In The Cards 27 - Cat And Wolf

Once you reach a certain level of skill most of your assignments will be easy. Far too easy, enough so to make you bored. Always beware boredom. When you finally face a stimulating opponent again you would do well to remember that the very reason they're stimulating is that they're dangerous. Far too many students have ignored this rule to their own detriment. Do not expect me to visit your grave if you do the same.

Excerpt from 'Interview With An Assassin'

There had been…something…about her dreams last night. Something important. So why couldn't she remember more than the vaguest of hints? Rini sighed with frustration, not for the first time. Sarevok. There had been something about Sarevok, but that was all she could recall. True, Ulcaster had warned her that the dream would be lost to her until the time came when she needed it, but it was still annoying. The half-elf sneaked a look at Edwin, wondering if the wizard was luckier than she was. Somehow, she didn't think so. He looked very preoccupied, as if he were puzzling over something. Eventually she had to ask him.

"So", she said, trying to sound nonchalant. "Any significant revelations last night?"

Edwin shook his head tersely. There were dark circles under his eyes, as if he hadn't slept very well. "Apart from the fact that Jaheira is capable of snoring like a cave bear, none." The bard's quiet snort of amusement made the hint of a smile cross his face. "If there were any important messages in my dreams, I really can't say that I remember them." His eyes darkened slightly. "And small loss that was. Something tells me they weren't particularly pleasant."

The journey back to Beregost was uneventful, thankfully. Zaerini kept mostly to herself, trying to think of what to do next. She had been putting things off, she knew. Putting off dealing with Sarevok. While there certainly was no guarantee that she would encounter him at the bandit camp, there was a possibility. She had told herself that she needed to prepare, that she needed to gain more experience in combat, more skill with her spellcasting before risking that. And that was all true, but it wasn't all the truth there was. She was afraid. Sarevok had stepped into her life and shattered it that day outside Candlekeep. And while she had managed to mostly piece herself back together, she knew that she would never be quite the same again. Not after seeing Gorion's body on the ground in front of her.

Her foster father had always been the most important person in her life, besides Imoen. But unlike Imoen she had trusted Gorion to protect her, to keep her safe from harm. She hadn't merely loved him; she had admired him tremendously. Throughout her childhood he had always been there whenever she needed him, always known exactly what to do about everything. Somehow, she had believed him invulnerable. And now he was gone, lost to her forever, and the same thing could happen to other people she cared about. If she wasn't clever enough, if she wasn't strong or brave enough that was a very real risk. She didn't know if she could deal with anybody else dying because of her.

Once they reached Beregost Rini told her friends that she thought they should rest for a day or so, do any restocking they needed of provisions, and then set out for the Wood of Sharp Teeth. She was relieved that they didn't ask her what they'd do once they actually got there. The idea of simply walking into the bandit camp, assuming she could even find it, and announcing herself didn't sound very appealing. She excused herself to her friends before retiring to her room at the Jovial Juggler, telling them that she needed some time alone to think on things, to plan ahead.

Jaheira had said that she wanted to drop into Thunderhammer's smithy to see about having some repairs done to her armor and Imoen had pulled Khalid with her into the common room where a heated dart game was going on. The pink-haired thief had got much better with darts lately and she apparently thought she stood a chance to win some money. Edwin had muttered something about going for a walk and slipped out the door with no further comment.

And now Zaerini was lying on her bed in the room she shared with Imoen, one arm beneath her head and the other petting her familiar. It's just that I'm afraid to make a mistake, she admitted. And I can't afford to do that, I think.

Everybody makes mistakes sometimes, kitten, Softpaws said. The black cat was lying curled up on the bard's chest, regarding her solemnly with bright green eyes. Even the cleverest.

Maybe…but there are mistakes and mistakes. I just don't want anybody to…get hurt.

That has always been a risk, so why are you worrying more right now?

I'm…not sure. Maybe it's because those bandits…they'll bring us closer to Sarevok, or so I hope. The danger somehow seems…more real. I know it sounds strange.

Not really, kitten. And of course, there is also the matter of your own feelings. The more you care about someone, the more you worry…isn't that so?

I…I suppose so. But why…

At that moment there was a timid knock at the door, and then Khalid's voice could be heard outside. "Zaerini? M-may I come in a m-moment?"

