Dagger of Souls

Chapter 3

The grey headed paladin of Tyr carefully studied the proclamation the messenger handed him. He raised an aged, bushy eyebrow as he let out a huff. He continued to read the document stamped by the seal of the rulers of Waterdeep with narrowed eyebrows, "By tomorrow! A paladin with experience in the militia. Do you realize how difficult that is?"

Keltar shrugged as he looked at the silver robed clergyman, "It is a matter of importance. There have been kidnappings, and the threat of possibly more attacks from orcs. There have already been arrangements for a handful of city guardsmen. Time is critical when lives are at stake."

"There are attacks, murders, rapes and more in the city alone. Why is this little town of little more than sixty people of such importance?"

Keltar's black leather armor creaked as he shifted his weight, he knew it was a rhetorical question by the aged holy warrior but answered it anyway. Whether he did so out of defense of his employers or to convince himself he wasn't quite sure. "Sir Bromler, the Lord that sent me believes that there is more to these orc attacks and kidnappings than is apparent on the surface. He has convinced the other lords to hold an investigation into the matter, and I am going to do my duty and help in this cause. It is a good gesture to aid one of the surrounding towns in their time of need and let them know they haven't been forgotten for little more than tax collection. Isn't it a primary duty of paladins to protect those in need?"

Sir Bromler relaxed as he exhaled in resignation over the issue. There was little he could do to go against the official orders of a masked lord, especially one of well intention. "Of course it is, but that's not the point. One of my paladin's can protect more people in one city block here than the entire hamlet we are talking about. But, you are in luck that I have a paladin available with experience in the City Guard during the Amnish War, and was promoted to Sergeant following his campaign. His name is Sir Dural Kirmenen. He is off investigating a property dispute in the Dock Ward at the Falvone estate." The paladin captain looked through some parchments of paper stacked on his oak desk and read it quickly. "Ah, here we go. It is on the corner of Riverside and Seacrest Way. He will be tied up there for most of the afternoon, so you can wait and speak with him here after dusk when her returns or go to the estate and pay him a visit."

Keltar took a mental note of the location and nodded as he stood, "Very well. I would like to give him some time to get things ready, so I will go and see him straight away."

The elder, holy warrior stood from behind his desk, and handed him back the parchment from the lord. The messenger thanked the Tyrran clergyman for his begrudged help and left without delay. He strode quickly through the grey marble floors, among the ornate statues to the God of Justice, taking only a minor note of the magnificent splendor of the place of worship. The wide, pristine cobblestone thoroughfares gave way to muddy, rutted narrow streets as he moved southward toward the Dock Ward, the section of Waterdeep where the ports connected the city to the Sea of Swords. It mainly contained shipyards, maritime businesses and warehouses to store imported and exported goods from the ports. It wasn't far from where Keltar grew up, so the streets were very familiar to him. He cut through some back alleys to shorten his trip. The smell of the refuse lying about mixed with rodents, urine and many other smells nearly indescribable assaulted his nasal passages. He ignored the feeling it gave him in his stomach, having been hardened to the sensations for many years of his youth. He stopped his steady trek as he heard rough voices and scuffling sounds coming from somewhere ahead and to the right of him. He turned the corner to investigate drawing his short sword deftly from the leather scabbard on his belt. The back streets of Dock Ward were filled with thieves, muggers and numerous other miscreants, making it a very dangerous place to traverse. He crouched low and moved for a closer view, staying hidden in the shadows of empty crates and bags of refuse. From his new vantage point he spotted the people causing the commotion. A comely woman with a dark blue dress and long auburn hair was surrounded by three dirty men, dressed in filthy rags and brandishing crude clubs and knives.

The woman took a defensive posture, crouching low and ready to strike, though he could tell she was making it look as though she was cowering. He could tell right away that she was not a helpless woman despite her grace and beauty. She sized up the men, and peered around at her escape routes discreetly.

"Give me back that pouch. I am a priestess of Selune and that money is donations for the needy."

The tall, lanky one of the three men, laughed in a wheezy cackle through one of his missing front teeth. "Well, 'course darlin. We're all needy here. But I think we be needin' more than that pouch and that shiny hammer. Those are mighty fine threads ya got there. We'll take that and even give you a little sumthin' for yer troubles." Given the lewd smirk that formed among the dirty stubble on his face, she surmised it was not exactly fair compensation he had in mind. He reached for the material of her dress that covered her bosom attempting to give it a yank. She reacted before he could pull on her clothing by leaning back. She seized and twisted his offending hand, pulling him off balance. Before the surprised ruffian could react, she kicked hard with her boot to his knee. He yelped in pain as his leg buckled and failed to support his weight. She swiftly changed positions to put the downed mugger between her and the other two men.

