I'd grown up being told I was to lead our people once I was ready. That they would look to me for guidance, and I was to have all the answers. Yet that would mean I was never to have questions myself, and that just simply wasn't true. I was curious when I was told to focus. I was restless when I was told to listen and wait. Things would be taken care of by my guards, and yet corruption could still be seen twisting our streets from my very bedroom window. Such things my aunt seemed to be unaware of in her watchful gaze, in which seemed to concentrate more on trying to get me to follow her.
However, there was also the teachings of my mentor to help shape the sort of person I would become, let alone what kind of princess. Madame Lucille was still strict in her lessons, but in ways that tested what I knew, and taught me to consider all sorts of solutions. She was also more interested in finding ways to draw my attention rather than force it. From fairy tales and songs as a small child, to legends and stories of adventurers as I grew older. I was always seeking magic to learn, even if I didn't have any of my own. Dragons, which made my aunt shriek at the very thought of them, were a particular favorite subject of mine. Though I could never explain as to why; other than Madame Lucille telling me stories about them from time to time.
As I grew older, I began looking into legends and myths on my own, searching the library for anything I could get my hands on. That's when I discovered a sliding wall to tuck myself away in and read to my heart's content. I thought no one knew about it, until Madame Lucille came in one day. Her jaw dropped as I froze, before she couldn't help laugh it seemed, proclaiming, "You are your father's daughter!"
When I gave a puzzled look, she would explain that this was his hiding spot when he needed to figure out a problem, or find his mind again. Sometimes he also hid gifts for my mother in the drawers of the hidden desk, knowing she wouldn't find them there...Even though she apparently knew of the spot as well. Nothing went unnoticed by the queen when it came to her man of course, as Madame Lucille put it.
So it made sense that I should have this space for myself now. Even more so, that I would find a record of city legends to read, written by my own father. My favorite was that of the Black Viper, the story of a noble woman that slipped through the city in disguise to right the wrongs she saw. Fighting corruption, and providing her people the needs they begged for from supposed nobility. She would steal from her fellow lords and ladies what she felt they could go without.
This planted a seed in my curious mind, as I thought of the very things my Aunt Victoria would overlook; struggling mothers, families starving while those supposedly above them had food for months ahead tucked away, children too ill to grow because their families lack the medicine they can't pay for, etc.
Perhaps I could do something about all of this before I took the throne?
Before long, I'd begun my second life as it were. A rogue in the night, masking my face and name to do what I could. The Black Viper had returned from the ashes, reborn from legend to continue her work.
However, this was what lead me to uncovering corruption far deeper and hidden than I'd known of in our city. The rattlings of a guild, one tucked away no matter how I scoured the streets for it's nest. The guild of what was called, The Eye; of rogues and assassins. When possible, I intercepted their attacks against my fellow members of nobility, as well as protected my people from them as best as I could. My attempts would lead me to begin investigating further in, ending up in taverns such as the Dragon's Head to find out what I could. Eventually I would learn that their unknown leader was seeking power within the city, and the means to acquire it. Until I at last heard of a stone they were scouring Waterdeep for. Though I wasn't sure what all it could do just yet, something burning in my core pushed me to go and steal it first.
My uncovering the location of such a stone was what lead me to infiltrating the meeting of his outer circle of men. Pity I didn't realize it was a trap. For I certainly learned the location needed, but it nearly cost me my life. He had his assassin ready, who didn't count on me already being prepared to run after going into such a tucked away place alone.
Running out into that clearing night, I hadn't counted on them catching up with me. However, I also hadn't expected what else happened that late evening, or rather...who I met that night.
A fellow rogue, nobility only in name as he put it...and yet, I'd have guessed he may have been much more. For he expressed far better manners and grace than most princes and kings I'd met. Duke L'Orange, a thief who stepped in to help me when he certainly didn't have to. If anyone had seen him with me, and recognized us...there wouldn't have been much that I could even do to spare him a trip to the gallows, and yet...he fended them off, and offered to escort me to a home I didn't want anyone to see me go to. I stuck to that choice, but was impressed nonetheless.
We would meet a handful of times during similar circumstances, briefly becoming partners in a way. At least long enough to help the other out of a tight spot.
When I managed to locate the stone mentioned previously, fate would have cross paths again, and I found myself putting my trust in him to hide such an important item. I couldn't even turn to Madame Lucille or Aunt Victoria with this, for then they would possibly learn a secret I couldn't afford them to.
To think he stayed where I looked at every day, and never knew it. The clock-tower, seen from my bedchamber window. The eye of the clock watched over the city every day, and I would watch it without a thought from time to time. Still I couldn't trust him with my name,...not because of anything he did to make me hold back...but instead due to the danger he would be in for being caught with a seemingly missing princess.
Until I saw him that night in my own home for the first time. His friendly smile greeting me when I thought I was hidden away from the crowd. I knew it was him when I saw him dancing with others, but wanted him to enjoy his night. I told myself I'd have been content just seeing him, and that it was better for him not to know it was me there. Of course, him spotting me and asking me to dance threw that all out the window.
Unless my crown was attached, no one had ever asked if I wanted to share a dance with them. Yet he'd asked before even knowing my name or title. I hadn't even been wearing my crown that moment, having left it in my room with other things in my head instead of on it. From there, some of my reservations began to go away, even if for a short while. I found myself wanting to simply spend time with him, and leading him to that tucked away space only a few souls knew of.
"Why trust me with this?" he asked.
"I'm not exactly sure," I admitted as I watched him look around the hidden study with growing curiosity in both of us.
"I'm honored nonetheless," he said as he ran a hand along the leather spines of the books upon the back shelf, his gloves brushing the dust off of them.
I watched as he paused at one in particular, raising a brow when he did, "To Desire Dragons?"
"Oh...," I attempted a bit sheepishly, "They're sort of a fascination of mine...Madame Lucille's told me stories about them since I was very small, and I've always been fond of them."
"They don't frighten you?" he asked.
"It's not that they don't, but I'm just as intrigued by them. I know there are different sorts of dragons from what records have been gathered. Just like with people, they can be evil, neutral, or even good. At least that's how I've come to look at it?" I tried to explain.
"The other lords and ladies don't understand it either," I then sighed with a bit of a shrug, "Even my own aunt can't fathom why I try and study them so much, saying they could flatten our very home with their strength and breath...but people are just as destructive and conniving. Yet we deal with each other every day in spite of that, trying to hope who we're connecting to are of the benevolent sort?"
I looked to him as his remaining eye widened to hear this. I was beginning to wonder if it were a mistake telling him this. Trusted acquaintance or not, I'd come to know that this was a strange thing to confess to others. Given their reactions anyway.
To my delighted surprise, a smile curved his scarred lip as he said, "Ya know, this actually explains quite a bit."
"It's not unsettling to you?"
"Why would it be? You have compassion to see good in others that most turn away from, what's unsettlin' about that? Considerin' I'm allowed to even be in here, it says a lot about the sort of ruler you'll be," he said, striking me nearly speechless.
Finally I found my voice enough to say, "Th-Thank you. Though there are plenty of others that would disagree with your words. They would likely consider me too naive and trusting."
"Heart, there are nobles out there that have much worse goin' on than havin' one thief as a trusted ally. If anythin' it shows you're clever in your own right to have such a connection to rely on if needed."
When he said this, I finally remembered why I originally had asked him to come here with me.
"Now that you mention that actually," I ventured, drawing his attention back to the desk I stood leaning over, looking up from the map, "There is something I wanted to ask you?"
"What's that?"
"You said you've been to Xanathar's guild before? Would you be willing to tell me where it is?" I didn't bother beating around the bush.
"I've been there, but I can't say I feel too keen on sendin' ya his way," he mentioned, "nor would sendin' guards be of much use."
"Is he that dangerous when he sends his men to do his work?"
"He might be paranoid, but you wouldn't think he needs to be if ya saw him...at least what I saw him to be. I'm still not sure I believe it," Duke replied.
"I've heard rumors here and there of him being some strange being, even from his own men. Do they hold true?" I inquired.
Duke gave a nod, "Which is why I don't want to tell ya where he is...I don't want ya tryin' to go in there alone."
"I have to try and stop him," I insisted, "Duke, I need to know."
"Heart, this is not somethin' you can do on your own. That's not to say ya aren't strong, or brave; but neither will matter if he gets a hold of ya," he pushed back.
"What am I supposed to do? His influence spreads through the city no matter my attempts to stop him!" I said.
"You're askin' me to send ya to your death, an' I won't! If he doesn't kill ya on the spot, he'll torture ya first! He's paranoid, but he's also thorough in takin' care of a threat! He already wants ya gone!" he stood his ground.
"So I just sit back and let him take over?" I asked.
"Of course not," he said, his voice a tad strained from concern now.
A sigh escaped through his teeth as he stepped over to me. My mind was racing with ideas when he looked over the map with me.
"Heart, I do admire what you're tryin' to do...but he's far too dangerous as ya stand now. Even if I went with ya, we wouldn't be enough. What he is, it's not somethin' to charge in, or even sneak in. There's a careful difference between a needed risk, an' bein' reckless."
"I understand that..." I sighed myself, "but I don't know what else to do right now..."
"Why haven't ya gone to your aunt with any of this?"
"I tried to talk to her at first, but she doesn't see what we do. Madame Lucille says the same things you do...or that this is a job for guards for now...but they can't seem to do anything about this. Either they disappear, remain unaware, or have even joined him. If they found out who I was and the latter happened..."
"I'm sorry..." I then said, feeling rather defeated at the moment.
"There's nothin' to be sorry for. You're tryin' to stop someone that really should be, but you're reachin' beyond your means..." he offered gently.
"What exactly is he?" I finally asked.
"All I know is when I snuck in, I didn't think I'd see what I did. Xanathar's a monster, but I couldn't tell ya what sort...an' I've heard rumors that I thought were just that, somethin' about a beholder?"
