For the first time in quite a while, both Nuitae and Trey were able to walk into a city without being questioned like criminals. There were the standard 'who are you and what's your business?' that they had to contend with, but over all, they walked into Raven's Bluff virtually unchallenged. For Nuitae, this was a first. The only place she had ever been able to walk freely was in the forest where she was raised. Even here, though, she could not walk entirely free. She still had to keep her skin as completely covered as she could, but overall, it was a good feeling for her to be able to walk with Trey and not be questioned. She had had enough of running around and hiding.
Her training with Trey had left its mark- though she, like any elf, was already slender, muscle had formed where once there was little more than skin and bone. It was painfully obvious when she first began her training that she had not been trained well at all. Trey could not blame her, likely her mother had coddled and protected her, not allowing the half-drow to learn any sort of combat aside from the bow. But now she seemed to be transforming quickly into a warrior, as if her body was made for it and responded.
She was made for it, Trey kept reminding himself. She is drow, after all, even if she doesn't act like it. The two continued walking, taking in the sights of the large port city. Beyond them the smell of the sea was strong, and Nuitae loved it. Her eyes glistened with excitement as she took in everything around her.
"Welcome, dear Silver Hair, to Raven's Bluff," Trey said with a grin, speaking in Common for the first time in days.
"Wow, it's so big! I've never seen anything like it," she said.
"There are a few places we need to go before we find an inn. We can stay a few days, if you'd like."
Nuitae looked fondly and sadly at the city. "No, I want to leave as soon as possible. I'm afraid I might come to love the city too much, and never be on my way."
That is what I am hoping for, Trey thought, but instead he nodded, and said, "Then let us get started with our errands!"
The first shop Trey guided them to was largely a bookstore, with shelves upon shelves of books and scrolls, some so ornately made that Nuitae was afraid to breathe on them, for fear they would fall apart. Though she would never admit it openly, Nuitae had grown up with a love of books and knowledge, like most surface elves. Yet, instead of nurturing this hobby, she let her anger rule, and pushed it aside, focusing her attention on weapons and her innate abilities instead.
She paid no attention to Trey as he was conversing with the shopkeeper, but when he was finished, she turned and left with him.
The two visited a myriad of shops and stores, each holding a wondrous collection of items that Nuitae's curiosity pulled at, though she did well in hiding it for the most part. It took them the better part of the day before Trey was satisfied, but when they were finished with the basics that Trey had them doing- new packs, supplies, and other things, Trey turned to Nuitae.
"Two more things we need to take care of-" he said, and he paused, looking at Nuitae's worn cloak. "We'll get you some new clothes, since you didn't bring much from home, and you need to decide on your weapon. Why don't we first work on the clothes?"
Nuitae nodded, glad to know she would finally be rid of same cloak she had been carrying since she left. Without another word, Trey walked into one shop, and Nuitae followed. When he walked in, the shopkeeper looked up with a greeting, but her smile faltered when she saw Trey.
"I need to speak with Trycilla," he said, and the young woman behind the counter frowned.
"Trycilla is not here. You will have to conduct business with me."
Trey shook his head. "That won't do. Trycilla will see me, or I take my business elsewhere." Again, the woman frowned, but she left to enter one of the back rooms.
"Is our business that important to them?" Nuitae dared to ask in Elvish.
"You'd be surprised how competitive the guilds and shops can be. But I know the owner of this shop, and both she and the woman who was here know me and know that not having my business would be bad for them indeed."
Nuitae had another question burning on her tongue, but she was forced to keep it to herself as a middle-aged woman with dark brown hair, beginning to streak with grey, followed the younger one into the main part of the shop. She smiled a warm smile when she saw Trey.
"Treian, it is good to see you again. You seem to be faring well!"
Trey clasped her hands with a smile as well. "I am, thank you. I hope business has been good?"
"Could be better," Trycilla said, shrugging. "Now who's this you have with you?
Trey looked at Nuitae and back at Trycilla, who was waiting with raised eyebrows. "This is my companion, Saedre," he said, but kept his voice low. "May we conduct our business in private, Trycilla?"
Trycilla frowned. "Whenever you ask that of me, trouble is always close behind! Very well," she said with an exasperated sigh, "Come with me." She led them into the back room, away from the prying eyes and sharp ears of the young woman who tended the shop's front. "Now, what is this about, Treian?"
At a quick word from Trey, Nuitae's eyes widened and she jumped slightly. She looked from Trey to Trycilla and back again, and finally Trey nodded. Reluctantly, Nuitae pulled off her gloves, her mask, and finally, lowered the hood on her cloak. Trycilla's surprise was obvious, but more so was her curiosity. Crossing her arms, she smirked slightly.
"You've changed, Trey. To think you're actually traveling with your most hated enemy."
Nuitae felt the woman's eyes surveying her, and she felt her anger rising as well. "Nuitae is not a drow- not fully. Her mother was a moon elf."
"Ah, so that's it, then. Well then I can understand your secrecy. What is it you need?"
"Nothing more than some simple clothes. But we could not exactly buy the clothes and hope that what I purchased would fit her properly. We can't exactly go into any shop, either, and allow Nuitae to conduct business."
Trycilla nodded. "Very well. I can't say I'm particularly fond of this idea, helping a drow. No offense to you, dearie, but it is not often we see half-drow who look…" Trycilla waved her hands. "Well, never mind. But it will cost you extra."
Trey nodded, "I'm well aware."
The next half hour, Trycilla measured Nuitae and brought out many pieces of clothing suitable for elves. When all was finished, Nuitae had a few new clothes that fit better than ever, and looked much nicer as well. New gloves were also added to the pile. As Trey paid Trycilla, Nuitae changed, discarding her old clothing with little regret.
