To quote the wonderfully eloquent MagixPawn: "Hi, there. I rob from the rich and give to the poor and my name is Robin Hood. Er. Vistra."
*laughs* Geez, it does really look like I'm ripping off of good ol' Robin Hood, doesn't it. Well, it was definitely not supposed to be that way. When I first started writing this fic, it was supposed to strictly be about the whole 'hunt nobles' business. But Vistra suddenly knocked me out of the chair and took over. Not only does she want to piss the nobles off, she wants to help others who are also in unfortunate positions. *grumbles* damn imperialistic characters.
Why did Vistra change her name?
*sigh* So I assume everyone understands that Lauryn is indeed Vistra? Well, anyhow, she changed her name because it was a good way for her to get a …sorta new start on life.
Why did Axe warn Vistra about Danel? Will Vistra end up with Danel? That Danel is a tricky lil bastard, isn't he?
Axe doesn't want Vistra to start something with Danel that she may regret later. (you know, the whole ruin the friendship we have if we become intimate idea). Axe wants Vistra to be careful, that's all. She could accept the warning for what it is, or toss it out the window. Will Vistra end up with Danel? Well, that has not been decided yet. So I don't know the answer to that one yet. And yes. *laughs* Danel is a tricky lil bastard.
You named the horse Bile? Yuck.
Hahaha. Yes, I did know what Bile was when I decided to grant Vistra's horse with that name. I was in a weird mood. And besides. Peachblossom was already taken.
Is Vistra/Lauryn not really a redhead?
This question, folks, will be answered with this chapter.
How does everyone recognize Nobles' Bane?
Because of the costume (black with colored sashes), and just because of what they're doing. They've been doing it for a couple years now, and there aren't any other vigilante groups to confuse them with. Nobles' Bane is the only reasonable answer.
Does Nobles' Bane steal their money, keep some for themselves, and then give the rest away?
Well, that would be incorrect. It is not Nobles' Bane who is so generous, merely Vistra. Vistra is the one who gives away her money, Vistra is the one donates to the poor (that's why Axe and Danel are always trying to give her the biggest share of the profits they gain. They know that she doesn't get to keep a quarter of her share anyway). Axe comes along on her Nobles' Banes escapades because he doesn't want her off by herself, they've been friends for several years and are too close for Axe to just willingly let her wander off and get herself killed. Vistra has known Danel for a shorter time than she knew Axe. Danel comes along on the experience because he enjoys the adventure. He enjoys the traveling, the stealing from the rich (and he does have a grudge against them, they all do), he enjoys shocking people, killing the nobles and their soldiers. For Danel, being part of Nobles' Bane is part of a great adventure that also helps him repay a past grudge. Axe has a bit more serious outlook on the situation, but he also doesn't like the unjust way the rich treat the poor.
And when you said Vistra was named her name for a reason, did you mean that if we looked at it long enough or studied it a bit, we'd figure something out?
Heh… well…yes. Yes, I guess that was what I meant. Hmm…
Does Vistra have wild magic?
Nope. Just an interesting bond with an even more interesting horse.
Is Bile an ancestor of Peachblossom or Cloud?
That is a possibility. *nods*
Author's Note: Damn, there were a lot of questions. Hopefully, you aren't already bored by the time you're reading this. For the next chapter, I've once again changed POV's. But this time, the narrator will be reappearing. Most definitely. Unlike the old woman and Aarc, this narrator has a part to play later. Hmm…skimming over the chapter that I have here for you, I realize that all the characters mentioned/taking part in this chapter will be appearing later. For sure. So take note of them and don't forget them. *in scary voice* They will be back…
6. The Street Prostitute
Nobles' Bane: Chapter 4
Nathan
"I'll meet you back at the inn for a drink in a little bit," Nathan said.
Kenric nodded. "All right. See you there." He turned and left, leaving Nathan to his quiet musings.
It was going to be Clarine's birthday in less than a week. And he still didn't have a gift for her yet.
Of course, she had told him that a gift wasn't necessary. She had said that she was content with his love.
But he wanted her to have more than that. Clarine was not a lady of high stature, sure, but he wanted her to feel like one. Even though by marrying him, he knew that she lost even more of her stature, for he was not of noble birth.
"How much for this?" He raised the locket he held in his palm as he glanced at the vendor questioningly.
"Four gold pieces," the vendor answered steadily.
