.6 A confrontation of consequence
Elissa turned around, and urged her lips to pull together in a playful pout. The room was silent now but not all eyes were set on her; only the broad shouldered man now crossed his arms and waited for her to make an introduction, accompanied by the two menacing sentinels who seemed to find enjoyment in the prospect of giving her the same treatment as her predecessor.
The piercing eyes of the elven guard stung in Elissa's back as she stepped forward, relying on the curtsying that had broken the tension when she made her appearance at the party.
In a secluded room filled with Antivan Crows, it did not.
"Once every year, during the grand Carnival in Val Royeaux, the Crows find themselves available to receive assignments from the well paying Orlesian nobility." Zevran's words had guided her so far; Elissa decided to rely on them once more.
"I understood that I find myself in the scarce opportunity to place a request with the Antivan Crows."
"It is rumored that the leader of the Crows takes this opportunity to enjoy the festival, and this year should be no exception."
"And where would someone like yourself get such information?"
Elissa felt the blood drain from her cheeks. Not only from the voice belonging to the scarred rogue speaking in her ear, but also because of his answer, possibly drenched in double meaning.
"From a friend, of course."
She wished Zevran had provided her elaborate costume with a fan. The lady in the corner seemed to vent her emotions off with hers quite well.
"Naturally. It is by those means how word travels of surreptitious meetings, beyond our borders and much further."
The rugged man now stood up from his leaning position, revealing his full length and impressive posture. Elissa noticed the sword and dagger hanging from his belt, not unlike the ones Zevran used to wield before she provided him with a better set of weapons. She slowly ran her hands along her dress to feel the reassurance of the knives hidden in her garters.
"So, why is it you came, mademoiselle…"
The man paused politely with a hand gesture to Elissa, indicating she was to introduce herself properly.
"Des la Croix. Georgette des la Croix." Repeating the name on the invitation that was provided to her, she perfunctory added a small bow which caused snickering to arise from the man still standing closely behind her. The man in front of her joined in with a low chuckle, his broad shoulders shaking under the humor she apparently induced.
"You are aware, mademoiselle des la Croix, that your accent is anything but Orlesian."
Elissa was surprised by the credibility of her own bluffing. "Of course you of all people are aware, dear ser, that it is not unthinkable to rely on another name when the situation requires so."
The amusement died out immediately, leaving the delegate silent with an expression which could be interpreted as being convinced, with maybe a hint of respect.
This was the moment when the seated lady stood up, folding her fan to tuck it up her sleeve. Her eyes finally met Elissa's, and the reserved look she had recognized as being one of class changed into a hard stare.
"So it does. And what imminently holds the situation you have brought yourself into? Alone?"
Before Elissa could answer she noticed the man she had considered her target submissively retreat from the center of the room. The woman against all her expectations, continued.
"You say you are here to reward a price on someone's head, while to me it seems you have given us the opportunity to finally settle the one that has been on yours, Elissa Cousland."
At that moment she felt the ragged breath of her scarred attacker down her neck, together with the sharp of his short sword. The remaining parts of him were pressed against her back, and the menacing snicker she had been glad to silence earlier filled the room once more. The mask was crudely ripped from her face, revealing her surprised expression as well as her features to the rest of the room.
Elissa took a deep breath and tensioned her body to make her escape. Her attacker seemed to enjoy himself, tightening his grip around her and pressing the blade and his body closer to her flesh. The woman remained in the corner, a crude smile playing across her lips. With a gesture of her hand she ordered the inevitable. The cold eyes of the leader of the Crows would be the last Elissa would see before they'd slit her throat.
Suddenly the spectators that had waited for the elf's ordeal moved forward.
Elissa must have closed her eyes, because when she opened them none of them where in her sight, and the pressing of the knife against her skin had disappeared. She dropped into a crouch, reaching for the twin blades hidden under her dress. Behind her she heard the trusted battle calls of her love, strengthening her for her own fight.
She leaped forward, careful not to trip over her skirts while she grabbed the sword hand of the slender elf protecting her mistress, plunging one of her daggers in the unprotected flesh of her abdomen. Before the elf sunk to the ground Elissa caught the eyes of the woman in red, assuring her with a single glance that it would not be her that would settle the score that day.
The woman seemed unconcerned, but her smile had faded. She sat down slowly in the chair she had occupied earlier, turning the palms of her hands upwards in a sign of surrender.
Before Elissa could contemplate the gesture she felt the skin of her back tear under the weight of what appeared to be a badly aimed blow.
In one single movement she turned around to cut down the grey eyed elf, completing the circle by slitting the Crow master's neck so deep it nearly hewn her head off.