Diablo 2: Longing to be with you (Chapter 4)
By Amethyst Haze

***

Disclaimer: I do not own Diablo II, its concepts, its designs or anything else related to it. Those are the property of Blizzard Entertainment, this story is simply a non-profit tribute and parody. This story is Rated R for moments of sexual content, offensive language and violence.

Amethyst Haze's comments: If this story sounds EXTREMELY familiar to you.... then you've read the original fanfic as the NC-17 version when it was under my old pen name. I will not be writing like that anymore.

***

The caravan creaked dryly as the wheels desperately turned over and over the dry and coarse sand. "Shhhf....shhhf..." The sounds of the wheels sinking slightly into the sand with each foot it went forward. The ride was bumpy and unstable, making the four passengers uneasy and fearing the gusting wind's threat to tip the caravan over.

"Damn storm!" Warriv was heard cursing, desperately trying to get the oxen to continue the journey. Lut Gholein, their destination, was only a barbarian's stone throw away... which in saying so meant it was close, but still FAR. The caravan driver couldn't believe his horrible luck. Not only did he plot a bad and unstable course but he also steered directly into a sandstorm.

Rune shook his head and rolled his eyes at the caravan driver's incompetence as another long string of curses was heard. "What a moron," he thought before glancing over at his beloved. Nevia's normally soft features of her face expressed despair. Her eyes, still red and puffy, were cast in the direction of Erix, who was quietly seated in the corner of the caravan far from them, busily sharpening his long sword with a grinding stone he had found.

With each grainy sound of the stone running over the blade, Rune found himself inching closer to the prospect of grabbing the stone and smacking the paladin with it. It was rhythmically annoying. The sounds around him were a concerto to annoy him with Warriv, Erix and the rickety caravan wagon acting as the main players.

He leaned back against the soft hay behind him and sighed to clear his mind. "What to do...?" he thought, closing his eyes and playing back the events of last night. Every detail came back to him, his anger at Erix, the sleeping root and his revenge, which turned out better than he could've ever dreamed of. "But it still isn't permanent." His eyebrows furrowed as he gritted his teeth. "They could easily reconcile or learn the truth.... So, I gotta do something before that happens...."

Nevia's sudden sound of dismay interrupted Rune's thoughts. He sat up and turned to her as she groaned, holding up her drinking gourd, "I'm out of water...." she sighed. Rune paused, a grin splitting his face as he handed Nevia his own gourd and quietly thanked her. "Hm, for what?" she asked, looking rather puzzled, "I'm the one who asked for water." With his flippant smile, he looked so pleased with himself. That smile... it was so strange to see on him... at least, only now. "Why is he smirking like that???"

"Oh, I know, but I'm thanking you.... for being here," he said simply with an equally simple smile. Nevia paused, her thick eyelashes fluttering for a few confused blinks before shaking her head, "You're so odd." She sighed, glancing over at Erix who refused to even acknowledge both of them being present. She realized another of her mistakes, "Oh.... now he probably thinks I was FLIRTING with him...!" she could've smacked herself hard for that. "Why am I always being so insensitive to him? ... I don't meant to. Really..."

Erix had said nothing since the minute he left Nevia's tent. "I can't blame him though, can I? I'd feel just the same if I saw him with another woman... right?" she thought with a frown, her eyes traveling to the wooden floor, tracing the cracks and oval grooves of the wood. "I... I need to apologize to him." A sickening feeling settled in the core of her stomach as an image of a dark skinned woman, naked and beautiful, smiling at Erix. The paladin groggily returned the grin as the woman lightly gripped in her hands his --- Nevia's mind quickly jolted awake from her vision. "Something's wrong with me. I'm feeling jealous over nothing..."

Quietly uncapping the gourd, Nevia took several deep and refreshing gulps of the water. As she drank, she could feel Rune's eyes on her.... but something felt strange. She could recall everything from long ago when she was with Rune, but something was definitely different and she couldn't put her finger quite on what it was.

"Maybe he really has changed," she though, still drinking. "He used to be... so.... so.... controlling." Nevia's eyes drifted to the wavering walls of the cloth wrapped over the wagon. The wind was viciously lashing at the canvas, like an angry cat scratching at a dry wooden wall. In the corner of her eye, she studied the rugged-looking druid. "He still looks the same, the only real difference is that his hair is longer and that he had rid himself of his ridiculous beard." She stifled a laugh, remembering the first time she had seen him, so long ago.