"A what?" I questioned.
"I don't know a lot about it...but Heart, I'm tellin' ya, this isn't someone to confront alone, or even jus' the two of us," he insisted.
"Just please tell me what you saw then," I requested.
With another sigh slipping from his throat, Duke finally replied, "I saw him turn one of his own men to stone with a spell from one of his eyes. I think each eye has a different power to it, but I don't know what they are. Luckily, he didn't find me, an' I got out."
"Why were you in there in the first place?"
"At the time I was a leader of my own gang, an' wanted to scope out the competition. Skilled or not, it wasn't a wise decision," he admitted.
With a bit of a frustrated sigh of my own emerging, I glanced over the map. Shaking my head, I said, "I guess as long as he doesn't have that stone, then there isn't much he can do. If it's the cache of dragons he's seeking first, he won't find it."
"The treasure of Waterdeep, ya think he's tryin' to find it to buy power?"
"Something like that," I replied.
"Are you lookin' for it in his stead?"
"If this keeps up, I might have to. Even if it's to keep it out of his grasp?" I tried to figure out how to word that last part.
"Do ya think of this stuff all the time?" he then asked me while folding his arms over his chest.
"What do you mean by that?" I raised a brow at this remark.
"I understand this is important, but night's like this don't come around often. Why not enjoy it? Ya just said Xanathar can't do anythin' without that stone, an' it's tucked away. Relax a bit, share a dance, or at least smile?" he told me.
I gave a bit of a shrug at this, as I looked back over the bookshelves lining the walls. Shaking my head, I then mentioned, "I guess I've grown used to this. I'm told to look out for my people, and I want to do that."
"Ya also can't forget to look out for yourself a little. To know when ya need a break, before you do?" he pushed carefully.
Looking around the room at the different compartments I knew each shelf and drawer to have, I said, "That's what this space used to be for...but my tasks have crept into here as time goes on."
"Then let's go somewhere else?" he suggested.
"You mean, back to the party? I don't want to risk you being caught with me if someone recognizes you," I said in protest.
"No one's caught me yet, Heart," he teased with a confident smirk upon his face.
"I don't want to chance it," I pushed back.
He pondered this for a moment or so, with a hand to his chin. Then he looked to me and as he took a shot and asked, "You're avoidin' the party, aren't ya?"
I froze a little, gripping the edge of the desk I was leaning back against.
"Suitors?" he ventured as I slowly nodded.
"While it's not written in stone that I must marry, or that it must be of a certain bloodline or even royalty...it doesn't stop them from coming," I sighed, "And so far none of them strike me as anyone who would understand any of this."
"Yet ya trust me with it?"
I wasn't sure what to say to that. While it was true, I couldn't explain it either. I knew exactly what his career was, and I could see how proud he was of the skills that had gotten him there that night.
"Heart, come on. They haven't recognized me yet, an' I doubt they will. No one's caught me so far?" he pushed, "Jus' one more dance?"
I couldn't help but feel some unease as I asked, "Why?"
"It would be fun, an' then I'll leave if ya like. Let me take this one risk to try an' make ya smile?" he insisted with an offered hand to me, "It would be my finest stolen treasure yet!"
Against my better judgment, I found myself placing my hand in his. Then we slipped out of the chamber, and back to the ballroom. Upon seeing me, princes and other guests flocked over to greet me. Yet I politely excused myself so Duke could lead me to the dance floor, and gave a respectful bow to invite me into a waltz. Briefly, I would take note of Aunt Victoria and Madame Lucille looking over at the two of us. Both raised a brow, the former in disinterest, and the latter in curiosity. However, I paid little attention to either for the moment as Duke swiftly rested a hand against my side, and began to move in step with me to the music. I found myself quickly putting my own hand upon his shoulder to steady my own stance before following him.
"Easy there," he chuckled lightly, "I've got ya."
With this Duke carefully spun me away from him with the music, but his grasp on my hand remained firm. Then he would lift my hand with his to twirl me beneath his fingers. The skirt of my gown spun in motion with me, looking like a flower swept up in the air.
"That's it, sweetheart," he remarked as I spun until I faced him again,
Looking up at him, and seeing his charming smile would make my heart skip, as it only had once before...When we met, and he'd first kissed my hand. Such showing of any sort of affection was very new to me, but not unwelcome. Perhaps it was because I'd met him before, and that we'd spent time together, that I found myself to be quite comfortable with him. Thief or not, I knew I could trust him with what I had thus far. Who I was when I wore a mask, and who I was without it.
"Thank you," I would hear myself say as he drew me nearer to him again.
His hand had slipped from my side and to my back, holding me quite secure against his lean frame. As other dancers became a distant blur to my vision, I looked up at this rogue. He, in turn, drew nearer to me, his other hand now caressing my cheek.
"It's quite an honor to see I can make a princess blush like that?" he teased as he leaned his head closer.
The music had come to a pause, but I barely noticed. I'd allowed my eyes to close as I stood on my toes to reach him. Our warm breath mingled in the air between us. I would hear him ask in a whisper, "Perhaps there's somethin' else I could steal while I'm here with ya?"
Yet a tap on my shoulder would cause us both to jump back into the reality around us. Knowing I was beet red, I looked to see Aunt Victoria's scolding glare, "Y-Yes?"
"What do you think you're doing? This not how a queen to be conducts herself when being courted! You disappear for hours with this stranger, and now this?!" She demanded.
I glanced over at Duke quickly, subtly waving my hand to ask him to slip away before she recognized him. He would give a reluctant nod, before doing as I hoped. The rogue was gone before she turned to address him, "Who do you think you are trying to-?!"
"Where did he go?!" she demanded of me, "Who was he?!"
"A nobleman, I didn't catch his name," I said without batting so much as an eyelash, "I guess I got caught up in the moment dancing with him?"
"You're just like you're mother!" she scowled, "You have an image to uphold! It's best you throw away the notions of such romance and focus on what matters!"
I couldn't help but wince from how deep these words hit me. If only she knew how much I did just that. Yet I knew arguing this would do very little. With a shrug, I said, "I understand, Aunt Victoria."
"You're hopeless," she said, shaking her head, "Come sit with us for now. Hopefully no one else saw you acting so foolish!"
All I could do was follow along behind her and take my seat beside Madame Lucille. Leaving the seat between my aunt and myself empty. As I did, I searched in vain to find Duke still among the crowd. Letting out a sigh, I knew this was for the better to keep him from getting caught, but I couldn't help but feel lonely already.
"Lonely?" he asked when I paused in my reading.
"That's what it says," I replied.
"I remember dancin' with her," he said with a soft chuckle emerging from the mists, "What I wouldn't do to get the chance again."
"What happened to her?" I asked.
"There's still much more to tell...if you're still willin'?" he answered.
"Of course, I am," I assured.
"Before I continue with my part...when I saw her next, does her journal mention what else happened that night?" he then tried to recall.
Looking over the pages, I found a part that was quite troubling, and guessed, "Something about an attack?"
"Yes..." he said, his voice almost recoiling from dread.
"Do you want me to read it?"
"If ya would, please?"
Long after the party had ended, and the guests had either left or retired in their rooms for the evening; I found myself in my bedchamber with Madame Lucille. She was helping me to unweave my hair from the braid it had been in.
"There you are, deary," she said while pulling the last ribbon free, the strands of burgundy and ruby pink now cascading down my back and over my shoulder, "I imagine having some freedom feels a bit better?"
"Something like that," I said with a shrug.
"Look, I know Aunt Victoria is hard on you, but she does care. She knows you have a lot going against you when it comes to taking the throne, and doesn't want someone to try and undermine you," she attempted.
"You mean undermine what she's taught me? Someone who might put ideas in my head?" I raised a brow.
"That may be part of it. However, your aunt has never been quick to trust anyone since your parents were taken from us," the elegantly feline mentioned with her voice full of regret, "We still don't know who was behind it. Things like that change a person, and sometimes for the worse to try and do better."
"I guess I understand that...however...she didn't need to worry tonight," I tried to mention carefully.
"Ooh...have you met that dashing lord before?" she then raised a brow.
I wished my warm face wouldn't give me away as I thought of Duke. Quickly I made sure I turned to the window away from her as I said, "I didn't realize how late it was?!"
Was he in the tower now, I couldn't help but wonder?
The generously proportioned cat-folk couldn't help but giggle in response to this, "It seems we're in more trouble than we thought! I've never seen you so flustered!"
I shook my head as I insisted, "I was just caught up in the moment! I have other things to focus on!"
"One does protest a bit too much?" she teased with an elbow nudging my own.
Giving in slightly, I raised a brow while looking over my shoulder. She was doing her best to stifle a laugh, as I tried to release a deep breath to cool my blushing face.
"Now who is this young woman that's replaced my little Heart?" she finally mused while brushing some of the hair out of my face.
"I'm right here, bringing my attention back to what matters," I pushed with a huff of a breath that wasn't fooling her.
"Remember, dearie, your happiness matters quite a bit as well. An unhappy, trapped ruler can make her city feel like the very prison she can't break free from," she warned gently.
When I didn't answer at first, she sighed and caressed my cheek as a loving mother would, "Such a shame she interrupted your first kiss like that? He must have been quite the roguish prince to get that close to you?"
"You could say that," I finally admitted, "I just felt like I could trust him...and got swept up into his smile, I guess I lost track of myself."
"That's not really a bad thing when it comes to a budding romance, despite what your aunt says," she chuckled.
Finally pulling away as we talked, I found myself walking over to the window. Leaning forward against the sill, I looked out over the city, before turning my attention back to the clock-tower Again, I wondered if he were there?
"It doesn't really matter though," I heard myself say with a sigh, "For all I know...we're worlds apart, and it could have been just a fleeting moment for him?"
My heart had begun to ache when I said this, before something else suddenly caught my attention.