Meanwhile, Trey drew Trycilla to the side. "I have one more favor to ask of you," he said quietly. He handed Trycilla a piece of paper, and she took it, her eyebrows widening with surprise as she read it.
"You realize how much this will cost you?"
"I do, but it's necessary."
"Treian, I have never interfered with you before, but if you're planning what I'm beginning to think you are, it's madness. She may be half-drow, but anyone with half a brain can tell she's not one, though most people would not give her the chance to show it. That poor child will not last."
"Will you do it?"
Again, Trycilla sighed. "Of course. It will take a few days, but I'll have it finished before you leave." Trey nodded and clapped a hand on Trycilla's shoulder, leaning in to kiss her on the cheek.
"I thank you," he said with a smile.
"Oh just get out of here!" Trycilla replied, pretending to slap him away, but she could not hide her laughter. Finally Nuitae was finished, hooded and cloaked, and they left out the back.
The last place they went was a weapons shop- but not just any ordinary weapons shop. Trey led them down a back alley in the darker parts of the city, away from the main marketplace. "You do not need to walk about hooded and cloaked here, I promise you. Besides, it might be best if you didn't. Here, people are more likely to shoot someone dressed so heavily, than to shoot even a drow."
"Really?" Nuitae asked in disbelief, though she happily removed her gloves, mask, and hood.
"Really. This is where some of the darker dealings are dealt.. Even drow would, ideally, have things to offer for trade or coin."
As they rounded a corner, Trey slipped into a shop, and Nuitae followed. Nuitae gasped as she entered. "There are so many!" Lining the walls were crossbows, swords, and daggers. They would have been more difficult to see for Trey, for the shop was nearly pitch black, but Nuitae could see without difficulty.
"These are all weapons that were once wielded by drow. That's what this shop specializes in, but they also have other things as well. These weapons' power is diminished from being on the surface, but they keep them in as much darkness as they can."
A man walked out to meet them. "Can I help you?" he asked, his voice deep and accented. Nuitae gasped, and turned her attention on him. Without any warning, she screamed and grabbed her dagger, launching herself towards the speaker. Trey cursed and tried to catch Nuitae, but she slipped out his grasp and continued towards her target, who easily sidestepped her attack, and with a curse, grabbed her and twisted her arms behind her back. Clenching her teeth, tears streaming down her face, she kicked him simultaneously in the stomach and groin, causing him to let go. By that time, Trey had intercepted her, and kicked her dagger out of her hand.
"Enough!" he shouted.
"Who is she, Trey?" the man demanded, speaking in a different language. Nuitae's eyes widened even more as she tried to tear away from Trey, but her strength failed her, and she collapsed in his arms, crying.
"Her name is Nuitae'neth," Trey answered, responding in the Drow dialect, the same language the other had used.
"Every time you come you bring nothing but trouble."
"My apologies, Solesril, I needed to see how she would react. She's never seen another drow before in her life, not that she can remember." Trey guided Nuitae gently to a chair and sat her down. She was silent and willing, not quite sure what to make of everything.
"Half-drow," Solesril growled.
"Just as she is."
"Doesn't appear to be."
"Her mother was a moon elf, unlike your father, who was human."
"That would make sense. Elves born of two different races take on all the traits of one, and none of the other. Unlike half-elves like myself, born of elf and human."
"You are more obviously half-drow than she is, Solesril."
The handsome half-drow shrugged it off. He was tall, much taller than any drow, at Trey's height of five feet ten inches. He was bulkier than elves as well, but still very slender. His skin was dark, but not the drow's trademark ebony skin, and his slanted, almond-shaped eyes were gold, though they glowed red in the darkness. His hair was long and white, which he kept pulled up in a ponytail.
"So what is it you need then?"
"Drow weapons for Nuitae. And take a look at my glasses and cloak- just to keep them in tip top condition for me."
Solesril nodded. "What does she want?" The half-drow had seemed to completely forgotten Nuitae's failed attack on him. Truthfully, he had not cared, at least not as long as he was not wounded. Nuitae's attack was too reckless for someone like him to take a hit from, and his attitude softened towards her when he learned her heritage. An outcast, just like me. Except she didn't choose to be one. When Trey told him what they were looking for, he nodded again, but instead of reaching for one of the many weapons on the wall or on display, he went to the back. Moments later he returned. In his hands was a small but deadly crossbow and two curved short swords. Ignoring Trey, he walked over to where Nuitae still sat, dazed.
"These belonged to my mother, Brias Na'akneth. I don't know what you're planning, but I'm sure they will work well for you. Since they are not for sell, consider them as a loan."
He spoke in the Drow dialect, and his words snapped Nuitae out of her near-coma. She blinked several times before looking around, as if she did not know where she was, and stood up. Gingerly, she took the crossbow, its holster, and the two blades. She marveled at how light they were, but how deadly. She felt the magic that came from them, and it seemed as if they had been made for her. The crossbow, too, seemed to be delighted as well that it had found someone else to be of use to.
Nuitae bowed her head slightly. "Thank you," she said. Then, as she strapped them on, she added. "I apologize for my behavior, it was rash. I will take good care of these."
Sighing, Solesril shook his head and turned away. To Trey he said, "She won't last. I've been to the Underdark but once, and barely escaped with my life. The land of my mother is treacherous indeed. And being a female, it will actually be harder for her to slip in unnoticed. If she were male… well, no one would notice an extra servant running around."
"I hope it will not come to that," Trey said softly, though Nuitae did not hear.