Chantal followed Bishop, who was storming through the ruins, never looking back to check if she kept up. Anger spoke out of every one of his movements.

Seems like I royally pissed him off again.

And this time she did not even mean to do it.

I really don't get him.

She sighed, then shrugged inwardly. It did not matter. Soon, she would be rid of him again. The only thing that mattered was helping Neeshka.

She saw him stop and wait for her to catch up without looking round. She realised they had reached the edge of the ruins and were about to step into the city proper. Her stomach cramped slightly. If she had let herself be fooled by Bishop again, it would probably be the last mistake of her life. Well, too late to turn back. Too much at stake.

"Careful now", he said, still without looking at her. "Try to act normal. And don't draw up your hood."

He started walking down the streets, suddenly appearing relaxed and at ease. The anger seemed to have evaporated. She fell in step with him, regarding him out of the corner of her eyes.

Gods, he's good.

Hard to imagine that just seconds ago his movements had been jerky and irate. Now he moved calmly and gracefully.

Born actor. No wonder he deceived you.

Was she being deceived again?

Only one way to find out.

The hard way, unfortunately.

Her thoughts were interrupted when suddenly his arm went around her shoulders and he drew her close. She flinched, but his grip tightened, holding her fast. "Patrol", he whispered into her ear. "Try to look as if you like me."

The last sentence dripped with sarcasm.

Again, she felt an inexplicable stab at his words. Oh yes? Well, two could play that game. And as a bard, she could act as well. She melted against him, her arm going round his waist. Her head snuggled against his shoulder, and she turned her eyes adoringly up to his face, giving him her best dazzling smile.

Gazing down at her, his step faltered. Then he caught himself and continued walking while they passed a group of armed and armoured guards. Luckily, the guards continued without giving them a second glance. If she had not been so nervous because of them, Chantal would have laughed. The annoyed look on his face had been priceless.

One for me.

Besides, this feels nice...

No! No nice. This was just show.

Right.

But she could not deny his strong body felt good against hers... and that his scent still went straight to her head...

She came back to reality when he roughly shoved her away.

"Guards are gone", he snapped.

xxx

Anger churned in Bishop while he walked through the hated streets, outwardly relaxed, storm raging inside.

The bitch!

The look she had given him had been like a stab through the heart.

Exactly how she looked at me then.

What more proof did he need that she was a manipulating, conniving vixen who played him like a violin? She was doing it again!

Oh no. No, no, no. No way!

Distance. Distance was what he needed. A lot of distance. Soon. When they were back to the ruins, he would dump her on the paladin and get some sleep. Tomorrow night they would hopefully leave this lovely place. And then he would be out of her life. And she out of his. He could not wait.

xxx

Chantal walked beside Bishop, still watching him under her lashes. He seemed relaxed again, but there was a tension in his jaw, and his eyes burned with amber flames. He still was angry. Very much.

What have I done now?

Why was he so mad? Perhaps she should try to calm him down some. She still needed him.

There's an easy task.

Well, making him angry sure is easier.

"Bishop?", she started, hesitation in her voice.

"No need to talk", he snapped.

Ouch.

She reached out and put her hand on his arm.

"Listen..."

He jerked away like she had burned him.

"Don't touch me", he hissed, his eyes narrow slits.

She felt anger rising in her, too.

"Listen, it was your idea, so..."

"Yes, and it worked!", he interrupted, acidly. "So just shut up and let's get this over with!"

Feeling deflated, she closed her mouth and walked in silence. So much for trying to calm him down. She really did not understand. Even if she had overplayed the charade a bit, that was no reason to lose his temper like that. She sighed.

I don't get him.

xxx

Chantal followed Bishop for a couple of minutes more through the nearly empty streets until he stopped in front of a seedy building. He turned to her, the anger seemingly gone from his eyes, but with him, who could tell?

"How much do you have?", he said in a businesslike voice.

"A bit more then a thousand gold", she answered, likewise. "My jewellery might amount to about the same sum. And a couple of minor magic trinkets, rings, amulets and the like. And some more valuable ones from Casavir. They might be worth three or four thousand gold. Will that be enough?"

He shrugged. "Let's hope so. Stay out of it and let me do the talking." He knocked on the door. She swallowed a fitting reply and stayed silent. It probably was better to let him do the talking. For now.

After some long minutes a little flap opened. Dark eyes regarded them suspiciously. "Who's there?", a gruff voice rang out.

"Vince, it's me", Bishop said, stepping in front of the flap. "Open the blasted door."

There was a sharp intake of breath behind the flap. It fell closed and Chantal could hear the sound of a bar being pulled back. Then the door opened and a tall, dark haired man stepped aside to allow them inside.

