Chapter 38: Regal

The ranger pulled the purse strings tight and pounced the little pouch in his palm.

"50 gold! We play our cards right we will be able to earn enough gold to pay our rent for the next year."

Thaelin tucked the pouch into his royal doublet

Hastur paid no attention. She stared out the window and watched the world pass by from the window of the carriage returning to White Rock Keep.

"I hate this..."

Thaelin gave his partner a sly grin "As you told me earlier, Quit your bitching. A job is a job."

The half elf glared at the man and he leaned back in his seat regretting his clever remark. "Sorry."

"Thats not what I meant. I hate what I did."

"What? This about the boar?"

"Yes, you idiot! I killed it. I killed it and now I feel...like...like..."

"Like you are going to puke? It will be okay, Hast."

"No its not...I'm a cleric. I dedicated my life to helping the world. And here I am taking the very lives I swore to restore...Can I ask you something Thaelin?"

"You just did." Retorted the ranger with a grin

"Nevermind, you ass."

Thaelin leaned forward and placed a solemn hand on his friend's shoulder. "Im sorry Hast, force of habit. Come on, tell me what you wanted to say."

"Do you know what a keh is?"

"Is it a cake?" he said retracting his hand

"No, stupid." the mage snickered wiping a tear forming in her eye. "A keh is my people's word for someone's soul. We can see our souls when we see our reflections in our own eyes or in an other's eyes. I saw my soul in the boar's eyes."

"And what did you see?"

"It was darkness. It was shaped like me. It...didnt...look like me though, but it was me. It terrified me."

"Hast, this year alone, what have you killed exactly? Giant spiders, a drake, a sociopathic vampire,-

"Those men from the logging camp?" the mage blurted

"I dont want to become corrupted, Thaelin. I dont want Oghma to abandon me."

"Hastur. I understand where you are coming from. Killing is a terrible thing. I know it probably means nothing to you, but the first time I ever killed anything it was a single goblin. The most disgusting thing I've ever seen and when our fight was over, I felt changed."

"You defended yourself though."

"Just like you did back in the North." Thaelin saw how troubled Hastur was and opted to change the subject so she didnt look like such a moping mess "I can only imagine how scared you were. You must have damn near shit yourself, Hast.

"I'm sure even you would have been scared, Thaelin" the half elf said finally smiling again

"Nope."

"Bullshit. You would have been absolutely terrified"

"Theres only three things in this world that scare me."

"Snakes, spiders, and what? Clowns?"

"Nope."

"What then?" Genuine intrigue began to take hold

"Someone I hope you never have to meet.

When the noble party returned to the White Rock, Hastur was showered in praise for her skill in vanquishing the beast of a boar. Many of the men lined up to personally offer her a congratulation, while the women stood in their groupings and whispered gossips. Undoubtable racist remarks towards her.

"Well done, Lady Nir-vallen."

"Good work."

"Lord Nir-Vallen. You are a lucky man to have brave wife like that."

"A gifted bride indeed sir."

Part of her felt pierced every time she was given praise. But for the sake of their mission, she plastered on another fake smile.

Upon their return the parlor where they first made introductions was transformed into a festive hall. A band of troubadours were seated near the end armed with nearly every instrument known. Flutes, harps, mandolins, drums of differing shapes, and even a hurdy gurdy.

The pod of insufferable women approached her once again.

"Lady Nir-Vallen, we had no idea you were a hunter." said Lady Mulkey "My husband should find you as a tutor."

"Must be some elf talent. I'm sure all of your people can flutter about the trees." scoffed Lady Thiell

"Extremely unfair if you ask me." said Lady Mohr "It was my understanding that you Elves loved trees and all the animals within. Very hypocritical in my opinion.

"Dendrophiles."

Hastur returned the remark through gritted teeth. "Well, I never! Listen here you harpies! I-"

Thaelin placed a firm hand on the half elf's shoulder. "Pardon my interruption, ladies. But I would like to steal my wife away for a dance. Shall we, my dear?"

Hastur glared at the ranger. She was thankful he would drag her away from the women, but couldn't bear the thought of being in such a public display.

'of course that asshole would ask me.'

She never knew how to dance. This was going to be a troubling test to make her look the part of a true noble. Hastur gave a nervous smile. "I would love to, dearest. But, I-"

Before she could finish, Thaelin took the half elf by the hand and twirled her into his arms.

"Asshole!" she whispered so only he could hear her.

"Follow my lead." he said taking her by the hand and leading the mage into a waltz. They stood in perfect position amongst other couples. Thaelin lead off shuffling his feet in a pattern of taking four wide steps in a circle. Hastur tried to keep up. It wasn't long before she memorized the pattern.

'One...Two...Three...Four...Pirouette ...Recover...Repeat...'

It was a dizzying spectacle to see. The men and women would move in perfect harmony. Their steps, their turns, and the movements of their arms were all The ranger fluttered in perfect tune to the music being played.