For glancing down upon the streets, when a flash of light had drawn my eyes towards it, I would see cloaked figures approaching the castle. The torch bearing one had been hit upside the head by one of his fellows as he put out the flame rather abruptly.
"Is something the matter?" Madame Lucille asked while coming up beside me.
I quickly motioned for her to keep her voice down, but waved her over to the window.
"How did they get passed the gate?" she would then question in a whisper.
Too late, we would notice several more figures in similar garb now running along to the sides of the castle, while some were bold enough to take the front. As they did, I would notice as the lantern lights briefly made the blades in their grasps shine.
"It's an attack!" I exclaimed in a barely managed hushed voice.
Just as I had said this, a grappling hook was shot up into the windowsill, causing us both to jump back in alarm. Before I could try and dislodge it, Lucille pulled me away as another two came crashing in.
"We have to go!" Lucille insisted as we heard them beginning to scale the walls and flood into the halls below.
It wasn't long before screams of dread and shock filled the air as we darted down the hallway. Blades would clash with the bases of metal spears, as well as other blades. Strangled cries of dying soldiers trickled through the paths of our home.
"Find them! The time of Xanathar is now!" one of them ordered to his men as we reached the main chamber, where my aunt slept near.
Upon pushing open the double doors, we would find her bed empty!
"Aunt Victoria?!" I gasped in growing panic.
Before I could try and find her, Madame Lucille would call to me, "Heart, this way! Now! We must hide you for now!"
"I can't just run and hide!" I insisted, "I can help fight!"
She then quickly grabbed hold of my shoulders, "Lady Heart, you must survive to fight back!"
Around us, we could hear the echoing shrieks of panicked guests before they were quickly silenced. Many guards had fallen where their posts had been. However, we did see some turning around and attacking their fellow soldiers, whether possessed or changed on their own accord!
"We know where she is! Follow us!" one of them called out.
"The study! We must hurry!" Lucille gasped and pulled me along quickly.
I had little choice but to follow into a run with my mentor. My head was spinning from horror and panic as the screams continued to echo through the stone walls of the castle. How had they gotten in? Did Xanathar find out who I was? Or was he simply finding another way to seize power without the treasure?
Then... something in my chest began to twist from the shock and confusion. The only one who knew who I really was...the one that had stopped me from finding Xanathar's true location, and we were now being attacked by the crime lord, himself?
I shook my head, "It couldn't have been you...?"
It was difficult to find a clearer answer in the bloodstained chaos that gripped my home, and chased our heels.
"I'm such an idiot!" I about cursed myself.
"Heart, you must keep going! Hide, and I will come to you!" Lucille would then plead to me, "I will hold them off for now!"
"Madame Lucille, no! I need your guidance!" I exclaimed in rising panic, not realizing that my body was starting to heat up...as though a fire had ignited in me.
"You must listen! Go!" Lucille ordered in a deathly serious tone that made me step back.
Taking a breath, she then gave a confident smile, "Don't ya worry, I have more bite in me than you know!"
Before I could protest this any further, I would watch as she drew out a whip, but from where I hadn't seen. She turned to face the oncoming attackers and ordered only for me to hear, "Go!"
This time I didn't argue, I just darted down the hall. I would make it to the library, but not before I would hear the clash of more weapons against hers, as well as others. Adrenaline forced me to go through the door and find the wall I could slip behind. If I could just get to the study, no one would find me there! Then I could uncover some sort of way to fight back!
The wall was sliding open, and I could hear the footsteps and shouting filling the hall I'd just escaped. Quickly, I closed it back behind me, and tucked myself away into the study. The cries of attack and death now erupted through the room behind me, as soldiers fell and others joined Xanathar in an attempt to live. I didn't dare utter a sound, let alone a word. Yet before I could locate anything that might help me, the wall began to slide open behind me, and was swiftly followed by the door. I ducked beside the desk to try and remain unseen.
I barely had time to confirm to myself how they would have possibly known to search for me there. My heart didn't want to believe it, even as the dark sighted eyes of a kenku found me.
"I found her!" he snickered with dripping contempt, "Don't worry, I will make it swift and painless for you, princess!"
My eyes narrowed into a glare as I forced myself to stand, my hand managing to grasp the hilt of the sword resting upon the wall.
"It won't be that easy!" I hissed in a quiet rage.
"Oh, so brave!" the half elf behind him scoffed.
The first few were disarmed thanks to practice, but it sadly didn't take long for them to overwhelm me. When they did, I found myself grabbed by both arms and held in place, kneeling upon the floor. I looked up with contempt of my own burning in my eyes. As I did, a were-rat sauntered over with a twisted blade in his paws, "Sorry, princess; but Xanathar gave strict orders to make sure you no longer stand in his way!"
My eyes went wide now, did he know?! Had he really...? I shook my head, "No...!"
"Between you, and the Black Viper roaming around, he's grown tired of playing from the shadows. He has grand plans for the city, and you aren't a part of it!" he snickered while raising up the wave bladed long sword above my neck.
Still I kicked, pulled, and moved in any way possible to try and get free. As I did, I would vaguely see the sparks of energy as they began to dance around my frame.
"Good night,dear- AAHHH!" he shrieked as one of those bursts of lightning struck out and caught his hand!
The others would quickly lose their grip as more shocks emerged from my trembling form, lashing out at them as I fought for my life and freedom. When I realized I'd been let go, I finally noticed what was happening...or rather, the shimmering blue upon my hands as I punched one of the thugs off of my shoulder. Looking at my fist in bewilderment, I would find scales hardening over my skin, and quite rapidly along my frame. Along with this new armor, came more strikes of lightning that forced them all back as I cried out, "What...What's happening?!"
"It seems this just got a lot harder!" one of my own guards sneered while looking over his shoulder to a figure I hadn't seen up until now.
Towards the back center of the group, stood a very tall and thin being. His head made it look as though an withered, lavender shaded octopus were sitting upon his shoulders.
"I knew there was always something off about her!" one of my staff proclaimed, even as I backed away from them defensively, "The girl is so obsessed with dragons, it figures she'd be cursed by them!"
"Cursed?" I asked in growing alarm as I looked at my scaled hands and arms, as well as the claws hinted at with my nails elongating slightly.
"What do we do?" the guard asked the strange being.
"Xa-Xanathar?" I asked in my growing confusion.
He shook his head, "No, beast! I am not Xanathar...and it seems you aren't exactly what we thought you'd be either. Instead of a princess, we get some sort of armored monster!"
I recoiled slightly as I could see the focused eyes of fear and disgust now focused on me. My head began to swim in a dizzying pool of panic as I tried to back away from their glares and scowls.
"I could dispose of you," the alien being mused, while stroking the four tendrils hanging from his face like a beard, "However, there is a way for us to make a bit of profit off of you instead."
"The fellow from before? He still wants her?" the guard questioned, only adding to my horrified suspicions.
"He says he has an idea of what she is, as I already know, and wants her for some reason or another," the odd figure waved it off casually, "I don't see why not sell her to him, and be rid of her either way?"
"You know what's happening to me?" I tried to ask.
"Of course, I do! I've seen this before, but not quite like this!" he scoffed as though I were a child he were explaining something to several times over, "Though it is for the better you don't know for now. He can deal with that if you figure it out."
"What do we do with her in the meantime?" the rat snickered his inquiry.
"I know exactly where to take her. If we can't kill her, then we'll simply ruin her reputation instead until he can come to claim her!" he shrugged as they drew closer.
"Stay away!" I shouted while trying to focus whatever was happening.
More lightning struck out from my body, catching them and the walls alike. Whatever this was, I had little control over it. What was I?! Who knew what I was?! Had he really betrayed me this way?
"She...she thought I did that to her?" he questioned abruptly as I read that last word in the segment.
My voice grew heavy as I nodded, "It seems so...but I can see the panic that lead to these accusations. She must have been quite confused, not to mention scared."
"Thief or not, there were lines I would never cross, an' betrayin' her was one of 'em," he insisted.
"Then tell me, what happened that night? Where were you during the attack?" I ventured carefully.
I hadn't been willing to go home and end the night just yet. So I'd been wandering the streets for several hours while still dressed up. I found it was fun to slip by in plain sight through the lively market taking advantage of the festivities going on back at the castle. Musicians, dancers, and other performers entertained the crowds of common villagers. Crafters sold their talents to share with those who had some extra coin to spare. Had I known how to slip Heart out of the palace, I just might have. Perhaps she would have enjoyed this celebration over the one she was stuck inside of.
However, my wanderings would last late into the night, long after the parties were over. Yet still my legs itched to keep moving. This worsened when I began noticing the sort of garb worn by some of the men nearby, those who had stayed out from the crowds. I hadn't paid much attention to them during, figuring they were probably costumes. Dressed in ebony myself, I didn't find the need to question this until now.
Then, the sounds that filled the air would fill my core with dread and almost panic. Screams heard from not that far behind me, back towards the palace. How had I missed them drawing nearer to it, the black cloaked figures now hurrying passed the gates.
My legs began moving without decision as I sprinted back down the street, my voice barely gasping, "Heart?!"
Maybe it wasn't too late? Perhaps I could get there in time to help somehow? It didn't matter if I was caught in that moment, not if I could possibly find her and get her out! There were so many attacking now, but it still didn't stop me. Screams filled the air around me that had hurried down the hillside of the palace.
Dressed in black myself, it seemed they thought I was one of them, or just didn't notice me to look closer.
They were pouring out of the castle now, guards and robed figures alike in a bloodied triumph. Yet there was no sign of her, alive nor dead! Looking up at where her chamber would have been, within one of the taller towers, I saw the ropes of the grappling hooks used to climb up to them. One of which, I now used to get up inside myself.
Hopping over the windowsill, I would find the room empty. There was no blood, no sign of a struggle, or anything. Snapping my gloved fingers, I then darted down the hall to the library. Though I would be careful along the way, ducking beside statues and into side rooms as needed to avoid any stragglers left to attack and guard. Still rather quickly, I made my way to the library and slipped inside to find it deathly silent as her chamber had been.
