Hello All,
Well what can I say, after the boom there is a bit of silence. But not for long this I promise you.... And you'll find a little slashing here.
To all reviewers and readers big thank you. You are my motivation to spit out what's on my mind.
I hope you'll have fun reading this.
And as always, reviews are the most welcome...
Warm regards,
MS
Nessa was woken up by a terrible headache. With a silent groan she lifted herself up and leaned on the elbows. The room span for a moment, as the memory of last evening plunged into her head. She raised her hand and delicately touched her face. She winced at the touch. Well, let's assess the damage.. Slowly she rolled out of the bed and approached the dresser. Her mirror image seemed odd, like it didn't belong to her. A huge bruise covered left side of her face. The eyelid was still slightly swollen as well as her lips.
"Well that's just marvelous…" – she whispered to herself grimacing in pain – "See pointy eared girls know how to spank.. Not bad.."- she murmured trying to smile at that remark, however the pain didn't allow her to.
She took her time to wash and dress herself. She was sitting on the bed putting she second boot on when someone knocked on the door. She got up and reached for the dagger. Just in case her "admirer" decided to finalize their rendez vous. There was a part of her that really wanted him to come. She would gladly make sure he would never make such attempt towards any woman again. Terminally. The dagger whirled in her hand as she slowly approached the door.
"What?!" she asked resting her hand upon the key.
"It's me…" Nuada's voice answered- "We're setting out in two hours."
"Well, great… thank you.." she replied – "I'll be ready..
"I need to talk you... Open the door…" Nuada lowered his voice as if he didn't want anyone to hear him.
"I think I know everything I need to know from you… I need to come to terms with myself. Alone… I'll be ready in two hours…" – she really didn't feel like showing her face to him right now. That was way to humiliating.
"I remind you that I'm in charge here, and when I have a need to see you, your thing is to obey my wish. Open the door." His voice dropped down to a hiss.
Why this has to be that difficult… Nessa sighed and turned the key. She knew that he just wouldn't let go. And she was not in the mood for a word spar. She turned her back on the door and walked to the opposite side of the room. She heard that he brought someone with him. She was just about to send him and is pathetic friend to hell when she heard him speak –
"Put it right there and leave." – Nessa relaxed at the sound of a tray being put on a dresser.
"Since you didn't join us for breakfast, I arranged it for you." – closing sound of his voice made Nessa move to the other corner of the room
"Thank you…" she tried to make her voice natural, to hide the rage growing inside of her. So that's how we play it. I came to apologize, did a little hugging and nothing has ever happened? I was supposed to join your breakfast you no good twisted son of a bitch? Her eyes burned as she made effort to add calmly – "I didn't feel like company… I was hoping you'd understand… But being wrong is becoming my habit recently…" despite her will the last words were soaked with sarcasm.
"I apologized… what more do you want me to do?" he snarled advancing at her
"Do not expect me to forgive…Not now not ever. Yesterday… I was weak, scared.. but no more. You might have believed that one embrace can fix this. It won't." she hissed trying to get away from him again. This time she was to slow. He managed to grab her arm and turned her to look at her face. She tried to hide it in hair, but in one move he brushed away revealing miserable view. As she tried to look down, he cupped her chin and made her look at him.
"I have no words that could express my disdain for what Nathaniel did.." his eyes took a short trip over her injuries – "I mean it. Some time ago I would NEVER say anything like that. Not to a human… Ever…." She held his haze for a moment and then looked away with a sigh.
"Come sit down." He added softly leading her towards bed. When she sat down, he approached the dresser and took a small bucket filled with ice. "Take this… this will at least should reduce the swelling…"
***********************************
Two hours later they all gathered in inn's hall. All eyes were fixed upon Nessa as she descended the stairs. Her own eyes were however fixed on Nathaniel. Her lips curled as she saw the bruise marking his right temple. Although her own face looked far worse, she felt much better to see that her efforts didn't come unnoticed. Good old bottle did it's job well. She stopped at the handrail awaiting for a Nuada's signal to move out. As Nuada spotted her, he approached her reaching out one hand.