*** (Flashback - Rotinn, Nevia's home village)

"Neeeeeevia!" a soft voice hissed within the forest, looking up at the trees. Light peered eagerly through the thick and majestic trees. Within a rather tiny clearing, a small delicate-looking girl angrily placed her hands on her hips and yelled up into the trees once again. "Nevia!!!!!" She ran several steps forward, placing a left hand on a rough tree trunk as she called out the name again. From just behind the calling girl, a very young girl appeared, running from the edge of the forest to her. "Viwx? Fouwnd her yet?" she asked in a smallish voice.

"No, Elia," she sighed. "Geez, what kind of sorceress climbs trees? She's such a tomboy...."

From up above, Nevia fell down, yelling, "ARGHHHHH!!!!" She nearly would've landed on Verynia had she not quickly jumped out of the way. The green-clad girl landed on the moss roughly. "Owwww..." She slowly got up, brushing off the traces of the dark green moss sprinkled on her attire. Elia immediately started crying.

The young woman, around 16, laughed and crouched down to eye level with the little girl, who was still sobbing. "I'm sorry, did I scare you?" Elia nodded feebly, still wiping her red and puffy eyes, "Nebia's a meany."

"You're crazy," Verynia muttered, shaking her head and lightly punching the girl's arm as Nevia gave Elia a hug. "What're you doing here anyway? If the teacher found out you're hiding from--" Nevia waved her hand carelessly at the young girl, "Oh, spare me, please. That old crone has trouble telling the difference between a thawing potion and a stamina potion. And I'm not hiding from her... I'm just..." she paused, not sure what to use as an excuse as Verynia's eyebrow arched, "Well... NOT hiding from her. I dunno, make up something for me, will ya?"

Verynia shook her head, took Elia's hand and sighed, "Whatever, I'll just tell her you're looking for some lemongrass or something." With that, she took Elia with her, leaving the young woman alone in the forest.

Nevia smiled, watching them walk away, "And now—" A sudden rumbling sound started her. Puzzled, she looked around, staying silent. In the distance, somewhere in the forest, she could hear an angry hissing and crackling sound. She wasn't sure what it was, but either way, she ran in the sound's direction, drawn by curiosity.

Bright red light glowed on Nevia's tanned skin as she stared in amazement from behind a large tree. A few meters away from her a powerful twister was angrily grinding against the trees violently. The strong and thick branches of the surrounding trees swayed in the wind like thin decaying vines on the brink of death. SNAP! A rondo of splintering snaps of the over-powered trees was heard everywhere at once. The once proud and strong tree limbs fell to the ground. Nevia stared and watched as a mass of brown fur and muscles sauntered into view a top the pile of destroyed forestry.

The young sorceress' eyes widened as her eyes descended upon the bloodshed of evil-influenced creatures behind the bear. Gargantuans and Fallen Ones lay slain in their own pools of blood, half-absorbed by the moss of the lush green forest. Nevia was dumbfounded briefly before she concentrated on her magicks for battle, despite her under equipped state.

"Frozen armor," she whispered under her breath, a blue twinkling light spiraling up from the ground and twisting around her body, giving off a light glow in the forest. Digging her boots into the soft ground for proper footing, Nevia's hands were placed in front of her chest, seeming to grasp an invisible ball in front of her. "Fire bolt." A quick swirling red light exploded from her hands towards the bear. The small red comet was easily dodged. The massive bear growled low before charging the young sorceress.

Her eyes shutting tight in fear, Nevia held her arms up defensively and screamed as a deafening CRACK' followed. She felt pressure against the front of her body and then on her back, forcing the breath out of her. She landed hard to the ground, the bear on top of her, pinning her down.

Nevia's eyes opened and the pure terror shone from her dark irises instantly changed to bewilderment. A bear was no longer on top of her, but a young man, clad in furs and leather. She stared quietly, her mouth slightly open with no words coming out. "He has such nice eyes," she thought, staring at the gently gleaming green irises that were focused on her. "Yeah... nice eyes.... FOR SOMEONE WHO'S ATTACKING YOU!!!!"

The sorceress took a deep breath and immediately screamed. The orange-haired man panicked and reflexively placed his hand over the young woman's mouth, "Don't scream!! It's ok, it's ok!!!!" He tried to calm her and pointed at the large branch lying where she stood before. Nevia's eyes darted to the broken branch and then the point of breaking on the upright tree trunk nearby. Her voice stopped and the man's hand was removed from her face.