"No..." I barely breathed when I found the wall from before wide open.
Inside the study, I would see fallen blades, spilled blood, and other signs of a fight. Yet still, her body was not there to be found. My remaining eye widened to then see upon the floor, the carefully crafted hilt of her sword, catching the light of the library behind me. Walking over to it, I tried to see if there were any other sign of her to uncover.
Then...as I tilted the hilt ever so carefully, I would notice, with the light bouncing off of it, something quite strange upon the wall of that tucked away study. There were scorch marks in random places that hadn't been there earlier that evening.
"Where are ya?" I wondered with aching dread seeping through me.
My search through that now empty castle wouldn't uncover any more answers. Though there were a number of bodies to carefully step around, hers was not among them. Nor did I find the form of her Aunt Victoria or Madame Lucille. It was this undiscovery that began tugging at me, or at least gave me a shred of hope to hold onto. Perhaps they were alive, and taken somewhere? Maybe I could still help save them? Yet where would they have been taken. Xanathar would be too paranoid to bring them to his hidden away guild, even if he was the current head of the city. No, he'd have them taken somewhere else.
This was certainly my hope as I began making my way through the streets in an attempt to maybe catch a glimpse of her.
"Didn't think you'd need me dis soon?" Mister Bump raised a brow as he sat down and took his drink, "Is somedin' a miss?"
I had little time to waste, I knew, as I nodded my head while asking, "Have ya paid attention to the local news, my friend? There's been some ill deeds goin' on in our city, even considerin' our line of work."
I took another swallow of my drink.
Crossing his long arms, Mr. Bump leaned back, casually looking side to side, his yellow eyes scanning the room, "Ya could say I have... when ya lurk the shadows, ya bound to pick up on a few things."
My voice lowered, "So ya heard of the Cezanni Family then?"
The light in my remaining eye surely dimmed a bit.
Leaning back in, Mister Bump hunched over the table, dwarfing me by a near foot of height. Giving a nod, he let out a a sigh, "Mighty terrible ding dat happened."
"Someone's tryin' to take control of our fair city," I replied in a tone of contempt, "an' while we aren't really the sort to get involved in such things, even we'll be in danger if things continue on this way."
I steadied my composure, "Somethin' else happened there that night. There's a chance this assailant slipped up an' one of the family survived."
"Ya don't say?" The bugbear replied, looking around once again to make sure nobody was paying attention to our conversation, "What would ya say makes you think that?"
"While the king an' queen passed away a long while ago, they had a daughter. She was next in line, an' bein' raised by a trusted advisor. I was at the party held at the castle the night of the attack. Her body was not found," I answered before adding quietly, "I think they weren't able to finish their job an' tucked her away...in a rather different sort of location. One unfit for her," Duke said shortly while clearing his throat.
"Is dat so? Well.. what would dis have to do with the crew ya gathering den?" He asked, obviously intrigued by what the rogue said.
"The place she's in can't jus' let her go easily, nor is anyone of note able to get her out without bein' noticed. So I intend to steal her from this; but even I can't alone. I need a crew to help me locate where they keep her, an' help distract from the job at hand. While we're there, you can keep a look out for other gems an' trinkets. You'd be surprised how many higher members of society frequent this establishment," I explained, before adding, "Might be a nice little pay day honestly."
Giving another nod, he sat back again, "Would be.. but, who else ya have in mind for this crew? Need to know who I'm gonna be workin with now, wouldn't I?"
"There's three I've been in touch with. The first is a student down on his luck from an incident at school, needs the money an' experience to get a hold of her magic better. The second a halfling bard. Third is a jester of some sort, he pops up when he wants or, is interested; but I have been able to keep track of him. I think together we could pull this off. The sooner the better. Afterwards we can hopefully get back to our normal jobs. So far I have heard she's been kept away from...patrons; but it seems whoever tried to get rid of her is tryin' to ruin her by reputation an' sold her off to this place..."
"Can't have that now, can we?" He added, running a claw like fingernail over her chin.
"No we can't," I agreed while my remaining eye narrowed.
Scratching the tuft of fur that made up his beard, Mister Bump stated, "Ya can count on me. So, where am I supposed to meet all dem den?"
"They'll be meetin' us here hopefully. Once it's decided who's in, we'll head out. At least that's my plan."
"Heh, should've known dey were on da way already den, knowin you. Well, in the meanwhile, I dink I'll be gettin a drink meself."
"As I said," I smirked, "The sooner the better." Then he paid for his drink.
With that, my gloved hand placed coins on the table to pay for a few drinks that were brought to our table as an invitation over for those coming in to sit with us.
At first it seemed like one chair would be empty, the drink sitting on the end of the table, a slightly flamboyant looking drink in a glass. After a while the attention just leaves and as the night goes on... someone is drinking from the glass. The chair has been turned around, and a figure sits at the chair, using the back as an armrest. A masked man? sits at the table, one half of the mask a wide smile, the other half a long frown. A straw went from the glass into the black mesh of the mouth, and liquid can be seen slowly sliding up the straw, stopping a bit near the mouth, slowly falling, then getting sucked into the masked mouth. The man wore a red and blue outfit with pointy ends of fabric and semi-bright colors, a hat splitting into several ends with small bells perched on the head. The figure just sat there, slowly drinking the offered beverage in his odd manner
No one is quite sure where the Harlequin came from. Some say he was a criminal mastermind, who was caught and tortured to insanity. Others say he's some guy who found a mask and decided to take up a knife instead of acting on a stage. At any rate, the Harlequin arrived in a jester outfit and a theater mask, pick-pocketed a couple of thieves, and found himself given a letter. He only took on jobs that seemed to interest him. It was hard to call him when someone needed him, but he always seemed to pop up when there was something big, or his interest was peaked.
A figure in a traveling cloak made their way into the tavern, their features covered except for a pair of black, straight foot long horns. They made their way through the tavern towards the table, avoiding bumping in to any other patrons...
Until about a foot from the table, where their cloak gets caught on a slide chair being slide back, their desperation to keep the garment from slipping off making them loose balance and almost land face first on their destination. With a slight squeak they manage to catch themselves, but their hood falls back, revealing a the face of a young women with unnatural, bone white skin and orange hair with solid purple eyes, framed by large round glasses.
For Laitha, life has been, as with most Tiefling, a parade of suspicion, harsh looks, and low expectations. However, rather than cave to expectations or break, she decided that the best revenge really was to live the good life, and so set out determined they weren't just some street rat hell brat. They knew they had some kind of magical capability, even if they'd never managed more that a few flashes and sparks, but they figured even then their best bet was the magic college. It took time, most of their childhood, and a bit of borrowing, to finally get enough to pay for schooling, but they did it!
And then the first time they tried to cast a spell they surge, discovering they were in fact a WILD Sorcerer, and blew the top off the tower class was in. Needless to say while no one was hurt, the school decided it was Laitha's problem to pay them back. With no other choice, they turned to the one option they had, to make a lot of money really fast.
Hopefully without anyone ever finding out. They don't think they could handle the 'I Told You So/They Were No Good's.
As people began to gather at the table, a chair remains curiously empty, it's accompanying drink, a spiced mead, untouched. A sudden commotion draws one's eye to the floor of the crowded tavern as a couple of patrons yelp and nearly fall grunting half-hearted curses as they swat a something out of view. Suddenly a small figure no more than 3 feet tall, emerges from the commotion to scramble into the waiting seat. She shouts something rude back into the crowd before turning her attention to those at the table. Her skin is nut brown, wild red hair curls messily to frame green eyes that glint with mischief, an an equally mischievous smile spread across her freckled face, "They shouldn't have stepped on me"
Sitting across from the bugbear, I looked up at the trio arriving. Keeping my eye on the masked figure throughout our wait, I gave a nod to the horned woman, and turned to the halfling now sitting beside us with their food and drink being taken in. Then I watched as their drinks of choice were set upon the table as an invitation to join us.
I then commented in my smooth accent, "It seems everyone has made it. I trust you all received your invites for some job openings?"
A smirk crossed the hairy man's face, parting his thick beard and revealing the rows of dagger like teeth. "Dese de guys ya called fer? Ya sure dey can handle et?"
"Oh I can tell subtlety is your name." the masked figure said, the black eyes of the mask turning to face the biggest member of the group, "And I thought I was the most noticeable thing in the room?"
The young Tiefling tried righting themselves, pulling their cloak out from under the chair "I can assure you I am more than capable of 'handling' this!... W-what, um, what exactly is this? The note didn't, really, mention?
The halfling simply smirked and took a deep sip of her mead. Preferring to listen to what the
I had to say, and watch the entertainment enfold before her.
I replied, "If they can't cut it, they simply won't join the group. Frankly, I need people an' they need a job either way it seems."
A smirk crossed my scarred lip, "The name's Duke L'Orange. If you're interested in the job I have to offer, have a listen. Otherwise, take your one drink an' be on your way."
Latha, finally free, took a seat, sitting ramrod, and trying not to seem nervous or uncomfortable
"Oh please... I always stay for two drinks~" the masked man said.
Sitting back in his seat, the wooden chair creaking, Mister Bump eyed the masked man up and down, "Confident one, he iz. Hopin he can back it up... but, knowin ya boss, ya picked him fer a reason."
I looked to the pale skinned woman with concern, " Are ya sure you're up for this, Miss? It may be a bit uncomfortable for those jumpin' nerves ya seem ta have?
"I...Thank you for the concern. Unfortunately, my situation is such that...That is to say this opportunity is... sigh I just really, reeeallly need the cash..." She slumped forward onto the table slightly.
I nodded my head, "Fair enough, I suppose. An' you're right, Mister Bump. I did."
I looked to the group with a raised brow, "I am certain ya heard of the Cezanni Family incident from about a week ago?"
"I don't listen to politics." the masked one said, head tilting to the side with small bells on his hat jingling a bit.