"I believe these are yours" – he spoke. She peeked at his hand and saw two daggers that Nathaniel had taken away from her. She slightly bowed her head-
"Thank you… I didn't expect to see them again…" her lips twitched – "That would be a pity. There are pretty good daggers."
Nuada watched her as she sheathed them in her armor. "It's time to go."- he said turning his head to look at the rest of the fellowship. They all cast hostile looks at Nessa. This will be more complicated that I expected. – Nuada thought locking Nathaniel's eyes against his. His friend's eyes burned. Disdain was well hidden, unnoticeable for common eye. But Nuada has known Nathaniel for too long. He was able to read his emotions, no matter how hard he tried to cover them. He walked towards the Elf still holding his gaze. As he passed him he whispered
"Do not DISAPPOINT me again.."
Nathaniel clenched his teeth as he watched Nuada's back. Mathan and Tuatha hurriedly followed the prince sensing the tension between those two. Nathaniel slowly turned his head to look at Nessa. At first she hesitated, but then she slapped herself mentally. There was nothing to be afraid of. She just wouldn't let this happen again. She straightened her back and confidently walked towards the door. As she was passing him, not granting him a single look she heard him hiss-
"This is not over you filth. Not at all…."
She stopped and without turning her head she spoke to the space in front of her –
"I hope it isn't. Moreover I strongly encourage you to try that again. Please do…" she whispered resting her hand on a handgrip. Then she moved on leaving fuming Elf behind.
***************************************
Five cloaked figured gazed upon the gate. The gate was actually a one floor stone portico. First floor was occupied by district's administrator. Ground floor was guards' quarter. A dim light dancing in the window meant that someone was on duty. And that it was not his lucky day.
"I'll take care of it" Nessa whispered – "You proceed at my sign". Without waiting for an answer she soundlessly vanished into the shadows.
"Since when you take the orders from human Nuada?" – Nathaniel's whisper was soaked with sarcasm
"For greater good of our people, I'd obey a dwarf. And it's all part of a plan. But I don't need to explain myself to you. And I do not intend to. We can discuss all issues you might have, when we're done here." Nuada hissed glaring at his friend – "Now if any of you have any other remarks, keep them for yourself. It was my decision to take the human, and I take full responsibility for the outcome. And your part is to obey my orders. Am I making myself clear?" he moved his gaze from one face to another. Mathan and Tuatha nodded and immediately dropped their gazes to the ground. Nathaniel held Nuada's gaze the longest. After a moment of deep silence Nuada repeated – "Do I make myself clear Nathaniel?" Elf's jaw muscles tensed. His beautiful face winced, for a for a fraction of a second revealing pure disdain, fury, and deep defiance. Then he drawled – "Yes my Prince. You could not be more deliberate. I'm at your service as always" – he finished bowing his head.
"Good. For I want you to know that there are choices I was forced to make. And I'm not proud of them. But everything I've done so far, I've done for my people. For our people. For YOU. So don't question those choices."- Nuada finished now fixing his eyes upon quarter's door. It slowly opened and one of Graveyard Guards appeared in it. He stepped outside and stretched. It was late and apparently he must have been napping. Now it was time for routine round. He stretched once again, now with a yawn. Suddenly his left hand slowly descended to stop at his throat. The moment later he fell back, and invisible force seemed to drag him out of elves sight. Nuada's lips crooked. How easily humans kill each other. No second thoughts, no regrets… No loyalty at all… After a while they saw her giving them a signal to proceed.. As they approached her she fixed her gaze upon Nuada and spoke –
"I need a word with you…. Alone." – she turned away and walked into the darkness
Nuada felt the sting of anger. He didn't like neither the tone nor the manner she addressed him. Especially now in front of his people. Perhaps it was not the best time for bringing it up, but he decided to remind her about few rules.
