Now that I could see him up close, it came to my attention that he was visibly a mongrel of sorts.  With his long face, lightly-pointed ears and average height, I gathered that he was half-elven.  There were many of those in NeverWinter; curiously, they were hardly ever subjects of interest.  It seemed notoriety was reserved for their pure-blooded parent races.  So I suppose it wasn't surprising to find a half blood in the Docks district, where a nobody could try his or her best at becoming a somebody – through crime, of course. 

"Sorry about…that."  Dil said uncomfortably, idly motioning to the dead man in red a few feet from where we stood.  He chuckled and ran a dirty hand through his short reddish-brown hair, "Those men just –"  He laughed, "I thought you were gonna kill me!"  He exclaimed, throwing his arms out dramatically.

I stepped back, somewhat startled by the sudden motion, "I was."  I replied, "If you so much as took one step towards me with your weapon drawn I would have."  I paused, registering the blank look on Dil's face, "So who were those men?"  I asked quickly before something unpredictable decided to happen again.

Dil looked over his shoulder then flashed me a merchant's smile, "Callik's men."  He answered, "I guess it's hunting season."  He chuckled again.

I raised an eyebrow, "Who is Callik and why are his men trying to kill you?"  I demanded at once, "And me, for that matter?"  I added, suddenly remembering what I had done to my pursuers a few minutes ago and wondering if the staircase inside the abandoned house was still flaming. 

A smirk pulled at the corner of Dil's mouth, "You're from outside, aren't you?"  He remarked, his eyes scanning me thoughtfully.  He narrowed his eyes, "You're with the militia?"  He asked suspiciously.

It was my turn to chuckle, "Does it matter?"  I asked in return, using the same voice he had used.

Dil drew back, his composure returning, "Not all."  He answered calmly, "I haven't seen your face before and usually, you see,"  He smiled again, "it's the same faces day after day."  His smile broadened and he placed a hand on the hilt of his sword, "So I can tell you right this instant that if you're with the militia, you'd do best to turn around and head back to the core; there's nothing you can do here, I'm afraid.  But if you're not with the militia,"  He winked at me, "then I've got nothing to say to you because you're probably here for the same reason as the lot of us." 

"And what reason would that be?"  I asked curiously, batting my eyelashes.  Never in my life had I felt so lost in my own city.

"Ah hell,"  Dil sighed, his hands dropping heavily to his sides, "The auction?"  He shook his head, "If you're here to investigate—"  He stopped talking when I waved my hands.

"No!"  I cried irritably, "I don't even know what the hell you're talking about!"  I sighed heavily and thumbed back at the district gates, "I've been asked by Aribeth to look for the Waterdhavian creatures that escaped her care last night."  Once again Dil's expression was blank, "I decided to come here first because I know you people are all a bunch of thieving jerks just dying to jump on a prize that the city could pay you for."  I explained pointedly.

"So you want to be the thieving jerk that finds these things first?"  Dil quipped dully, raising a dark eyebrow.

I paused, then grinned and nodded emphatically, "Yes!"  I cried and threw my arms out, giving Dil an incredulous stare.

The rogue watched me, thoughtful, then rubbed the back of his neck, "So…"  He tried to look nonchalant, "…how much you getting paid for this?" 

I smiled coldly, "What's it to you?"  I shot back.  Yes, this was a game…and I was going to win, dammit!

Dil looked amused but still made an effort to appear stoic, "I happen to have some information that could help you on your little treasure hunt."  He grinned, "What's it to you?"

I stared at him a moment before answering.  I could beat the information out of him.  He may be lying.  I had no money on me.  I could offer him a cut of what Aribeth gives me for the creatures…if I find the creatures…and then I could cheat him out of it.  Or…

"Would you happen to be looking for work, Dil?"  I purred, grinning from ear to ear.  After saying that, though, I suddenly wondered if he was in fact the street rat I gauged him to be.

Dil's grin disappeared and his brow furrowed, "What kind of work?"  He asked cautiously.  Yes, he was in fact the street rat I gauged him to be.

I looked him up and down briefly, "You fought well a moment ago, and if this place is as dangerous as it made itself out to be in my first fifteen minutes of arrival, then I will be happy to have some help on my search."  I blinked, "I will give you half of what Aribeth gives me when I – we – find a creature."

Dil didn't look too sure, "How much do you – we – get for each creature?"  He asked curiously, searching my gaze for deception.

I shrugged.  I could only assume that Aribeth was going to pay me for recovering the creatures; she had not mentioned a price or anything when I had spoken to her earlier that day.  I wasn't doing this for charity, and I was quite positive that Aribeth knew that.  But did my new 'associate' have to know all that?  Of course not.

"I was not given a specific amount, though you'll note that Aribeth has the city coffers under her hand."  I replied, "And we've got her under ours, considering the current situation."  I grinned.

Dil seemed to think about it; he examined me and ran his fingers through his hair, then looked over his shoulder, "I'll agree to that if you agree to help me do some…eh…pest control."  He said finally, facing me and cocking his head to the side. 

"You want me to help you kill someone?  Or someones?"  I asked, arching my eyebrows, "Well you see the problem with that is that I am on a tight schedule..."  I frowned and trailed off when Dil laughed.