The orange-maned man smiled, "Sorry to scare you like that." Nevia didn't answer, she stared in awe, watching him and examining every single detail she could come across - things like, the small orange hairs sprouting on his chin, the small scar above his right eyebrow and the strong angles of his jaw. "So... what's your name?"

She ignore the question ".... You can change into a bear?" He nodded proudly and she made a face. "What kind of weirdo are you?"

***

Nevia frowned, remembering that she first found Rune scary and that it was his fault that he—

"Nevia?"

She lifted her head from the ground and looked up at Erix, surprised that he was even talking to her, "Um, yes?" The paladin gave a small smile. "We're here. Welcome to Lut Gholein." His hand swept out, displaying the majestic, yet crumbling, buildings. Nevia stared. "Huh.... I was expecting something nicer." She shook her head and slowly got out of the caravan, finally taking note that she was alone.

She paused, looked around from where they stood, a far corner of the desert city, surrounded by unpacked crates, sand and the tired oxen. "Um, where's Rune?" Nevia could've slapped herself. "I'm doing it again!!!" she thought, hating herself for her insensitivity. She quickly added "and Warriv?" to her question.

Erix's face fell slightly, "He said he wanted to explore the city by himself. Warriv is checking up on some old friends, like some guy name El... uh..." The paladin hesitated, forgetting the name. "I don't know. But, I got a room at an inn..... for all three of us, or, if you want, I could just get my own room or sleep in the caravan...." The sorceress bit her lip, feeling uncomfortable with the silence between them.

The man's face displayed signs of struggle. He was trying to summon up his courage. "Listen... Nevia, I think we really should talk." She quickly nodded, "Good, I really want to. I'm so sorry about--"

He shook his head to stop her, "No, not here, somewhere private. Can you go to the inn and wait for me? Oh wait... give me your equipment first."

"Why?" she asked suspiciously, thinking that he'd generously upgrade her equipment again.

"Fara's the blacksmith of this city, remember? I can ask her to repair them for us and get a small discount."

***

From behind a stone wall nearby the inn that Elzix owned, Rune watched as his prize, his Nevia, went into the building. When she was no longer in sight, he leaned his back against the wall and muttered angrily to himself, "Shit.... he's going to try and reconcile with her now. And he'll probably hunt me down." He cursed his luck briefly before gathering all his composure back into his being. "Damn paladin.... she's mine." In his mind, he repeated everything he had always said to reassure himself that what he was doing was ok. After all, it was Rune that first found Nevia and realized what a beautiful woman she was, inside and out. He spent so many years with her, not because he felt obligated to for the punishment that her village bestowed upon her for bringing Rune to her home, but he stayed with her because he truly cared for her. He spent all that time with her also because he wanted to get to know her, he wanted her to love him and he WANTED her.

"Damn Erix.... you have no right to interfere," he thought, heading towards what he thought to be the market square.' "She's mine and I'm hers. That's how it was and that's how it's going to stay."

His eyes narrowed fiercely and darted past a dark-skinned female, most likely the blacksmith, to Deckard Cain and then old man selling potions to a leather-clad assassin. The female assassin suddenly stopped talking to the peddler and turned her head towards the druid. She stared at him quizzically for a brief second then turned away, watching his movements from the corner of her eye.

"Dammit," Rune lightly spat. "Where's Warriv?"

"Right here," his deep and jolly voice replied.

Rune whirled around and grinned cruelly at the jovial caravan driver, "Oh good. I was looking for you. Listen.... we need to..." he paused, his smile broadening, "talk." He pulled him out of sight behind the stone wall, which created the market square,' and lowered his voice. "Do you know what goddess' is?"

Warriv paled, "Uh, no." The caravan driver knew he was in deep shit. His mind was panicking, wondering how far he could run before Rune blasted him. The thought of a volcano-summoning druid scared the poor man so much that his hands started shaking.

"Liar. You know that Erix used it on Nevia," Rune shot back, a twisted smile spreading across his face and arching up more into a smirk. "E-erix?" Warriv repeated, the stutter and surprise in his voice gave him away. The druid caught on immediately. "Erix didn't do it?" His eyebrows creased. "....Then that means you did...." A glare was thrown in the caravan driver's direction.