The two heavier set men were shocked at this unexpected turn of events. The wide expression in their eyes quickly turned to anger as they raised knives poised to strike. She backed away up against the wall. The short stocky man held venom in his growling voice, "Now, why'd ya go and do that, we was just goin' to have some fun with you. Now we gonna haff ta cut you up."

Keltar started to move closer to help even the odds, noticing the man on the ground was gripping the stolen hammer as the other two advanced. He was only able to close half the distance when the woman chanted something he couldn't understand as she held up a silver medallion attached to a leather cord around her neck. There was a blinding flash of silver lightning that struck in the midst of the ragged thieves, bright enough even though he was a good forty feet away it left large blue spots in his eyes. The three men turned and looked every direction. They began groping around with their hands out in front, apparently blinded and trying to find the woman. She slipped to the right and grabbed the heavy set man with dirty blond hair and shoved him hard from behind, causing him to trip over a broken barrel on the ground. The man's momentum caused him to slam headfirst into the nearby wall. The mugger let out a groan as he slumped to the ground unconscious. Her blue dress swirled around her as she spun and kicked the lanky man on the ground holding her hammer. The blow jerked his neck sideways causing him to tumble over, dropping the stolen weapon to the muddy ground. The priestess retrieved her hammer as the last mugger groped along the wall. "Stram, Melch? What's goin' on? Where da wench go?"

The woman held up the hammer, with a satisfied smirk on her face, "I don't think your friends can talk right now. They are suffering from the pain of guilt for their unlawful deeds."

The man spun around to the voice and began to swing a crude piece of lumber with nails wildly in her direction. Keltar moved in quietly behind him and sliced the piece of wood off just beside his hand and then brought the blade up to the man's back. "There is a sharp sword at the back of your ribs, drop to your knees or I will run you through."

The woman was startled and paused trying to figure out the intentions of the stranger that had appeared out of nowhere. She made no move to relax, keeping her steel war hammer at the ready, even though the ruffian dropped to his knees.

Keltar gave the woman a nod and a small smile, then returned his attention to his captive. He swung his sword backhanded, leading fist first and striking the man with the metallic bottom of the sword's pommel. The blow to the back of the head staggered him face first into the cold, wet ground. He looked up and shrugged as he sheathed his masterfully crafted short sword, "I suppose you didn't need my help as I thought you might when I happened upon your encounter. What in Helm's grace are you doing in these crime infested alleys anyway?"

The woman still refused to relax and kept her distance. "I was tricked by a young girl pretending her mother was deathly ill and need urgent assistance. She ran off after we got a few blocks in." She looked a little sheepish at revealing her naivety, but it quickly turned to a stern gaze. "Who are you and what are you doing here if you know this to be a 'crime infested' area?"

The swordsman gave the woman a theatrical bow as he replied, "My name is Keltar. I was just on my way to find a paladin in the service of Tyr. He is settling an estate dispute not far from here and has been assigned to help me with an investigation. I grew up in this ward and know it well enough to tread carefully to avoid trouble." He shook his head, but smiled as he spoke, "That's the oldest trick in the book. 'My mother needs help'. Good thing you know how to defend yourself, despite overly trusting the children of this ward. Unfortunately there are many dishonest kids getting a few coins or in some cases forced under dire threats to lure people into a trap and relieve them of their goods. To whom do I have the pleasure of addressing?"

The woman's face softened as she studied the roguish man, though she relaxed her posture she kept the hammer in her right hand, only a step away from bringing it to bear. "I am Cera Moonleaf, a devout priestess of the Moon goddess. I am here in Waterdeep exploring the city and speaking with the people here, spreading the words of Selune so that they may find comfort from her graces." She looked down and frowned at the three muggers, "and also teaching a few of her wrath at those who would take advantage of others."

Keltar raised his eyebrows, "Yes, I think I am still seeing spots from that display of divine power. I'm glad I was still a good distance away at the time."

Cera giggled at his comment. "Sorry about that. It would have only blinded you had you been close enough."

The messenger was captivated at the sparkle in her soft blue eyes. They held beauty and an inner power that he has rarely seen. He has seen many pretty girls in this vast city, but few had eyes with such a depth and warmth. She stood out in the filth and scum like a radiant flower in a field of dark mud. "No harm done. I was just glad to see you were not hurt. I will stay with these three if you will go and get the city watchmen." The messenger pointed down one of the alleys to their right. "Go three blocks that way and turn right on the road. You will see the guard house a few buildings down on your left. Please do hurry I have to return to finding Sir Dural."

Cera nodded her agreement as she picked up her pouch of coins and secured it to a loop on the dress near her hip. "I shall make all haste and return swiftly. Thank you for your help. I would like to hear more about this assignment of yours, perhaps I could be of some assistance."

Keltar was caught by surprise at her offer. He tried to hide his enthusiasm as he grinned inwardly. Tymora has smiled twice on him this day. First an important assignment and now a beautiful woman with the healing gift was offering to help. "Your aid would be most welcome, Priestess Cera."