"Ha ha!  But you see, me dear Malkat, that is inconsequential,"  He cried triumphantly, coming closer to me, "as your purpose intercedes with my own!"  He winked at me, "You scratch my back, I scratch yours.  What say you, hmm?"" His wide gray eyes twinkled with sudden excitement.  Oh yes…this one was definitely a street rat.

I nodded once, "Very well."  I agreed and Dil threw his fist in the air with a shout, "But how can I be assured that you won't run off on me when my end of the bargain is complete -- assuming my end will be the first to be completed?"  I searched out his gaze and held it firmly.

Offering me no security at all, Dil shrugged, "I've got nothing else to do."  He answered simply.

"Charming."  I grumbled.  Dil grinned.  This was going to be a cautious alliance. 

I shook my head and rubbed my eyes wearily, "Alright, time for you to start spilling your guts.  What do you know about the Waterdhavians?"  I asked.

Dil looked around pointedly, "Maybe we should get away from all the dead guys, yes?"  He suggested; he tipped his head in the direction of the road, "Let's walk and talk.".

I followed him out onto the streets and found myself unable to stop looking around for more ambush-ready mobs.  Beside me, Dil was doing much the same.

"I know where one of your creatures is."  The rogue began, peeking over at me to see my reaction then quickly going back to looking around paranoidly, "A man named Vengaul has it."  He chuckled, "Well, part of it at least."  He corrected.

My mood dipped a notch right then, "Part of it?"  I echoed flatly.

Dil nodded, "Yeah.  See, there's an Auction tonight – which is what I thought you were here for – and the showstopper is supposed to be a cure for the plague."  He frowned, "Everyone is going insane at the news, which has been circulating since the beginning of the week."  He looked down at me, "Now I happen to know that this cure garbage is a complete sham."

I cackled, "No, really?"  I droned sarcastically.

Dil scowled, "It's a bad time for you to be mocking me, you know."  He retorted and I glared back at him, "Anyway…"  He sighed irritably, "So what's really happening is that Vengual is trying to attract the attention of Lord Nasher."  He grinned, "What you should know is the Vengual is a very talented man who likes to make a show.  He wants Nasher to come to him and ask for the 'cure' – at which point he'd tell him that he doesn't have one but that he does have a part of the cure, so to speak."

I shrugged, "That sounds like fun,"  I offered, then looked over at Dil with a deep scowl, "considering the fact that the entire city is waiting for a cure and this Vengual guy is playing games!"

Dil laughed and shook his head, "You can't expect men like Vengual to give up their practice just because times are rough!"  He argued merrily, "Nasher would get his cure sooner or later, Malkat.  This is just some added spice."  He smiled.

I raised an eyebrow at him and turned to look out at the street ahead.  Personally, being Nasher, I would have eviscerated Vengual for being an ass. 

"So what part of the cure does Vengual have in his possession?"  I asked.

Dil held up three fingers, "He has three feathers from a cockatrice."  He said proudly, "And they are one of the reagents that Aribeth needs for her precious cure."

I snickered, "Where's the rest of the bird?"  I asked with difficulty, imaging a myriad of violent and undeniably hilarious ends for the fabled creature.

Dil's grin was ear to ear, "Oh it's quite dead.  Vengual had the thing killed and prepared by the chef at the local tavern.  It was an expensive meal."  He shook his head, "Vengual really didn't want Nasher to somehow get his hands on it without playing the game."  He seemed to be reminiscing and this sparked my interest.

"You are Vengual's friend?"  I asked curiously, looking over at him, "Or perhaps a very knowledgeable enemy?".

Dil's eyes widened, "Quite far from an enemy, my dear!"  He exclaimed and grinned, "I'm one of his men, and damn proud of it, too!  He's really inspiring for those of us who are new to the game."  His smile vanished and he looked around again, "Gods know he has enough enemies as it is right now.  Some of his own men – the tasteless, senseless bastards – are unhappy with his appetite for showmanship and have turned against him."

I frowned, "Maybe they're pissed off at him for playing games when their lives – including his – are in danger.  The plague isn't a joke."  I offered.

Dil snorted derisively, "Maybe.  But most likely not.  Some guys just can't appreciate Vengual's style; they can't see the beauty of the game if it isn't backed up by coin in the end."  He laid a hand on his sword and looked over at me, "Vengual mostly prefers to catch the fish and let it go.  Those against him don't see it that way."

I nodded; there was authentic sincerity in his eyes and it surprised me, "So the men who attacked us…I assume they are dissidents?"  I wondered aloud.

Dil nodded, his brow furrowing, "Yeah, that's right.  They rally under Callik.  Callik's men – 'the Bloodsailors' he calls them – are out to find and depose Vengual."  He explained, "And here's the kicker: Vengual's gone missing just recently, right before the auction!  The Gods know he wouldn't miss his own show, so my guess is that if we find Callik, we find Vengual..."  He smirked at me, "…and you get your bird feathers before Nasher does."

I began to see where this was going, "It's Callik you want to kill, isn't it, Dil?"  I asked, looking up at the rogue.

He smirked and nodded, "Clever girl."  He cooed and turned a mischievous look down at me, "Ready to play?"  He asked, using a rather frightening voice that he hadn't used yet in my presence.

Impressed and intrigued, I grinned, "Oh yes."