"Of course", the bard responded and went to open the door, Softpaws leaping down from the bed looking very annoyed at the interruption. The Harper smiled at Rini as he entered the room, sitting down at the table next to her. He had changed out of his armor and was wearing a simple dark blue tunic, loose and comfortable. His open and friendly face, always so easy to read, looked worried. So different from Jaheira, Rini thought. She never shows her emotions like that. Well…almost never. Not for the first time she wondered how much older than her the other two half-elves were. Lots older than her, that was for sure, though it wasn't wrinkles or gray hair that showed it. Rather a certain look about the eyes, a knowing one that didn't quite match a youthful face.

"I was a l-little worried about you", Khalid admitted, fiddling nervously with his belt. "You l-looked so s-s-sad before. I just wanted to check t-that you were all right." There was such honest concern in his kind eyes that Zaerini couldn't help herself. Talking to Softpaws had helped, but she wanted, she needed to let at least one of her two-legged friends know what she was feeling. And so, she talked, her words spilling forth from her lips in an ever swifter torrent, almost stumbling over themselves. She told him everything, her fears, her insecurity, her terrible worry that somehow her own inadequacies would bring her friends down along with her. It wasn't long before she felt her friend's arms around her, holding her tight, one hand smoothing her hair as he murmured comforting words into her ear. She even allowed herself to shed a tear or two.

"Thank you", Rini said once she was finally done. She was feeling much calmer already. "You're a wonderful listener, Khalid, do you know that?"

Khalid blushed all the way to the tips of his gently pointed ears. "That's what J-Jaheira s-says as well", he started, and then he turned an even stronger shade of red that made his brown hair seem almost blond in comparison. "That i-i-is…what I was m-meaning to say was that we are your friends. All of us. We know there's d-danger ahead, but we a-a-a-accept that because we want to h-help you. You m-mustn't think yourself r-responsible for our f-fates. I know you do your b-best."

"But suppose my best isn't good enough?"

"What c-can anybody do except their b-best?" He smiled shyly. "Gorion was m-my friend, and I knew him well. He would b-be proud of you if he could s-see you now. S-so am I, and J-Jaheira. I know she m-may not say it often, b-but she really is. You will m-manage, and we will a-always be happy to h-help you."

"Thank you, Khalid. I don't know if you know how much it means to hear that."

Khalid blushed again. "I was o-only telling the t-truth", he said. "Nothing to t-thank me for. Well, if you are f-feeling better I suppose I'd better see how Imoen's doing b-before she bets away all our m-money." Having given Rini a final, brief hug he exited the door and headed downstairs again.

See, kitten? Softpaws asked. Now do you believe me?

Of course I believe you. I just…needed to hear it from somebody else as well, I guess.

The half-elf sat in silence for a while, looking out the window. Dusk was settling over Beregost, and the shadows were lengthening by the minute, the sky turning from a deep dark blue to a velvety black. She could see a few stars, but the moon was only a pale sliver above the steep rooftops. A fine night for burglars and other rogues to be out and about, she thought. I hope Immy's been practicing her skills as much as she says. We'll all need to be at our best when we go after the bandits, I think.

There was another knock on the door, and then it was immediately pulled open. Edwin stepped inside, a very strange look on his face. He seemed apprehensive, but at the same time also eager about something. "I need a word with you", he said without further preamble. "It is extremely important."

"Go ahead", Zaerini asked, feeling uneasy. Edwin being this frank about anything was unusual to say the least. He usually preferred long and wordy explanations for his actions.

"You said before that you wish to enter the bandit camp without launching an outright attack. Isn't that so?"

"Yes."

"Well, it appears that I have found a way for us to do so." The Red Wizard looked as if he was thinking something over for a moment, hesitating over his next words. "I…have happened to meet with somebody who may just be able to help us approach his…associates."

The bard quickly worked her way through this. "You've been chatting with a bandit? When? Where?"

"Ah…just now", Edwin said, looking uncomfortable. "I went for a walk, you recall? I met him over at the Red Sheaf when I dropped inside for a drink. It appears he is in the area on business, recruiting new people for the bandits' operations. Me being a Red Wizard, he trusted me enough to approach me on the subject. I hinted that I knew some people who might be interested." When no immediate answer came, he went on. "It is an excellent opportunity, don't you think? We could get inside the bandit camp and strike at them from within."

"I suppose so", Rini said, hesitantly. It certainly seemed like a good idea. She wished she'd been the one to come up with it. "This…bandit though. Do you think he can be trusted not to lead us into a trap or something?"