Swallowing hard, Warriv knew he should kiss his poor life goodbye. "Y-yeah..." he confessed, cowering back slightly in hopes that the druid would show mercy for his sin. Instead, the druid just made a face and pressed two fingers against his own forehead, "Dammit," he muttered. "I thought Erix was for sure the one who did so he could rape her." Rune's mind raced again, thinking harder until another thought crossed his mind, "Where did he rape her?"

Warriv lowered his head, "In the caravan.... a few hours before you showed up."

Rune stared in shock. "In the caravan?" he repeated, narrowing his eyes. "You were listening in?!!"

"N-no!" he cried. "I'm not like that. I left them in the back and left for awhile--"

"--So, you didn't actually witness or hear him raping her then?" Rune suddenly asked.

"No... I assume that Erix would," he said slowly, his eyes darting around for an escape route. "Any man would considering the circumstances. It's not every day a beautiful woman is unconscious and pretty much in heat."

"Hmmm... either way, it still works out...." he thought, with a frown. "Ok, I can't use that card yet... Erix might not have raped her, but it still makes him look bad. However...." his brow creased " he could turn it around and point out that I got her the same way.... shit... this is not good...." His thoughts faded as he suddenly heard a voice from the other side of the wall that he could never mistake for anyone else. Erix.

Even though he was scared, Warriv fell silent, his interest piqued, also listening in.

"Do you think you could fix this?" Erix asked. A few metal clangs were heard before the female replied, "Sure," she replied cheerfully. "It's good to see you, Erix."

"You too, Fara."

Rune was baffled. "He knows the blacksmith?" he thought aloud. Warriv quickly nodded, "You don't know? They used to fight side-by-side until Fara decided to stay in Lut Gholein and work as a blacksmith." The caravan driver then rolled his eyes at the druid's reaction. "They were partners???" he repeated, trying to silence the caravan driver to continue listening in on the conversation.

"So..." Fara trailed casually. "Can you meet me at Atma's place later?"

"Huh... the bar? Why?"

"Just to catch up on old times, that's all," she replied warmly. "Please? I'll even pay for the drinks and everything will be done by then."

"Uh, yeah... sure.... when?"

"An hour and a half is enough," she said confidently. Rune then smiled, "Yeah, that should be enough," he muttered, turning to Warriv. "You better listen up and do what I say if you don't want to be banished from this city and other cities. One word to the townspeople, or worse, Jeryn, and you'd be on the road for a long time."

***

"I'm sorry," Nevia sobbed. Her arms were around Erix and her face was buried into his shoulder. The cloth of his shirt absorbed her tears as Erix's fingers ran through Nevia's soft raven hair. "I.... I should've told you sooner."

In the center of the room stood Nevia and Erix in an embrace. They had been that way for an hour and had started it within the five minutes they walked in.

Erix nodded. "Look, you shouldn't cry over the past, right?" He was trying so hard to stay calm and not start punching holes through walls. He was angry with himself and Warriv. That goddess potion was the root of the problem. If Warriv hadn't drugged her water and if Erix had the decency to throw out the water once he was informed of it, she never would've been with Rune. It was Erix's fault for Nevia to have made love with a person as repulsive as Rune.

Officially, Erix HATED Rune. He wanted the druid to die. He hated him with such a passion that he felt as though he could spend his entire life hunting him down. But, then what? If all of his energy was used into hating Rune and the need to destroy him... what about Nevia? What about his life? He didn't want to be consumed by all the hatred for one single human... What about his hatred of Diablo and other evils of the world....? Those evils threatened his world, his life... his Nevia, his love. As long as Nevia continued her quest to fight Diablo, he would follow her. He didn't know why he was so compelled to Maybe it was because the blood of a paladin boils angrily at the thought of an evil existing in such a world. Or maybe it was fate calling to him.

"I just want to know a few things," he slowly started, picking up the sorceress and carrying her across the room. He lowered her upon a wooden chair. "Do you love Rune?"

Nevia's face was red, her eyes were puffy and that question only made her want to cry even more. "I don't know." She shook her head, suddenly letting loose a small and inappropriate laugh, "I really don't know the answer.... And it's strange, I never knew I harbored those kind of feelings for him until last night..." she choked on a sob. "I must've kept them hidden for so long..."