Which was more than Nathan had brought with him. Nathan slowly, unwillingly, put the locket back down in its place.
"Perhaps you'd like to look at the things over here," the vendor said, pointing him over to the other side of the cart.
Nathan spared the things there a glance. Silly trinkets that would not last longer than a day twinkled mockingly in the sun's gaze.
"Each item over here is two silver pieces," the vendor informed him.
When in truth they were hardly worth more than a few copper pieces each. The vendor was a patronizing jerk.
Nathan tossed the vendor a cold stare before turning away. For a moment, he wished he was a wealthy lord. For then he could easily buy all the items on that vender's cart with a simple snap of his fingers and wipe that annoying smirk off the seller's face.
Arrogant toad.
Nathan started to pause, glancing over several other carts, when an unsettling feeling settled over his gut. He ran a tense hand through his black hair.
Someone was watching him.
Nathan turned his head, pretending to wipe sweat from his forehead as he ran his eyes over Corus' marketplace in a quick perusal.
He saw children squabbling over a toy, running underfoot and causing mischief. He saw tired menservants carrying their ladies' purchases. He saw young servant or slave girls, buying their lords' next week supply of food. He saw a little slave boy hiding behind a fountain, staring at the other boys enviously.
But he saw nothing out of the ordinary.
It annoyed him, how he spotted nothing. Because he knew someone was out there watching him. Following him.
Nathan started walking again, carefully keeping his steps casual and light. He walked until he was out of the busy marketplace, until he was out amongst a more quieter side of the city. He saw a darkened alleyway and nonchalantly headed towards it.
The person who was following him would follow him into the alleyway, and Nathan was more than ready to face the bastard, whoever he was.
But once Nathan arrived within the alleyway, he stopped.
For his stalker was already there, waiting for him.
And because of that, because the stalker had known exactly where to hide and wait for him to arrive, Nathan knew who his stalker was, even though they were hidden in shadow.
"You've gotten better," he said quietly.
The laughter that came from the shadows was light, relaxed. "I would hope so. It's been four years, after all," she said, stepping into the light.
A tattered and smudged dress hung loosely from her shoulders, but tightly around her mid-section. Her cheeks were pale with powder, her lips bright with red rouge. Her skirt rode high, revealing slender, stocking covered legs.
She was dressed in a prostitute's costume, he realized. But he knew that, hidden somewhere on that disgusting costume, there were at least two knives she could wield with astonishing skill.
After all, he had taught her how to use them.
"Your hair's red," he finally said. He wondered how she had changed it. "But you make a prettier blonde."
He saw her jaw clench; he had annoyed her.
Good.
"What are you doing here in Corus, Vistra?"
But she ignored his question. "So, Nathan, you've finally gotten around to marrying your noble-born lady. Why the wait?"
He winced when she said the word 'noble', for she said it in a way similar to the one people would use when saying 'goat's piss.'
"We decided to wait until I had established my business as a horse breeder--" he paused when he saw her flinch at his words.
But then the flinch was gone, smoothed over by her usual cold scorn. "Oh? She wasn't willing to marry a poor bastard until he got wealthy first?" She shrugged. "Sounds like a selfish little bi--"
"She's not selfish," Nathan interrupted.
She raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Struck a personal chord, have I?"
He glared at her. "What do you want, Vistra? Why have you come to Corus? Shouldn't you be off in the country side, robbing lords' of their money, servants, and slaves?"
Vistra shrugged. "We don't always stick to the country side."
"Leave here. Why you are even here, no sensible man could think of a possibly good reason. This is the damn capital, Vistra. You see that castle over there? That's where you will be sent once they find you and your little vigilante group--"
"Look! It wasn't even my idea--"
"Can you be any more foolish? Of all cities to visit--"
"Why should you even care?" she threw back. "You left us, remember? You left us for your little noble born--"
He grabbed her by the shoulders and started to shake her, which he knew immediately was a mistake.
She promptly kneed him in the groin and nimbly maneuvered him onto the floor with a kick to the back of his knee. He felt the cold metal of a knife pressing into his neck.
"You wouldn't," he said after a moment, gasping for breath.
"Well, Axe may be a bit upset with me, but Danel wouldn't really care, seeing as how he doesn't even know you," she said contemplatively. "And me? I wouldn't mind cutting you out of my life. Just as you've cut us out of yours."
It took him a moment to absorb her words. "You're still bitter about that, aren't you, Vistra? You're bitter that I left with Clarine, that I didn't return your lo--"
Vistra jerked his head back by the hair, efficiently cutting off his last word.