A smile slowly crept onto her lips. Once she got the hang of it, she started to enjoy the dance. The music and whirling movements created a sense of ecstasy. She didnt want the song to end but when it did, they stopped their waltz abruptly. The men bowed to their partners and the women then dipped into a curtsey.

The Duke approached with his little hands held behind his back. "My Lady, you move with such grace."

"Thank you, Jonnathen." her cheeks blushed as she forgot to call him by his title. But the little lordling didnt look offended

"Lord Nir-Vallen, with your permission, may I have the next dance, with your wife?"

"Yes, My Lord." the ranger said taking a goblet of wine from a nearby server's tray.

The instruments hummed to life once more but stopped abruptly. The steward stood before the doorway and called the nobility to attention as he announced the newest attendee. Hastur and Thaelin glanced at each other. This could be it. Their target would be the next to enter the party.

"Presenting! Her grace, Duchess Vina Steinnacht of Black Stone Hollow."

All in the parlor went silent and lowered their heads as the noble entered. A sweat took Thaelin and his doublet felt as though it had shrunk another size.

Her footsteps were soft. Like a mouse. Even in formal heeled slippers, she didn't hardly make a sound. The Duchess entered the parlor and the air about the room changed dramatically. It was cold. Hastur was amazed at the sight. The Duchess was remarkably short, yet commanded the room upon entering it.

She wore a black woolen dress with bright gold threads along the collar and bottom hem. Her neck was graced with a thin gold necklace locket. A dirk with a square guard and a grip of stacked bone disks hung from her hip. Every feature of the noble woman showed signs of her being a dwarf, but they didn't take away from her beauty. Tawny skin, short stature compared to the average human, and a menacing face as solid as stone. She had all the facial features of a woman barely out of her teenage years. Her nose was slender and had a slight upturned point. But unlike common dwarven features she was very slender. Not stocky like the other dwarves seen in the Forge District. The most remarkable feature was her pair of bright and ice cold blue eyes. A very rare feature amongst the dwarves. They were ones that could send a shiver through the soul with just a glance.

The half elf's gave a nervous gulp when she saw the dwarf royal approach her. Those eyes made her arms form goosebumps.

He inched his way towards Hastur and attempted to keep his fake smile.

"Hast. We need to leave. Now."

"What?"

"Ah, Lord and Lady Nir-Vallen. I would like to introduce you to my esteemed guest." smiled the Duke.

"Apologies, my lord." Thaelin said wiping the nervous sweat from his brow "But I must delay my meeting, for I must go and find a privy post haste." He put before walking off to slip away in the crowd.

Thaelin ducked in and out of pods of nobles as he made his way to a doorway in search of a privy where he could hide as long as he could.

The Duchess stopped in front of the Duke and Hastur. Her head poised upwards. Hastur gave the noble a deep bow. She must have done something right because the duchess' face didnt look any more displeased.

"My Lady, you grace us with your presence." said the dwarf, pulling himself up from a bow "Im afraid you have missed our hunt this afternoon. But you are just in time for the evening entertainment."

"It was no coincidence. I detest hunting." The noble woman said harshly. "I have business I must speak with you regarding your loans from my bank. I trust you are not throwing away my coin again?"

"Yes, my lady. All shall be settled. But first, why dont we enjoy the evening. Have some wine? Its a fine vintage from Morteu."

Her ice cold eyes flashed up to Hastur. And out of fear, the half elf darted her eyes to the floor tiles.

"Who is this?" The Duchess said without an ounce of couth "There are not many half elves in the Northern regions. And lesser few that I dont know. Look at me, girl."

Hastur didnt want to, but she looked down at the Duchess. Those eyes seemed to pierce right through her. They looked at her for only a few seconds. But in that time, those eyes scanned her over and took their time memorizing every part of her.

"This is the Lady Nir-Vallen." introduced Duke Du'Fenn "An exquisite guest and a gifted huntress. She won my little wager for being the first to slay our prize."

"Does the Lady have a first name?"

"H-Hastur, you grace. Hastur...N...Nir-Vallen."

"You're scared of me, aren't you?" the Duchess said. Her voice preened with arrogance. "You would be stupid if you wouln't be. My Lord I shall take my leave now. I have other matters to attend to now. I will be back later to discuss our trade business. Good day."

The Duke gave a uncertain smile as the Dwarf lady walked off. Once he estimated she was out of ear shot, he tugged at Hastur's hand and she knelt low to hear him better.

"Words of advice, Lady Nir-Vallen. If you ever have the privilege of dealings in business with, Her Grace, Vina Steinnacht, you should do so without question and without failure."

"Why is that?" she said watching party-goers clear a path for the dwarf woman and then disappear entirely after a man walked past for only a second.

"She is the most rich and dangerous woman in all the kingdoms. A terrible combination if you ask me. Her pen and her sword cut with the same sharpness. And I pity any fool who crosses her. Least they end up like her fool of a late husband."

Hastur's face went pale. As she recalled Thaelin's urgency. "What happened to him?"