Erix nodded solemnly, cursing rapidly in his mind. Damn you, Rune!!! he thought darkly. You really did get her while she was drugged... I won't let you get away with this!! He slowly paced around the room, angry with himself for not checking on her water but more of his venomous thoughts were directed at the druid's actions and selfishness.

He turned to Nevia again and, in the calmest voice he could muster, he asked, "Can you tell me that he's the one for you then?"

The sorceress stared at him, a sincere but sorrowful look in her eyes, "I honestly don't know. I just feel so confused right now."

He nodded, trying to figure a way to clear the woman's mind and understand it himself. "Okay.... How about this then?" He slowly sat down on the edge of the bed, sitting directly in front of her. "How do you feel about me?" She gave him the same look and the same words but with more tears. Erix sighed, "You're never sure of what you feel, are you?"

She nodded, "I'm sorry... but I... I can't imagine anyone being sure of anything in life."

The paladin stood up, shocked by her words. He shook his head slowly at her. "How can you say that?" She apologized again and was quickly interrupted, "No... this is not about what you feel, but the idea of no one being sure of anything in life. Because if that's what you believe, Nevia, you are wrong and I'm proof."

Her lower lip trembled, she knew what was coming. She knew what he was going to say and she felt both scared and happy at once.

"For a long time, I have been sure that you are the one I want. You're the only one for me," he murmured softly, his jaw tensing slightly at having to admit to such a risky truth. "I'll admit that your friend," he said, the word friend' with such an icy tone, "does bring out a lot of the competitiveness in me, but any man would have the same effect on me. Especially if they have the ability to take the woman I love away from me." He paused, nervous to ask his next question. "O-okay... now tell me, do you want him to take you away from me... or...." he swallowed nervously, "were you never really mine to begin with?"

Tears were streaming down Nevia's face, she leapt out of her chair and into his arms again, knocking him over back onto the bed. "Don't say such strange things," she said, hugging him tightly, the side of her face pressed against his chest.

Erix's arm snaked around her waist as his other hand crept to Nevia's head, running his fingers through her soft and thick hair. The soft fragrance of flowers in her hair was more enticing to the paladin than the feel of her weight upon his body. He pulled her closer to him so their eyes were leveled.

Her eyes brimming with tears, Nevia's eyes closed and the salty water gracefully spilled down her cheeks onto the paladin's face before he pulled her close for a kiss. Their lips touching in a shy exploration of each others mouths. Erix smiled, pulling away slightly, gently nibbling on the sorceress' lower lip as he did "Nevia..." he breathed, raising his head to kiss her again, this time with more passion.

Their tongues slipped past each other's lips again, slowly dragging along and, at times, having awkward moments when their tongues bumped into each other in a small quarrel. Nevia giggled and pulled away at the tickling sensation of Erix's tongue tracing the roof of her mouth. She smiled, her eyes still welled with tears.

He smiled back warmly, his mouth claiming hers again as his hands latched onto the soft curve of her slim waist. Nevia kissed him back urgently through her smile. Erix's arms encircled her waist snugly as he rolled her over on the bed with him so she lay beneath him. Nevia blushed as she felt all of the delicious weight of his body pressed against hers. The paladin was kind enough to spare her from being completely crushed. He didn't know if she would be uncomfortable if he didn't at least prop himself up on his elbows.

The sorceress' small and delicate fingers laced together behind Erix's neck as she raised her head to kiss him again. Erix however avoided the kiss to plant one on her forehead. She paused, watching him watching her. "Gods, you're so beautiful," he whispered. Nevia sheepishly looked away, "You're only saying that because you want some."

Erix frowned, "No, I'm not."

She laughed. "Oh really?" Her eyebrow arched as she smirked. "What is that? A clasped orb in your pocket?"

He paused, "Actually...." Reaching with one hand, he pulled out a clasped orb from his pocket. "Fara said this isn't in need of repairs." Nevia stared at her weapon and flushed red. Taking it from him, she tossed it aside and shook her head in disbelief, "Well, THAT ruined it."

"Sorry."

She laughed again. "No, don't be sorry. I think that's funny.... kind of embarrassing for me though..." she paused thoughtfully, still looking blissful. "I'm a lousy seductress, aren't I?"

"Yes," he answered all too quickly.

The sorceress in response faked a hurt look. "You trying to make me cry now?" She turned her head away from him.