"Stay out of sight" – he ordered to his companions, and followed Nessa. He found her leaning against the wall, standing over the body of a guard she'd just taken out. Nuada glanced at him as he queried –
"How easy is it for you to kill your own kind? For money?"
At first Nessa's brows rose in surprise. Then her mouth twitched in slight smirk.
"I didn't kill him. I just offered him a nap. Deeper than usual. He'll wake up tomorrow with huge headache. That's all." – she paused and added – "I'm no monster, I do not kill if I do not have to. I don't like blood. It's hard to get rid of it. But it's not what I wanted to talk about…"
"What is it then? I hope it's worth the delay.." – Nuada murmured
"Something isn't right." – Nessa whispered – "Don't you find it strange that only one guard was on his duty? As far as I remember, night shift groups involve at least four soldiers. Here was this one. Look at him. He's 16? 17? They do not put such inexperienced soldiers on night duty. I smell a rat. I think we should go back and do some additional research. This situation is not normal. I VERY much don't like it. I strongly suggest that we withdraw…"
Nuada studied woman thoroughly. He wished to see trough the hood, to see her eyes.
"We cannot withdraw now. I don't have that much time." – he fixed his eyes upon unconscious guard and continued – "Perhaps this district doesn't need that much surveillance. The main tomb has it's own troop. Perhaps they don't see the necessity to double…."
"How much are you determined to get whatever we are stealing today? Is it worth risking your life? Or life of your people?" – Nessa queried now slowly approaching him – "Because from this place I tell you, if you order me to go, I'll go. But if anything goes wrong, I won't endanger myself for you. I will save my own back."
"And I do not demand it of you. If anything goes wrong, you're free to save yourself. But now it's the risk that I have to take. Let's go" – he stated firmly and went back to summon the rest of fellowship.
Nessa shook her head. She could not imagine anything important enough to walk straight into some kind of trap. At least nothing material. Every piece of intuition she had screamed to flee. But deal is a deal. She took the map out of her travel sack and studied it for a moment. When the elves joined she whispered from over her shoulder – "This way… and watch your step. It's far too quiet here…" she added as she entered small side alley. As they reached she second guards' quarter, alarm lights in Nessa's head flashed even brighter. The windows were dark, which could mean that either no one is on duty, or the guards are sleeping. Which was extremely odd, even for graveyard district. She turned back to the elves and whispered. –
"Christof's tomb is very near… And I don't know but if its guards abandoned it too, I'm not taking even one step further. There's something very odd going on here. Perhaps what's hidden there is worth enough to die for. But not for me."
"I would be surprised if humans had ever believed in something to the point of such sacrifice." – Nathaniel's hiss cut the air
"Now would you?" Nessa crooked her head – "You should start getting used to surprises then…"
Nathaniel opened his mouth to retort, but Nuada's hiss stopped him
"Quit it! It's not time nor place for philosophical disputes. Let's move!" he ordered
They moved forward, atmosphere as thick as possible. Finally they reached their destination. Nessa felt unexpected relief when she saw two soldiers guarding the main entrance to the tomb. Their uniforms and armor indicated that they were the members of City Guards. Nessa quietly sighed. Perhaps she was oversensitive and hysterical. Maybe Ashane's community was not as fond of their dead as the other communities she had come across in the past. Her inner voice still urged her to get away. But she muted it and turned to Nuada.
"I'll go and take those out. Just stay close for we have to be quick."
"You're going to take them out or put them to sleep?" Nuada couldn't help the remark
"Does the fact that I do not take pleasure from killing amuse you? And you consider yourself superior and civilized?" her retort wiped the smug look off his face. He almost felt the amused gaze Nathaniel cast him. She didn't wait for his reply. He just saw a dim shape vanishing in the darkness. He strangled the anger that crawled up his heart and taking a deep breath he waved at his people to follow him. This human must have used some kind of magic on him. Any other would have been dead right now.