"The rumors vary, but the common tale among them is that he cheated on her with a scullery maid or some other woman of low station. And the Duchess, that cruel maiden she is, killed him. Officially it was labeled a suicide on his behalf. But how a man can stab himself in the heart, slice his own neck, and lose the knife in the process is beyond my understanding."

After dodging through the halls, the ranger had finally found himself a privy to where he could hide for a reasonable moment.

As he unbuttoned his breeches, and let loose his stream into the privy trough. He rolled his head and let out a relieving sigh. If he played it safe, that tiny psychopath didnt see him. The man failed to hear the faint mouse-like footsteps approach from behind him. His stream stopped abruptly when he felt the gentle kiss of a blade's edge grace his neck.

"What are you doing here?" said the woman's voice whom he dreaded to hear.

"V-Vina... I swear... I-"

The blade hugged his neck tighter. His body convulsed in tremors of fear.

"I'm working. I swear to all the gods I'm on a bounty job. Please-don't-kill-me!"

"Who are you after?"

The ranger struggled to form the words. In her impatience for a response, the blade released its hold against his neck, but moved lower to where he felt the cold steel against his member.

Tears welled in the corner of his eyes. "Please, your grace, don't hurt me!"

"I'm not going to hurt you, Thaelin Fridulf. Just stay out of my way."

The blade retracted away from his flesh and the man was left there shaking.

The rest of the evening was spent with Thaelin keeping cautious eyes on the Duchess' every movement. He would flinch everytime he watched her raise he hand to bring a goblet to her lips and feared for when he lost sight of her among the crowds.

Hastur and the Duke conversed for a good portion of the evening. Their talks of the state of the world and their travels were long. Inviting nostalgia to present itself when one location was brought up or when interests were parallel. Their latest chat that got Hastur incredibly enthralled was about the greatest import that Hayak was consuming more that linen, iron, or cottons. Coffee.

"Have you ever had coffee, Lady Nir-Vallen?"

"Yes! I must admit that I'm an avid consumer."

"Would you care for a cup, I can have my servants prepare a cup for you. Finest in the land, it is. Fresh off the docks from Sol Lancia."

"It would be an honor, my Lord."

My dear, Lady. What have I told you on the balcony. Call me Jon, please."

the two departed from the party and climbed a staircase to the third level of the keep. The private story belonging to the Duke himself. The two traveled along a narrow passage way between the corner spires to a curved archway.

Hastur was amazed at the library. Walls lined full with books. Heavy velvet curtains with gold trim bordered the wide windows that overlooked the city. The air in the private library she smelled it. A inviting aroma. Hidden next to a grand fireplace set peacefully behind a large dark walnut desk. A silver pot held the warm and nourishing drink she had grown very dear to.

"Oh my!" she whispered taking everything in.

"Do you like it? Most of them are first edition. I have tomes here dating back to the first men coming to the land. There are even some on the histories of the Great Dwarven stone cities and even a few on the lore of the Halflings."

"This...this is amazing. How...?"

When you're a member of the royal family, you have your connections. Now. Shall we enjoy a cup?"

Hastur gratefully accepted the offer. Her hands gently held the little porcelain cup. She took a seat across from the Duke who sat in his armchair behind his desk. He poured in a dash of cream into his and gingerly brought the cup to his lips.

Words couldn't describe the taste of the brew. It was much stronger than the coffee prepared in the city shops.

Hastur smiled brightly from ear to ear.

"Thank you. Hond ebrath.

The Duke returned the gesture raising his cup in a toast. "Al hond ebrath, uoi that shantar en that lalala ol hond ebrath. I do hope I said that correctly."

"A true friend, as the trees and water are true friends." She recited "A phrase meant for great allies among the wood elves."

"I'm pleased to know my lessons have improving. Before I only knew how to say the word 'apple'. Hold still." The duke said locking his eye on Hastur as she sat. hands curled around the porcelain cup. The Lord rummaged through his desk and produced a small brass inkwell and a feather quill. He dipped his quill and began making winding lines.

"Please, be still, my Lady. It will only take a second."

His stubby hand guided the feather across the and thin lines danced across the page in swirls. Hastur sat quite as a statue until the Lordship dropped his quill. Lifted the page and handed it to the half elf.

"Its...beautiful."

In the brief minutes that he scratched at the paper. The lord drew a near perfect image of Hastur. Her hair, eyes bright and life filled, and her ears. Not cartoonishly oversized. It was like looking into a mirror.

"Do you like it? I will have it framed if you like. I wish to name this drawing 'Lovely Lies'."

"What?"

the door behind them flung open and Thaelin was dragged in by two guards. Hastur's eyes went wide.

"Have a seat, sir." Lord Du'Fenn reached under his desk and produced a crossbow almost as big as he was. The little lord leaned back in his chair and propped his stubbed legs on top of his desk and rest the stock of the crossbow on his leg. Keeping his aim swiveling between Hastur and Thaelin.