"Nevia..." he gently turned her face so she could look at him. When her irises were clearly focused on him, she took his right hand and guided it to her chest, firmly placing it on her left breast. Erix sucked in his breath quickly when his hand contacted the softness of her cloth-covered breasts. He looked deeply into her eyes and hesitated before asking "Do you want to...?"

"That's what I was just going to ask you.... I care about you a lot," she started slowly in a serious voice. She paused briefly, trying to express herself properly. "But how do you feel.... what about Rune?"

The paladin's expression darkened on that name. "What about him?"

"... Doesn't it bother you that I slept with him? And now you want me in the same way?"

Erix rolled off of Nevia and sat on the edge. "Honestly, yes. It does. I feel like slicing off that bastard's—"

"—Don't call him that... He's not the only one to blame," Nevia replied softly. "He's not a horrible person."

"Yeah, he is," he thought angrily, tempted to voice his thoughts. "How else do you describe someone who takes advantage of a woman in that state?" His eyes fell immediately after that thought. Nevia immediately noticed the sudden change. "What? What is it?" She quickly sat up next to him on the edge of the bed, leaning down to look up at him. The look on the paladin's face was mixed pain and disbelief. He looked paler than a scared necromancer... if such a thing existed.

"I'm just the same as Rune? Aren't I?" he thought bitterly. "I took advantage of her.... Not as bad.... but still. If I hadn't, maybe she wouldn't have ended up having sex with that stupid prick. This is all my fault..."

"Erix? What's wrong?" Nevia gently shook his shoulder, getting worried.

He slowly got up. His thoughts were growing fuzzy to avoid getting angry with himself. He turned to Nevia and kissed her reverently on her forehead. "I forgot, I'm supposed to meet with Fara. Please wait here, I'll be back soon," he said, quickly heading to the door before Nevia could protest.

The door closed behind him and she was left staring at it. "What was that about?" she thought, confused. "Sometimes I just don't understand him."

A small knock at the door suddenly startled the sorceress. She walked up to the door, hesitating and hoping it was Erix coming back... but that was unlikely. He didn't have to knock. "Yes?"

The owner of the inn was heard from the other side. "Miss? That man who left just asked me to send up a bottle of wine and pour two glasses for when he returns."

She sighed happily and opened the door, "How nice," she commented, letting the owner inside. The smallish man smiled back, carrying a silver tray with two glasses and a wine bottle into the room. He set the tray down on the nearby table and uncorked the bottle as Nevia sat down at the table, submerging herself in her own thoughts again.

I never thought he was capable of being such a thoughtful man... she thought happily. Even though I can guess a hidden motive... but, it is sweet. And is that hidden motive really so bad if I want the same thing of him?

Once the man had finished pouring one glass of wine, he quickly left, taking everything but the filled glass with him. Nevia was about to point out his mistake but he exited the room in such a hurry that her hesitation was all he needed to shut the door behind him. "Huh... strange guy," she stared at the filled wine glass, puzzled. "He said Erix asked to have TWO wine glasses.... ah well, I'll just call him back after."

She picked up the glass and took a small sampling sip of the wine. It tasted awful. She frowned, "What is this stuff? It's horrible." It took her a few seconds to realize her mistake. She had forgotten that wine tastes different in every region and "I forgot that I hate wine," she muttered, shaking her head and staring at the glass she still held in her hand. "But.... I don't want Erix to think I don't appreciate it... and besides, alcohol is supposed to taste better the more drunk you are."

When she was nearly finished her drink, the last thing she heard was the sound of the glass shattering on the floor. After that, nothing. Just silent darkness.

***

Atma smiled at the druid wistfully. "So, you're the one."

The ambient sounds of the sailors drinking and gambling threatened to drown out her soft voice if Rune had not learned how to concentrate on one sound like he would on one opponent. Propping up his arm against the bar and leaning in, he smiled back. "I am. So...you know why I'm here then?"

The woman in purple silk nodded, looking rather miffed. "I know. Apparently Warriv knows Elzix too."

The druid nodded, smiling at the waitress' dressed in a bellydancer's costume as she passed by. "So what's the problem then?

She narrowed her eyes, drumming her gold ring adorned fingers on the wooden bar. "Elzix and I have come to an understanding over the years. He sends travelers to me for drink and entertainment and I send them to him for a soft bed. Never have I been asked to do such a deed to make my patrons in OBVIOUS need of a bed."

