new watch recruit are true Darmon thought, bringing his thoughts back to his duties. Though the tales forget to mention his other companions, how anyone could overlook such a beautiful woman is beyond me. The knight was quite taken by the wood elf. I must be a lucky man to meet her twice and in as many days.
Elanee noticed Darmon's admiring glances and found herself blushing slightly. She was not used to such attention. I wonder if this is how Neeshka feels. The druid thought with amused irony. I doubt I will ever see this man after today, though.
Naloch looked up at his mistress then over at Sir Darmon, then back at his mistress. The badger scratched under his chin and snorted. That's what you said when we met him in the market, mistress and look, here he is again.
"My apologies for the reaction." The knight said as he sheathed his weapon "I am Darmon, Sir Darmon if you're one of those who believe titles mean anything." He said "We're here on orders from Lord Nasher himself. You're with the City Watch. Commendable of Captain Brelaina to send support, but we have things under control here." Darmon said sounding a little superior.
Marcus raised an eyebrow slightly and Neeshka smiled smugly "Is that so?" she asked "Well, guess we'll just stand back and watch, then."
"Lieutenant Marcus Cole at your service." The harbourman said "Don't you trust the City Watch?" he asked
"Would you?" Darmon asked "I mean no offence, but the loyalty of the Watch has always been rather flexible. Still, you seem sincere enough..." he said. "We received word of weapons being smuggled into this district and have tracked down the distribution point to this warehouse. Lord Nasher has ordered us to confiscate the weapons and, hopefully, avoid a street war in the Docks."
"Ah… I see." Marcus said knowingly "Well, don't let us get in your way. We'll just observe from a safe distance."
Darmon nodded his thanks. "Let's go, lads! Just as we planned!" he yelled.
A group of guards ran forward and entered the warehouse; a few minutes passed before one of them reappeared at the door, a befuddled expression on his face "Sir, it looks like the warehouse is clear. They're all dead..." he said.
Darmon turned to face the harbourman and found Marcus grinning. "A most amusing joke at my expense. When did this happen? Am I to believe that you had a hand in this?" the knight asked, truly surprised.
"You could say that." Marcus replied sagely "Just finished, actually. We were just leaving to report back to Captain Brelaina when we saw you."
"Lord Nasher will be most pleased to hear the news. This should help the Watch's position at the next Council meeting." The knight said, pleased at what he was hearing. "I must confess that there are those of us who were beginning to question the competency of the Watch… and its leadership. I see that I have been mistaken."
Marcus had to smile slightly as he too wondered about Captain Brelaina's competency at times. "The City Watch is here to serve or at least it tries to." He said.
"And you've done an admirable job of it here." Darmon assured the harbourman. "Well, then, it appears the men and I have some time on our hands now. Is there a tavern around here that you could recommend?" he asked hopefully.
Marcus had half a mind to tell them to visit the Sunken Flagon as payback for all the grief Duncan had been giving him and Neeshka. The more he thought about it the more he liked the idea and he knew Neeshka would love the thought of four squads of guardsman invading the Flagon. It would be worth it to see the look on Duncan's face, when they got back. "There's the Sunken Flagon in the Docks but shouldn't you be returning to Lord Nasher to report?" he asked the knight.
Darmon smiled. "Ah, yes. Duncan's place. It's been awhile. Thank you. And I see that you're capable, level headed, and have a sense of duty. You are a tribute to the Watch." He said "Indeed, I should report to my lord as soon as I can. Thank you for reminding me." The knight then turned to his men. "You heard it, lads! The Watch has things under control here." There was a fair amount of grumbling from the men as they'd been looking forward to seeing the inside of a tavern instead of Castle Never. "Now, now, I know what you're thinking. Another evening of boredom catering to the lords and ladies at court. Not so. We all need a respite from such arduous duty. Tonight we'll be reacquainting ourselves with ale and tavern wenches. To the Sunken Flagon!" Darmon told his men who cheered at the news, "Off to the Flagon you go, I'll meet you there once I've reported to Lord Nasher." The knight's men didn't need telling twice. Then Darmon turned back to Marcus. "I think Duncan's going to be quite upset when he sees what's invading his tavern. The old sot's going to have to work tonight. Thank you again. You've saved me a lot of trouble, and possibly the lives of many of my men. I shall report the good news to Lord Nasher right away." The knight said before he headed in the direction of Castle Never.