Edwin didn't answer at once. When he did, he looked very serious, and his dark eyes were unreadable. "You will have to decide that for yourself I think", he said. "If you wish to meet with him, I can take you to him." He paused. "Just one word of advice", he said in a fervent voice. "Whatever you do, please try to be diplomatic. You don'twant to anger him."

Frowning a little at this unusual restraint in her friend the half-elf nodded. "All right", she said. "Let's go see this bandit of yours. I'll get the others."

"No. Just you and me for now. I don't want my contact to get suspicious." It sounded reasonable enough.

"Fine", Rini said. "I agree. I just hope we won't have to regret this."

As she followed Edwin out the door, she heard him whisper something to himself. "So do I. So do I."

Rini hadn't really been inside the Red Sheaf since that dwarven assassin had tried to take her head off with an axe. As she passed through the door, she could still see faint traces of the bloodstains he had left behind. It was getting pretty late by now, and most of the customers were either leaving, being thrown out, or falling asleep on or below the tables. Edwin ignored them all, leading the way up a stair in the back of the room and into a narrow corridor. "Remember", he hissed as he paused before a closed door. "Diplomacy." Rini shrugged noncommittally and followed him inside. Then she almost ran into him as he stopped with surprise. The room was empty. Bare walls and floor, a bed, a table and a couple of chairs. That was all. A single candle still burned on the table, making the shadows of the bard and the wizard flicker across the walls as if in caught up in some strange dance.

Edwin walked further into the room, looking equal parts surprised and frustrated. "I don't understand it", he said. "This is the right place. Where could he be?" He lifted the bedcovers as if expecting somebody to leap out at him from beneath them and then peeked under the table, pushing the chairs violently aside. "Maybe he's changed his mind? Maybe he got called away?"

"Maybe he went down to the bar to get drunk?" Rini suggested helpfully and looked behind the threadbare curtain, accidentally managing to yank it down.

"Or maybe", said a frosty voice from directly behind her back, "he is still wondering if neither of you was ever taught that it is generally considered polite to at least knock on the door before starting to rearrange the furniture of your host. If you were, it would seem that you have both forgotten such simple courtesies." Rini felt her heart leap almost all the way into her mouth and she could hear Edwin make a very undignified throat sound. Then she turned around to see who had addressed them, fighting against the uncomfortable impression of having an intangible weapon pressed against her back.

A man was leaning nonchalantly against the wall next to the door, watching the bard and the wizard intently, his arms crossed across his chest. The black leathers he was wearing hinted that he probably moved in not exactly legal circles, what with the way they almost made him invisible in the shadows. I didn't hear so much as a single footstep! Rini thought, feeling aghast as well as annoyed with herself. And I'm supposed to have much better hearing than a human too. I should have heard something as he entered the room. Unless…oh no. He couldn't possibly have been inside all along without either of us seeing him, could he? That's just…freaky. She forced herself to turn her attention back to studying the stranger.

He was tall and lean, and had a certain look about him, something that subtly suggested a large animal getting ready to pounce. It was rather hard to tell his age too. Older than she, certainly, but by no means ancient. A sharp-featured face, made all the more so by the shadows playing across it, giving nothing away. Rather good-looking, actually, if in an intimidating cross-me-and-die manner. Cool black eyes stared directly into hers, weighing and measuring, and she couldn't shake the feeling that all the pertinent information about her was being neatly filed away for further reference with lightning speed. No obvious weapons were visible, but Rini strongly suspected that it would be extremely unwise to draw the conclusion that none existed. "Who are you?" she demanded, hoping she didn't sound too alarmed.

The stranger raised an eyebrow and the corners of his mouth quirked upwards in an amused smirk that also seemed vaguely...familiar. "I trust you were inquiring after my name and not after my full autobiography since the latter would take far more time to produce than any of us have. But as for the former…you may call me Adahn."

Careful now. Mustn't underestimate this one. Too dangerous by far.