Rune nodded, "You really have that much of a problem with it?"

Atma's thin lips pursed together tightly. "I don't have a problem with it, but my girls do." She glanced over at a nearby table where one of her girls' seated herself in the lap of a customer to allow the drunk to press his face into her cleavage for a small price.

He glanced at the spectacle before returning to the owner. "... Exactly HOW can they have a problem with it?"

"They're quite taken with paladins, you know," she explained, shaking her head. "If they find Erix drunk, they'd fight over who gets to take him. And on top of that, my other customers would feel ignored. That's not good for business."

Rune shook his head. "Obviously you aren't well informed. That WAS my original idea... but I have something better in mind—" He suddenly stopped. Something was strange. He felt a pair of eyes on him and seeming to dig into his back. He turned his head to find the female assassin he had seen in the marketsquare' sitting in the corner, her eyes shooting daggers at him.

He returned the icy gaze. "Assassins," he muttered, tempted to walk up to her and spit in her face. Instead, he turned back to Atma to fill her in.

***

The female assassin quietly watched, trying to read what the druid was saying to the bar owner by the movement of his lips. "Dammit," she thought. "What is he saying to her?" Although she knew that it wasn't like her to be so involved in other people's business, her woman's intuition was telling her that this person wasn't really a stranger. "I think I might know this guy...." she lifted her ale to her mouth again, taking a deep gulp. "But I've never seen him before.... so why do I get that feeling then?"

"YOU!"

In the door, a male paladin stood proudly and unarmed, pointing angrily at the druid as though he wished his hand could become a sword and slay the warrior. Beside the man stood another paladin, Fara, the great blacksmith of Lut Gholein. "Paladins.." the assassin thought darkly, tempted to walk up to them and spit in their faces. The male paladin's face looked so familiar to her though. She was more tempted to walk up to him and ask if she knew him from somewhere. "I know him... I'm sure of it..."

The druid stood up straight and grimaced. "What is it now?"

The assassin watched as the male paladin walked up to the druid and punched him right in the jaw. That hit made the orange-haired man stagger back weakly with a glare. "I should kill you for what you did to Nevia."

The paladin's words immediately hit the assassin. "Nevia...??" she thought excitedly. "Oh right! He's Erix. So THAT explains it. Hmm....and that druid must be Rune... He looks exactly how she described him. The orange-hair was a dead giveaway."

Atma quickly ran to the other side of the bar, standing between the two men. She instantly turned on Rune, her hands on her hips and her lips pursed tightly like she was preparing herself to spit poison in his eyes. "You! Young man, I want you to leave. There'll be no fighting in MY bar."

Rune stared blankly. "What?"

"You heard me. LEAVE."

Even the assassin was puzzled as she watched the druid leave. He looked confused as well. That confusion suddenly turned into a broad smile as he nodded and left obediently.

I don't get it, the assassin thought. Erix started the fight, not Rune. Why is HE being asked to leave?

***

Rune hurriedly ran through Lut Gholein towards the inn. "Elzix!" he yelled as soon as he spotted the innkeeper. Elzix was doing the same thing he had been doing since Rune first talked to him. He was standing nervously in front of the inn, rubbing his hands together with a fearful look set on his thinning face. "Well?"

Elzix nodded, "Yes, once Nevia drank the sleeping root mixture, I carried her to the closet, just like you instructed me to."

Rune nodded, "Excellent. So, everything's alright then?"

He hesitated, "Erix stopped by a few minutes ago with Fara. He questioned me on that woman's whereabouts and also the broken glass on the floor."

The druid's face blanched. "And what did you say?????"

"I told him that she ordered some wine but felt lightheaded' from it so she went to talk to Lysander for a potion to cure it."

The druid breathed a sigh of relief. The last thing he wanted was Erix being the one to ruin his plans. "Atma has agreed to slipping in both of the ingredients," he paused to admire his hard work. "This is all too perfect. Well done, Elzix. I have to make a few finishing touches though."

The innkeeper nodded as Rune left without another word. He quickly returned to business, trying to attract the people on the streets, mostly travelers, to stay in his lodgings. He approached a young and agile looking assassin. "Miss, how about staying the night at my inn? It can get awfully cold out here in the desert.

The assassin looked up at the double building and glanced in the direction the druid had gone. "Yes, I think I'll stay for the night."