"Shut. Up." she said, each word its own dagger.
He sighed inwardly. "I'm sorry."
She didn't reply.
"I'm sorry," he said again. "I didn't mean to say it--"
"But you did say it," she said roughly. "You did say it."
He closed his eyes, wondering if she would kill him. Four years ago, she wouldn't have. She wouldn't have laid a hand on him. And he likewise. For he had cared for her, even though it was not in the way she had wanted. But four years was a long time. And people could change.
Did change.
After all, hadn't she put together her group, Nobles' Bane, after she had left? Didn't she lurk the country side, setting innocents free from the jails, rescuing them from their whippings? Her vigilante group was famous, easily known throughout the whole of Tortall. She had never done anything so bold during her time with him. Sure, she had been a thief and an occasional murderer, but never more.
"What happened to you?" she had asked him after he had explained that he no longer wanted to be a thief. "Why don't you still hate nobles as much as I do?"
"I still do. But I want to become more respectable now."
"You lie. You cannot hate nobles while at the same time, love that…that…"
"What happened to you, Vistra?" he suddenly found himself asking. "Why are you so changed?"
She was silent for so long that he began to think that he had only voiced that question in his own mind.
"I haven't changed. But now, instead of just petty thievery against those I hate, I'm doing something bigger. Better. And it is worth every moment of anxiety, every risk I take."
"You're a bitter, bitter person, Vistra."
She suddenly laughed, and it was reminiscent of their old days together. "I know."
"What's this?"
Nathan glanced up at the entrance of the alleyway, where Kenric stood, a disgusted look on his face.
Of course. Vistra was dressed as a prostitute, sprawled on top of Nathan who lay on the ground.
"Kenric, things aren't what they seem," Nathan said immediately.
Vistra's knife was suddenly gone, replaced by the warmth of her arm. She stared up at Kenric through heavily lidded eyes. "Do you mind? Can't you see that Nathan and I are busy?"
"Kenric, don't believe a word of her lies. Vistra, get off of me."
"But Nathan," Vistra pouted. "You've already paid for the hour. Don't you want me anymore?" she asked as she leaned away from him.
"Vistra!"
Vistra just laughed and stepped away. She flicked a lock of red hair out of her gray eyes and turned to Kenric. "Why, hello, young lord," she said with a dazzling smile.
But Kenric was not to be distracted.
"What were you doing on top of Nathan?" he demanded.
Vistra quirked an eyebrow. "I'm afraid it's just one of those things that are not so easily explained. But I can show you if you want…"
Kenric held up a hand. "No closer. Come no closer."
She ignored him and continued forward.
Nathan saw the distinct look in Vistra's eyes. He saw the distinct lilt in her step, the carefully paced treads of a predator stalking its prey. She had recognized Kenric as a lord. Considering how much she hated noble born, whatever she had in mind for Kenric, it couldn't be good.
"Stop, Vistra."
But she didn't stop. Kenric sent Nathan a hesitant, puzzled glance.
"Vistra, leave the minor lord alone," Nathan said. "He does not have much money on him. He can't afford you."
Vistra tossed Nathan a glance over her shoulder. "Lucky for him, I'm willing to lower my price," she said as she started forward again.
He started to protest again, but, to his amazement, Vistra suddenly stopped. She cocked her head a bit to the right, as if listening to something. He saw the slightest of frowns cross her face before it disappeared.
Then she straightened. "Sorry, Nathan." She turned to give Kenric a glance. "Kenric. But I've got to go." She settled her dress more fittingly about her shoulders and then lightly jogged away.
"Who was that, Nathan?" Kenric asked with a frown, his black eyes looking out him questioningly. "I wasn't aware that you were familiar with any street prostitutes."
Nathan just shook his head. "I'm not. She isn't a street prostitute, only disguised as one."
Kenric raised a black brow. "She's also a good actor, apparently."
Nathan just shook his head. "Forget about her. She'll only bring you grief."
"You know that from personal experience?" Kenric said sharply.
I haven't changed. But now, instead of just petty thievery against those I hate, I'm doing something bigger. Better. And it is worth every moment of anxiety, every risk I take.
"Unfortunately, yes, Kenric. I do know that from personal experience." Nathan sighed. By one chance encounter, his day was ruined.
And he still didn't have a birthday gift for Clarine.