Bishop entered without hesitation, and Chantal followed him swiftly, finding herself in a small vestibule. The dark haired man – Vince – closed the door and turned to them.

"Are you completely insane to show your face here? You know what will happen if they find you.", he said to Bishop, incredulously. "And to me, too, if they find out I talked to you!"

"I know. I'm sorry", Bishop said, sounding sincere. Chantal could hardly believe her ears. Bishop, apologising? "I would not be here if I knew another way, believe me."

Vince settled against the wall. "Fair enough. What is it you want?"

Chantal peered at the man, curiously. He was tall, nearly as tall as Casavir, if not as muscular, dark hair cut short. Maybe in his mid thirties. The most noticeable thing about him was the scar on his face, running from the left corner of his mouth to his ear, pulling his mouth up a bit in what looked like a perpetual crooked smile. But there was no amusement in his dark eyes.

Wonder what his relationship with Bishop might be?

"This is about the Neverwinter thief that has been caught", Bishop's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"The tiefling?", Vince said, surprised. "She will be executed in two days. Biggest event since I don't know when. One of the heroes of Neverwinter, they are exploiting that for all it's worth. What about her?"

Relief coursed through Chantal, making her knees weak. So she had been right. Neeshka was still alive. Thank the gods for that.

"See, that is the problem, Vincent", Bishop said, his fingers plucking at some imaginary lint on the cuff of his shirt. "Neverwinter hero. Neverwinter is not happy about her being executed. They want her out."

Vincent's eyes turned to Chantal. "Who is your friend?", he said, suspiciously.

Bishop looked up. "She's the one with the money. But you'll still talk to me."

"You brought a Neverwinter agent to my house? I can't believe this! Are you mad? Have you any idea what will happen if someone finds out? Why not leave me a message as always?"

Bishop's eyes went to Chantal for a moment, his lips curled in a mocking sneer.

"Could not do that this time. We'll just have to make sure no one finds out. Believe me, we don't want that any more than you."

Vincent snorted. "If I did not owe you, I would kick you out right now."

"Yes", Bishop said calmly. "But you do owe me."

Vincent's hand went to the scar on his face, his expression sad for a moment. "Fine. I do. Besides, I owe them, too. So what do you have in mind?"

"Use your connections. We can pay. Get her out of prison, deliver her to us. Let them find her empty cell when they come to collect her."

"Get her out of prison? You must be joking! Heads are going go roll in great measure, if she escapes!"

Bishop smiled, cruelly. The sight sent a chill down Chantal's back. "Oh yes. Many heads. Of Luskan prison guards."

An answering, equally cruel smile appeared on Vincent's face. "I see. I say, I'm beginning to like your little plan."

"I thought so."

They gazed at each other for a moment, and Chantal could feel some wordless exchange between the two men.

What ever is going on here?

Then Vincent spoke again. "We have to make sure no one can track this back to me. I don't want my head to be one of those rolling. And my contact... we will have to pay him enough to tempt him. He will have to be long gone when the escape is discovered."

Bishop nodded. "Agreed."

"And there must be a little something for me, too. I'm going to lose a valuable contact, it's gotta be worth it. So, how much do you have?"

Bishop waved at Chantal. "Show him."

She stepped forward and started to take the pouches off her belt, putting them on a little table at the wall. Vincent came to her side and started going through the contents, grumbling from time to time.

"Are these magical?", he asked, holding up the pouch containing the rings and amulets. Chantal just nodded.

"Good. I'll keep those for myself. Since they must be worth more than double the rest of the stuff, I'm going to throw in some of my funds, say, three thousand gold. The difference is my pay. That would make about five thousand gold payment for my contact. That might just be enough. Deal?"

"Deal", Bishop said.

"Fine. Where can I find you?"

"Ruins of Illusk. We'll be waiting for you."

Vincent shook his head. "Your old hideout? I should have known. You were never afraid of nothing, crazy bastard. That place creeps me out."

Bishop shrugged. "The rest of this beautiful city is no less creepy."

Vincent laughed. "Here we disagree. Never mind. I'll let you know how it went. Go now." He stepped forward, holding out his hand. Bishop took it, and Vincent's other hand reached out and squeezed his arm. "You know, it's been really good to see you again", he said, his voice soft suddenly. "Take care out there!"

Bishop gripped the other man's hand in both of his and smiled. "You, too. Be careful. We'll be waiting for you."

Chantal thought her jaw might hit the floor. Who was that man talking to Vincent? That was not the Bishop she knew!

Vincent nodded and stepped back. "Don't expect me before tomorrow night."

He opened the flap on the door, peered outside, then opened the door to let them out. "Coast is clear. See you tomorrow."