"I am not certain the Flagon will be standing once the first wave hits." Elanee said somewhat dismayed. She was unsure how she felt at the prospect of meeting Darmon again, now that she knew he was a knight.
Khelgar snorted. "Never mind the Flagon what about the kegs? That lot's liable to drink the place dry before I get the chance! Who was that clown anyway?" he asked.
"He was one of the Nine." Neeshka said with a giggle.
"The Nine?" Marcus asked
"Yeah, they're like Lord Nasher's elite bodyguards." The tiefling explained "But they're more than bodyguards though. And there are nine of them funnily enough." Neeshka said "I don't know them all but there is Sir Callum, a dwarf and the pretty boy, Sir Nevalle."
"Pretty boy?" Marcus asked amused "And how do you know this Neesh or shouldn't I ask?"
Neeshka grinned "I've only seen Nevalle from a distance a few times but if you ever have the misfortune to meet him, one look at his hair is enough to know he's a pretty boy."
Marcus laughed as did Khelgar. "Well you're just a regular gold mine of information about Neverwinter." The harbourman said. "Elanee are you alright, you look… preoccupied?"
"It's nothing to concern yourself over, Marcus." The druid replied calmly.
"I doubt that, Elanee." Neeshka said a slight smile forming. "It looked to me as if Sir Darmon was giving you the eye. Have you met him before?" the tiefling asked, a cheeky grin firmly in place.
Elanee's cheeks turned a deep copper. "Ah yes… at the market the other day, he was not in uniform, nor did he mention that he was a knight. We got to talking as he is a ranger."
"Well, tonight could prove to be entertaining!" Khelgar said "those two in one dimly lit corner." He said, nodding toward Marcus and Neeshka. "You and the knight in another!"
"Khelgar Ironfist!" Elanee cried, mortified.
Neeshka gave the druid a hug. "We girls have to stick together El, I'll give you a few pointers on dealing with your would be knightly suitor."
Marcus looked a little bemused but he was pleased to see that Neeshka and Elanee had found common ground. He had to hold in a laugh as he had a sudden image of the two women, sitting cross legged on Elanee's bed swapping stories about their respective men. You're losing what's left of your sanity. Marcus told himself.
"Cone on you three, the Captain's waiting." The harbourman said.
The thick stack of captured documents landed on Captain Brelaina's desk with a thump. "Lieutenant, congratulations on your efforts at the warehouse. It's good that you were able to deal with the smugglers so quickly, for we have a new problem." Brelaina said "Time is of the essence. One of our best informants, Fihelis, has been exposed. Even now, killers are hunting for him."
"We can't afford to lose him. He has risked much to help Neverwinter over the years. If he dies, then we lose our best shot at taking back the Docks." Cormick explained with some urgency "He cannot walk the streets without an escort, so he is hiding in his house here in the Merchant Quarter until we can send someone... someone we trust... to get him and bring him back here." The Greycloak Marshal said "He owns many of the warehouses in the district and the damage to trade has hurt him as well."
"We want you to go at once to his home, here in the Merchant Quarter, and return him here safely." Brelaina said firmly.
"The reason for this secrecy is to keep him safe from any turncoat Watchmen." Cormick said "What Fihelis knows can wound both groups, especially any Watchmen being paid by Moire." He said.
Marcus nodded his understanding before leaving the watch post with his friends following.
"Sir Darmon?" Lord Nasher asked as the knight entered the throne room of Castle Never "You have returned quicker than expected; how did the mission go?"
The knight bowed before he spoke "It seems the City Watch had gotten there before we did, cleared the warehouse and seized the weapons and gold." Sir Darmon explained.
Aarin Gend raised an eyebrow in question to his wife, who merely grinned in return.
"Told you he was good didn't I, Aarin?" Kari said "You're going to have to believe me now, oh you of little faith." She said teasing her husband.
Aarin chuckled. "Yes dear Kari it would seem I've underestimated this harbourman that you've been keeping an eye on. Not unlike I did you all those years ago. Old habits die hard my love." He said "But what of the tiefling?"
"Let Sir Darmon finish speaking, shall we?" Kari asked with a smile.