Zaerini watched the man opposite her, trying to decide what to make of him and hoping that he wouldn't notice her scrutiny. Adahn had politely pulled out a chair for her and then seated himself on the other side of the table. Edwin remained standing, hovering nervously between them. Rini couldn't quite make up her mind about this strange bandit. True, she hadn't exactly socialized with any bandits before, but whatever she'd been expecting it certainly hadn't been this curious blend of manners and menace. He was undoubtedly dangerous, but the danger wasn't an immediate one, or so she thought, though it was hard to tell for sure. And there was something else about him…something that kept nagging at her mind like an itch she couldn't quite scratch. She was quite certain she'd never met the man before in her life and yet he seemed strangely familiar. Something about the way he looked…or moved…or talked. She couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"Are you quite finished cataloguing my every feature?" the bandit said, interrupting her thoughts. "Flattering as it is to have a charming young lady gaping at me, I'm hardly vain enough to consider it a sign of my having suddenly become irresistible to females. Perhaps we could move on to the business at hand instead?"

"Oh", Rini said. "All right." She cleared her throat. "Edwin tells me that you have…an offer of a sort to make us. Does that seem like a more acceptable topic to you?" She put just the smallest hint of sarcasm into her question.

"Indeed, it does", Adahn said, and the faint glimmer of appreciation that surfaced momentarily in those black eyes told Rini that she'd chosen the right course. Polite, but not too deferential. "I have been told that you have an interest in searching out certain people. Certain people who have recently been major players in the 'wealth-redistribution' around these parts. Is that not so?"

"It is."

"And might you also be interested in participating in any such further endeavors? Are you perhaps even seeking employment?"

Careful now, Rini thought, studying the motionless face in front of her. Play your cards close to your chest and set the bluff up solidly. She was playing for high stakes, she knew, and for once she was uncertain whether she was the one with the winning hand or not. "We are", she said, making her voice flat and matter of fact, as mercenary as she could. "We need the money; we want to get ahead in the world and it seems like your people are the ones most likely to provide both for us."

"I see", the bandit said. "How very ambitious of you." He gave the bard a thoughtful look across steepled fingers. "However, you still haven't provided me with a good reason for trusting you - or for employing you. You'll need more than ambition to impress me, you know."

"What?!" Edwin sputtered. "But…you can't mean…you have to…"

"I 'have' to do nothing", Adahn said. "I thank you to remember that much. Or are you perhaps presuming to order me about?" His wintry smile suggested that any such attempts would be very much unappreciated and severely dealt with.

"No", Edwin answered, sounding a little sullen. "No, of course not. I was implying nothing of the sort. (Ha. That would be the day. Likely the same day that Cyric gets married to Mystra and abdicates his office to celebrate their blissful union.)"

"How kind of you. I suppose I won't have to practice being deferential then."

This is really getting eerie, Rini thought. I've never seen Eddie that easily subdued by anybody.

Envious, kitten? Softpaws remarked from her spot on the floor. The black cat had been watching the proceedings warily for a while, paying particular attention to the bandit. Now she silently padded over and rubbed herself against his leg, looking very imperious. Adahn gave her an amused look, but he did reach down to pet her. Oh, very nice, Softpaws purred. This one's extremely clever with his hands. At least as good as your wizard. Probably even better.

Would you stop that? He's not my wizard. And how come you're suddenly acting so very cuddly with a complete and total stranger? One who, I might add, could try to kill me at any moment?

Don't be silly, kitten. Mmmmrrrrr! Yesss! Just a little lower down…perfect. He isn't about to kill you, at least not yet. He set this meeting up, remember? He wants something from you, he's just trying to pretend he doesn't. Anyway, I get the impression that he sort of likes you. I usually can pick up that sort of thing from people when they're touching me.

You could have fooled me. Rini thought her familiar was probably right about at least one thing though. The bandit must have some sort of interest invested in this meeting, something he hoped to gain. And that meant that her hand of cards consisted of more than just twos and threes. She decided to try to take advantage of the situation.

"You mentioned something about impressing you", she said to Adahn. "While I'm certainly not about to get up and dance exotic dances on the table, perhaps this is a little more to your liking?" She didn't just speak the words though. Instead she used her power of mimicry to imitate the bandit's voice, down to the last sarcastic nuance.

For a moment Rini wondered if she'd gone too far. It seemed that time stood still as she stared defiantly into the motionless face of the bandit in front of her. Her heartbeat roared in her ears and she could feel her stomach curl into a tight knot as those black eyes met hers without blinking. I'm dead, she thought. That's it. I'm dead. Beside her she could hear Edwin gurgle quietly, quite gray in the face.

