Chapter Two

Several days later, Nathyrra had escaped the cart and found another village. Once again, Nackor's location was unknown to the locals. He cannot hide forever. If I have to search the entire Underdark, I am going to find him, Nathyrra thought as she strode towards the inn.

This tavern was far more rowdy and noisier than the last one. Nathyrra slowly made her way through the large crowd towards the bar.

The bartender looked at her. "What can I get ya?"

"A room for tonight." She replied.

The duerger looked at her in surprise. Nathyrra barely restrained herself from rolling her eyes. Is it truly so difficult to believe that I am a woman?

The bartender handed her a set of keys. Nathyrra took the keys and gave the dwarf several coins. The drow began to maneuver her way through the crowd. One of the patrons saw her do this and reached out towards her butt.

Quick as a flash, Nathyrra broke his wrist and pressed a dagger to his throat. "Touch me again, little man, and you'll be buried with your genitals in your throat. For this transgression," she brought up her knee and slammed it between his legs. The duerger howled in pain and staggered away. Nathyrra smirked and continued towards her room.

XXXXX

An hour later, Nathyrra sat in front of her privy mirror. She ran a brush through her hair. It had been necessary to disguise herself when she left the ruins of her house so she had no choice but to cut her hair. She had also cut it because Seelamin had once told her that one of his tribe's customs was to cut your hair as a sign of grief. Even after his death, Nathyrra had promised to honor his customs.

She ran a finger over the lobe and ridge of her left ear. She had added six piercings to her original single piercing. Earrings for Seelamin, Vasenna, her first kill,Zarra, Akordia, Xune,and the rest of her sisters. She would add another one for when she killed Nackor.

Nathyrra sighed and put down the brush. I must rest if I am to succeed tomorrow. She began to pull back the covers. Nathyrra frowned as she did so. Though they only had two occasions to make love, Nathyrra sincerely missed the presence of a sleeping barbarian next to her. Tears threatened to fall but Nathyrra pushed them back. I must be strong. Seelamin would not wish for me to become weak and teary because of his death. I will get vengeance. That will be far more satisfying than shedding tears.

XXXXX

Nathyrra woke to the sound of nearly silent footsteps. Nathyrra quietly reached out with her magic and saw that it was a red sister. Surprisingly, the assassin didn't seem to have any intentions of murdering her. Instead, the sister was creeping towards the desk, a scroll clutched in her hand.

Silently, Nathyrra reached for her dagger. When she retrieved it, she shouted a hold spell. The assassin let out a yelp of surprise as she became frozen from the neck down.

Nathyrra put on a grim smile and stood up. "Another red sister. What a surprise."

"I have not come to harm you." The red sister said calmly.

Nathyrra raised an eyebrow in skepticism and looked the sister over. "Aren't you a bit short to be an assassin?"

The assassin's face darkened and she glared at Nathyrra. "I have come with a message from the Valsheress."

"Oh?"

"She wishes to meet you in person. You may be a better alley than enemy, we believe."

"Really? What's the incentive?"

"The valsheress is a powerful alley, Kant'tar."

"I seem to be doing fine on my own."

"She knows the location of Nackor Blackhammer."

Nathyrra's eyes widened. The assassin smiled, knowing that she had struck home.

"Very well." Nathyrra stated. "Tell your mistress that I will come."

"It's in three days, two hours past midnight." The assassin looked down at herself. "Could you let me go?"

"What's the magic word?" Nathyrra asked, grinning infuriatingly.

"Please." The red sister said from behind clenched teeth.

Nathyrra smiled. She removed the spell. Instead of allowing the sister to walk away, Nathyrra used her magic to push the assassin out of the room. "Goodbye, Runt!" Nathyrra called out as the assassin fell down the stairs. She shut the door and walked back towards her bed.