The Hoax
She dragged her tongue along the craggy canopy of her mouth; no matter how many times she repeated this act, its taste lingered on, imprinting its presence on her acquiescent taste buds. That dry Tanaris air always left her with a pervasive aftertaste that coated the tongue and stuck to the back of the throat like a spoonful of peppery spices.
Lira hated it.
The air was thick and heavy, almost weighing down her soul with its density. This made her armor cramped and sticky, staining her cheeks scarlet from the heat. Surreptitiously, she stole a sidelong glance at Leyos. He was fresh, unfazed, untouched by Tanaris' harsh welcome. His gait was something to admire, smooth and paced with a subtle feline grace. He paid no heed as roaming sand twirled playfully about the hem of his robes before climbing to burrow into his cascade of aquamarine hair.
Realizing her staring was quite obvious, she averted her gaze and let out a dusty sigh. Without warning, Leyo's hand darted out, grabbing a handful of a sediment-laden breeze. He inhaled, down to his diaphragm, before relaxing his hand and releasing the sandy whisper back into the capricious wind.
"They are close by. We will wait here," he murmured, anchoring his walking staff into the yielding dirt.
Lira slowed with the protesting groan of plate and squeal of metal. Her fluorescent gaze swept across the barren horizon, seeing nothing, but there was no doubt in her mind that Leyos' words were anything but true. However, that was not what concerned her. Her tongue flicked across her lips and she cleared her throat softly.
"Pardon my disrespect..." She faltered momentarily, requiring a deep breath before she could continue on. "But it is my understanding that Goblins are very unforgiving when it comes to business... Might I humbly suggest that we continue on to the agreed upon rendezvous point?"
Her ears picked up the all too familiar whizzing of his cane long before she saw it streak through the air, yet she made no attempt to avoid the blow. The only indication of pain Lira displayed was a reflexive wince, nothing more. She didn't even bother to wipe the blood sluicing down the side of her face.
"It seems the heat has dulled your mind and caused you to forget your place. You know well and good that you are not at liberty to speak freely. You speak only when spoken to or after you have begged for my permission and I so find it in my gracious nature to give audience to your prattle," Leyos growled, annoyance displayed prominently on his face. "It would do you well to remember yourself; next time I will not be so forgiving."
Wisely, Lira said nothing but dipped her head slightly in acknowledgment. Leyos' gold-misted eyes regarded her with revulsion, contempt, as he spat, indicating to her wound, "Clean yourself up."
The paladin quickly removed a gauntlet and wiped at the dried blood with the back of her hand. This only caused Leyos' scowl to deepen. Reaching into the folds of his robes, he retrieved a carefully folded handkerchief and tossed it at Lira, muttering, "Just like a damn savage... use a handkerchief for Cenarius' sake."
Lira caught the cloth before it could be taken by the wind. She hesitated for a breath's span, but did as she was instructed. When she finished, there was a moment of awkwardness, not knowing what to do with the handkerchief next. Leyos' seemed to notice her silent dilemma.
"Keep it. It's tainted now."
Spotting four silhouettes in the distance, the druid turned from her and spoke no more. Uncertain of what to do, Lira folded the handkerchief into a delicate square and placed it snugly into her breastplate. Her eyes fell upon the contours of Leyos' back, that familiar outline tattooed into her retinas so distinctly. Albeit for different reasons, the two elves waited in silence for the Goblins approach.
"This is not where we agreed to meet," the first Goblin pointed out upon their arrival, forgoing any formalities to voice his disapproval.
"We don't like surprises or those who take it upon themselves to make unnecessary changes without fair warning," another added, furrowing his brows into a "V".
Leyos offered a shallow bow, speaking with a detached formality. "My apologies, gentlemen." He gestured to Lira, continuing, "My dimwitted associate here convinced me that it might please you if we were to move our rendezvous location closer so as to lessen your journey. I shall see that her disrespect receives a suitable punishment."
This seemed to quell the Goblin's temper somewhat, and they all glared at the Sin'Dorei with unveiled vexation. Lira did not cower under their stares, but lowered her head apologetically. Leyos merely shook his head at her "ignorance".
"More to the point," the Goblin known as Flitch began, beady eyes assessing Leyos closely, "Where's Dahj? This is normally his gig; he's an admirable haggler and negotiator. Better than some Goblins I know even."
Leyos straightened to his full height, squaring his shoulders. "Unfortunately, Mirdahj has been assigned to another location. I am to be his replacement from now on. I am Leyos; Rai'zen kindly asks that you receive me in good grace and he hopes that you will continue to expect the same quality of service as before."
A low murmur bubbled from the Goblins until Flitch spoke up once again. "I suppose we ain't gotta' choice. So what's this new stuff Rai'zen mentioned?"
Lira took this as her cue, lowering the haversack from her shoulder and holding it open to the druid.
"I have also brought some Blue Paradise just in case," he began, smoothly, "But Rai'zen was certain that you would be interested in our newest product."
He reached into the bag and pulled out a phial no larger than his pinky, holding it out so the Goblins could get a good look at it. The glass container was filled with a murky, red fluid.
"This--" Leyos stated, presenting the phial to Flitch. "--is Red Euphoria; Euphoria for short."
With a scrutinizing eye, Flitch examined the phial. "We'll need to test this first and take note of its effects first hand, of course."
The Kal'dorei nodded, urging him to do so with a curt nod. "Be my guest. Place one drop into each eye."