***********************************
It was the last place he wished to be right now. He was supposed to be in tavern, drinking, singing, and having good time with Elyssa, Jutith or any other girl Ben would have for him. And yet he had to stand here and guard this damn tomb. Accompanied by the dead, and three other fools delegated to this task. Jack and Bill were on the other side of the tomb, guarding the back door. And he stuck with this idiot Aldorn. Alkar shrugged. He joined City Guards because they paid well, and I was quite good carrier for someone who knew how to fight and didn't have noble origins. Aldorn, son of minor nobleman, came here with a mission. Perhaps he counted on social advancement, perhaps he just was born such obnoxious jerk. This way or another, Alkar has never met such formalist in his life. And it made his tonight's shift even more unbearable. He pricked up his ears to hear the laughter coming from the other side of the building. He sighed and hanged his head.
What am I doing here. Guarding some dead man… from what?! Maggots? Other dead? It should be district's responsibility.
He leaned against his halberd and sneered at Aldorn's sight. He stood straightened, tirelessly scanning the space in front of him.
Pitiful bastard he thought to himself. Suddenly something odd drew his attention. It sounded like a cough mixed with silent groan. It came from the left side of the building. He decided to check it, as he didn't like the silence that seemed to spring over the tomb. As he proceeded the the darkness thickened somehow. Finally his eyes spotted black shape lying on the ground. Alkar heard the footsteps of his companion coming from behind.
"What is it Alkar?" – Aldorn queried
"Nothing. It's just some drunk who apparently has extremely bad taste in picking drinking companions….. HEY YOU! GET OUT OF HERE!" – he commanded – "This is not an inn, MOVE!" – he growled attempting to kick the body. He froze as his eyes caught the strand of hair sticking from under the hood. His lips stretched in malicious grin.
"Oy, Aldie I think this night might turn out not bad at all…. We've been blessed with a lady here. As City Guards' representatives we should give her a warm welcome…" – he purred leaning over the body.
"I think we should report this and take her out of here. This is not place for sleeping" – Aldorn replied.
"But of course we'll report it…. Later. But first we could have some fun…" – he murmured squatting down and wrapping the strand around his finger.
"I don't like it Alkar… We should notify someone and take her out of here." – Aldorn insisted
"Don't be such formalist." – Alkar hissed – " If you are not interested, that's fine with me. I'm going to have a good time and I don't need your permission. If your honor doesn't allow you to enjoy given opportunities, that's your problem. Now to spare your eyes the horror, go and tell boys, that I have surprise for them. I'm going to introduce myself to the lady now"- he purred reaching for the woman's hood. His eyes widened as woman's arm shot forward and grabbed his shoulder.
"Nessa Moonshade. Not very pleased to meet you." – whisper merged with shink noise. Second after, thin blade sunk in Alkar's exposed neck. The last thing he remembered were Nessa's curled lips.
Aldorn was about to continue his negotiations with Alkar, when he saw unexpected movement. That rang the alarm in his head. He opened his mouth to call for help, when he saw a silver flash, and no sound came out his throat. He reached for his neck to find his hand showered with his own blood. He dropped to his knees, and then fell back to see white haired man holding a spear in his right hand. Then everything went black.
Nessa got up, stepped over Alkair's now dead body and approached Nuada
"It's time to go inside. We need to hurry" – she whispered
"What with other two guards?" Nuada queried
"Already taken care of." – Nessa frowned at the question – "Need any details?"
"I'm just making sure everything is done well" – Nuada smirked at woman's irritation
"Well this time I have something original to say." Nessa's lips curled – "Do not provoke m, when your life depends on me. Check - mate my Prince. Check - mate this time…." – she whispered passing him. When all gathered together she whispered
"Remember to stick to the walls. If there are any surprises awaiting, they will be most likely located near the center." She paused and looked at Nuada – "I might be wrong though…" she smirked and continued – "This way or another you'll have to trust me on this one and do as I say." – now her gaze rested on Nathaniel's face – "If you don't, it's your own responsibility. Just stick to the walls, and let me do my job…"