Nodding slightly, Latha replied, "I recall hearing the town crier going on about something I think?"
The halfling raised an inquisitive eyebrow, "I can't say that I have, I'm not really from around these parts."
I nodded my head, after eyeing the masked figure with a raised brow, "It's important in our line of work to pay some attention friend?"
The masked man put his head on his hands, elbows on the table as he leaned forward a bit, straw popping out of the mouth of the mask.
I then looked to the halfling, and began to answer, "Last week the noble family, and their staff, was found dead within their own home. Guards, members of the court, everyone at the ball they were holding, dead. They tried to say it was a strange illness, or ill prepared food. Yet that wasn't the case. It seems there is a fight for power over our fair city, an' someone is doin' whatever possible to seize that control."
The halfling simply nodded, the smile gone from her face.
The bugbear's large ears drooped at a moment of the claim of the family's assassination, before crossing his fur covered arms over his chest, "And ya say dat whoevah did de deed stole somefing rafah important as well, didn't ya?"
Giving a solemn nod, I replied, "Indeed, the very reason I know for certain their was foul play involved. Their daughter, alive nor dead, was not found in the castle. However, before the home was cleaned up to give a false report, there were signs of a struggle in her chambers, such as the scorch marks that were cleverly covered up ."
Raising an eyebrow, the Tiefling asked, sardonically, "So, what then? You want us to go looking for some deranged political assassins, and rescue a kidnapped heiress?"
"Somethin' like that, or at least help rescue for now. We don't know who did this, but I have a lead on where the daughter is," I replied, "It seems someone has decided if they can't kill her, they can instead kill her reputation."
Jingle Jingle the bells on the masked Harlequin's head jostle as he jolts a bit, his hands slightly outstretched and balancing him. "...Sorry, I fell asleep. What's the job?"
Latha gave the jester a quick stink eye, before turning back to me, "Alright, but...why us? Wouldn't this be something more suited for the city guard? Or an adventures guild?"
"Ya mean the thing that's corrupt, an' the guild that let this happen in the first place?"
"...right." Laitha slumped into herself slightly.
The halfling glares at the jester, before turning her attention back to me, and simply nodding her agreement with the tiefling's statement.
Looking at the jester, the bugbear turned towards the tiefling, and gave a shrug with his broad shoulders, "Along wit dat, we dink dey may be on da take, if mah understandin is correct?"
"Exactly, otherwise they would have stopped this from happenin' in the first place wouldn't they? Or at the very least heard the struggle...?" I shook my head, "No, they heard an' they followed the orders they were paid for, I'm certain of it. It's up to us, it seems, to try an' set the city right again, at least a little bit. We may be thieves an' such, but this is still our home." I gave a smirk, "Besides, if things continue the way they are, what will be left for us to take?"
"That still doesn't explain why us," Laitha said quietly, "Especially if you know why I need the money I do..."
"...Speaking of money..." the jester began.
"Simply, there are no adventurers left here, my friend. Think of it, if we succeed in this job, don't ya think there will be a reward for the heroes? Besides, where we're goin', there will be plenty of loot to lift while we're there, if ya play your cards right. You'd be surprised to find out how many nobles, gentlemen an' ladies, frequent such an establishment,"
I took a swallow from my own drink before continuing, "Plus, I have some things I could reward ya with as a start for pullin' off this task, such as a permanent position in my guild if we get the job done tonight?"
With a deep breath, Laitha sighed, "Fine, I don't have much of a choice any way, not if I want pay my debts and tuition..."
"An' the rest of ya?"
"Ya know ya can count me in. Don't 'ave to pull mah leg." The broad mouthed bugbear answered with a grin, his teeth gleaming in the light of the hearth, perhaps bringing to mind the mouth of a beast one once saw in the closet of their bedroom as a child.
"...Well alright, I'll need 1,500 gold pieces to start," the Harlequin says, "The pay after we get the girl? Well it's clearly negotiable, It'll depend just how deep this goes."
Slowly blinking for a moment, a smile crossed his face, before letting out a deep laugh, slamming his great mits onto the table. "Oi, ya really are a clown, aren't ya?!" Wiping the tears from his eyes, he calmed down to a chuckle. "And... da lot of ya can call me Mistah Bump. Pleasure to met ya guys."
The halfling bit her lower lip as she thought, " I guess I've got nothing better to do, and sticking it to a bunch of slimy power grabbing thugs sound fun. You can count me in. My name is Lidlienne Thornfeather by the way, I look forward to working with you."
I offered a formal hand to the halfling, "Duke L'Orange, fair lady, a pleasure to meet ya."
I then released her hand, after slipping a ring onto her middle finger. The ring was a simple silver piece with a moon stone held by it's center with tiny claw prongs to keep it from moving.
"Latha Alish," states the Tiefling, "I'll do my best...?"
I offered a hand to her as well, "A pleasure as well, miss."
I then slipped a silver bracelet onto her wrist, similar in fashion to the ring.
"...You all know me. I'm 'That creepy guy who pops out of nowhere'," the masked figure said, "...But you can call me, Weirdo." There was a pause, "Or Harlequin."
"As far as payment goes, we can discuss that after this test is performed. After all if we're caught on the first night, there's not much use in promisin' anythin'. I have to see what you've got to offer anythin' else, but as I said, there are bonuses to be had where we're goin'," I replied while looking to each of them.
Lidlienne pulled back her hand as if it had been bitten, before examining the new ring on her finger.
"Pretty" she muttered half to herself, before visibly cringing when 'Harlequin' spoke.
"So... where exactly we goin, if we're all in dis togetha?" Mister Bump asked.
"How many of ya have heard of the House of Pleasure?" I asked casually, while looking around the table.
Lidlienne simply shrugged, having already stated that she was not from the area.
Mister Bump would give a nod, but gestured towards his companions, "Ya may wanna explain it, just in case."
"The House of Please rests in the under part of the city, but oddly close to the castle, but hidden away from the watchful eyes of the towers, an' yet known by many who want a little...enjoyment from their prim an' proper lives. There your mask won't seem so odd, as patrons hide their faces to avoid gossip bein' created about them. As I said, noble men and women alike go there for excitement it seems," I explained, "Recently, I've heard they have a new mysterious resident, unseen by anyone thus far. I am willin' to bet our assailant had her tucked away there to destroy her reputation in exchange for her life."
"It's a 'ore 'ouse." Mistah Bump said bluntly, "Been dere a few time... nice girls."
Laitha grimaces, "Oh, isn't that just lovely?"
"Ladies are still ladies, Mister Bump," I coughed a bit.
Raising his hands up, he looked over to me, "I said dere nice girls, don't get me wrong! Nothin wrong with dat line of work!"
"...Why do they always have names like that?" Harlequin asks, "Can't you call it like... Bent Over or... House of Love or... Pussy Willows?"
Laitha tried to wither the clown into dust through will alone.
A look of pure anger crossed Lidlienne's face! Everyone deserves the freedom of choice. Her look of anger quickly turned one of disgust as she audibly gagged at Harlequin's words.
Snickering at that last one, the bugbear shook his head, "And ya said that subtly is mah strong suit?"
"I'm just saying it depends. We know what they're doing, they know we know. Just put it out there for everyone to see," the masked rogue replied while Laitha's eyebrow twitched.
"Regardless of what they call their line of work, the woman in question needs to be found an' this is our lead. It's fine if someone wants to work there, it's another thing entirely to be held there," I said while getting up from my seat. I then looked to the group, "Mister Bump, are ya ready to lead the way then?"
Getting up, the looming figure towered over me by a full foot, but made barely a sound other than the cracking of his neck, "Of course, now... aftah me den."
Streets that were usually busy with activity, were now left empty, with only the coughs and grumblings of disgruntled guards keeping watch. The night air hung heavily overhead, drizzling just enough to be annoyingly sleek on surfaces to climb if needed. Lamplight attempted to assist in their patrol, but shrouds of ebony still cloaked much of the area.
The once grand city of heroes, now reduced to a shadow of it's former glory in such a short time. It's cheering citizens now keeping to themselves, staying in unless it's necessary to come out.
The city of Water Deep beckons the group of us to begin our job.
Heading along with the rest of his crew, Mr. Bump's large hunched figure stepped softly. Despite his size, the bugbear, like the rest of his kind, was gifted with an natural aptitude for stealth. Heading through the winding streets and alleyways, he lead the group through the grimy underbelly of the city, making way to the House of Pleasure.
"Hello darkness, my old friend... I've come to talk with you again..." the Harlequin said, the sound of his hat jingling slightly with each step and turn as he looked around the area.
Lidlienne shot harlequin an irritated look, "What are you doing making all that racket, and out of key too?"
Latha followed along with her companions, thankful for her kinds natural ability to see in the dark.
While continuing along, part of the group began to pick up right away on carrying voices engaged in conversations as the two guards patrolled the street ahead of them. One walked near with a lantern held up.
Lidlienne heard one beginning to brag of a location he'd visited recently as his friend asked why he smelled of perfume. On high alert now, she managed to hide behind something just before they could notice her, mistaking the halfling for a rat scurrying around instead.
Harlequin was too busy humming his tune to perceive the guards, but they were too busy talking to notice him in return.
Seeing Latha walking along, the guard holding the lantern called out, "Who's there?!"
He looked directly at her.
They did not see Mister Bump, as he noticed that them, and only called out to his ally.
Keeping to the shadows, the goblinoid stayed quiet, watching the two guards, readying himself in case they were hostile.
I had paused in the shadows at hearing voices ahead, and remained unnoticed, but nearby.
Latha whispered, hoping the other's could hear her, "If they try anything, close your eyes quick."
Harlequin slowly drew his dagger, but didn't move to intercept the guards, or be seen.
Keeping her hood up, Latha answered hesitantly and softly, hoping the guards would buy her scared civilian act, not that it required much effort, "M-my apologies, sirs. I just got a bit turned around in the dark while heading back to the Magic College. Have a good night, sirs."