And then the moment passed. Adahn laughed softly, looking genuinely amused. "Fascinating", he said. "A most useful talent, one that I wouldn't have minded having myself. Very well. You have at least managed to pique my interest. It would seem that you are more than you appear to be, even as I first suspected." He gently scratched Softpaws beneath the chin as he continued to speak, seemingly devoting his entire attention to the black cat who had by now leapt onto his lap. "That does bring another question to mind though", he said, his voice now so innocently casual that it set off a hundred loud alarm bells in Rini's mind. "Namely, exactly why the noble and illustrious Heroes of Nashkel, Beregost and Gullykin are thinking of going into banditry."

He knows! The sentence kept running feverishly through Zaerini's mind. He knows who we are, and he never let it show! It's a trap, it has to be! Half of her mind was boiling hot with anger, preparing for battle. The other half had decided that the stranger probably could have made a living as an actor without a problem and that under other circumstances she wouldn't have minded exchanging a few tips and tricks with him. Her hand was already on the hilt of her sword, striving to draw it. For some reason Edwin was clinging furiously to her swordarm though, refusing to let go.

"Don't be an idiot!" the Red Wizard hissed through clenched teeth. "You'll just get yourself killed!"

Easy, kitten, Softpaws said. He's not doing anything, see? Besides, it's quite difficult to attack somebody when you have a lovely cat sitting on your lap. I have claws too, remember?

The fire in her veins subsided somewhat and Rini could think clearly again. As the heat of her bloodlust diminished, she saw that while she had got to her feet in her shock Adahn was still sitting quietly at the table, having made no obvious hostile move. The man even had the gall to look amused by the whole thing. "And now that that's over with", he said, "perhaps you would be kind enough to answer my question?"

While Zaerini was quite busy gathering her thoughts again Dekaras was equally busy evaluating her actions. Gently now, he thought to himself. This one is truly more than she seems. It won't do to underestimate her. She was young and inexperienced to be sure, but he made a mental note of the fact that he hadn't exactly been harmless himself at her age.The assassin watched the girl opposite him as she sat down at the table once more, obviously struggling to keep calm. Poor Edwin looked truly shaken by her fit of temper, almost as if he had been expecting them to come to blows at any second. He really ought to know me better than that. I've invested a lot of time in this assignment already. I'm not about to lose control of it now. And he really ought to be more used to hotheaded females, considering his mother's legendary temper. At least this one hasn't broken any furniture yet. Dekaras watched the young half-elf for a few more moments, adding to his mental picture of her. Fiery red hair, and equally fiery yellow eyes. The mark of her blood? he wondered. Or something different? An attractive enough face, he supposed. A hot temper, yes certainly. Perhaps even enough to match that of a certain raven-haired wizardess. I wonder what would happen if she ever got into a strong disagreement with Elvira, the assassin thought, feeling amused. Probably there'd only be a crater the size of a small town left behind.

Most importantly, the bard was highly intelligent. It shone through in her every word. Which is a good thing, Dekaras thought. Dealing with a stupid woman might have been easier, but tedious beyond belief, even if it does mean I must be more careful than otherwise. He had been pleased to notice that she had spunk too. That little voice-trick of hers had actually impressed him. Not just because of the mimicry itself, though it was certainly a useful talent. But she had also stood up to him in order to prove a point, and not let herself be easily intimidated. That, he respected. Of course, it didn't mean he intended to let her get away with trying to take charge. Revealing his knowledge of that ridiculous 'Hero' title had thrown Zaerini neatly off balance again, exactly as he had intended. Now to use that against her. It was much like a game of chess. You needed to keep a cool head and think strategically, to plan ahead, make multiple plans for different situations. And if your opponent lost their temper…so much the better.

"I have no idea what you mean", the girl said defiantly. She didn't quite manage to sound convincing though.

"Oh, come now", Dekaras said, using his mildest voice. "I happened to be in Nashkel at the time and saw the award ceremony." He pointedly ignored the chagrined look on Edwin's face. "Very entertaining, that was. Very…heroic."

Zaerini rallied nicely. "So, you saw", she said, crossing her arms. "And what do you intend to do with your knowledge?"

"Do? Why, nothing except to make you an offer." The assassin carefully deposited the black cat on the table and rose to a standing position, taking full advantage of his height and the way his shadow loomed high on the wall in order to create a certain impression. "A business proposition, if you will." He couldn't help noticing that Edwin still looked extremely uneasy. The boy really needed to get a better grip on himself. "You want to destroy the bandits. Well, it just so happens that our goals coincide there. I want them out of the way as well, and I believe we are in a position to help each other. In fact, the only reason I ever joined them was in order to get close enough to them to attempt something like that."