"And who from the watch did this?" Nasher inquired, intrigued.
"An officer my lord, a Lieutenant Marcus Cole." Darmon said, trying not to smile, for he found himself thinking of the lovely nature elf.
Nasher raised his eyebrows and looked over to where his two former spymasters stood as he did so, Kari just grinned in return with an 'I told you so' look in her eyes.
Sir Nevalle voiced his disdain. "My lord, you wouldn't believe the people he surrounds himself with. His… lover," somehow he got the word out without choking "is a tiefling, and a thief. The elven druid has clearly cast some enchantment over Darmon." Nevalle said waving a hand in the other knight's direction. "And the less said about the barroom brawling drunken dwarf, who's got delusions of becoming a monk, the better. They're just so… so common and vulgar."
"Oh come on Nevalle, what are you afraid of?" Darmon replied with a laugh. "It's not like the watch Lieutenant is ever going to become a member of the nobility, much less the Nine, so stop your fussing." The knight was enjoying seeing his counterpart squirm. "As for the lady Elanee, I'm sure she'll bring a touch of elven refinement and elegance, something this place is surely lacking."
"That's enough Sir Nevalle." Nasher said in a commanding tone "We are not here to discuss Neverwinter citizens' private lives or who their friends are." Nevalle is a good aide but he has much to learn of tact and decorum, Nasher thought.
The blond haired knight turned to his lord "But a tiefling, my lord? And what of the elven druid?" Nevalle asked trying to comprehend the situation. Why is Lord Nasher so interested in these commoners?
Nasher was amused at his knight's discomfort, though he did not let it show on his face. "It is no stranger than some of the things I've seen and heard about in my youth, Nevalle, or do you forget that I was once an adventurer?" he asked "Kari, you were right to bring this harbourman to my notice and his tiefling companion. Have you found out any more as to why he is here?" Nasher asked his former spymaster.
Kari stepped forward, a slight smile on her lips, she enjoyed it when Lord Nasher put Sir Nevalle in his place. "I'm rarely wrong my lord." She said "As to why he is here and working for Brelaina." Kari tried to keep her disdain for the watch captain out of her voice but was only partly successful "It seems that he is indeed in possession of two silver shards that are magical in nature. What they are of remains unknown, as trying to have them scryed has… unfortunate side effects." Kari explained "Cole seeks to see the sage Alderon who lives in Blacklake, where the district is sealed due to strange happenings; that is why the harbourman and his friends are working for the watch: so they can gain entrance to Blacklake and Aldanon." Kari looked at Nasher meaningfully "I hope Brelaina knows what she's doing and doesn't screw this up. It's just too important."
Aarin now stepped forward as he had something to add "Also, Lord Nasher it seems the harbourman is being hunted by at least two distinct groups. One may have ties to Luskan but that remains unclear at this time. The other group hides in the shadows but I do not think they are of this plane. Both groups hunt Cole for the same reason however. The silver shards he holds."
"Luskan? That can't mean anything good." Nasher mused has he rubbed his chin "And you say, Gend, that there is another group from another plane?" he asked. Aarin only nodded in reply "I want both of you to try and find what's going on within my city's walls." Nasher told his two former spymasters. Both Kari and Aarin nodded and left as silently as they'd come. Nasher turned back to Nevalle "Have we heard from Callum at Old Owl Well?" he asked.
Nevalle shook his head "No, my lord, with the weather being so bad in the Sword mountains." He said "However before the winter weather became too much of an issue, Callum voiced his concerns about the Waterdeep emissary that's going to be coming that way once the weather improves. Callum thinks that orcs may try and take him but he doesn't have the manpower to do much about it. Callum is just holding on to the Well as it is. If it wasn't for some madman leading a small band of resistance fighters deep in the mountains, the orcs would have retaken the Well by now."
Nasher thought for a few moments "Nevalle, go to Brelaina ask her about the possibility of sending Lieutenant Cole and his friends to Old Owl Well once the weather improves, if the need arises." Nasher ordered.
"But Lord Nasher, the tiefling…"
"Nevalle, do not make me repeat myself. I appreciate your reservations but you must trust my reasons." Nasher warned "Now, go."
The blond haired knight, having been thoroughly chastised by his lord, nodded turned smartly and walked out of the throne room.