The two guards approached, the one holding the lantern smiled, "What do we have here? Magic college you say? My fiance attends there as well."
His friend with the flowery perfume lingering on him raised a brow, "You're a long ways away from the right street, Miss?"
"Alish. And once more I apologize, I don't make much of a habit of going out at night, and the streets are a bit more difficult to figure out. If you'd point me in the right direction, I'd be grateful."
Though possibly paid off guards, the group sensed that the armored men were actually trying to help, and seemed to be concerned for her well being.
Staying nearby, Mr. Bump remained silent, merged with the gutter-trash and rubbish in the alley.
"Do you want us to escort you for a little bit?" The flowery scented one inquired.
Latha was too nervous to make out most of the group, but did see Mister Bump. The bugbear would make a few hand gestures, his big meaty paws giving some basic directions at to where they were going.
"Um, ye-yes, thank you..." Latha nodded nervously, hoping against hope that things disn't go badly.
With that the guards began attempting to escort Latha in the opposite direction away from the street they needed to get to. Seeing this, Latha started crying on the inside, "This is just my luck! First the roof of the tower, now this!~"
Facepalming, the bugbear dragged his hairy mitts down his mug in annoyance.
Harlequin turned his mask towards Mr. Bump, and gestured with his head towards the direction of the Brothel. Basically saying, 'Let's go'.
Lidlienne frantically gestured at the others, and then pointed at her own head trying to signal that she had an idea. Looking over to the halfling, Mister Bump moved his hand in a motion to suggest she go ahead with it.
They began walking away with Latha, who followed along, desperately trying to think of something.
I casually picked up a nearby glass bottle, while crouched down behind some crates.
Lidlienne crept from the shadows, and openly approached the group, "There you are, girlie, I've been looking for you everywhere! No sense of direction this one!" She winked at the guards and gestured to Latha.
The guards shined the light towards the halfling in surprise, "And where did you come from little miss?"
"I've come from the pub where we were having dinner. Started walking her home, next thing I know she's gone. Guess it's my fault I didn't notice." She replied jovially.
"It's not safe for two ladies to be out and about like this. Let us be your guide?" the one with the lantern offered.
"Finally get a girlfriend, and you're suddenly an expert with the ladies?" the other teased.
"At least I don't have to pay to have one," the other jabbed back.
"R-r-right! Lidli is an old friend! And we wanted to catch up! So we met for dinner to night and I got lost! Thank you so much for helping me! But she's a, uh, really good at finding her way around!"
"Oh, I think you'll find we can handle ourselves. However, it is very kind of you to offer. I'm sure you have more important things to do though." Lidlienne replied to the guard, still cheerful.
Looking down towards the jester, Mister Bump proceeded to make some hand sigils, communicating to him in silence.
Harlequin replied with gestures, ending in a shrug.
"Alright then, be careful out there. A lot of dangerous things lurk in the shadows," the flowery scented guard warned.
The two then began to walk away, heading down another street.
Rolling his eyes, the bugbear continued to communicate, until he saw the peace keepers heading off. Letting out a sigh of relief, the furry bruiser emerged from the shadows once the patrol were gone.
As soon as the guards were out of sight, Latha nearly collapsed with a whimper, "That was way too close!"
"That went about as well as a sword swallower trying to speak orcish," the jester commented.
Raising an eyebrow at the clown, Mister Bump shrugged, "At least it showed ya good unda pressurah."
Lidlienne clapped Latha on the thigh, "You look scareder than a door mouse in a stew pot, But you did a good job!" Lidlienne took a moment to glare at Harlequin, "I think it went fine. It certainly could have been a whole lot worse!"
"From the perfume, we have a strong indicator we're in the right neighborhood. Right, Mister Bump?" I mentioned while stepping out from the shadows, and setting the glass bottle down.
Smirking, the bugbear nodded. "Aye boss, not ta far from 'ere."
"Oh, I'd say so, the flowery one was bragging about it," Lidlienne replied.
Not far from where we stood infact, we would find a tucked away street with a soft crimson light beckoning out. It was like luring moths to a flame, growing warmer with the scent of rose petals trickling out to your senses. Approaching the arched opening in the walls, our group descended partially underground.
"Either someone killed a rose garden... or we've arrived," Harlequin commented.
"Well, it's better than the...eugh,alternative," Latha retorted.
"I know... Who would kill a rose garden?" Asked the clown.
A mischievous look crept across Lidlienne's face, "Isn't that right, nobody would want to come here if the whole ally smelled like fish."
Harlequin actually stopped in surprise, then started laughing, almost doubling over.
Grinning, Mister Bump lead the way down towards the den of ill repute, "Well, dis iz da place den. Don't be givin' da girlz any trouble now, and the same to the hostess!"
Upon arrival, both Latha Alish and Lidlienne looked ahead to see a small divide of water from their side of the area, and the entrance leading in. Then we would all hear the sound of a lever pulled as a small draw bridge was lowered to allow a path across. The two that perceived the water way to cross would also see the one who pulled the lever. A tall, tan elf wearing a feathered cape of the bird of prey he named himself after. He was dressed in other attention grabbing garb, with most of his bulky upper frame showing in some sort of warning.
With his attention drawn by the tiefling pointing out the elf, Mister Bump would look over.
"Well, somebody's putting on a show?" Harlequin said.
I didn't say a word at the moment, for my mind was already buzzing with questions on why this particular elf was even there in the first place. I began to wonder if somehow he were involved with all of this?
Getting a better look, Latha realizes that she has indeed heard of Falcone. An elf swashbuckler, who tried to make himself known as the greatest thief in the city. However, he often got caught in his schemes, and would slip away from his prison cell at the nearest opportunity.
Mister Bump, had certainly heard of him. Though he kept as to how to himself.
"Now ain't dat somethink peculiar...?" the bugbear muttered out loud, as Falcone headed down the drawbridge and to the brothel.
Even Lidlienne had heard of his infamy as well, despite just wandering in. I wondered briefly if she had heard of his most recent arrests? Though I didn't venture a guess.
Quietly Latha muttered, "Oooooh, oh that's not good..."
Harlequin, however, did not seem to know of him.
Along with the elf, Lidlienne and Latha would both notice with their high perception, that I was not thrilled in the least to see this figure.
"If that serpent is here, we really need ta be careful," I said in a hushed tone to everyone.
"I resent that," Harlequin says, "...My grandfather was probably a serpent."
The draw bridge was still lowered, and we hear the ticking of a timer starting as the elf disappeared through the entrance.
"...Methinks we're racing," Harlequin commented.
"...Well, bright side... No way I'll ever have to worry about any of the professors finding out about this..." Latha tried to comfort herself.
I had begun walking behind Mr. Bump, while gesturing for the others to follow.
Latha followed, doing all she could to only look at her companion's backs.
As we all crossed the bridge, the lever unset and it was raised just behind our last step from it.
Harlequin chuckled as he followed the group, "You're funnier than I thought."
Letting out a dark chuckle, Mr. Bump turned back towards the tiefling, "Ya would be surprised miss."
"No, no way, absolutely not! The professors at the college are people of distinction, intellect, and mostly, really, really old! I refuse to believe any would be here!"
"Hehehehe. Playin the teacher and the naughty student~" Harlequin teased.
Lidlienne chuckled, "I think you'd be surprised to learn what magic can do for a body."
Through the archway, we would find winding underground walls forming a tunnel into a cavern that opens to reveal the source of the light, and the perfume scent illuminating the area. The elegantly carved doors of the entrance were guarded. While masked lords and ladies were escorted within the walls, giggling and blushing as they did so. The elf from before was handed a fancy mask of his own, before walking into the hidden away building.
"Everyone has sides they don't show to others Latha," I commented dryly.
"Well looks like I'm covered~" Harlequin commented.
"I'm certainly not going to complain," Latha retorted.
"If ya play your cards right, you could walk out with rather full pockets. So many trinkets to be found near distracted patrons," I cleared my throat slightly.
Mr. Bump narrowed his eyes at me, curling his upper lip and exposing his big pointy teeth. "Iz dat so? Dat explains some o' dah trouble we wuz 'avin a while ago 'ere."
"I have never been here before, Mister Bump. I don't need to pay to charm a lady," I retorted rather directly.
"An' a good thief wouldn't make it look like it was any of the ladies here to cause that sort of trouble," I added with a small prick in my pride.
As we approached the elaborate and decorative building, we began to take in our surroundings.
Suddenly, one of the workers in her robes began running towards Mister Bump with a cheerful smile on her face, "Thank goodness, a friendly face!"
The goblinoid recognized her, from having to toss out a rude patron or two for.
Lidlienne and Harlequin, along with myself, noticed not only the front doors, but an opening in a window on the right side.
Looking down at the woman, Mister Bump flashed her a smile, "'ey now, been a while azn't it? Been keepin' outta trouble now, aye trust?"
The girl giggled while clasping her robes closed, "As much as I can. I am relieved to see you though!"
After her warm greeting, the orange furred catfolk looked back at the door with a trace of concern in her ember eyes.
"Wellll Mr. Bump, I see that's not just a name, hmm?~" Harlequin asked.
Narrowing his eyes, he crossed his arms, "Iz somebody givin' ya some trouble den? Ay might not be workin' 'ere anymore, but, if someone's causing ya grief, just point me toward dem."
Turning towards Harlequin, he let out a huff, "Was a bouncah 'ere abit ago. Somebody gotta protect dese fine ladies."
Lidlienne listened on, distracted by the girl talking to them. However, both Mister Bump and Harlequin would quickly notice that I was already gone. Though neither could recall seeing where I had gone to.
"Then how do you know this next part, if you weren't there?" I asked the mists as he had started to go on.
"My old partner and friend would later fill me in on what had happened on their end," he replied.
"I see?" I replied in a bit of uncertainty.