"Wh…why are you telling us these things?" Edwin asked. Obviously, the boy still hadn't figured it out. Dekaras would have preferred telling him earlier, but he hadn't been sure he could be trusted to keep a straight face. "Because", he said, "I much prefer telling the truth to telling lies if I am able to choose. It makes things so much less complicated." And of course, he thought, it makes the lies I do tell so much more palatable if they're wrapped in truth. But there is hardly a need to mention that little detail.

"And why do you want to pull down the bandits?" Zaerini asked, obviously not ready to agree to anything just yet.

"That, I will not tell you. I do not expect you to tell me your motives either. We have a common interest, and that will have to be enough. You can either accept that or not. Or would you have preferred me to make up a sad story about how I'm out to take revenge for my poor betrothed who was slaughtered by the wicked bandits? I can if you want me to. You may even choose her hair-color and make up a name for her if you want."

The half-elf laughed. "I'm almost tempted to take you up on that", she said. "I'd ask you to do it in verse, I think. Would be fun to see if you could pull it off."

Oh yes, Dekaras thought. Very spunky. A most entertaining young lady. He said nothing though, simply gave her a smile that more or less was a predatory baring of teeth. It had the desired effect as the bard immediately calmed down. Won't do to let her think she can get away with anything however.

"Anyway", Zaerini hurriedly added, pulling her hand a little nervously through her red hair, "how can you be so sure you can trust me? I could easily sell you out."

"A Hero like yourself? I hardly think so. Your reputation has proceeded you, my dear."

"Well, how do I know I can trust you?"

The assassin shrugged. "You don't", he said firmly. "It's entirely up to you. But remember, I knew about your plans and I could have killed you already. I didn't have to tell you anything if all I wanted was your head. If I want somebody dead, I kill them, that I can assure you. I don't waste my time by chatting extensively with them first." Dekaras was pretty confident that his plan would work. What he said made a certain twisted sense, and the information he had volunteered should hopefully be enough to close the deal. And the beauty of it was that it was all true. It was the things he hadn't mentioned that could have caused problems, but there was no great risk of that. He was a little surprised at the immense relief evident on Zaerini's face though.

"At last!" the half-elf exclaimed. "Finally a sensible killer!" Then she blushed a little. "Um…never mind. Just remembering a few annoying people, that's all. Sorry."

"Nothing to apologize for. So, have you decided yet?"

"Yes. I agree."

"Excellent. I will need to arrange a few minor details before we meet again." The assassin produced a map and indicated a certain spot. "I will await you here, in this part of the area known as Peldvale, one hour after twilight every day. Try to avoid other bandits though. The forest is heavily patrolled, and they won't be expecting company. Be as discreet as possible." He shook the girl's hand and then did the same with Edwin, noticing that the wizard looked as relieved as if he had narrowly avoided certain death. I'd really like to know what is the matter with him.

Zaerini nodded. "We'll see you later then", she said. Then she gave him a mischievous smile. "And just so you know, at least Softpaws seems to trust you for now. She's very particular too, she knows about these things. And she says to thank you for the nice backrub. Actually, 'nice' wasn't the word she used, but I wouldn't want to shock you with an exact quote."

The cat…the familiar, for that she must be, turned her head to give the assassin a satisfied look, her eyes glowing like green lanterns. "She's welcome", Dekaras said dryly. "And I assure you, I don't shock easily." Clever girl. I should have realized that was no ordinary cat. But she should not have told me so in her eagerness to score a point. Now she's lost that advantage. Well, at least the cat can't read the thoughts of others but her mage. "One more thing before you leave", he said. "That little impersonation you did earlier…entertaining as it was, I would really prefer if it were never made part of a public performance." He produced a throwing dagger with a lightning-quick movement and then started flipping it absentmindedly into the air, catching it and throwing it again without really looking at it. "I trust we understand each other?"

Zaerini opened her mouth to say something and then Edwin caught hold of her arm and hissed something that sounded very much like 'Don'tpush it!'. "Yes", the half-elf said, her golden eyes glittering with a mixture of annoyance and amusement, much similar to what the assassin himself was feeling. "Yes, I think we do."