Flitch passed the concoction to the Goblin beside him. The Goblin uncorked the container, putting a drop onto one finger before tilting his head back and letting it drip into his eye. He did the same to the other. Keeping a respectable silence, the others watched and waited.
The effects were almost instantaneous; his eyes twitching and quivering ever so visibly. His pupils dilated unnaturally, quickly enveloping everything, iris and all. The end of eternity reflected in his gaze, his eyes nothing more than an unfathomable abyss of black nothingness. His sigh was staggered, heady, as he continued to stare into a realm beyond pleasure.
After a few moments, his pupils returned to their normal size, however, his irises were no longer dusky hazel. The were blue. Then, they were violet. Then one was green and the other was yellow. And with every blink, his eyes continued with this chromatic display of colors, each time the irises matched in hue eliciting a contented sigh.
Flitch nodded slowly in approval, nose twitching excitedly. "Seems legit. The effects seem more stable and more potent than with Paradise. It'll practically sell itself. How much of that stuff can ya' start us out with?"
At this, Leyos' features stretched into an empty smile which clung to his face like an awkwardly placed mask, the result of frequently facilitating questionable business.
"Take as much as you please."
Flitch rubbed his hands together eagerly, an avaricious light flickering about his eyes. Lira had just lowered the haversack toward the Goblin when a strained, guttural moan put their transaction on hold. All eyes regarded the Goblin who had volunteered to test the drug, confusion splayed across the spectators faces. The Goblin was clutching his abdomen, doubled over and shivering uncontrollably.
"I- I think I gotta'... gotta'..." he grunted, but left his sentence unfinished, tripping over himself as he scrambled behind a scruff of vegetation. The sounds emitted just beyond the foliage were familiar in a way no one wanted to admit out loud. Fortunately for them, they were standing downwind.
Flitch flinched, visage scrunched up in disgust. He turned to Leyos and Lira accusingly, his wide nostrils flaring in anger.
"What kind of hoax is this?! You think that--"
He paused as his associate let out a lamenting groan followed by a chorus of flatulence.
"--is funny?!"
Leyos could not veil his bewilderment, but tried his best to assuage the ired Goblin and his acquaintances. While the Kal'dorei was a good actor, his diplomacy skills were deplorable, seeming at a loss in his attempts to smooth over the situation. Goblins had horribly volatile tempers when seemingly scammed or cheated, and Flitch was no exception, berating Leyos' incompetence with the flailing of his arms and hands.
That is until Lira stepped between the two, narrowing her eyes with subtle warning.
"You know as well as us that this drug is new, therefore, bound to have a few unforeseen complications. You and Rai'zen have done business for some time now; is this how you treat a valued and long standing partner? We apologize for any discomfort we may have caused your associate, but rest assured, this was unintentional.
"You have our word that we will remedy the problem as soon as possible and compensate you for the trouble. You yourself said that the drug would sell itself; all you have to do sacrifice a little bit of patience. Do not tell me that you shrewd businessmen are so impatient as to let such a thing cause you to walk away from the financial investment of a lifetime."
Flitch gave pause in mid-rant, musing over her words, though his gaze was fraught with errant distrust.
"Think about it," Lira added, seeing him teetering on the fence of indecision. "Rai'zen didn't get to be the wealthy man he is today by taking offense to every little mishap. If you don't take him up on this offer, there are plenty of others within Rai'zen's influence who would jump at the chance. Do not get so cocky as to think you are the only Goblins vying for Rai'zen's grace and merchandise."
The paladin's voice lowered, speaking with an edge so keen it sliced clean through Flitch's indignant resolve.
"It would do you well to remember yourself."
The Goblin chewed on his lip, running a hand through his greasy hair. Finally, he snorted loudly as if fed up, but would not meet the Sin'Dorei's eyes.
"I expect full compensation, elf. Don't forget."
He turned, motioning for his comrades to follow suit. However, he couldn't pass up the opportunity to get in the last word:
"This kinda' feck wouldn't have happened if Dahj were here..."
Then, taking their "sick" friend with them, they departed without another word, which was just fine with Lira. Sometimes Goblins just needed a good kick in the pants and a harsh reminder to keep them in line. But instead of any congratulatory sighs of relief, Lira immediately tried to make amends for her bold performance.
"I'm sorry, he was getting belligerent and I--"
Leyos silenced her by raising a hand. "Save it. We don't have time to listen to your excuses; just be lucky those money hungry locusts don't have half a brain between them. Regardless, we have to inform Rai'zen quickly."
Pausing, the druid rubbed the stump of his left arm absentmindedly.
"Rai'zen... will not be pleased. Nether damn that Dahj. Even in death he's a nuisance."
Lira didn't reply, but it was assumed Leyos was speaking more to himself than anyone else. He let the silence linger as his hand disappeared into his robes, revealing a handful of mana crystals. Casually, he tossed them at Lira's feet followed by a globule of saliva.
"Those should sustain you long after we have met with Rai'zen. Don't embarrass me in front of him with your detestable addiction."
Kicking up a clod of dirt, Leyos began to head towards civilization, not even favoring the paladin with a backwards glance. Without a word of protest, without any feelings of rancor, Lira picked up the crystals one by one wearing a mask with no expression. She only hesitated for a second, staring down at the mana crystals cradled in her gloves. Then she too was kicking up loose dirt into the wind, struggling to keep pace with Leyos' shadow.