As she drew closer to them, she heard the strangely familiar laughter of a woman. It was a jubilant noise, like the sound one would make if the didn't have a care in the world, or if they were very drunk. Sorenna hurried down the stairs and a smile beamed across her face before she could catch herself and control it.
"Vilulae Runeglow! Vil, what are you doing here?!" The beautiful wood-elf was perched contently upon the knee of the barbarian Kudamil, giggling uncontrollably as she was trying to concentrate on the fight while being tickled by the warrior.
Upon hearing her name, those glorious locks of ash blonde flipped and hazeline eyes took in the sight of the half-elf.
"Sorenna Songstorm, (hiccup) I knew you were in town! I saw that naive little sapling of a boyfriend of yours buying (hiccup) flowers earlier. What are you doing here?"
"Trying to find something to compose, by Bristlebane, Vil, you're drunker than a grieving goblin..." Sorenna shook her head and walked over to her table, offering a smile to Kudamil and the elf as she took a seat. She tried to conceal the blush that rose to her cheeks at the mention of Fenrik buying flowers.
"I came here to watch Sark test his backstab. Kuda came because I hid his undergarments (hiccup) and threatened not to tell where it was if he didn't keep me company." She entwined her arms around the barbarian's neck and leaned up, giving him a slow deep kiss and causing Sorenna to look away.
The bard stared out into the arena, they were now on the ground floor and she didn't have to look down at the pit anymore. The rogue she'd seen earlier was indeed Sarkin, and he was getting too good to keep up with anymore. He was agile, nimble and ruthless, even more so since she'd seen him last.
"He cut his hair again." Was all she could come up with to say.
"Yes, yes I know. (hiccup) I really wish he wouldn't, he looks so cute with it long..." The half elf couldn't help but be amused with her friend's slurring speech but she bit her bottom lip to hide it, instead leaning over and taking in a soft tone so as not to be overheard.
"Vil....listen, I don't know if you knew, but you Kuda and Sarkin aren't the only strangers here....on one of the upper levels...th-there's a couple drow, a male and a female in black robes...and....one of them...you know.....the lizard- men...from Kunark...." The drunken wood elf's eyes went wide at the mention of it but she wasn't as startled as Sorenna figured she'd be. Rather, she looked more confused, and her voice faltered a bit.
"An ISKAR?! Are you serious?! There's one here in Tanembir?! How?!"
"Vilulae, hush. They didn't even notice I was watching. Let's keep it that way, huh? I don't want any trouble..." The bard had clamped her hand over the druid's mouth to muffle her voice.
"Oh....hold on a minute....you said there were Tier D'al too? Ah, that's right (hic) they're here for the Tri-Caster match tomorrow night. They signed up with a shaman,....but Tunare's grace, I never thought it'd be an Iskar....judges wont look too highly upon that I suppose." She lifted her stein of Fire Ale and took another sip.
"The Tri-Caster Match? But I thought that was postponed until the ferries from Odus arrive?" Sorenna pulled out her quill and ink from her pockets and set her parchment upon her lap as she began to compose a Battle Hymn about Sarkin. She could not deny that the Half-elf rogue was quite an inspiring figure, darting and sneaking about, nearly untouchable. Rent was rent and she wasn't picky about the topic, thankfully, neither were Thomar or his customers.
"No, no! (hic) They arrived earlier tonight already. They had a high-elf wizard evacuate them over here so they wouldn't delay the competition. Cost them a fortune I bet (hic).....they went through the High Comet guild. Don't know who they used though...probably one of their newbies.... Menroc's out on a quest leave, hunting down Glass Spiders in Velketor's Labyrinth with his sister and a few guild mates. He said somethin' about trying to get his hands on some of their crystalline silks to make himself a new robe..."
"Nitani went with him? Figures.....guess it's just you and me then, huh Vil? All our childhood friends out on adventures...I think they planned to leave us behind, always making trouble and getting in their way I suppose."
"Well (hic) don't you remember when we were younger? Always (hic) sneaking into crushbone, letting them run back to the Kelethin guards with a trail of orcs right behind them?" Kudamil couldn't help but smirk, for he was always the one chasing after the orcs, trying to kill them before the guards could.
"Yes, we were all so young... You were still on your beginner's spells, I had just picked up my first drum...Menroc couldn't cast a single spell without fizzling it, and Nitani wasn't even able to enchant the village idiot!" Though the memories caused her to laugh, they also gave her another topic to scribble down on her parchment. She'd found two months rent in the now completed Battle Hymn and the recollection of her childhood.
She turned then and watched as the Clerics entered the Arena and began resurrecting the fallen fighters, and Sarkin, clutching his trophy, jogged up to them.
He started retelling his point of view on the battle, but Sorenna wasn't paying attention. Instead, her awareness was focused upon the Tier D'al and the Iskar Shaman, who slipped behind a secret door behind the arena.