Hello,

Here's the next one. As you can see I'm trying to introduce Nessa to you. For those of you who await more Nuada stuff, don't worry, his time will come. I just want to have a story about 2 characters (or more). Nessa is a bad girl too smirks About the language, I know at some points it's explicit, but I cannot imagine my characters speaking beautiful English in some situations.

As always, read and review. I do really appreciate your time spent on it.

As always thank you

MS

Jon was a minor rogue in Amarath. Actually he was never good at stealing/slaying business. Nessa would always make fun of him. She claimed, that he would be the first thief in history, that if caught, would offer compensation to his would-be victim. There were times when Nessa tried to train his stealing skills. He always ended knocked off his feet with a dagger next to his throat accompanied with Nessa sitting on him. Each swordplay ended the same way. Of course he was able to defend himself… for a time. But reaching her with a blade was just impossible. Since he wasn't able to make a living through regular rouge routine, he made gaining information his way of earning. Amarath held no secrets from him. That's how he came to know Nessa. He linked her to some of her principals. Once the cooperation appeared to be bilaterally beneficial, they decided set up more solid professional relationship. Jon acted as Nessa's representative. He was the initial point of contact. He performed a primary selection of proposed assignments and rejected those which she wouldn't take up. Generally speaking, they made a good team.

Today he called for her, as he had a new quest for her. Something that she'd probably love. A go-steal-runaway-get a lot of money thing. Only one thing bothered him. The client was somewhat strange. He refused to show his face or reveal his identity to anyone but Nessa. He was very tall, well built, dressed in black cloak with a hood covering his face. And very persistent in avoiding introduction. Jon was in this business for too long, to be obtrusive towards such type of client. Besides his distrust weakened, once he was given a purse of gold as an advance. Let Nessa decide what to do with the man – he concluded. As he was raking in the purse, he captured stranger's face for just a sec; he saw his pale skin contrasted with black lips and those eyes. Although their eyes met only for a split second, he felt a shiver coming up and down his spine. They were yellow. Icy yellow.

"So, in three days time I will be waiting by the Mourning Stone. I hope she appears. I hate to feel… disappointed. Hope you know what I mean?- the Stranger's question definitely contained a threat.

" I really need her.. – Stranger waived his voice – "services…."

"Don't worry, Sire – answered Jon after swallowing the lump that rose in his throat – "she will come. Your proposal is very interesting, and I'm convinced she will enjoy helping you."

"Oh I'm sure she will – the Stranger replied with a grin that made Jon swallow again – "moreover I'm convinced that both of us will."

Without any farewell he turned his back at him and left the room.

Jon sighed with relief. His back was all covered in sweat. There was something about the guy that scared him. For a moment he thought that perhaps accepting that assignment was not such a good idea. But it was too late for that. He was convinced, that if Nessa wouldn't show up in an agreed place, his death would be only a matter of time. On the other hand, he was convinced, that if there was anything wrong about this man, Nessa would handle it. As she always did.

On an agreed day, Nessa showed up at Rhys' apartment to get assignment details from him.

"Hey Bro! Why so serious? – Nessa greeted Jon entering his room. He in fact looked very unhappy and pale.

"Hey pretty one" – he replied in a wasted tone – 'haven't slept well lately… Yeah you know, stress' n stuff"

"C'mon" - Nessa chuckled- "You and stress? Pleeeease! What's wrong, some fair lady has turned you down? Husband came home too early?Your wine reserves are running short? Someone is trying to underbuy me from you? You know that I'd never leave you my beloved one…" she fluttered her eyelashes and pouted lips as she would like to kiss him.

"No Nessa, this is serious. Please be serious for a moment" – he requested – " It's you. I'm worried about you. I think I got us into a terrible mess"

"How come? – Nessa's brows went up – "tell me what happened. We'll figure out sth. We're in this together, remember Partner?"