"Do ya want to hear what happened, or shall I relieve ya of your heart now, an' be done with it?" he questioned a bit sharply.
"Please, continue," I insisted, "I was just curious."
"An' brave to listen on through all of this, knowin' what the end will bring?" he mentioned, "Alright then?"
The young woman, an orange catfolk with lively green eyes sighed, "It's the guest that just came through. He hasn't caused trouble yet, but he doesn't have the best reputation, in manners or avoiding unwanted attention. I would feel much better if you stuck around until he left."
"Don't ya worry ya pretty head now. Mistah Bump is gonna make sure noffin' gonna happen 'ere," he nodded, his gruff expression turning the slightest big softer. He paused for a moment, pondering, "Say, while we're 'ere, my compatriots are lookin' fa somefing."
The catfolk purred with relief, "That makes me feel better already."
She hugged Mister Bump's arm, nuzzling it. Then upon hearing of his intrigue her ears perk up, "What's that?"
The group was then lead into the building and offered masks if they so chose to take. Though covered himself, Harlequin still became in awe at the row of masks greeting him in the front room.
Latha looked up to see many masks, but also found fine coats and cloaks hanging up on a rack. Down the hall of segmented areas, rooms made up of folding walls where sofas are taken up by masked patrons and their hosts. Soft music serenades the area, trickling into earshot. On the tables, abandoned, several glistening trinkets beckoned for new attention
"Ohh we have to pick masks?" Harlequin asked, "Man, I'm not sure what I should wear, so many choices..."
Mister Bump found all of this to be familiar, making it easier to focus on the girl holding onto his furry arm. Her fur was silky compared to his gruffer textured fluff that she tried to smooth out for him.
Lidlienne looked to find a lot of fancy coats and cloaks hanging on the walls, as well as the hanging masks staring back at her.
"What are you and your friends looking for Mister Bump?" the catfolk prompted again with a bit of concern in her soothing tone.
"Well, ya see, dere's dis new arrival 'ere dat we've been hearin' about, and mah friend 'ere is curious about seein' 'er," He answered, the slightest bit of a blush on his cheeks.
Latha took a closer look at the masks...and a few of the trinkets while she listened.
The cat's ears perked up, twitching a bit while hearing this, and looking at the blend of a group, "Which friend, and where did you hear that?" Her voice is low and cautious.
Latha feigned reaching for a mask near on of the left side before hesitating...and moving back towards the right end. She began to search for ones depicting animals bearing horns and reached for one.
Mister Bump and Latha also noticed a few patrons were drow in nature; but among them were lords and ladies, being entertained just as they were.
Harlequin decided that he is fine with the mask he is wearing.
The cat folk looked to Harlequin, Latha, and Lidlienne, "These masks are quite ornately made. A reclusive mask maker sends them to us."
"Oooohhh. Mask maker mask maker... Find me a mask~" the masked jester said.
Mister Bump, however, grew to be a bit distracted by the feline hanging onto his arm, before remembering why they were even there in the first place.
Leaning in closer to the feline, he whispered into her ear, "Da fing is, one of mah friends... who isn't 'ere right now, wanted us to check in on 'er... make sure dat she's alright, ya know?"
The orange furred lady quickly gestured for the group to follow her into a side room upon hearing this request, leading them behind a thick crimson curtain doorway. Mister Bump would, of course, follow after the catfolk, keeping an eye out in case of any followers. Latha stuck close to her goblinoid companion.
Behind carefully closed doors, the catfolk lead them further down. Mister Bump made sure no that one had followed with his high perception.
"You're not the only one to ask for her tonight," the catfolk sighs, "she came here about a week ago, but we haven't let anyone see her as of yet. We were trying to keep it that way, but it seems rumors have spread."
Mister Bump replied, "Ya don't say... what sorts have been askin', if ya don't mind me inquirin."
"Wow, it's only been one night and everyone wants to take her to prom," the clown commented.
The catfolk raised a brow at Harlequin, "We think someone in here started the rumors, someone paid off to ruin her reputation. And the one to ask tonight was none other than Falcone."
"But...Lady Moira said that the poor girl wouldn't be here for long if she could help it. She trusted only me with this knowledge, so not to tip off the one spreading the rumors. So then, are you trying to sneak her out of here?"
Giving a nod, the shaggy furred man gestured towards his crew. "Dat's a correct assumption."
"Then we need to reach her before he finds her. We have been trying to persuade him that she is not here, but it seems he isn't convinced. We need to get her out without anyone seeing if possible," the catfolk said to everyone.
Lidlienne nodded in response.
"...A distraction in a brothel... There's a joke in there, but I can't find it..." Harlequin pondered.
"Right, so, how do we manage that then?" Latha asked.
The catfolk looked to the group with light amusement, "What an odd band of heroes? Her room is hidden down a pathway found in Lady Moira's chambers. If we go there, we may be able to reach her."
"Well, I could put on a show, but I don't think I have the right parts," Harlequin offered.
"Distracting him would be helpful though," the catfolk mused.
Giving the clown a nudge on the shoulders, Mister Bump chuckled, "Come now, ya da type dat loves being the center of attention, yeah?"
Turning towards the catfolk, he grinned. "But ya said dat he has been causin' trouble in da past? What has he done?"
"How would your patrons feel about a song?" Lidlienne asked as she gestured to her lute.
The catfolk grinned with a wink at Lidilenne, "They have been asking for a change in music around here."
"...Hohhot we could be a duet!" the Harlequin said, "You play the music, and I provide the entertainment~"
Lidlienne eyed the jester skeptically.
"We could be... Dos Compadres!" he insisted.
"Not here specifically, but he's a well known failure of a thief. We heard he was going to leave some time ago, but apparently stuck around. If he's looking for her, it isn't for anything good. Possibly looking to disappear with her, hired by whoever is trying to take the city in her stead perhaps?"
"And where is your human friend you mentioned Mister Bump?"
"If 'e's doin' what 'e would do, 'e's probably getting ready to take 'er away when we get 'er out," Looking towards the jester and halfling, he grinned, "Well, ya two da showmen... give dem a good one!"
So they began to put their plan into motion, quickly finding their way close to the so far held back thug of a thief. Together they begin to draw a small crowd out of the guests. It was quickly found that they were rather easy to please, given the circumstances. The jester took the center stage, being a silent performer while the music added to the entertainment. He did things like balance on top of a chair, making it tilt on it's two legs, and jumping off and landing with a bow. While at first a little uneasy of his appearance, they soon began to applaud for the clown and his companion. However, while performing, Harlequin would also swipe 27 gold worth of trinkets; while Lidlienne managed to claim 4 gold coins herself.
Though Lidlienne also took notice as up the nearby stairs, the caped rogue from before, with his hand on his sword, was attempting to threaten as to who they assumed to be Lady Moira, "Where is she?!"
Elsewhere, using the vents and narrow halls away from the main rooms, I had made my way through to a drop off below. Finding a long hallway with another to the left along the way, I continued straight forward to a locked door. Running my gloved hand along the handle, I would then crouch down, and began working at the latch. In seconds, I heard a feint metallic click. With that, I slid the door open and took a few cautious steps inside. As I did, I looked to the bed in sudden alarm to find the room empty.
Until I heard the slight breath coming from my right! With what precious seconds I was allotted, I turned just in time to jump back as a young woman, wielding a dagger, lunged at my chest. In the following few moments, I looked to meet eyes with the attacker, and grab for her wrist. She, just as quickly, hopped back and went to swing for my stomach. This, I managed to avoid as well as I stepped away, the blade narrowly grazing my tunic.
"Wait, I'm here to help!" I attempted while ducking down to avoid a swipe at my throat.
She faltered for a moment, before gripping the hilt of the dagger a bit tighter. As she went to attack again, she demanded, "Why on Earth should I believe you?! I'm here in the first place because my "friends" showed who they really are! Why should I believe that you're any different from them?!"
The blade came at me with swing after swing. Yet I refused to draw my own. Instead, I dodged each attempt as though we were in a strange dance. As she advanced, backing me up against a wall, she yelled, "They're gone! You betrayed me just like the others, and now you're here to finish the job, right?!"
"I never betrayed ya!" I told her, "I'm here to take ya away from this place! To keep ya safe!"
"Safe?! You want to keep me safe?! Where were you when they attacked?! Where were you when I was almost killed in my own home?! I looked everywhere to try and find you, but you weren't there! You were paid off like the others to ignore while we were butchered!" she cried out, her hands trembling as she held out the dagger towards me.
"Then why did I go back to find ya?!" I snapped, before calming my own tone to repeat gently, "Miss Cezanni, I looked everywhere for ya that night...an' I haven't stopped lookin' since."
"Why should I believe you?" she demanded shakily, before taking another swing out of some sort of furious desperation, "They knew about the study! Xanathar's men attacked the night you told me not to go after him!"
This time I caught her by the wrist, and then grabbed her shoulder with my other hand, "Heart! Stop!"
After raising my voice in a desperate attempt to reach through her anger, I looked over the woman glaring up at me. Her light complexion contrasted with my darker, tanned skin. Those blue eyes sparked like gems to hint at the magical heritage in her. Her burgundy hair was pulled back into a mess of a ponytail, that was now growing loose to try and hide her face it seemed. Her thin, but curved frame was covered by a set of robes given to her by Lady Moira, and a dark blue cotton dress. She wore form fitting tights, with the bottoms tucked into her boots. Along her wrists were shimmering sapphire scales that glistened when the light hit them, scales that hadn't been there before?
My tone eased, as I caught my breath with her, as she glared up at me at first. She tried to jerk her arm free, but then paused when I simply looked into her eyes. With some hope, I softly said, "I'm sorry, Heart...I should have been there, I should have stayed longer, an' then maybe I could have done somethin' to save them, or at least you...but I didn't know...I swear to ya, sweetheart...I didn't know."
She caught her breath a bit, still questioning with a sting in her voice, "Why should I believe you, Duke?"
"I think ya do, at least a little?" I replied in a quiet voice.
She looked to me, a bit puzzled by this comment. Then I answered, "Otherwise, you'd have killed me jus' now. Right?"
Heart realized now that I had released the hand holding the dagger, so to brush the strands of hair out of her furious blue eyes. In that moment, rather than stabbing me, she let the blade fall. Then, she crumbled against me as I caught her, allowing her to sob as she'd held back thus far. As she trembled, I wrapped my arms around her carefully, and repeated, "I'm so sorry, Heart."
"I tried to find you...I was scared that they'd...or that you had..."
"I'm here now, an' I will do all that I can to not let somethin' like that happen again. My crew an' I will keep ya safe," he assured her.
I then carefully set her upon the bed for her to regain her composure, before trying to go and meet the others. As I did, I offered her a cloth to dry her eyes, as well as a light smile, "Ya know I can't take this."
"It all happened so fast...after you left that night...the other party goers turned on us. Those I once thought to be friends, or at least allies to our home, they unveiled their masks to the attackers, so they'd know who to spare...or so they thought. We still don't know who exactly let them in...Xanathar's men...and then...next thing I knew there was an eruption of screams. Madame Lucille...she tried to hide me, to protect me at first; but I ran...she told me to hide and survive to fight back...but I was cornered, next thing I knew there was a burst of magic..."
"Yours?" I prompted carefully.
Heart nodded her head, "I think so? It kept them from finishing the job. So they took me here, and threatened Lady Moira to keep me here until someone could come and collect me...someone that has an idea of what I am apparently?"
She looked to me, almost wanting to believe me, it seemed, when I said, "Good thing I got here first then?"
"Duke...I don't know what to do..Madame Lucille wasn't found among the others, but I don't know where she is...I'm supposed to lead...but I'm not strong enough alone! I'm not ready, and now I have this magic in my veins that I didn't even know I had, let alone how to control it!"
"Hey, hey, hey!" I attempted while grasping her shoulders gently, "For now, ya worry about findin' a way out with us. We'll take care of ya, until ya decide what ya want to do. I know ya have a lot on your mind, a lot to decide on, but in the meantime...lean on me...alright?" I promised as I knelt down before her, "We will figure this out somehow."
Then I smiled a bit, trying to encourage her, "Though I think there's a bit of fight in ya still, ya viper?"
She couldn't help but give a slight smile at this remark. She then added, "I didn't know it would be you coming in...I thought..."
"I don't blame ya," I admitted while reaching a hand up to offer her.
She hesitated at first, but looked into my remaining eye that I think drew her in with it's genuine warmth. Seeing this, I said, "That's why I hurried over as soon as I heard you were here."
Finally she placed her hand in mine, and I lifted it gently, while also bending my head forward to brush a kiss over her fingers, "Duke L'Orange, at your service, sweetheart?"
This drew out a real smile, as well as a bit of a blush that graced her cheeks.
While Lidlienne and Harlequin performed; Mister Bump and Latha Alish followed after the orange furred catfolk. She lead them both to Lady Moira's chambers, and a painting upon the wall. The bugbear quickly followed after the feline, looking over his shoulders intently, with his hand ready to grab the hilt of his weapons in case.
After a while, Mister Bump not only helped to find the switch Buttercup was seeking, but he also heard feint steps behind the slate of stones before him. As the switch was pressed, the wall opened for the group. Ahead there was a dark hall, leading to a room down a ways, and a hall to the left midway down.
Latha, however, couldn't help but be more so entranced by the chamber decor, "This place is nicer looking than some of the high end dorms at the school! How is that fair!?"
Mister Bump would then go down the dark hall to the hidden room, with the worker of the house and the student mage following close behind him. They quickly reached the room, and took a close listen.
From where he stood, the goblinoid heard someone yelling from down the other hall; but it was not clear enough as to what was being said. While instead, Latha heard two voices speaking quite softly from behind the door before them.
Mister Bump said quietly, "We've got company coming down the other way!"
He then looked to his horned companion, whispering as he gestured towards the source of the louder noise, "Ya go ahead and check on her, Mister Bump will stay back in case they show up."
Latha soon found that the door was not locked, and she quickly discovered as to why once she opened it to step inside.
For I was kneeling before a young woman, presumably the one we were searching for. While Heart, in turn, looked at me from her bed, a bit surprised as she quickly turned her gaze towards the others in the doorway now.
I looked over my shoulder with a smirk curving my scarred lip, "Now to get her out."
Mister Bump, had heard me as well. Keeping on eye on the hall, he peaked into the room, "Oughta known ya waz 'ere Duke. 'ello miss."
The young woman watched the two new strangers with bewilderment in her blue eyes. While I couldn't help but give a smile still, "I have a knack for this, after all."
"...How did you get here before us? You know what, never mind, the situation at hand is difficult enough! The Clown and Lidlienne are keeping everyone else here distracted," Latha tried to reason with him and herself.
I then got to my feet and pondered over our options to try and get an idea, "What sort of magic do ya carry Latha?"
She replied, while trying not to sweat, "...The kind that definitely works? And is... Magic?"
"Anythin' that could hide her while we leave?"
Breathing deeply, Latha started speaking, "I know some basic Prestidigitation, and a bit of light conjuring, magical detection, and a few elemental Invocation spells. I might be able to make something work with that?"
"Um, maybe I could make a minor illusion with prestidigitation? It would have to be a small one though, maybe on a mask, and it would only last for a minute at most, and that'd be pushing it?"
The catfolk looked to Mister Bump and says, "Once you're ready, I will alert your two companions."
Mister Bump looked back to the cat, and gave a nod. "Fanks Buttahcup, we should be 'bout ready now."
Taking the mask off her face and rising a hand above it, Latha focused, an eerie cold blue light beginning to glow from her fingers. After a moment, the mask began to shimmer slightly, it's colors and some of the angles appearing to shift slightly. When she finished the mask, once thin thing in the image of a deer, now looked much wider and colorful. Despite this apparent change, the shadow of it along the floor remained the same as it's original form, giving away the trick slightly.
The young woman got up from the bed and walked over quietly as the spell took place. I watched carefully as the mask changed, and was then handed to her.
Peering into the room, the bugbear went to ask. "Ya lot 'bout ready in dere?"
With the mask obscuring the woman's face, I took Heart by the hand and nodded my head. Buttercup then hurried to the main room to whistle a signal only heard by Moira, Lidlienne, and Harlequin through the music. The clown was much too focused to notice much else going on now. While Lidlienne had begun to creep her way up as she performed. Seeing this, the elf rogue turned to her and sneered, "We are conducting business here, little musician."
"As am I," she retorted with a wink, redoubling her efforts to draw attention to the couple before her.
The elf eased his grip from the hilt of the sword strapped to his hip. The audience was won over by Lidlienne's performance. The jester stopped his now at the sound of the whistle finally catching his attention. He surveyed the room and gave a very low bow. Then directed Lidlienne to take a bow as well, before departing from the room. The halfling bowed and discreetly made her exit.
With the aid of Buttercup and Lady Moira distracting Falcone, the group of us managed to meet up outside with the Lady Heart undetected. As we slipped away, Lady Moira, quite smugly, allowed the bulkier framed rogue into the now empty chambers to dispel the rumors he had heard. That he had been sent for someone that wasn't even there.
As he headed out with the others, the bugbear gave a quick wave towards Moira, and a wink to Buttercup as he made his way out at the back of our group, using his bigger form to cover for Heart and I at the front.
Outside, the mask shifted back to reveal it's wearer, and I quickly gave my cloak to the young woman to cover her in it's stead. With this, I then lead everyone to the old clock tower, knowing it would be safe there at least.
Once there, I revealed that the tower was now their home if they wished, especially while things cooled down through Waterdeep for a bit.
Now inside with everyone, Heart looked to everyone quietly before pulling back the hood of her cloak. Then with lingering unease, she said to them, "Thank you."
Settling a bit into a makeshift seat that was the edge of a table, I reached into my vest pocket and pulled out 4 pouches of coins to toss to everyone, "As promised, for a job well done, there's 50 gold in each."
"Was happy to help," Lidlienne replied cheerily as she caught her sack of coins.
"Yes! Building repair debts, meet your match!" Latha grinned with a bit of relief.
"Obliged, Duke... say, ya kept mah room da same? Ya bettah not have moved anyfing," Mister Bump smirked while looking around the tower.
Looking to Mister Bump, I asked, "Why would I move your stuff, my friend?"
I then shook my head with a cheerful chuckle emerging from my throat, before turning to the woman beside him, "You will be safe here."
Then, looking back to my crew, after making sure the room was securely locked, I introduced with a respectful tone, "Everyone, this is Lady Heart, the last of the Cezanni family. For now, she will be hiding here with us until it is safe for her to leave."
Harlequin took his pouch, staying silent for now. At the reveal his head tilted a bit.
"Also, it goes without saying, that she was never where we found her, nor is she here," I added firmly.
With that, I lead Heart up towards the higher point of the tower, where I had brought her once before. Tucked away from the main room was my make-shift bed chamber, where I began putting together a second sleeping space with what materials we had available. I would offer the better of the two to her, to which she turned to me with eyes full with uncertainty. I gave a sigh, "I know it isn't much, Lady Heart; but-"
"Am I to stay hidden away while he takes over?" she asked.
"At least for now, so we can figure out a plan," I said with regret tugging at my voice, "I'm sorry. I know this isn't the best place to stay-"
"It's not that," she assured me as I got to my feet, "I...I just don't know where to begin, or what I should even do? After everything I tried to do...to stop him...He's won...?"
At this, I reached out and pulled her into my arms, trying to assure her, "No, Lady Heart...he hasn't won! This is jus' temporary. We will find a way to take back your home."
"I don't know where to begin..."
"We'll figure that out. For now, at least you're safe with us, an' with me, an' with what freedom we can offer ya," I promised her, "Start with believin' that, at least."