"It's about this new assignment, I fear that's something stinky about it" Jon replied with a sigh – " I wish I hadn't been so stupid!!!" – he yelled jumping out of a chair.

"Hey Jon" – Nessa approached him and put her hand on his shoulder – "I still don't know what the problem is. What's so bad about this assignment? I need to know."

" Well it's the guy who commissioned it" Jon answered tilting his head down.

"Well what about him fellow? Does he have tentacles? Sharp teeth? Furry forearms?" – she tried to cheer him up

"No Nessa" – he replied turning his face to hers and looking totally miserable – "I feel that it's not the assignment he wants. He wants you. I don't know how but I just know it. It's all my fault" – his voice turned to whisper

"Hey, HEY!" – she grabbed his shoulders and shook them – "you sound like it was the first time I had to deal with some oddities. I'm quite experienced, you know?. And guess what... my accuracy is 100% Give me the details. I'll make him pay for scaring my precious agent!" she rumpled his hair.

As he handled her the note with all information he held her hand, pulled her against him and embraced her. She was shocked. At first her instinct told her to push him away, but then she returned the hug. And then she heard him speak

" Nessa, don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to.. you know… I couldn't… – she heard his voice stuck in his throat - "You are the best friend.. THE ONLY friend I've ever had. I'm scared that I'll lose you. I'm scared that this mission will take you away from me. I'm scared that it'll be my fault." he whispered.

"Yeah, I know you're probably choking from inner laugh that I'm telling you that bullshit, but guess what. I DON"T GIVE A FUCK!" he freed himself of her embrace and faced the wall.

"Heeey…" – she whispered softly as she approached him – "I….I… Thank you my Friend." She said tightening her hand upon his shoulder. "Thank You…"

They stood like that for a few minutes, not making a sound, just enjoying the silence.

Then Jon felt that she took her hand of him. He turned away to tell her to be careful. But she was already gone.

God I hate she does that! – he thought to himself. And then he added loudly " Watch your back Babe". He approached the table, sat and rested his head in his hands.

What have I done?...

Nessa tried to fight the lump in her throat as she run back to her lair. Stupid Jon – she thought- why has he done this? I'm not allowed to get involved. I'M NOT!! He is not my Friend, he's my…. employee. He has no importance to me apart form professional bonds! That's right. Just an informer…damn.. – a hurricane of thoughts rushed through her head. Stupid man. She recalled Rhys' lectures about getting involved with other people. How did this fool manage to get so close to her heart? Once this assignment is over, she will cut off the contact. She cannot afford to have friends. End of topic… But yet her heart felt warm. She smiled unwittingly to a memory of him trying to reach her with a sword. His focused face made her giggle. He would always stick out his tongue like a little brat. But immediately she shook this picture away. She was always alone and this is how it's meant to be. That was Nessa's way.

Nuada sat at the table. He has just finished carving in wood. It was small figure of a woman. He turned it in his fingers smiling. She was dressed in green. Her hair was a color of fire. He moved his pale finger along the hair line. Then he stood up and approached the dresser. His golden eyes rested upon a meticulously carved box. As he opened it a beautiful melody caressed his senses. He closed eyes, took a deep breath and allowed his mind to travel to times when he was happy. Long ago. He saw beautiful forests, clean streams, meadows filled with flowers, and his sister's face. And horses. He sighed. But then his vision become blurry and was replaced by the other one. A figure of a woman in green cloak. Red hair. A storm of red hair. And laughter. He crooked his eyebrows for a moment and opened his eyes. He placed the figure upon the moving platform of a music box. He watched it dance.

"So my little Ghost Dancer, soon I will have you here" he murmured – "and I'll me more than delighted to join you. I'll lead if you don't mind." He returned to sharpening his blades. The figure span till the music ended. Then it fell down to the floor and rolled until it stopped by Nuada's feet. His lips stretched in a smile.

That's where you belong my Ghost Dancer…